By SERIAH SARGENTON
Contributing Writer
Returning to FOX on Sept. 23, 2015, the hit TV drama “Empire” is coming back for its second season. “Empire” is about the drama that revolves around the Lyon Family.
The Lyon family consists of Lucious Lyon, who is the CEO of Empire Entertainment. Next we have Lucious’ ex-wife and former queen of the Empire, Cookie, who was arrested in the early years of Empire Entertainment and has returned to claim what she says is hers.
In addition, we also have Lucious’ and Cookie’s three sons: Andre, the businessman who we discover later in season one has serious bipolar issues; Jamal, who Lucious considers a disgrace because he is gay; and finally, Hakeem, Lucious’ favorite child who seems to value the power of the Empire over hard work and success.
Other characters may not be part of the Lyon family, but are just as important. Anika Calhoun was Lucious’ fiancée up until two-thirds of the way through the season, when she was caught lying about her work with Beretti. Beretti is the owner of Empire’s rival record label, Creedmoor Entertainment.
We also have Lucious’ good friend and Cookie’s cousin Bunkie, who was killed in the first episode by Lucious because he attempted blackmail. Bunkie plays an important role in the entire first season, because he is the reason Lucious is in jail.
As the premiere of season two comes closer, we’re all wondering what’s next for the Lyon family and Empire Entertainment, so let’s recap the important events from season one.
In episode one, Cookie is released from jail and immediately returns to the Empire, stating that she is taking back what’s hers- right after Lucious tells Jamal, Andre, and Hakeem that he needs one of them to take his spot as king of the Empire.
In the same episode, Lucious kills Bunkie, as mentioned before. The murder of Bunkie creates the central plot to the season as Lucious deals with keeping his death a secret and choosing the heir to the Empire.
Between episodes two and three, we see that Lucious is feeling guilty for killing Bunkie, and he finally admits to everyone that he is dying.
The real drama begins in episode nine, when everyone is dealing with the aftermath of the discovery that Anika is a traitor. This is when the entire Lyon family has to come together to save the kingdom that has been created.
The two-part season finale is when everything is discovered. Jamal becomes the head of Empire. Ankia, Hakeem, Cookie, and Andre are found to all be trying to destroy Lucious. Cookie learns that Lucious murdered Bunkie, because he said it in his sleep.
In the end, Lucious is arrested for Bunkie’s murder. The season ends with this quote from Lucious: “Game time, bitches.”
With all the drama, there was also some great music throughout the entire first season that was produced by Timberland.
One of the best hit sings of the season was “Drip Drop,” from the fifth episode. It has the catchy chorus, “drip drop drip drippity drop.” It’s is no wonder why it’s the perfect song to jam to at any party.
Another hit song that is also significant to the Lyon family is “You’re So Beautiful” from episode eight. The importance of family to all the Lyons is why this song is such a hit.
The first song that we hear in the entire season, “Live in the Moment,” which was in the pilot, sung by Jamal and Hakeem, shows the fun that we were in for when the show first started.
“Keep Your Money,” a song from the fifth episode, by Jamal, was created as a message to Lucious that he doesn’t want his money. It was also a message to the viewers about doing well to support others.
From Cookie’s reappearance at Empire Entertainment to Lucious’ arrest in the finale, we all know that there is still plenty drama to go.
