7.5/10358 votes#1 - Light in Darkness
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2016
Lucious pursues his music legacy with his streaming service, while clashing with his half-brother, Tariq, who is leading a federal task force investigating him.
Director: N/A
Writer: Malcolm Spellman
7.3/10283 votes#2 - Sin That Amends
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2016
In an attempt to cope with life after being shot, Jamal teams up with businessman Angelo Dubois, to talk about gun violence and host a summit for awareness. When he tries to perform again, things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Lucious attempts to win over Cookie, Hakeem starts to record new songs with Shine, and Andre runs into some trouble with the police.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10283 votes#3 - What Remains Is Bestial
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2016
Cookie calls in a favor with mega-superstar Kitty to record a new song with Jamal, hoping he will overcome his inability to perform. Meanwhile, Andre runs into some trouble and things don’t go as planned. Cookie and Lucious are at odds, Hakeem and Gram fight for Tiana’s attention, and things heat up between Cookie and Angelo Dubois
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10278 votes#4 - Cupid Kills
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2016
Things heat up between Cookie and Angelo, so Lucious finally recognizes Angelo as a formidable rival and prepares to take him on. Meanwhile, Jamal is finally able to face Freda Gatz, a big first step on his journey to recovery. Also, Anika goes back to work at Empire and instantly causes turmoil, while Hakeem starts falling for Nessa, even though she might be into a different Lyon.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/10249 votes#5 - One Before Another
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 11/9/2016
Lucious and Andre are on high alert as they wait for Shine to retaliate after their latest business encounter went south. Jamal, who has yet to perform in front of his fans, teams up with Hakeem for a performance that he thinks could help him face his fears. Meanwhile, Cookie is caught off-guard during a routine meeting with her probation officer
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10253 votes#6 - Chimes at Midnight
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 11/16/2016
Empire is hacked and the leak creates feuds between artists and among the Lyon family. Andre takes advantage of the leak to step up and prove his worth to the company. Meanwhile, Lucious continues to try and drive a wedge between Cookie and Angelo, and Jamal finds himself in a love triangle.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10257 votes#7 - What We May Be
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/30/2016
Cookie looks to Candace for tips on how to plan an elaborate family dinner that will impress Angelo's mother, Diane. Meanwhile, old home videos cause Cookie to face secrets about her relationship with her father that she had tried to hide from her kids, and Andre organizes an unlikely duet
Director: N/A
Writer: Malcolm Spellman
7.4/10246 votes#8 - The Unkindest Cut
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 12/7/2016
Andre sabotages Tiana's big appearance at a fashion edvent in an attempt to get Nessa into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Tariq works with Leah to try to bring down Lucious, and Jamal works with Philip to get over his PTSD.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10255 votes#9 - A Furnace For Your Foe
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 12/14/2016
Cookie attempts to help Angelo appeal to the masses and win the mayoral bid, by hosting a free park concert. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate Lucious and freezes all of Empire's assets, which has major repercussions.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/10267 votes#10 - Sound & Fury
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 3/22/2017
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10217 votes#11 - Play On
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/2017
Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo, while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious. Meanwhile, Leah seeks out Tariq's help in taking down Anika, and Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/10215 votes#12 - Strange Bedfellows
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 4/5/2017
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. Anika is faced with a life-changing decision after Tariq reveals what he is really after. Meanwhile, Hakeem's 21st birthday party takes an unexpected turn.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/10204 votes#13 - My Naked Villainy
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 4/12/2017
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/10201 votes#14 - Love Is a Smoke
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 4/26/2017
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.
Director: Tricia Brock
Writer: N/A
7.3/10209 votes#15 - Civil Hands Unclean
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 5/3/2017
Angelo's relationship with Cookie turns toxic and leaves her questioning her decisions. 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/10204 votes#16 - Absent Child
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 5/10/2017
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: Malcolm Spellman
7.7/10221 votes#17 - Toil and Trouble (1)
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 5/17/2017
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".
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10240 votes#18 - Toil and Trouble (2)
Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 5/24/2017
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Empire Season 3
Every episode of Empire Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Empire Season 3!
A powerful family drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.
Genres:DramaSoap
Network:FOX
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Light in Darkness" is the best rated episode of "Empire" season 3. It scored 7.5/10 based on 358 votes. Directed by N/A and written by Malcolm Spellman, it aired on 9/21/2016. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Sin That Amends".