The show was written by Lee Daniels, the genius behind the 2013 film The Butler. It stars Terrence Howard and (my girl) Taraji P Henson, along with some extremely talented new stars. I'll leave cast information at the end of the post. Simply put, this show is nothing but pure, blazing fire! I'm talking supernova level hotness. It has drama and suspense, mystery and betrayal, characters that you hate to love and love to hate! No wonder they approved a second season before the first was even over.
Now that the first season is in fact over, we have to talk about it!
First off, the show starts with Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) getting out of jail after being locked up for seventeen years. You heard me right, seventeen! And that's her getting out early. She gained my respect when I learned that she went down alone so that her family could thrive, even though it meant without her. Right off the bat, Cookie established that she was not one to be messed with.
I'm not mad at her for that though. As a matter of fact, I think I love her character so, not because of her undeniable fierceness but her undeniable love. Even when those she loves don't love her back. She starts off with that "I'm a mad, inconsolable black woman" vibe, but you soon see what's behind it. That frightened and lonely inmate, who had nothing but music and the hope of having her family back to keep her holding on. That being said, let's look at the man who helped her get there.
Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) is a not so ex thug, who (with Cookie's money) established the record label, Empire. He built the life that he and she dreamed of. Only problem is, she wasn't included it. He tried replacing her with fake Rihanna a.k.a. Boo Boo Kitty... I'm not being bias, I honestly don't remember her name. At the start, it looks like he has everything under control and his family is his legacy but as you get deeper you see his motivation is selfish and obsessive. Through out the show you feel bad for him because he thinks he's dying of ALS, though you can't help but question everything he does. I'm serious, just when you think he's turning over a new leaf, you find out it was all a plot to get what he wanted from whoever he wanted it from. In the season finale, he has this rant in his sleep that is just as scary as it is revealing.
Ok I tried to attach it to the page but it wouldn't work so I'll drop the link at the end of the post. If you haven't seen it, it is a MUST WATCH!
So these two divorcees have three sons. Andre (Trai Byers), Jamal (Jussie Smollett), and Hakeen (Bryshere Gray). And all this time, I thought the boy's name was Hakeem lol. Anyways. When Lucious finds out he's going to die, he pins the brothers against each other for the bosses chair. Or as I would call it, the platinum chair. Get it? Platinum records.... It's a record label... Platinum Chair... Never mind. I'm not going to go into every detail, that's for you to discover. What I will tell you is that, Luscious has messed these kids up. Andre was so spent, his psyche couldn't handle much more, Jamal was being oppressed in more ways then one and Hakeen was so pampered he didn't know who he was. But it all comes to a head at season's end and OMG I can't wait for season two!
So let's get down to it...
Best Thing About it:
Definitely, the character's chemistry between one another. I don't know about you. but I can't really get into a show unless the character's realistically grow according to their experiences, however that may deal with them, depending on what kind of person they are. And if the character's in the show don't have realistic reactions and conversations, then that kind of defeats the purpose. I'm watching a show to see how whatever the story is plays out. If the conversations and characters are recycled and predictable then it's hardly enjoyable. Empire does not do that. You can clearly see that the show was well acted, well cast and very well written.
Something You Wouldn't Expect:
Two words. THE MUSIC. OMG, I kind of knew that the show was about a music label but never did I think they would commit to the music as they did. They went and picked up Timbaland, who is in my opinion, one of the greatest producers possibly ever. I mean come on, the man beat boxes and it's a hit! But seriously, as a song writer myself, I have serious respect for the fact that they stayed true to the plot and made it feel real by backing it up with some of the hottest music ever coupled with film. The first scene of the whole pilot is of Veronika Bozeman, singing her little bald heart out, setting the stage for the raw pleasure you are about to experience while watching this show. At that moment, I knew... things just got real.
My Predictions For The Show:
Hmm... It's hard to say, simply because this show takes you from here to there, then here again. But being who I am (the queen of predicting shows and movies), I'm going to try.
Obviously, Lucious is going to come back with a vengeance, but I think he's going to start plotting and putting a plan in place whilst in his current predicament. (Trying not to include spoilers lol)
I think Cookie is going to right some of the wrongs of Lucious, family wise. and also make a name for herself as the talented producer she is.
I think Jamal, unfortunately, is going to side with his father since they bonded over the music and have a new respect for each other. I also think he's going to turn towards the darker side as his fame increases and become bigger, better, and perhaps worse than his father. I don't want these things to happen but it's just what I foresee.
I think Hakeen. I could've swore they said Hakeem, is going to bond with Cookie more and start to find himself in both his music and as a man. Perhaps, even step away and make his own brand, clothes and things like that. Maybe become a business man and have Andre deal with that side, while he does his music thing. If he had a brand, I'd name it Keen. It's both a shortened version of his name and a slang term for "down for whatever". The slogan would be something like "I'm keen, are you?"... I don't know, it just fits.
Honestly, I have no predictions for Andre, but that alone could make him the dark horse of this show. He might just shock us all. Think about it.
All and all this is a great show and definitely worth buying on blu ray. Check it out on FOX and HULU Plus.
Last but not least... The Cast:
Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon
Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon
Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon
Bryshere Gray as Hakeen Lyon
Trai Bryers as Andre Lyon
Ok I'm sorry but i had to add some supporting characters that cracked me up.
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| Fake Rihanna a.k.a. Boo Boo Kitty |
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| That Chick From Precious |
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| The Sneaky White Woman Behind Every Successful Black Man |
Before I forget, the video I promised: Lucious Lyon Vs God?
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