Ep 9. Unto the Breach

Unto the Breach is the ninth episode of the first season of the popular American TV series Empire. The episode was first aired on Fox on February 25th, 2015, and was directed by Rosemary Rodriguez. In the show, Empire Entertainment is still reeling from the fallout of the public perception of Lucious Lyon's (Terrence Howard) arrest for the murder of Bunkie Williams.

The episode begins with Lucious being visited in jail by Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson), who tells him that they need to work together to save their company. Their conversation is interrupted by Andre (Trai Byers), who tells his father that Empire's stock price is dropping.

Later, Andre meets with Vernon (Malik Yoba), who tells him that they need to take control of Empire before it collapses. Andre goes to his father's CFO, who tells him that they need to raise $100 million in order to save the company. Lucious is still in jail, so Andre and Vernon go to Cookie for help.

Meanwhile, Lucious's lawyer, Thirsty (Andre Royo), meets with Bunkie's best friend, who tells him that Bunkie was working with a woman who was trying to extort Lucious. Thirsty then meets with Lucious and tells him about the woman.

Back at Empire, Cookie, Andre, and Vernon hatch a plan to raise the $100 million, by enlisting help from Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) to put on a benefit concert. They also need to get Lucious's approval for the concert, so Andre goes to visit him in jail. Lucious tells Andre that he won't approve the concert unless Hakeem agrees to perform a new song that he's written.

Cookie meets with Hakeem and persuades him to perform the song, saying that it will help him prove to his father that he's a talented performer and songwriter. Meanwhile, Jamal meets with a record label executive who offers him a recording contract if he agrees to distance himself from Empire.

The concert is a success, and Jamal and Hakeem perform the new song together. They are joined on stage by their mother, who sings a duet with Jamal. However, their triumph is short-lived, as Lucious is released from jail and takes control of Empire once again.

In conclusion, Unto the Breach is a pivotal episode of Empire's first season, as the characters are forced to work together in order save their company. The episode features fantastic performances from the show's talented cast, and leaves audiences eagerly anticipating what will happen next.