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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!

Binge this in 12h 54m•Peaking at 9.0/10

A powerful family drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Empire Season 3 Episode 1 - Light in Darkness
    7.3/10(13 votes)

    #1 - Light in Darkness

    S3:E1

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writer:Malcolm Spellman

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  2. Empire Season 3 Episode 2 - Sin That Amends
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #2 - Sin That Amends

    S3:E2

    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:Craig Brewer
    Writer:Cherien Dabis

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  3. Empire Season 3 Episode 3 - What Remains Is Bestial
    7.1/10(8 votes)

    #3 - What Remains Is Bestial

    S3:E3

    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:Millicent Shelton
    Writers:Eric Haywood, Diane Ademu-John

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  4. Empire Season 3 Episode 4 - Cupid Kills
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #4 - Cupid Kills

    S3:E4

    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:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Attica Locke

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  5. Empire Season 3 Episode 5 - One Before Another
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #5 - One Before Another

    S3:E5

    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:Mario Van Peebles
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Carlito Rodriguez

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  6. Empire Season 3 Episode 6 - Chimes at Midnight
    6.7/10(7 votes)

    #6 - Chimes at Midnight

    S3:E6

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Eric Haywood, Cherien Dabis

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  7. Empire Season 3 Episode 7 - What We May Be
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #7 - What We May Be

    S3:E7

    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:Kevin Bray
    Writers:Malcolm Spellman, Diane Ademu-John

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  8. Empire Season 3 Episode 8 - The Unkindest Cut
    5.0/10(5 votes)

    #8 - The Unkindest Cut

    S3:E8

    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:Dennie Gordon
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Attica Locke

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  9. Empire Season 3 Episode 9 - A Furnace For Your Foe
    6.1/10(11 votes)

    #9 - A Furnace For Your Foe

    S3:E9

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Ilene Chaiken

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  10. Empire Season 3 Episode 10 - Sound & Fury
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Sound & Fury

    S3:E10

    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:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Eric Haywood, Carlito Rodriguez

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  11. Empire Season 3 Episode 11 - Play On
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Play On

    S3:E11

    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:Benny Boom
    Writers:Janeika James, Jasheika James

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  12. Empire Season 3 Episode 12 - Strange Bedfellows
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #12 - Strange Bedfellows

    S3:E12

    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:Bille Woodruff
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Attica Locke

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  13. Empire Season 3 Episode 13 - My Naked Villainy
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #13 - My Naked Villainy

    S3:E13

    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:Cherien Dabis
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Joshua Allen

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  14. Empire Season 3 Episode 14 - Love Is a Smoke
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Love Is a Smoke

    S3:E14

    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
    Writers:Diane Ademu-John, Cherien Dabis

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  15. Empire Season 3 Episode 15 - Civil Hands Unclean
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #15 - Civil Hands Unclean

    S3:E15

    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:Howard Deutch
    Writers:Ilene Chaiken, Carlito Rodriguez

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  16. Empire Season 3 Episode 16 - Absent Child
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #16 - Absent Child

    S3:E16

    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:Millicent Shelton
    Writers:Attica Locke, Malcolm Spellman

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  17. Empire Season 3 Episode 17 - Toil and Trouble (1)
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Toil and Trouble (1)

    S3:E17

    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:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Eric Haywood, Diane Ademu-John

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  18. Empire Season 3 Episode 18 - Toil and Trouble (2)
    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Toil and Trouble (2)

    S3:E18

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Ilene Chaiken

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Light in Darkness" is the best rated episode of "Empire" season 3. It scored 7.3/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Malcolm Spellman, it aired on 9/21/2016. This episode is rated 1.3 points higher than the second-best, "Sin That Amends".