In Empire Season 2 episode 17, which airs at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the Lyons attend the American Sound Awards (ASAs); however, one member of the family will be attacked at the awards show. Someone is shot and it is unknown who the person is and whether they will live or die.
In an episode 17 first look, it appears that either Jamal or Lucious has been shot. Jamal jumps in front of his parents as the assailant approaches. After the gun is fired, Cookie is seen crying over someone. It is also unknown who shooter is; however, we wonder if the shooter could be Leah Walker, Lucious’ mother.
In episode 16 , we are introduced to Leah Walker, previously believed to be dead. Andre finds her and brings her to the family. Andre is most excited to get to know his grandmother because they both suffer from Bipolar disorder, but Lucious is visibly uneasy about his mother being back in his life. He tells Cookie that his mother is very dangerous.
At the end of the episode, Leak Walker bakes several cakes for Lucious and commands him to eat some. She threatens him, telling him he is evil and that she should have killed him when she had the chance. Lucious recently admitted to his family that his mother attempted to drown him as a child.
An episode 17 preview shows Leah Walker urging Andre to get her an invite to the ASAs. Andre tries to explain to her that it would damage Lucious’ credibility if the public found out she was alive after her son claimed she was dead. We can imagine that Leah Walker finds a way into the ASAs to confront Lucious in a manic state. We have already seen her in the previous episode hiding her medication.
Will Lucious’ mother attempt to murder him at the American Sound Awards? We will find out in the coming episode, called “Rise by Sin,” which is best viewed in television or live online through Fox Now .
Of course, there is considerable drama leading up to the ASAs. Lucious and Jamal’s feud comes to a head when Lucious walks in on Jamal having an intimate moment with someone he didn’t expect. Jamal has been working with a producer, D-Major, who is gay but is not out. They have also been having a secret romantic relationship. When Lucious sees the two together he lashes out at Jamal, reaffirming that he disapproves of Jamal being gay.
Meanwhile,, Lucious and Cookie continue to get closer as the ASAs approach. The two will attend the awards show together, but not before some teasing over who Lucious will invite to the awards show. Lucious tells Cookie he will bring a supermodel. Cookie tells Lucious he is too fat to date a supermodel.
The rest of the story unfolds Wednesday, when Empire airs at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.