Last night on FOX’s Empire Season 1 Episode 2, one of the label’s artists is involved in a shooting, forcing Lucious into damage control mode at the worst time.
These are very complicated times for Lucious, as you know if you watch Empire online and took in the series’ terrific pilot episode last week or since.
It’s only getting more so this week.
Empire Season 1 Episode 2 began with Cookie going to Lucious’ home and asking him to let Jamal join Hakeem as the musical act at his new club opening.
Lucious is unmoved by the idea.
Meanwhile, Hakeem and his friends notice a new singer recording at the studio, but she is unwilling to give Hakeem the time of day, at least for now.
Back at home, Andre and Rhonda are brainstorming ways to sabotage Hakeem’s debut, and Rhonda grows concerned over Andre’s bipolar disorder.
Becky does a little Internet research on some of the medication Lucious is taking and confronts him about his ALS diagnosis … but then all hell breaks loose.
A gunman claiming to be influenced by Empire artist Kid Fo Fo commits a shooting and forces Lucious to do damage control, and bring in Kid Fo Fo.
He asks his artist to play with Hakeem at the club opening as part of his efforts to mitigate the situation as much as he can, but it’s an uphill battle.
There’s also the matter of Bunkie’s body, which is soon discovered, at which point the family gathers in mourning and Lucious vows to find the killer.
Later, Hakeem and his friends are drinking at the bar, at which point Hakeem urinates on the rug and declares President Obama a sellout … on video.
The clip goes viral, obviously.
Lucious goes on the offensive, holding a press conference to defend his company from media scrutiny and fires Fo Fo for his lack of respect toward Cookie.
He tells Hakeem to perform alone, but Hakeem asks Jamal to join him instead. Finally, Cookie is told by an agent she will have to testify before a grand jury.
What did you think of the episode, and the show thus far? Watch it above to see it in full, then share your comments on the new FOX series below.