Lucious (Terrence Howard, R) and Jamal (Jussie Smollett, L) in the Season Finale episode of Empire.
(Photo: Chuck Hodes, FOX)

Forget the show’s oft-repeated lyrics: Empire proves you can go up — and now out — without ever going down.

With Wednesday’s two-hour Fox finale, this popular, soul-fueled blend of new music and old TV staples — sex, violence, glamour, humor — exited on a giddy, goofy high. We haven’t seen a show go so gloriously, steadfastly over the top with such panache or confiden