[s1e3] The: Devil Quotes Scripture

Cookie seeks out an old friend and former collaborator, Puma (played by Cuba Gooding Jr. ), to find a hit song for Jamal.

Empire Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Devil Quotes Scripture [S1E3] The Devil Quotes Scripture

The title itself references a famous Shakespearean line from The Merchant of Venice : "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose," which echoes the episode's themes of using appearances—like a grand funeral or a public romance—to mask darker intentions. Cookie seeks out an old friend and former

Lucious discovers there was a witness to Bunkie's murder—a homeless man named "Old Salty" who speaks in riddles but eventually identifies Lucious as the killer. Lucious discovers there was a witness to Bunkie's

Critics from Den of Geek noted that the episode began to clarify why Lucious's "little crimes" matter, framing his control over the company as a larger-than-life "church" of his own making. Reviewers at TV Fanatic highlighted the emotional disconnect between Lucious and Jamal, praising the performances of Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett for adding layers to their characters.

The episode follows the Lyon family as they travel to Philadelphia for Bunkie’s funeral, providing a "taste of what their life could have been" if Lucious hadn't achieved massive success. Key storylines include:

After another rejection from his father regarding his sexuality, Jamal vows to Michael that he isn't giving anything up; instead, he's going after the entire empire. Critical Analysis