Ep 3. Fires of Heaven

As the third episode of season 2 of Empire, "Fires of Heaven" sees the Lyon family returning to their music empire with new conflicts to face. With Lucious Lyon's release from prison, he returns to the label and once again takes the reins, causing tension between him and his son Hakeem, who had been acting as CEO in his absence. Meanwhile, Cookie Lyon struggles to balance her responsibilities at the company with her own ambitions, as she seeks to launch her own label.

The episode centers around the impending IPO of Empire Entertainment, and the various power struggles that arise as a result. As the company prepares to go public, Lucious and Hakeem clash over the direction of the label, with Hakeem bristling at his father's controlling ways. At the same time, Andre Lyon, the eldest son, seeks to prove his worth to the company by putting together a high-profile concert.

Elsewhere, the show explores the personal lives of the characters, particularly Cookie's romantic entanglements. In "Fires of Heaven," she begins a new relationship with a wealthy businessman, Laz Delgado, who she hopes will provide the financial backing she needs to launch her own label. However, as their relationship heats up, it becomes clear that Laz may not be all that he seems.

As always, Empire's music plays a major role in the episode, with several musical performances throughout. Hakeem and Jamal team up for a new track, "Powerful," and later perform it at Andre's concert. Cookie also gets in on the action, performing a sultry duet with Laz.

Overall, "Fires of Heaven" is a tense and dramatic episode that builds on the conflicts and rivalries that have been established in the previous episodes of the season. With the Lyon family jockeying for power and control, and Cookie navigating her own ambitions, there's no shortage of drama and intrigue. As always, the music is a highlight, showcasing the talents of the show's talented cast and adding to the overall excitement and energy of the episode.