‘Empire’ Premiere: 9 Big Moments – ARTICLE

They are Lyons, and boy, did they roar when "Empire" returned to Fox on Wednesday night, with big, bold television.

There was plenty of squabbling and scheming from the Lyon fam – Lucious, Cookie, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem -- and their nearest and not always dearest -- Anika -- in the hour-long premiere on Fox.

Here are 9 big moments from the Season 2 premiere:

PHOTOS: ‘Empire’: Scenes From The Season 2 Premiere!

Celebrities Galore!

From the opening seconds, "Empire" served up celebrity cameos left and right at the Free Lucious rally, starting with Swizz Beatz, before revealing Al Sharpton (who Cookie quickly snubbed), and fashion expert Andre Leon Tally (who snubbed Cookie and her style). Don Lemon of CNN even got in a couple of bites before the introduction of Season 2 guest star Marisa Tomei as Mimi Whitman.

No Monkeying Around

There was a major jaw-dropping moment in the first five minutes when someone made a wild entrance to the Free Lucious rally. In a gorilla suit. In a cage. Air lifted on to the stage. After landing, the person in the gorilla suit shook the bars in an attempt to escape (representing the 'wrongly' imprisoned Lucious), before removing their mask. Underneath was the one and only Cookie Lyon. You have to give it to her, she knows how to make an entrance.

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie in 'Empire' (Fox)

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Cookie Meets Mimi

Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei made her "Empire" debut as extremely wealthy investor Mimi Whitman, and Cookie was quick to comment on her style. "I love your drag, Mimi. It's screaming, 'I'm dripping with money!' And I know how to spend it," she said. Mimi came on strong a short time later after Cookie said she hoped Lucious wasn't the only reason Mimi was at the rally. "With you in that dress, Cookie, I can think of all kinds of reasons," Mimi cooed.

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie and Marisa Tomei as Mimi (Fox)

50 Cent Slam

As she returned to the Empire Entertainment office, Cookie threw some shade at a real life figure (and "Power" Executive Producer) who has commented about the marketing of the Fox show. "50 Cent still taking jabs at us. Look what he put on the [Insta]gram," she said. "Thirsty a**."

Chris Rock Makes His Debut

He's known for being a top comic in real life, but in the world of "Empire" Chris Rock was portrayed as the most frightening villain of Season 2 -- Frank Gathers. Brought to prison in chains (feet and hands), the seas parted as he walked through the inmates on his first day in orange – until he saw Lucious (Terrence Howard). The old acquaintances happily caught up, but he wasn't so nice to everyone. In a scene that seemed to pay a nod to NBC's "Hannibal," Rock's character ate a plate of bloody meat (his white bib coated in very red blood) as he sat across from a beaten up inmate and grilled him (not literally) about who was the snitch that landed him behind bars. When the inmate fessed up that it was Cookie, things got very dark for the Lyoness.

Chris Rock as Frank and Terence Howard as Lucious on 'Empire' (Fox)

Cookie's Latest Boo-Boo Kitty Insult

While she's finally come around to calling Boo-Boo Kitty by her real name, Anika, Cookie hasn't gotten past thinking Lucious' ex is worthless. The two conspired together to recruit Mimi to back them in a hostile takeover of Empire (out from under Jamal), with Anika even attempting to woo Mimi with a little twerking (and more). But, from prison, Lucious caught on to their scheme, made Mimi a better offer. When Cookie found out she'd been double crossed, Anika was on the receiving end of her latest insult, for not being a good enough seductress. "You can't even dy** right," Cookie said, slamming Anika. From jail, on video conference, Lucious slammed the whole attempted-takeover group. "Game over, b****es. Bye-bye," he smiled.

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Head In A Box

After Frank Gathers found out Cookie was the snitch who spoke to the Feds and landed him in jail, he sent her a present – an associate's head, gift wrapped, in a box. She opened it while enjoying some time with her sister, Carol, who was immediately thrown into hysterics. "Why are you over there crying like Tammy Faye Bakker? Get your a** together. Get them kids and go over to Lucious'" Cookie said.

Lucious Comes Out On Top

After the head in a box thing, Cookie called her on-again/off-again love – Lucious Lyon – for help with Frank. Frank thought he had the upper hand because his whole "Hannibal" and bad guy reputation scared those on the inside, but Lucious revealed that he was the king of the world, having helped out inmates' families to survive (while they're inside), and others, like guest star Max Beesley's character, to fulfill their musical dreams. His crew was then instructed to make mincemeat of Mr. Gathers. "Kill him," Lucious said. "Make it loud and make it long." But, before he left Frank to his final, unpleasant moments, Lucious added insult to injury, mentioning the man's daughter (an MC we met earlier in the episode during prison visitation time). "And by the way, I'm gonna sign your baby girl. And then Imma slip her my bone."

Jamal Shows His Family The Cold Shoulder

First, he delivered a nasty blow to Hakeem (he plans to bury his album) and then, he told Cookie, Hakeem, Andre and Rhonda to get out! "Get out of my father’s house, you betrayed him," Jamal said. In the final moments of the episode, Jamal stood in the doorway with his mom. She slapped him twice, but he shook it off. "You done now lady?" he asked Cookie, before he slowly closed the door in her face, turned around, choked back his tears and stormed off.

-- Jolie Lash