Fox Network’s smash hit Empire began its second season on September 23rd with the premiere of the episode, “The Devils Are Here”. 16.8 million fans tuned to watch and revel in the endlessly dramatic and flamboyant soap opera. Lead actress Taraji P. Henson, who plays the effortlessly iconic character Cookie, was recently nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.  

Empire is one of Fox Network’s biggest successes right now; the ratings have continuously skyrocketed from from the beginning of the first season. Cameos of well known figures in African-American pop culture such as Reverend Al Sharpton, Miss Lawrence, Don Lemon, Swizz Beatz, and Andre Leon Talley were featured in Empire Season two’s debut, which erupted conversation on many social media outlets. Comedian and actor Chris Rock played the most prominent role this episode, as an incarcerated drug lord with old ties to the Lyon’s past on the streets.

Last season Empire introduced America to a wealthy music mogul, aptly named Lucious Lyon, and the family politics that followed soon after he was diagnosed with ALS. He was forced to select an heir for the company out of his three sons Jamal, Andre and Hakeem, and also his ex-wife Cookie. This episode reintroduced audiences to the drama within the 

Lyon clan. With Luscious still incarcerated for a murder that happened at the end of last season, he still attempts to hold on to the reins of his company from jail. Meanwhile Cookie’s latest plans to regain control of the company they started together, involve wooing a billionaire to invest in Empire’s newly public-traded stock. Fans were eager to see the musical talent highlighted in Empire, and the first episode started strong with a performance from Jamal and Hakeem during a #FreeLucious concert in Central Park.

Stay tuned for Spectrum’s reviews of future episodes!

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