On Empire Season 1 Episode 1, we were introduced to Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), the head of a hip hop label (named Empire) who will soon step down.
One of this three sons – Andre, Jamal and Hakeem – will succeed him as CEO. Why will the Empire change hands, and what will this mean for Lyon’s family?
FOX spent A LOT of money promoting its new series, and Empire Season 1 Episode 1 mostly delivered on the hype. But can it sustain the momentum?
It’s too soon to tell based on a promising pilot episode alone, but thanks to Howard, Taraji P. Henson and a great soundtrack, it’s off to a good start.
Lucious Lyon is a compelling lead character, a former drug dealer, turned recording artist, turned record label owner in the vein of Jay Z or Dr. Dre.
He’s risen to the point where he has a relationship with President Obama, and has been so successful that he’s about to take his company public.
Then he learns he has ALS and has three years to live, tops.
He responds to this stoically, telling his sons matter-of-factly what he’s learned and informing them that only one will lead company once he’s gone.
Making this all the more complicated for Lyon? Lucious’ ex-wife and the mother of his sons, Cookie (Henson), is released from jail after 17 years.
Abrasive, inappropriate and vengeful, the former Mrs. Lyon wants to rebuild relationships with her brood, but also to grab a piece of their Empire.
The three children the Lyons had couldn’t be more different.
Andre, the eldest, is college educated, with a gorgeous wife and no musical inclinations. Middle child Jamal is the talented singer and songwriter.
He is also gay, and Lucious’ homophobia is not thinly veiled.
Youngest son Hakeem, a wannabe rapper looking to follow in his father’s footsteps, appears to be his favorite, and he and Jamal are very tight.
If there’s a third wheel, it appears to be the eldest, Andre.
The return of the boys mother, Cookie, and her own complicated relationships (or lack thereof) with the boys gives the new show limitless potential.
Oh, and to cap it all off … Lucious’s right hand man and friend Bunkie asks Lyon for money. We won’t spoil his response here, but it was shocking.
Follow the link to watch Empire online and see it for yourself. If you’ve already seen the premiere, hit the comments below and tell us what you thought!