How Can 'Empire' Get Its Swagger Back?

[TMC]

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2..._medium=social

For a while there, Fox's hit nighttime soap hip-hopera Empire could do no wrong. The show, anchored by memorable performances by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, blew up fast. Not only was it renewed for a second season after its first two episodes, it became the top show watched in African American households, and was the first primetime show in over two decades that increased in number of viewers after its first five telecasts. Commercial success aside, it also received heaps of critical praise, with this very website deeming it the best show on television at one point. While it initially didn't receive Emmy nominations after that first season, it came back with a monstrous season 2 premiere, bringing in 16 million viewers.

But things tapered from there, and a sophomore slump appeared to set in—a ratings decline confirmed that. The cause of such an precipitous downfall? There are a few factors, from the increase in drama—and therefore absurd storytelling—to the lengthy break Empire took from early December 2015 to late March 2016. It's easy to say that Empire might've shot itself in the foot by being too great too early, but it was also simply an issue of a show doing too much.

With Empire making its return for season 3 tonight on Fox, things are far from finished for the hip-hopera that could—season 2 ended on a particularly high note, with an insane cliffhanger that kept fans on their toes. The interest surrounding, and impulse reactions to, the show's up and down ratings will continue, but for Empire, they need to be worrying about the marathon, not the sprint. If season 3 is to truly be as impressive as Trai Byers says it is, there are some things that Empire's creators should keep in mind (or have hopefully already implemented).

[adamchandler]

It can't. season 3 was the last chance the show had and they dropped the ball. it so much potential. It's just like it's mother dynasty which only had 3 good seasons IMO.