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Empire Season 3 Episodes
Season 3 Episode Guide
18 Episodes 2016 - 2017
Rhonda's fate is revealed following the previous season's cliffhanger ending, while Jamal develops PTSD and struggles to make music after his ordeal. Lucious and Cookie start a new feud over the direction of Empire, and their jealousy over each other's new lovers only adds fuel to the fire. Hakeem attempts to turn a new leaf out of a desire to be taken seriously after wreaking havoc at his own party. Andre, on the other hand, plots revenge. The Lyons' unity is tested further when the DuBois clan goes to war against them. "Empire" stars Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Trai Byers as Andre Lyon, Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon, and Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon. Joining them are Kaitlin Doubleday as Rhonda Lyon, Grace Byers as Anika Lyon, Andre Royo as Thirsty Rawlings, Leslie Uggams as Leah Walker, Phylicia Rashad as Diana DuBois, and Taye Diggs as Angelo DuBois. Guest stars for Season 3 include Eva Longoria, Demi Moore, Rumer Willis, and Mariah Carey.
Episode 1
Light in Darkness
Wed, Sep 21, 2016 60 mins
Season 3 picks up with Hakeem left at the altar, Lucious and Anika newly married, and someone falling off a roof during a fight. In other storylines, Lucious wants to make his streaming service a huge success, but his half-brother Tariq becomes a distraction as he leads a federal task force investigating him.
Episode 2
Sin That Amends
Wed, Sep 28, 2016 60 mins
Jamal tries to turn his being shot into something positive when he teams up with a businessman to talk about gun violence and host a summit for awareness. But when he tries to perform again, things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, Lucious attempts to get Cookie in his corner; Hakeem enters the recording studio with Shine; and Andre gets in trouble with the law.
Episode 3
What Remains Is Bestial
Wed, Oct 5, 2016 60 mins
Cookie calls in a favor with Kitty, hoping that recording a new song with the mega superstar will force Jamal to overcome his inability to perform. Elsewhere, trouble strikes when things don't go as planned for Andre; Hakeem faces some competition from Gram for Tiana's attention; and Cookie's relationship with Angelo heats up.
Episode 4
Cupid Kills
Wed, Oct 12, 2016 60 mins
Lucious takes notice as things heat up between Cookie and Angelo; Jamal makes a big first step on his journey to recovery when he's finally able to face Freda Gatz; Anika causes turmoil upon her return to work at Empire; and Hakeem develops feelings for Nessa, even though she seems to have eyes for a different Lyon.
Episode 5
One Before Another
Wed, Nov 9, 2016 60 mins
Retaliation seems inevitable after Lucious and Andre's latest business encounter with Shine goes bad. Meanwhile, Jamal thinks performing with Hakeem could rid him of his fears; at the same time, Cookie finds herself caught off-guard during a routine meeting with her probation officer.
Episode 6
Chimes at Midnight
Wed, Nov 16, 2016 60 mins
The hacking of Empire leads to feuds breaking out between the artists and members of the Lyon family; and Andre tries to use the leak to his advantage. Meanwhile, Lucious sets out to drive Cookie and Angelo apart; at the same time, Jamal finds himself in a love triangle.
Episode 7
What We May Be
Wed, Nov 30, 2016 60 mins
Cookie turns to Candace for help planning an elaborate family dinner that will impress Angelo's mother; at the same time, old home videos from Cookie's childhood force her to face the truth about her father. Meanwhile, Andre plans an unlikely duo.
Episode 8
The Unkindest Cut
Wed, Dec 7, 2016 60 mins
In order to get Nessa into the spotlight, Andre sabotages Tiana's big appearance at a fashion event; Tariq teams up with Leah to bring down Lucious; and Jamal hopes working with Philip will help him finally overcome his PTSD.
Episode 9
A Furnace for Your Foe
Wed, Dec 14, 2016 60 mins
In the fall finale, Cookie organizes a free park concert in order to help broaden Angelo's mass appeal while he works to win the mayoral bid. Elsewhere, the FBI freezes all of Empire's assets, a move that has major repercussions, as the investigation into Lucious continues.
Episode 10
Sound & Fury
Wed, Mar 22, 2017 60 mins
After launching a deadly missile at Angelo, Lucious announces his new music project, Inferno, and puts everyone on notice—especially Cookie, who then vows to knock him off his throne for good. Meanwhile, Jamal befriends musician Tory Ash during his stay in rehab; Andre continues with his plan to take over Empire; and Hakeem and Tiana battle Nessa for a spot in the music showcase.
Episode 11
Play On
Wed, Mar 29, 2017 60 mins
Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo, while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious. Elsewhere, Leah seeks out Tariq's help in taking down Anika; and Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.
Episode 12
Strange Bedfellows
Wed, Apr 5, 2017 60 mins
Angelo makes an unsettling discovery and is concerned that Cookie's past isn't in the past and will hurt his chances of becoming the mayor. Meanwhile, Anika is faced with a life-changing decision after Tariq reveals what he is really after. In other events, Hakeem's 21st birthday party takes an unexpected turn.
Episode 13
My Naked Villainy
Wed, Apr 12, 2017 60 mins
Hakeem throws an epic 21st birthday party and live-streams it all on Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, suspicions surrounding Anika's motives put the Lyons on high alert and the arrival of Giuliana gives Cookie a run for her money.
Episode 14
Love Is a Smoke
Wed, Apr 26, 2017 60 mins
Cookie gives Lucious unexpected news that makes him feel uneasy about the future. Hoping to make Cookie jealous, Giuliana moves in on Lucious and persuades him to comply with her new plans. Meanwhile, Anika and Tariq devise a new plan and Charlotte Frost holds the EMPIRE Las Vegas dream in her hands.
Episode 15
Civil Hands Unclean
Wed, May 3, 2017 60 mins
Angelo's relationship with Cookie turns toxic and leaves her questioning her decisions; at the same time, Hakeem makes a public plea for Lucious to give him paternity of Bella during his return to Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, Cookie becomes increasingly more suspicious of Lucious' intentions with Giuliana and Empire's future in Vegas; and Lucious and Jamal work overtime to finish their albums.
Episode 16
Absent Child
Wed, May 10, 2017 60 mins
The Lyons fear that the Dubois family is to blame for their latest family crisis, so when no one is willing to give up any information, Cookie takes matters into her own hands. Jamal and Lucious reach a breakthrough in a song on which they have been working, and Andre lashes out. Meanwhile, Cookie sets her eyes on a new plan for Empire in Vegas.
Episode 17
Toil and Trouble, Part 1
Wed, May 17, 2017 60 mins
Part 1 of 2. In the Season 3 finale, when Cookie is banned from Leviticus Vegas, she pulls together a team of her own allies to seek revenge on Giuliana and steal her secret weapon. Meanwhile, Jamal is encouraged to put his album on hold, so as not to compete with Lucious' "Inferno."
Episode 18
Toil and Trouble, Part 2
Wed, May 24, 2017 60 mins
Conclusion. As Lucious gets ready to launch Empire Las Vegas with Giuliana at his side, Cookie pulls together her own team of allies to wreak havoc on the opening in the Season 3 finale.
