![over](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
TV hasn't had a bonafide phenomenon since, well, Glee, so it's fitting that as that Empire closes out its juggernaut first season as Glee whimpers to a finale this week. With expectations and ratings high, Lee Daniels and co. did not disappoint with one of the most over-the-top, twisty, turny finales to grace television in a good while. Let's take a look at the best and baddest moments.
![laugh](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
1. Lucious is free of not only ALS but also any remaining fucks he might've had.
![becky](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![porsha](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
2. Serial scene-stealers Becky and Porsha snatched one for the road.
![judd](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
3. Jamal got real hard, real quick -- dangling Judd Nelson over a balcony.
![do-rag](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Then feeling his oats, he served butch queen first time in do-rags at a tribute concert.
![mic drop](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
4. Noted cougar hound Hakeem dropped the mic...
![anikeem](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Then dropped trou with Anika. Is this the start of Anikeem? Hakina?
![hate singing](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
5. Lucious and Jamal got weirdly close after hate-singing to each other.
![rhonda](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
6. Rhonda was brought back for 5 minutes basically just to kill Malik Yoba and reveal that she's -- gasp -- pregnant.
![jamal + ryan](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%20666'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
7. In possibly the gayest montage of all time, Jamal and Ryan got it on gratuitously...
![jhud](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
While JHud belted to the heavens with a rainbow flag waving in the forefround. Well-played, Lee Daniels.
![cookie furs](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20224'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
8. Cookie raided her fur vault.
![gay fan](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
9. Jamal inspired a gay fan...
![bitch](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Then schooled an anti-gay foe.
![patti](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
10. Patti LaBelle blessed us with her presence.
![hakeem shirtless](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
11. Hakeem stripped down and oiled up to pump out a few curls.
![game time](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
12. After Andre and Hakeem turned him into the feds, Lucious set the stage for season two -- from behind bars.
![fight 1](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![fight 2](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
13. And finally, the main event. The rumble in the jumpsuit. The thrilla in Manolos. The girl without the pearl necklace.
![pearls](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After a season of shade, side-eyes and sassy comments, Anika and Cookie finaly threw down in the greatest catfight since Krystle and Alexis tussled into the pool.
![fight 3](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Perhaps in a knowing homage, Cookie and Anika took it to the pool table.
![fight 4](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Well, Cookie took it to the pool table, bodyslamming poor Anika and nearly choking her to death. You shoulda just stayed down, Anika girl.
![look](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20225'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Les Fabian Brathwaite, a Lee Daniels production (based on the novel Push by Sapphire)