FOX’s new hip-hop drama Empire took audiences by storm this year, pulling in record-breaking ratings and even landing a song or two on the Billboard charts.
The show stars Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, a rapper-turned-music mogul with three sons he wants to groom so that one will become the heir to his throne before their family business, Empire Records, goes public. Taraji P. Henson stars as Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie Lyon, who, after spending 17 years in prison, has returned for her piece of the company she helped start.
Sounds pretty juicy, doesn’t it? As the spring weather slowly transitions from April showers to May flowers, why not stay in one weekend and catch up on Empire? Or if you’ve already seen all the episodes, revisit your favorite ones and see what little details you may have missed!
After all, you don’t want to get left out of all the conversations about this show! Season two will be here before you know it!
We can’t think of a better way to catch up on Empire than with Hulu, which offers on-demand streaming of your favorite shows from multiple networks.
Whether you’re just tuning in for the first time or just can’t get enough of Empire, here are a few of our must-see episodes, which you can watch with ease on Hulu.
Episode 1 – Pilot
Of course you have to start with the very beginning. This is where you’ll meet Lucious, fall in love with everyone’s favorite ex-con-turned-diva Cookie, and start to see which of Lucious’ three sons – Hakeem, Jamal and Andre — you think will eventually take over Empire Records from their father, who is suffering from ALS.
What makes this episode a favorite: It’s the episode that started it all! A must-see for any Empire fan.
2. Episode 5 – Dangerous Bonds
This episode is all about Cookie. We learn more about Cookie’s past before she was locked up, and someone leaves her a mysterious, yet frightening gift. (Want to watch her throw shade or sashay in her fabulously colorful outfits from your bed instead but don’t have a TV in your room? Hulu Plus subscribers can view every episode on their mobile devices.)
What makes this episode a favorite: Hakeem Lyon’s super fun and ridiculous tune “Drip Drop” is sure to be stuck in your head for the next week!
3. Episode 6 – Out, Damned Spot
Throughout the season you’ll see a bunch of guest stars from the music world, but Hole frontwoman Courtney Love as washed-up diva Elle Dallas is by far the best cameo. That makes us think — Courtney Love would be an excellent mentor on NBC’s The Voice.
What makes this episode a favorite: Cookie gets to flex her muscle and proves to Lucious how valuable of an asset to Empire Records she truly is. Plus, thanks to Cookie, we found out what a ‘real ass’ looks like.
4. Episode 9 – Unto the Breach
After dropping a bombshell announcement while performing at Empire’s annual white party, Jamal works overtime to prove to his father he has what it takes to run the company. While tensions have been building all season among the Lyon brothers, one moment brings them closer than they have been in months.
What makes this episode a favorite: Watching the Lyon family perform a fun, stripped-down version of the song “You’re So Beautiful” — with Estelle!
5. Episode 12 – Who I Am
With a jaw-dropping finale that would make even Scandal envious, Empire manages to flip everything on its head and make you forget everything you thought you knew about the Lyon family and the future of the company.
What makes this episode a favorite: We find out who gets Empire Records, and what’s next for the company.
Of course, these are just a few of our favorite episodes the season. You can watch all the episodes of Empire on Hulu.
Sidebar: If you’re in need of a new show to marathon on weekends and hold you over until Empire returns, NBC’s The Blacklist — also available on Hulu — is our latest drama obsession.
