The groundbreaking TV drama/bloodfest came to an end earlier this week (I would’ve gotten on it earlier, but I was busy trying out my PS4’s video capture feature…don’t ask). Not an especially memorable or even satisfying episode; no big twist, no big reveal, no shocker, not even a horrifying death (and this show has definitely had its share of those). It was a basically a big “Thanks for watching, it’s been real”. Given the circumstances, this was probably the best they could’ve done, and it’s unfortunate. This is a show that absolutely deserved to go out on its own terms and was denied. The Jussie Smollett situation hit them hard; if we’re still allowed to use the term “shark jump”, this was a textbook case. Everyone did their best to tiptoe around the issue the whole season, but his absence was felt in a big way, and it’d have been next to impossible to keep things going any longer.
You may have heard about how the writers had to cut the season short, and it showed. The final episode didn’t seem rushed so much as kludged. It went into Bossyfest with pretty much no warning, and the deaths of David Cross and his daughter were way too bare-bones. And what was up with Cookie’s 70’s hero persona? That was completely out of left field and should have been an episode by itself. The writers pretty much abandoned Lucious getting shot to death in his home and Cookie getting killed by a car bomb with zero explanation, so it’s clear they were in damage control mode. Good job, all things considered. Hey, things happen…ask Trey Parker and Matt Stone about the '16 election.
It was clear from the beginning that the writers were aiming to create complex, flawed characters with a lot of good an a lot of bad, and they did an outstanding job in that regard. Lucious, in particular, is the kind of personality that gives moral absolutists fits. He’s merciless to those who cross him, but stay on his good side and he’ll reward you…unless he decides completely out of the blue that you’re not worth it and kicks you to the curb. And he’s a loyal, dedicated father to his sons…when he’s not berating or trying to sabotage them. Let’s not even touch that Cookie business. 
If he were a D&D character, I’d peg him as a “most lawful-chaotish evil-by-most-standards, marginally good otherwise, but if someone makes a move on the company all bets are off”. Oh, and in the I Never Thought I’d Grow To Like Him Department, my favorite member of the family (and it’s not that close) is Hakeem. Whatever can be said for his judgment, he at least TRIES to do the right thing every time. And even though he’s made plenty of mistakes, he owns up to them. You never heard about him trying to bail on his responsibilities as a father or getting revenge on a girl. He’s the only one I can imagine ever developing a real-life friendship with, mainly because I know he’s not going to blow up in my face or stab me in the back.
In the end, I’d much rather prefer to remember Empire for the compelling and frequently disturbing plots, the generally good, occasionally very good music, and of course being a venue for talented black actors to get the work they deserve. In fact, this is the first show ever where I’m actually looking forward to the spinoffs. I think a Bossy-centered show would work great. (I never pegged Gabourey Sidibe as a show-stealer when I first saw her!)