It’s no secret that Empire has suffered a decline in ratings this season. Now one of the stars of the show, Jussie Smollett, has one request for fans as they wait for the first half of this season to wrap.

Fans Are Here For Jamal Lyon & Alicia Keys’ Kiss On ‘Empire’

He said that he could see why people are tuning out before explaining why the show went in the certain direction this time around.

“I understand the backlash. They have something to compare it to now,” he told Essence magazine recently. “But this isn’t a show about happy endings. It’s messy and wild and emotional and complicated and f***ed up but it’s worth the ride. It will pay off. Don’t stop watching.”

While the series might not be a family-friendly show, Smollett said there is something for everyone.

“Everyone, no matter their age, race or sexual orientation can relate to the underdog. Everyone has felt misunderstood and counted out—some of us more than others—but we all know that feeling and that’s what Jamal represents."

As for the winter finale slated to air Wednesday, Dec. 2, some of the drama from season one resurfaces. For starters, Naomi Campbell’s character, Camille, makes an epic return as Lucious Lyon is still fighting to remain the head of Empire.

Cookie Lyon is actually ready to come together with Empire despite the Lyon Dynasty rivalry that’s been going on all season. In the end, it looks like they vote for who they want to take control of Empire once and for all.

See the teaser below and the full episode Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

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Empire Show, Television, Fox