“Lyons Without Pride?” one of the online headlines reads to Cookie’s frustration. Still in solitary, Andre is needled once again by Gusto, who’s been Quincy’s primary bully. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX “How you gonna come for me and miss?” Gusto asks as we flashback to an earlier brawl between Andre and his crew. It’s here we first see Andre notice Gusto’s focus on Quincy as a target for his aggression. Chuck Hodes/FOX...

Needless to say, Lucious isnt happy about it. Cookie tries to convince Lucious that they need to buy the company back from the board and go private. We get treated to a fun rock-tinged track from Jamal and his merry band of misfits. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX (Like that name? I think they should use it.) Hakeem is in bed with his new boo Haven when his phone rings. Hakeems response to the barrage of texts: New phone, who dis?...

AsEmpirecontinueswhats so far been aseason of rebuilding, one theme lingers throughout tonights episode: opportunity. For better or for worse, our characters all have opportunities facing them. From fame to freedom, revenge to reclamation, everyone is out to take whats theirs. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX After two long years, its finally time for Andres release from prison. Youre the little dipper to his big dipper, she coos with a laugh. Lotion, of course....

How has the Empire fared in that time? Lets get into it. Lucious and Cookie attend church service with Teri, who asks the congregation to keep Andre in their prayers. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX Have you ever been in church and felt like the sermon was meant for you? Well, Pastor Browns words about getting your house in order really resonate with Lucious. He believes that they should maintain strong, positive outlooks throughout Andres illness....

This is the last time fans will seeJussie Smolletts Jamal Lyonthis season (and potentially forever? ), and his exit is one for the books. Its a ridiculous lie, but Kai doesnt appreciate his personal business being used as a weapon against him. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX That pot-stirring reporter also presses Jamal about his fathers past homophobia. Lucious essentially throws a fit. He thinks that the excessive amount of press the wedding has forced him to endure should be enough support....

Whoever brings in the first artist gets on top tonight, she says over breakfast the next morning. What good is a little poker without a little bluffing? You dont need everybody to believe in you, Cookie tells the crowd lining up. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX All you need is one somebody, and shes standing right here in front of you. You think I need a new suit? Sounds like hes ready to put it all on the line to sign Carlito....

Its time to get the Trust Tour on the road! Damon explains how hes going to clean up the sloppy job Lucious has done covering their tracks. Elsewhere, the artists of Empire are boarding their busses. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX ), and Maya trying to get everyone to see her as a choreographer and not just an assistant. An odd move, considering the look on her face implies that shes developing her own feelings for Blake....

We then go back to the present with the Lyons in… This portrait is my bet on us, Lucious says to Cookie. Its you and me forever, kid. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX While he insists its just business, Becky and Giselle are immediately suspicious. You spoke when you should have been listening, Kingsley sneers as he ends the meeting. And of course, Cookies taking her cut cause I did this! With those words, the trio gets back to work on their song....

(Mayas reaction to Poundcakes death has shaken her.) Lucious responds thatheis the only one who speaks for Empire, but that they would indeed help if needed. (The drama continues on page 2.) Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX On set, Hakeems rehearsals arent going well. (Read: speaking in poor English, or like hes on drugs.) He wants him to bring his black into it. Hakeem isnt having it and pushes back. In response, hes fired to be replaced by Jayden Smith....

Tonights episode opens as elusively asthe premieredid, with Lucious holding vigil in front of that closed casket. Becky sits next to him in the pew and whispers, You couldnt have known. We move onto happier times as Lucious and Cookie are in the studio with their newest find, Treasure. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX You gotta claim whats yours, she tells Becky as the announcement approaches. Too bad her Silicon Valley boy-toy Jeff Kingsley claimed her job as CEO right under her nose....

Still fiddling with his lighter, Lucious makes his way back over to Joes pale, bloody corpse. Kindly allow an intermission while I vomit. The next morning, Lucious calls the front desk to find out where his disgruntled wife spent the night. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX Lucious calls Jamal and Hakeem, instructing them to fly back to NYC immediately. Cookie tries to dodge him, but the news of Andres illness trumps her current pettiness....

Its the first episode sinceall 16 felony charges posed against actor Jussie Smollett were droppedand his record was cleared. The news, which came Tuesday morning, has sparked speculation and celebration and possibly reconsideration? Now that hes been exonerated, could he be reclaiming his time? Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX Cookie elects to handle Giseles attitude. Lucious is still without his Empire and Gisele and Cookie are still exchanging insults. Ah, the way we were....

Its so bad, Im out of emotions/ Its so bad, Im stuck on this rollercoaster. No, Im not venting about the headache that has been theJussie Smollett controversy. Everybody that ever gained anything gained at someone elses pain, he says. Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX But Cookie is over that narrative. She thinks its time that the Lyons stopped dealing in dirt. Down in the studio, Cookie finds Jamal burying his sorrows in work....