Empire Season 3: Tariq is closing in on Lucious Lyon

When the premiere episode of Empire Season 3 ends, Tariq is watching Lucious’ every move through a teddy bear bugged with a camera. How long can Lucious evade federal charges?

Rhonda’s dead, Andre’s on the verge of another breakdown, Nessa stole the show at Empire’s event, and Cookie is fighting pressure from everywhere to give Lucious up. All this after one episode, and it’s just the start. As the Empire Season 3 premiere goes off-air, it’s revealed Lucious’ brother, and federal agent, Tariq, has infiltrated his home.

Tariq has bugged a teddy bear and is watching Lucious as he comforts his granddaughter. He now has audio and video of everything that goes on in the Lyon mansion. As if constant surveillance wasn’t enough.

One might assume that even Lucious won’t be able to dodge him for much longer. Tariq has Cookie’s friends and family cooperating, and Cookie herself seems to be on the fence. Lucious’ sham marriage is obvious too. With Tariq watching 24/7, one Lucious slip-up is inevitable.

“But how angry can you get at a pulp-pop mélange that ends with Lucious telling his infant stepdaughter to ‘Wait till we show them how dark hell can get…’
– The New York Times

Or maybe it isn’t. This is a man who married Anika on the spot to avoid her testimony, then threatened her the same day — as she was in labor. Lucious has always managed to stay one step ahead, and his ruthlessness knows no bounds.

You have to figure he’ll find the bug at some point, but how? And will he avoid incriminating himself before he does?

Next: Empire Season 3 Premiere Recap

Watching Lucious get himself out of a jam has usually made for some of the series’ most entertaining moments. From killing Bunkie in season 1, to forcing Camilla to drink poison at gunpoint. He needs Cookie all the way on his side, more than ever.