Catching up, and yes, even though I think Hakeem is fugly, his raps are so sensual and he kinda turns me on. Drip Drop is my jam.

ROTFF! I find him fugly, too...perfect word! He needs Cookie to broom him into a respectful young man!

Not speaking "The Queen's English" doesn't make one "uneducated".

Hakeem is a classic underachiever who isn't motivated because he doesn't have to be which (a trait he & Jamal shared until very recently).

The reason he speaks different than his brothers (but not unlike his parents & Uncle Vernon) is because they're in situations where they are expected to code switch & he isn't.

Just speaking for myself, in my post, I make the distinction by saying 'formal' education precisely because I didn't want someone to make the mistake of taking my words to mean that I was saying Hakeem was uneducated.

And maybe it's early and maybe Hakeem is always "on" in his rap persona but I have yet to hear Hakeem code switch. In front of his Mother (who he called a B*tch), he always seems to use the same language and tone. I don't see any variance.

Just speaking for myself, in my post, I make the distinction by saying 'formal' education precisely because I didn't want someone to make the mistake of taking my words to mean that I was saying Hakeem was uneducated.

And maybe it's early and maybe Hakeem is always "on" in his rap persona but I have yet to hear Hakeem code switch. In front of his Mother (who he called a B*tch), he always seems to use the same language and tone. I don't see any variance.

And I used the term well educated because I believe people can educated themselves. Yes, I would have thought someone like Lucious would send his children to the best private schools once he made it, but that doesn't mean I think that's the only way people can learn. You can be smart and not know who Mama Rose is or an idiot and get the reference. It just seems to me they made more of a point to show us what Jamal and Andre (business acumen) have going on upstairs and less so with Hakeem. Although, I will say that his rap for Bunky was very clever.

There really is so much to explore within the sibling dynamics of their brothers. In the flashback with Andre protecting Lucious, we see him rapping along with his Dad. Why did he stop? It's to the point where Lucious had to repeatedly ask Andre what he thought of Hakeem's song. Did Andre perform at some point and disappoint his Dad?

I loved this last episode, Cookie ordering (and then trying to stop) the hit was terrific.

The show is shot beautifully and the writing is fun. The ratings are going up and up for FOX, so enjoyable.

There really is so much to explore within the sibling dynamics of their brothers. In the flashback with Andre protecting Lucious, we see him rapping along with his Dad. Why did he stop? It's to the point where Lucious had to repeatedly ask Andre what he thought of Hakeem's song. Did Andre perform at some point and disappoint his Dad?

Remember in that first episode Andre and Rhonda were (literally) looking down on Hakeem and Jamal when they were singing together. Andre said something along the lines of Lucious favoring Hakeem because of his talent. Also that he still loved Jamal more than Andre, even though he hates Jamal. All this because of musical talent. So I take it that maybe Andre just isn't good enough to be a professional? I mean, how many people really are? Even in big family acts, it's often one or two who carry the rest. I'm also not sure we are really supposed to believe that Andre is right about the way Lucious feels.

Remember in that first episode Andre and Rhonda were (literally) looking down on Hakeem and Jamal when they were singing together. Andre said something along the lines of Lucious favoring Hakeem because of his talent. Also that he still loved Jamal more than Andre, even though he hates Jamal. All this because of musical talent. So I take it that maybe Andre just isn't good enough to be a professional? I mean, how many people really are? Even in big family acts, it's often one or two who carry the rest. I'm also not sure we are really supposed to believe that Andre is right about the way Lucious feels.

I think Andre's feelings are from his POV. He thinks that Lucious loves the others more than Him. I doubt that is true. But I think he does value them more than Andre. And this is because of their talent.

I think Andre's feelings are from his POV. He thinks that Lucious loves the others more than Him. I doubt that is true. But I think he does value them more than Andre. And this is because of their talent.

Andre is JR Ewing. No matter what he does he'll never be secure in his father's love.

Andre is JR Ewing. No matter what he does he'll never be secure in his father's love.

+1

Andre is JR Ewing. No matter what he does he'll never be secure in his father's love.

Right, but Jock really did favor Bobby, which is what made all of those relationships so interesting. Especially, with Miss Ellie favoring Gary. I feel like the jury is still out with Lucious. It makes sense to me that he favors Hakeem because he basically raised alone from a baby and Hakeem makes the same kind of music Lucious did. Still, Lucious really does have a cold streak in him, very similar to Jock (what have you done for me lately), so I'm interested to see how all of these relationships shake out.

Damn... damn... D A M N Taraji!

I can't! I wish this show was daily.

Yaasss, hunni! Taraji better werk! I cannot wait for Wednesday!

I meed a gif of that turn. I need Cookie to get some lovin'! Derek Luke Ahhhhhhhhh!

I must say that I'm somewhat offended by the phrase "sound well educated". I won't get into why because I am not in the mood to have a discussion about dialect and race today. And yes, I'm southern.

+1.

Damn... damn... D A M N Taraji!

I can't! I wish this show was daily.

Not to mention, Courtney Love!