The first season’s climax left Cookie’s ex, music kingpin Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), rotting in a prison cell for a murder he actually did commit, having been betrayed and put away by members of his family. Still, reports that Howard’s role might be diminished were clearly off base if the first three episodes are any guide, as Lucious manages to fight for what’s his – amid a flurry of crosses and double-crosses – even in an unflattering orange jumpsuit.
Among the danger signs for “Empire,” even before season one concluded, was whether the media feeding frenzy would become its own kind of trap, leading to stunt casting and musical cameos (who wouldn’t want to cash in on the platform?) that risk distracting from the central characters.
There is surely some of that in the previewed hours, which include Chris Rock as an old associate of Lucious’ who he encounters in prison (in what can at best be called counter-intuitive casting); Ludacris; and appearances by Al Sharpton and CNN’s Don Lemon at a “Free Lucious” rally that opens the premiere. Marisa Tomei also turns up as a sexually predatory big-money investor, as if (for the purposes of this genre, anyway) there’s any other kind.
Written by Danny Strong and Ilene Chaiken and directed by Lee Daniels, the first hour features a small time lapse as it sets in motion another free-for-all for control of the company, as Lucious’ designated heir, Jamal (Jussie Smollett), wrestles with the mantle of power. Meanwhile, little brother Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) pursues his own musical career, and the business-minded Andre (Trai Byers) has second thoughts about turning against dear old dad.