Ep 7. True Love Never

The episode "True Love Never" of season 2 of Empire picks up following the dramatic events of the previous episodes. Lucious Lyon is still on the run from authorities after escaping from prison, leaving his sons Hakeem, Jamal, and Andre to try to hold together the family record label and the increasingly complicated relationships that come with it.

At the beginning of the episode, Hakeem is still reeling from the revelation that his girlfriend Camilla is actually a spy for Mimi Whiteman, a wealthy investor who has partnered with the Lyon family. Hakeem is also struggling to come to terms with his own feelings for Laura, a young singer he has been mentoring and who he is clearly falling for.

Meanwhile, Jamal is dealing with his own relationship troubles as his boyfriend Michael has started to feel neglected in the shadow of Jamal's intense career and family drama. Andre, the oldest of the Lyon brothers, is struggling with his own mental health issues and the pressure of being the one in charge of running the company while Lucious is on the run.

As the episode progresses, tensions continue to rise within the family and the company. The arrival of a new artist named Valentina, who Hakeem is immediately drawn to, causes even more friction and jealousy between the Lyon brothers.

Amid all the drama, Lucious is hiding out in a cabin in the woods with a mysterious woman named Harper. While Harper seems to genuinely care for Lucious, it's clear that she has her own agenda and may not be entirely trustworthy.

As usual, the music is a big part of this episode, with several performances by the various artists associated with Empire. Hakeem's song "Mirage" is a standout, both for its catchy beat and for the emotional lyrics that reflect his conflicted feelings about Camilla and Laura.

Overall, "True Love Never" is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the complex relationships and shifting alliances within the Lyon family. As the season moves toward its climax, it's clear that there are more surprises and betrayals to come, and that the Lyon family may never be quite the same again.