Empire is back for its final 18 episodes. In May, the show was renewed for a sixth season, which will close the Lyons story. How will the writers wrap-up the saga? Will Jamal's absence be felt? Let's summarize what happened in these first two episodes.
The season premiere, What is Love, picks up 8 months after the crazy season 5 ending.
Lucious is now a fugitive and the feds are after him. Cookie has removed the Lyon patriarch from Empire, and tries to focus on her bran outside of the company. She has been successful considering that it includes a talk show and a community center.
Andre is getting ready for the arrival of his first child and he is in charge of Empire. After 5 seasons, the big battle for Empire's control was a fair win for the firstborn. Things get complicated when some people want Andre's help, including Tracy and a former cellmate and friend, to whom he owes something.
Hakeem is getting into acting, and he will play his father in a movie, but the episode ends with a worrying note, Teri is facing some problems with her pregnancy. Will Andre ever catch a break and live a normal life? The season premiere was ok, nothing spectacular, but I didn't hate it. I still miss the old good days.
The second episode, Got on my Knees to Pray is wilder and juicier. Andre is, once again, having a faith-crisis. After Teri's problems, he is struggling. He is facing the consequences of his actions, and killing Mouse, even if it was satisfying, it's haunting him. The episode has a good moment focused on this religious aspect: the character is finally gaining a definitive life-balance. Andre has always been a compelling figure in this narrative, and probably without one of the main characters, the writers will spend more time on his journey.
Cookie, Lucious and Damon have their own complicated business in this hour. She demands an explanation from Damon and finds out the truth when she spies on his phone. I am not so curious to see what will happen with this storyline. We all know that the two will get back together somehow. This second episode felt more interesting and entertaining.
And you? What do you think of What is Love & Got on my Knees to Pray?