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10 Things We Want to See in Season 2 of 'Empire'

Can we finally stop hating on Andre's wife or nah?

By Michael Arceneaux

It has only been a few months since the inaugural season of the television juggernaut that is Empire ended, but similar to any other instance in which you get a taste of that good-good, you can’t wait for another helping. Season 2 kicks off tonight at 9/8c and very few details have been shared. Even one of my dearest friends who has seen multiple episodes of the new season won’t tell me a damn thing about it. I don’t like it, but I’m not going to pay her rent for some sneak peeks, so I get it.

We do know the show will pick up three months after Season 1’s finale. Lucious (Terrence Howard) is in prison for Bunkie’s death, Jamal (Jussie Smollett) runs the record label in his place, and one imagine there is lots of friction within the rest of the family. We also know that Season 2 will feature a bevy of guest stars including: Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Rev. Al Sharpton, Andre Leon Talley, Lenny Kravitiz, Kelly Rowland, Marisa Tomei, and Chris Rock.

In the meantime, I’ll just tell you what I want to see in Season 2.

Hakeem finds a woman his own age who's not a lesbian.

While I don’t take issue with Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) dating an older woman—especially when that woman is played by Naomi Campbell—in theory, his mommy issues make it too weird for me to watch. Like, c’mon, Hakeem, you have me over here wondering if you do some sort of weird nursing role play during sex. And then there is that lesbian he dated for sport. I hope he uses Tinder this season.

Christopher Bridges make up for ruining his rap career.

Remember when Ludacris was this multi-platinum selling rapper with promise of becoming the male version of Missy Elliott? That was a fun seven minutes. Unfortunately, time has not been kind of the musical legacy of the Atlanta-bred rapper, but to his credit, he has been doing a swell job of working as LL Cool J’s understudy, taking on hosting duties and various acting roles. Here’s hoping this Lionel Richie lookalike will use Empire to make up for where he lacked elsewhere.

We stop being mean to Andre’s wife.

Now, here me out. I didn’t initially like Rhonda Lyons (Kaitlin Doubleday) either, but I feel like towards the end of the season, you see a different side of her. She held Andre down during his manic episodes. So, in hindsight, she’s just trying to be the Kelly Ripa to Andre’s Michael Strahan. We’ve got to let her live. That is, unless she pisses us off. Then we can go back to hating her like Iggy Azalea.

Jamal will be evil, but still bae.

I know Jamal is ironically Team Lucious now, which will make for awkward viewing considering how sweet and noble he was on Season 1. He was like the Jon Snow of the show. Shut up: That makes sense, and yes, I’ve been binge-watching Game of Thrones. In any event, I imagine he’ll be darker this season, but as long as he doesn’t get a conk like Lucious and stays sexy, I’m going to be a supportive spouse (in my mind).

Mariah Carey will earn an Emmy nomination.

This is more like wishful thinking on my part, but I bet she will do better than most expect. Mariah Carey may not be able to dance, but she two-steps well as a thespian.

We get more sex scenes with Jamal.

Again, wishful thinking on my part, but this is more plausible. Plus, along with How to Get Away with Murder, Empire is showing that two men can simulate sex on broadcast television and the eyes of the masses will not fall out in protest. Change I can believe in.

Boo Boo Kitty will stop being so damn bougie.

Also, Anika Calhoun (Grace Gealey) will get along with Cookie more. They’re basically going to be Mimi and Joseline on part two of the Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta reunion.

Becky gets a better weave.

Gabourey Sidibe does a great job on the show, but that blonde weave ain’t it. Let’s get her burgundy or something, y’all.

Tiana becomes a bigger deal.

Once I finally realized that “Drip Drop” was the bop, I wanted Tiana (Serayah McNeill) to become a bigger star on the show. This needs to happen. I’m sure Taylor Swift will take credit for it somehow since she’s a part of her squad, but whatever.

Cookie will reign supreme all over again.

Because she’s played by Taraji P. Henson, Cookie Lyon will continue to be everything. I anticipate nothing but more great one-liners, lots and lots of attitude, great clothes, and my favorite part, another smackdown. I love this woman.

What do you want to see this season? Let us know in the comments.