Empire is a modern version of King Lear but with a black hip-hop middle-aged "King Lear" owing an "Empire" record company. Smollett played his youngest(?) son who was gay but also the most musically talented. Two older sons vied for power and "King Lear's" ex-wife competed for control of the company. The first season was great. Well worth watching. Season Two was less so. My wife and I dropped out early in Season Three.
Agreed, any douchebag who commits assault deserves to pay for their crimes. I do not support "hate crimes" but fully support prosecution of all crimes. Yes, even "process crimes" such as obstruction of justice, lying to law enforcement, destruction of evidence, etc.