Today's Entertainment

2 • March 27 - April 2, 2016 • Brainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media C arrying on the family business just doesn't have the same wholesome feel that it used to. At least, not when the whole family is prepared to drop the gloves and fight tooth and nail to be the one wearing the company's crown. Then again, maybe that's not a problem that afflicts too many fami- lies, but the lust for power and suc- cess certainly drives the various Ly- ons of Fox's hit drama "Empire." The sophomore series has been a major boon for the network, and the soapy format seems to draw more viewers every week. A lot was left up in the air in December when the series left off for the winter hiatus, so there's much in store when "Empire" re- turns Wednesday, March 30, on Fox. The success of "Empire" has been evident from the get-go. The series premiere was the network's highest rated debut in three years with near- ly 10 million viewers. The season 1 finale saw a 78 percent increase in viewership from the premiere, and season 2's opener raked in an audi- ence of more than 16 million. Things are still going strong and the critical acclaim keeps getting louder. Much of this is due to the cast, whose performances are consistent- ly lauded. The series stars Oscar nominee Terrence Howard ("Hustle & Flow," 2005) as Lucious Lyon, a one-time drug dealer who went on to become a successful rapper be- fore founding the world-famous re- cord company Empire Entertain- ment. His family is heavily involved in the business, and when Lucious is diagnosed with ALS in the series premiere, he realizes he must choose a successor to take his place as CEO when he dies. The story unfolds with Lucious pitting his three sons against one another in order to determine who will be the best choice to run the company. The eldest son is Wharton- educated Andre (Trai Byers, "Sel- ma," 2014), Empire's CFO who suf- fers from bipolar disorder. In the middle is Jamal (Jussie Smollett, "On Our Own"), a talented singer-song- writer whose homosexuality has caused a rift with his homophobic father. Youngest son Hakeem is played by real-life rapper Bryshere Y. Gray, a.k.a. Yazz the Greatest. A ris- ing star in the hip-hop world, Hakeem's chief concern is with fame — and the money that comes with it — and he may lack the maturity and focus that it takes to run a com- pany, despite his growing success. Things become more complicated still when Lucious' tell-it-like-it-is ex- wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson, "Per- son of Interest") is released from prison, where she served a 17-year stint for running the drugs that fi- nanced Lucious' early career. She sails into Empire Entertainment in the premiere to demand her share of the company, going on to launch her own label, Lyon Dynasty, in season 2. It's not an easy family dynamic; they're constantly at odds with one another, with Empire Entertainment in the center as the ever-present cat- alyst. When we last saw Lucious, he was devastated to be ousted from the company by the board of trust- ees, after being betrayed by Hakeem, among others. Knowing how ruthless Lucious can be, how- ever, it's safe to say he won't take this lying down and is sure to do whatever it takes to regain his hold on Empire Entertainment. Showrun- ner Ilene Chaiken confirmed this in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: "Losing his company is possibly the worst thing that could happen to Lucious Lyon, and retribution will be first and foremost for Lucious," she said, adding that, while the mogul travels in some elite circles now, "he also comes from the roughest and meanest [place]. I would venture that that's a side of Lucious that's going to come a little bit closer to the surface in light of these events." The complicated relationship be- tween Lucious and Cookie has al- ways been a big part of the storyline, and this is going to have a strong fo- cus when the series returns as well. The two divorced while Cookie was in prison, leaving Lucious to raise their sons on his own, and when we meet him, he's in a relationship with Empire's head of A&R, Anika Cal- houn (played by Grace Gealey in her first major role). The two have since split, however, and it's clear that there are still some strong feelings between Lucious and his ex-wife. "We're excited to explore that re- lationship and these two people who are so intertwined and who will never, ever leave one another as long as they're in this world, as much as they might go at one an- other in all kinds of vicious ways," said Chaiken. "That's really a big story for us." Additionally, Lucious and an in- creasingly successful Jamal are both up for the American Sound Award for Song of the Year. The two have been getting along much better than they were last season, but this new challenge is sure to shatter their shaky rapport. Lucious is not about to be outdone by any of his children, least of all Jamal. That really just scratches the surface. A lot has come to pass in season 2, and with the fate of Empire Entertain- ment ever in the line of fo- cus, there's no doubt that there's a lot more coming down the pike. Catch a new episode of "Empire" when it re- turns from hiatus Wednesday, March 30, on Fox. Terrence Howard as seen in "Empire" Golden 'Empire' Fox's hit musical drama returns from hiatus Cover Story this week Like us on Facebook to receive info and specials at Baxter Country Kitchen www.BAXTERcountrykitchen.com 7788 Fairview Rd, Baxter 218-829-1739 $ 1.00 FRIDAY FISH FRY Cod-Fries-Slaw-Veggie AYCE or Dinner! Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. No cash value. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Valid at Baxter location only. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. Coupon Exp. 4/10/16 Off REAL C accn, L & H Cc Guest Check on guest checks totaling $18.00 or more (Before Tax) Coupon Exp. 4/10/16 Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. No cash value. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Valid at Baxter location only. Off $ 3.00 One coupon per table, per person, per visit. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. Guest Check on guest checks totaling $25.00 or more (Before Tax) Coupon Exp. 4/10/16 Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. No cash value. Customer pays all applicable sales tax. Valid at Baxter location only. Off $ 5.00 One coupon per table, per person, per visit. One coupon per table, per person, per visit. 001384125r1 001384191r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." Bring this ad and get 10% off in stock product coupon expires 4/1/2016 cash sales only. FREE Delivery in our service area! • 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd • 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service Create a style that's all your own for timeless styles that offer the quality you desire. Variety of colors and styles in stock, special orders available. Stop in and shop our showroom today. Locking units available to keep medications safe, set up medications for the week or for the month depending on dosage Wigs & Hairpiece Collection Pill organizers and reminders for taking your medications on schedule. Collection Locking units available to keep medications safe, set up medications safe, set up medications for the week or for the month depending on Locking units available safe, set up medications safe, set up medications for the week or for the month depending on dosage dosage Alarm notifies patient of dosage times.

• Cover