![empire season 2 episode 1 subtutuled empire season 2 episode 1 subtutuled](https://images.latintimes.com/sites/latintimes.com/files/2016/05/18/empire.jpg)
Or perhaps it was intentional that Howard dominated those moments, considering he did ultimately come out ahead. Howard ate him up in their scenes together, and yet it was Rock's character who was supposed to be the legendary monster of the streets. He certainly gave it his all, growling and glaring at everyone in that prison, but it wasn't convincing. While Rock is many brilliant things, he doesn't come across as particularly believable in this role because he's just not menacing enough.
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In an unusual casting decision, the comedian portrayed Frank Gathers, the drug dealer Cookie ratted out midway through the previous season. He proved both his ruthlessness and his commitment to family, despite their treachery, while taking on guest star Chris Rock. This was the Lucious from the streets that we heard about (and saw in flashbacks last season), who created this Empire through passion and a willingness to do whatever it takes.
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He showed the various facets of his character throughout the episode, all while separated from his designer suits and lavish lifestyle. Turns out Tomei took a better offer, emphasizing that Empire is Lucious Lyon's - so there is no company without him, as she sees it. Lucious' glee as he addressed his treacherous family from prison was palpable thanks to the consistently brilliant Howard. When I noticed there was still more than ten minutes left in the episode as Cookie and her posse strolled in the board room after their hostile takeover bid - with the delightful Marisa Tomei as their surprise investor - I knew something was up. Lines were drawn, dividing the family even as Lucious was arrested for the murder of Cookie's cousin Bunkie last season. And with the season two premiere, first blood was drawn. Gray) and Andre (Trai Byers), along with Lucious' ex Anika (Grace Gealey), to orchestrate a hostile takeover of the now public company. Henson's Cookie partnering with sons Hakeem (Bryshere Y. The foundation was laid in the closing episodes of season one, with Emmy-nominee Taraji P. Even better, it set the stage for an epic civil war within Lucious Lyon's (Terrence Howard) titular Empire. After bursting out of the gate and becoming the top-rated new program of last season, Fox's Empire returned for its 18-episode sophomore effort with all of the same energy, family fighting, violence and fantastic music that caused fans to fall in love with the show in the first place.