Finals are in...show tied its high in demos from last week and indeed hit an even higher series high.

Adults 18-49: 5.8/17

Total Viewers: 14.9 million

Yay so it didn't decrease from last week!!!

ETA: I just watched again I loved when Naomi went off on Lucious as she was escorted out.

Edited March 12, 201510 yr by Eric83

She was vicious to the end! I'm disappointed they sent her away for now. She really held her own against Terrence Howard. When she arrived at the mansion I thought Camilla was ready to make a play for Lucious. She could easily be the new (and tougher) Anika.

This past episode was underwhelming to me. I really don't need extra reasons to think that Luscious is a monster, and at this point it's becoming a detriment to the serial. If he gets to be more and more despicable with each passing episode rage will soon move to apathy among the audience members, and apathy to desensitization and then to disinterest. This episode was a Luscious showcase, and I didn't care for Reg and his gun or the resulting stupidity. So the A plot was a wash. Andre gets the shaft again. The Cookie/Malcolm relationship feels unneeded, it smacks of a c level subplot that should only be utilized during a slow moment in season 2.

I go back and forth on if Empire should have more episodes or not. The pacing problem is real, and we see that in the past three episodes. They have been poorly structured, and it's tempered my interest in the show. If they paced things a bit better I would probably like the show more. On the other hand, I think Empire is benefiting from more or less acting as a limited series. It gives each episode a must see feel, and people can keep up with it easier as it doesn't have extended plot lines or long term episode orders to fill with hiatuses and the like. If the show were extended to a full 22 episode order it would probably fall into the same trappings as all of the other series on television now -- meaningless episodes, stupid sub side stories, overexposure, and diminished expectations to fill time.

Edited March 12, 201510 yr by Skin

He's no Babe Carey, that's for sure.

CBS SID on the finale.

Strong promises he won't "Laura Palmer" the fans of EMPIRE referring to the season one finale of TWIN PEAKS (in which viewers were still left wondering who offed Laura). In other words, Lucious will likely reveal to which son he'll be turning over his music business. "A lot will be resolved," Strong previews.

This is where I say that only ABC promised viewers they'd know who killed Laura at the end of the first season of Twin Peaks in their BS promo department, not the showrunners, but the above point stands.

Edited March 12, 201510 yr by Vee

First Look for at least hour one of the finale. I'll add a YT link when they put it up. SPOILERS, but nothing too major from what I can see. Looks like a big week for Chit and Lucious! Terrence Howard plays this all so well.

Took part in a conference call today with Danny Strong, co-creator of "Empire," and he confirmed talks for how many episodes to produce next season do not include discussion of 22 episodes. Expect less.

Come on Errol. You mean expect "fewer." Don't be one of those heretics who let the AP style guide tell them it doesn't matter anymore.

Honestly, I can see why they don't want to go to a full 22 episodes. Granted, I've complained about the pacing all along - and I think the show has more than enough story to fill 22 episodes - but I would think that's too many unless they break it into two runs of 10-12 with a few months in between. I don't want to grind Taraji and Terrance into dust (especially Taraji since IMO she *is* Empire). I imagine that they both want the flexibility to be able to work on other projects and 22 episodes would make that difficult. I think 15-18 episodes perhaps with a brief break in between would be optimal.

I'm good with 15 or 16. I think 18 might be pushing it.

First Look for at least hour one of the finale. I'll add a YT link when they put it up. SPOILERS, but nothing too major from what I can see. Looks like a big week for Chit and Lucious! Terrence Howard plays this all so well.

SQUEEEEEEEE! I won't look at the vid because I want to remain unspoiled, but just knowing Lucious will be an SOB makes me giddy

There really aren't many SPOILERS in there from what I can see. Use your judgment, but it's clear he's up to no good. That giddy look at the end!

First Look for at least hour one of the finale. I'll add a YT link when they put it up. SPOILERS, but nothing too major from what I can see.

I want Jussie to do commentary for all the shows I watch. He's adorable because he reacts to stuff just like a fan.

Perfect casting here!

She was vicious to the end! I'm disappointed they sent her away for now. She really held her own against Terrence Howard. When she arrived at the mansion I thought Camilla was ready to make a play for Lucious. She could easily be the new (and tougher) Anika.

I loved how vicious Camilla was to Lucious about his ALS: "In 6 months, you'll be a vegetable in a wheelchair with a colostomy bag trailing behind you." That was ice cold and I loved it. Naomi delivered, and I agree that she had some Kate O'Mara vibes going on, she is a charismatic presence. I hope that she, and Courtney Love, make returns in season 2...Elle Dallas has some justice to get from Boo Boo Kitty.

I loved the episode, as I have all the others, but the pacing is lightning fast and I think the show would benefit from going to something like 15 or 16 episodes. I don't think it's wise to go far beyond that episode order, because overexposure will kill a show like 'Empire' and part of what makes it great is the pacing and the action and how there aren't wasted scenes.

Me when a heffa walks in the room that I dont like