Jussie Smollett’s Final ‘Empire’ Season 5 Episode Makes TV History with First Gay, Black Wedding

On Wednesday night, Empire aired Jussie Smollett‘s final episode of Season 5, and it was a big one. The episode, titled “Never Doubt I Love,” featured the nuptials of Jamal (Smollett) and Kai (Toby Onwumere), a pivotal moment that made history as the first black, gay wedding to ever air on television. The storyline is certainly something for Empire to be proud of, but unfortunately, it may have been overshadowed by Smollett’s seemingly-endless scandal. Smollett will not appear in the final two episodes of Empire Season 5, and Fox has yet to make a decision about whether to bring him back for the drama’s (not confirmed but likely) sixth season.

Jamal and Kai’s relationship has been an important Empire storyline in recent seasons, so naturally, it was time to seal the deal. Despite some pot-stirring on the part of a New York Times reporter, the wedding goes off relatively smoothly (at least by Empire standards). “You are my everything,” says Kai. “I’m going to hold you every day. I’m going to be with you, and I’m going to love you forever, if you will too,” replies Jamal. Everyone cries as the men read their customized vows, and later, at the reception, their families gather around to watch Jamal and Kai’s first dance. The wedding was a sweet, important moment for two characters Empire fans have come to love, and should it be Smollett’s last, a fitting end to Jamal’s story. God forbid someone on Empire gets a happy ending!

This week, Onwumere discussed the “huge” history-making moment with Extra. “The influence of Empire still extends out well beyond America and it’s culturally relevant and I really appreciate the show for that,” said the actor. “In its fifth year, it’s still going — as evidence to the wedding that’s going on, it’s still culturally relevant, so I think it’s beautiful.” Onwumere went on to praise the moment for providing a “breath of fresh air” for viewers. “I really love what Kai and Jamal have. I think it’s beautiful,” he said.

Jamal and Kai may have gotten their happy ending — for now — but the same can’t be said for Smollett. On Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the show aired, Deadline published a letter from various members of the Empire cast urging Fox and Disney executives to bring Smollett back for Season 6. “Together, as a united front, we stand with Jussie Smollett and ask that our co-star, brother and friend be brought back for our sixth season of Empire,” the letter, dated April 19, reads. The actors go on to reference Smollett’s scandal — he was charged with lying to police about this January 29 attack, but the charges have since been dropped — saying, “He is kind. He is compassionate. He is honest and above all he is filled with integrity. He is also innocent and no longer subject to legal uncertainty with the criminal charges against him having been dropped.”

“Now, more than ever, we must stand together as a family … We are confident our fans will welcome our ‘Jamal’ back into the Empire family as enthusiastically as we will,” the letter reads. “That is why we write today to ask you to keep Jussie on the cast so that we can all put this behind us and move forward.”

Watch Empire Season 5 Episode 16 "Never Doubt Love" on Hulu