In January’s thrilling premiere episode of “Empire,” ex-con Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) told her ex-husband, record mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), that she wanted to prove to the world that a “faggot” — their son Jamal (Jussie Smollett) — could run his record label when he was ready to hand it over.
Homophobic Lucious thought she was crazy, but Cookie was crazy like a fox. In one of the many surprises in the sensational season finale of the amazing hit Fox series, Lucious, after treating Jamal and his other sons, Andre (Trai Byers) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray), like dirt, came to his senses and did the right thing. He handed over the empire to Jamal.
Of course, Lucious, being the rat fink he is, screws Cookie over, launching a hostile takeover of the Lyon label by the rival label, Creedmoor. It was one of the many juicy subplots that made the two hours fly by. Vibrant musical performances by a variety of artists ranging from Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle to Rita Ora served to underscore why this show is not only at the top of the ratings — nearly 15 million people watched last week’s episode — but this week beat Madonna to the top of the Billboard album charts.
The first hour concentrated on the many ways Lucious has abused his sons. Just like King Lear and his daughters, he has driven everyone away, but his ego is so powerful that he thinks he can reel anyone back in to help him put together a legacy concert, the Lucious Lyon Sound. Having already conceded that Jamal, his most compassionate child, has the most musical talent in the family, he asks for his help with a severe case of writer’s block, and Jamal takes him back to the weather-beaten house where Lucious once tried to put the 5-year-old Jamal in a garbage can for wearing a kerchief and high heels.
Singing a duet in that old dump is a cathartic experience for father and son, and the scene lifts this show way above the nouveau “Dynasty” label that has been slapped on it by media watchers who are still baffled by its success. Yes, “Empire” is a soap, but unlike “Dynasty,” it has heart and soul.
For the scheming members of the Lyon crew, the reversals of fortune came swiftly. Not unexpectedly, Lucious’ aide Vernon (Malik Yoba) was murdered, but not by anybody you’d expect. And Lucious received the biggest reversal of all. Diagnosed with ALS in the first episode, a recent symptom convinced another MD to do more testing and it was revealed that he has only myasthenia gravis. It’s a bummer, yes, but to Lucious it’s a miracle.
In one of the show’s periodic missteps, the producers mount a very cheesy dream sequence in which Lucious, having taken a powerful sleeping pill, confesses to the murder of Cookie’s cousin, Bunkie Campbell (Antoine McKay), with Cookie in the room. The first hour ends with the outraged Cookie attempting to suffocate him with a pillow. She’s not going to get away with it. Lucious has it all recorded on his security cameras.
The second hour concerns the hostile takeover of the Empire label by Cookie, Andre, Hakeem and Lucious’ ex-fiancee, Anika (Grace Gealey). Cookie and Anika have their long-awaited catfight on a pool table and it seemed a little beside the point because these two are always going to hate each other. Besides, there are more sinister forces moving in. The FBI reels Cookie back in to help it build a case against Lucious, but she won’t tell them that he killed Bunkie, even after she confirms her worst suspicions with Vernon, shortly before he dies.
Every soap opera needs a good cliff-hanger and “Empire” did not disappoint. Lucious seems to be on the verge of getting off scot-free. He’s managed to take his company public, hand over the running of the label to his most qualified son, but his winning streak comes to a sorry end when the FBI arrests him during his triumphant concert.
Cookie and Lucious beautifully switch roles. She started the season in the slammer and that’s where Lucious ends up, while Cookie moves into his mansion. With the FBI looking for its star witness, Vernon, it’s going to be up to her to make those charges stick — next season. Can anybody wait that long?
“Empire” knows how to make an exit. It leaves you wanting more.
Many stories have been written about the phenomenal success of the show. And they’re all true. Through the alchemy of solid storytelling, a sterling cast led by the relentlessly entertaining Henson and a terrific soundtrack, “Empire” is simply the best network show on TV. The proof is in the ratings.