Empire Flashback Video: Cookie Takes The Head of The Table

Word to the wise Empire characters — never mess with Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) and especially never mess with her family. Many learned this lesson as the seasons wore on, but this particular moment is throwing it way back.

In this flashback video from Season 1, Cookie comes over to the Lyon estate to have dinner with her ex-husband Lucious (Terrence Howard), his girlfriend Anika (Grace Byers), and their three children.

Needless to say, things aren’t exactly civil and Cookie makes sure Anika knows her place in the family. “Excuse me? In this family, we say grace before we shove food in our mouths. Shall we?” Cookie says. Watch the clip above to see the entire showdown.