Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) begins to doubt her own decisions in the upcoming episode of FOX's "Empire" season 3.
Titled "Civil Hands Unclean," next week's episode will see the Lyon matriarch deal with new issues in her romantic life. According to the official synopsis, Cookie's relationship with Angelo (Taye Diggs) becomes toxic and leaves her questioning the recent decisions she has made. Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) comes back to Empire Xstream and makes a public plea to Lucious (Terrence Howard). He asks him to give him paternity of Bella now that he has returned to the company.
Elsewhere, Cookie starts to become more suspicious of Lucious' true intentions with Giuliana (Nia Long). She also believes there is more to Lucious' plans for Empire in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Lucious work longer hours to complete their albums.
Wednesday's "Empire" introduced a new character who might become Lucious' new adversary. Eva Longoria made her debut this week as Charlotte, the conservative head of the Las Vegas Gaming Commission. Longoria recently caught up with Variety and she shared some teasers on what fans can expect from the mysterious new character.
"I hold the key to whether or not Lucious enters Vegas," the actress said, "so his usual wine and dining and ruling doesn't work on my character because she doesn't drink, she's a Mormon, she's conservative — so he has to try different strategies to get on my good side. Cookie notices an opening and tries to make a play herself, and she appeals to my more conservative motherly side. I have a great scene with Cookie and with Lucious."
In an interview with E! News, the "Desperate Housewives" star likened her character to politician Sarah Palin. Although Charlotte shows a conservative facade, Longoria stressed that more layers about her personality will be revealed as the story moves forward.
The third season of "Empire" airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT on FOX.
