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Empire Season 2 Episodes
Season 2 Episode Guide
18 Episodes 2015 - 2016
The second season of the hip-hop drama centers on a battle for control over Empire Entertainment. The premiere opens three months following the shocking arrest and incarceration of Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), who is attempting to control his record label from inside federal lockup. At the same time, his ex-wife, Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson), is still plotting a hostile takeover of the lucrative biz, while also trying to establish a small startup. Neither goes smoothly. But success does come to Lucious when he records an epic track from prison. Guest appearances include Ne-Yo, Ludacris, William Fichtner, Adam Rodriguez, Kelly Rowland, Chris Rock, Andre Royo and Marisa Tomei.
Episode 1
The Devils Are Here
Wed, Sep 23, 2015 60 mins
Season 2 picks up three months after the arrest and incarceration of Lucious, who is trying to run Empire Entertainment from inside federal lockup. Elsewhere, a headline-grabbing state prosecutor hangs her political ambitions on bringing Lucious down; and Cookie stages a star-studded concert in support of her ex, while at the same time she's plotting with Andre, Hakeem, Anika and Mimi Whiteman to finalize the hostile takeover of his company.
Episode 2
Without a Country
Wed, Sep 30, 2015 60 mins
Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but their opposing visions make for a bumpy start to the venture. Meanwhile, Hakeem woos a hot Latina singer for the girl group he wants to form; Lucious hires a new lawyer and records an epic track from inside jail; and Jamal proves to be just as ruthless as his father when making business moves.
Episode 3
Fires of Heaven
Wed, Oct 7, 2015 60 mins
Cookie and Anika work behind Lucious' back to pull off a performance that will catch Pitbull's eye; at the same time, Lucious tries to convince Frank Gather's daughter to sign with him; and Hakeem focuses his energy on making Ménage a Trois a success. Meanwhile, Andre and Rhonda pin their hopes of a return to Empire on their baby to come.
Episode 4
Poor Yorick
Wed, Oct 14, 2015 60 mins
The Lyons collaborate on a music video, putting aside their differences long enough to capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal's duet from Hakeem's leaked album. Meanwhile, Lucious, who has the federal murder case hanging over his head, decides the answer to his problems is to find Vernon and make him permanently disappear.
Episode 5
Be True
Wed, Oct 21, 2015 60 mins
Cookie and Anika work with Laz to organize a big block party to launch their company, an event that will be highlighted by a signature anthem written by Hakeem, who finds himself entering into a tender romance with the lead singer of his girl group. Meanwhile, Jamal collaborates with Ne-Yo; and Andre takes steps to rid his soul of past sins.
Episode 6
A High Hope for a Low Heaven
Wed, Nov 4, 2015 60 mins
Lucious and Cookie put aside their differences for the sake of their family who need them to work together to stay out of danger; Jamal does his best to get back in the studio and break away from the "gay artist" label; and Hakeem struggles with how to feel and act like a man.
Episode 7
True Love Never
Wed, Nov 11, 2015 60 mins
Lucious explores the possibility of partnering with Jago as he maps out a plan to turn Empire into a global music monolith; at the same time, Andre struggles to find a balance between his newfound values and demanding career. Elsewhere, Hakeem molds Laura into a star; and Cookie pushes to get Lyon Dynasty involved in a major televised charity concert.
Episode 8
My Bad Parts
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 60 mins
Battle lines are drawn when Lucious attempts to assert his power by releasing a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Meanwhile, Cookie's spitfire sister pays her a special visit; Jamal works on landing a major sponsorship deal; and Anika receives some life-changing news.
Episode 9
Sinned Against
Wed, Nov 25, 2015 60 mins
Cookie and Candace recruit an ex-con to help them rescue their sister Carol; and Laz's romantic relationship with Cookie gets complicated when she finds out the truth about him. Meanwhile at Empire, Jamal collaborates with a pop star who connects with him on a deep level.
Episode 10
Et Tu, Brute?
Wed, Dec 2, 2015 60 mins
Lucious makes a reckless play for the streaming service that he believes will put him on the map as the most powerful man in music, but in the end this move could cost him big time; and Cookie decides to stage a concert at the prison where she was locked away from her family for 17 years.
Episode 11
Death Will Have His Day
Wed, Mar 30, 2016 60 mins
Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to be at the top of his company again, but he'll have to make his way past Cookie first. Meanwhile, Rhonda, Andre and the rest of the Lyon family struggle to come to terms with a horrific tragedy that will change their lives forever.
Episode 12
A Rose by Any Other Name
Wed, Apr 6, 2016 60 mins
Camilla digs her claws deeper into Hakeem, while the rest of the Lyon family work to get him back on their side, but without realizing Empire's acting CEO has his own plan. Meanwhile, Jamal receives backlash from his fans; and Andre and Rhonda's marriage is tested.
Episode 13
The Tameness of a Wolf
Wed, Apr 13, 2016 60 mins
Family tensions rise as Lucious throws his energy into directing an emotional music video, which recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother. Meanwhile, Tiana and Laura unleash a vicious rivalry over the spotlight on the Mirage a Trois tour, forcing Hakeem to mediate between the two divas.
Episode 14
Time Shall Unfold
Wed, Apr 20, 2016 60 mins
Manipulation and sabotage are heavily employed by Lucious as he works to regain his CEO position at Empire; at the same time, his new music video is unveiled. In other events, Andre hopes to better understand his bipolar disorder by learning more about his grandmother's mental illness; Anika reveals a big secret to the family; and Hakeem heads an important meeting of the shareholders.
Episode 15
More Than Kin
Wed, Apr 27, 2016 60 mins
Lucious throws a fund-raiser with help from Andre in an effort to show the board that they should reinstate him as Empire's CEO. Meanwhile, Hakeem decides if he's interested in being a father to his child with Anika.
Episode 16
The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
Wed, May 4, 2016 60 mins
The discovery of a dark secret by Andre threatens to sabotage Lucious' deeply personal music video about his mother; Hakeem and Jamal put everything at risk to pursue secretive affairs; and Rhonda begins to piece together the identity of her attacker.
Episode 17
Rise by Sin
Wed, May 11, 2016 60 mins
Hakeem feels under pressure as he struggles to find a place for his fiancé, Laura, in both his family and his career; Cookie finally lets Jamal in on the truth about what happened to Freda's father, prompting him to warn Freda about his family's ulterior motives; and a sacrifice is made on behalf of Lucious.
Episode 18
Past Is Prologue
Wed, May 18, 2016 60 mins
A life-changing experience leads Jamal to put the breaks on his music career as long as those closest to him continue the endless cycle of violence and fighting in the Season 2 finale. Meanwhile, the feds pressure Anika to testify against Lucious; and Cookie decides how best to protect her family when she meets with people from her and Lucious' past at Hakeem and Laura's wedding.
