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The Best Episodes of Empire

Every episode of Empire ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Empire!

Empire is a unique programme that reports on and debates global powers on behalf of an international citizen. It does so in a way whereby it questions those geopolitical, geoeconomic, corporate, and other forms of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Empire Season 1 Episode 1 - Obama's Middle East Challenge
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Obama's Middle East Challenge

    S1:E1

    In his new series analysing global powers and their agendas Al Jazeera's chief political analyst Marwan Bishara focuses on the challenges facing the new US president. With such antipathy towards George Bush's foreign policy, what can the world expect from Obama and his new team?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Empire Season 1 Episode 2 - Israel and the US
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    #2 - Israel and the US

    S1:E2

    "In this episode of Empire, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, and his guests zero in on the special relationship between the US and Israel. They explore who benefits from the special relationship and whether the status quo will prevail."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Empire Season 1 Episode 3 - Arab unity in the shadows
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    #3 - Arab unity in the shadows

    S1:E3

    Marwan Bishara and his guests examine the past, present and future of Arab Unity in view of the historical processes, and geopolitical realities of the Arab World in the shadow of Empires.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Empire Season 1 Episode 4 - Obama and Afghanistan
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    #4 - Obama and Afghanistan

    S1:E4

    Empire examines the path from Iraq to Afghanistan and into Pakistan. With the Iraq operation apparently drawing to a close and a mini-surge underway in Afghanistan, people in the region are wondering what this will all mean on the ground and what will the repercussions be for the region. As locals worry that they will be caught in the crossfire or killed by drones, experts question whether the strategy is the correct one or if it is too little, too late. Empire investigates what went wrong and the plan to fix it.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Empire Season 1 Episode 5 - Sarkozy's France
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    #5 - Sarkozy's France

    S1:E5

    Marwan Bishara and guests discuss whether president Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to make France a key player on the world stage are all bubble and no fizz.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Empire Season 1 Episode 6 - Iran: Influence or Threat
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    #6 - Iran: Influence or Threat

    S1:E6

    "Whatever the outcome of the recent troubles, Iran sees itself as a natural leader in the region. It is determined to follow an independent foreign policy, and regards the nuclear question as a matter of national pride, and nobody elses business. With war raging all around it, we ask: is Iran a regional influence, or an international threat? Empire examines a country torn between traditional values and modernity, between its imperial past and its relations with the region, between its universal pretentions and its moderate means, between its highly educated and globalised urban youth and its more conservative hinterland."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Empire

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  7. Empire Season 1 Episode 7 - Viva la Evolucion
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    #7 - Viva la Evolucion

    S1:E7

    "A new Latin America is emerging on the global political stage. Marwan Bishara and guests analyse how the Obama administration may deal with Latin America and what the relations will mean on a global level. Featuring an exclusive interview with Noam Chomsky."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Empire Season 1 Episode 8 - Media wars
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Media wars

    S1:E8

    With global media now in the hands of supra-national players peddling their own agendas and internet giants in search of profit and influence, Empire asks what's the future for journalism in the age of media empires.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Empire Season 1 Episode 9 - The World's Most Powerful Club
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    #9 - The World's Most Powerful Club

    S1:E9

    The United Nations Security Council is under attack. In a world threatened by wars, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and catastrophic climate change, the five veto-wielding permanent members are being challenged by emerging powers demanding a seat at the top table. Empire analyses past, present and future of this most powerful of clubs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Empire Season 1 Episode 10 - The Long War: The US and al-Qaeda
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    #10 - The Long War: The US and al-Qaeda

    S1:E10

    "Eight years after the launch of the 'war on terror,' how does the US view the al-Qaeda threat? Empire finds out."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Empire Season 1 Episode 11 - Europe: A Superpower on the Fast-track
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    #11 - Europe: A Superpower on the Fast-track

    S1:E11

    As Europe adopts a new treaty to strengthen its union, and choses new authorities to speak with one voice for the continent, it confronts the fact that, with twenty seven countries, 500 million people, a combined economy bigger than the US, and almost 2 million soldiers under arms, the European Union is to all intents and purposes, a superpower. Will 27 nations be able to pull as one and become a dominant power in the 21st century?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Empire Season 1 Episode 12 - What future for 'Greater Israel'?
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    #12 - What future for 'Greater Israel'?

    S1:E12

    The Middle East 'peace process' is seriously deadlocked. Israel is determined to press ahead with the expansion of settlements. Palestinians refuse to accept anything less than their total freeze, but they are divided on the best way forward - diplomacy or resistance. The diplomatic vacuum leads to more unilateral policies and radicalisation. So how can the international community help? Is a two-state solution still possible, or one state or no state?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Empire Season 2 Episode 1 - 'War on terror' through Muslim eyes
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    #13 - 'War on terror' through Muslim eyes

    S2:E1

    In this episode, Empire looks at how al-Qaeda is perceived in the Muslim world. Does the US' so-called 'war on terror' serve only to alienate Muslims, driving them into the arms of extremist groups? Can the US reverse the tide of military intervention in the region and instead try to reach political solutions that involve all political parties, including repressed Islamic parties? We will also discuss whether the Arab world has an answer to the al-Qaeda challenge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Empire Season 2 Episode 2 - What future for capitalism?
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - What future for capitalism?

    S2:E2

    From New York to Dubai and Bangladesh, Empire looks at the impact of US-style capitalism and asks: What does the future hold for crony capitalism? And what are the alternatives to neo-liberal globalisation?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Empire Season 2 Episode 3 - US and Iran: The best of enemies?
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    #15 - US and Iran: The best of enemies?

    S2:E3

    In this episode, Empire asks if US-Iranian relations have taken a turn for the worse. The time for hands extended in friendship has been replaced by menacing fists, as both sides ratchet-up the rhetoric. Will this mini cold war continue, giving both the US and Iran time and face to get back to the negotiating table, or will the bellicose words lead to a confrontation that neither side wants? Empire finds out.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Empire Season 2 Episode 4 - BRIC: The new world order
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    #16 - BRIC: The new world order

    S2:E4

    Brazil, Russia, India and China are booming whilst many other countries are struggling economically, or even crashing. When their leaders recently convened in Brasilia for their second BRIC summit, they all underlined their commitment to a more democratic global governance. Will the emerging powers change the way the world works, or merely grab a bigger share of it? And what future for Brazil on the world's summit?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Empire Season 2 Episode 5 - The sun never sets
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - The sun never sets

    S2:E5

    It once ruled a quarter of the world, but what is so great about Great Britain? And what gives this faded island off the coast of Europe the right to act like a global power player?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Empire Season 2 Episode 6 - Running on empty?
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Running on empty?

    S2:E6

    What happens when the world runs out of oil? Who and what will be the dominant power in the 21st century?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Empire Season 2 Episode 7 - Superclass
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Superclass

    S2:E7

    "Should we be worried that the superclass seems to have an ever-expanding reach that bypasses governments and remains unchecked? A new breed has emerged. They set the global agenda, ride on Gulfstreams and manage the credit crunch in their spare time. They are anything but elected; they are entrepreneurs and entertainers, media moguls and former politicians - the self-made super rich who are using their money to lay down a new set of global rules. So where did this new global aristocracy come from and who is keeping them in check? Interviewees: Paul Theroux: Writer and novelist Paul Farhi: Journalist, The Washington Post Matthew Bishop: Author of ""Philanthrocapitalism"" Christopher Hitchens: Author of ""The Trial of Henry Kissinger"" Ken Silverstein: Author of ""How lobbyists plunder the nation"" Guests: David Rothkopf: Author of ""Superclass"" Jeff Faux: Author of ""The Global Class War"" Moisés Naím: Author of ""Illicit"" Janine Wedel: Author of ""Shadow Elite"""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Empire Season 2 Episode 8 - The US between two wars
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    #20 - The US between two wars

    S2:E8

    The US stands at a historic crossroads, redeploying its combat troops out of Iraq and surging them in Afghanistan. But are they really leaving Iraq - or just rebranding the occupation? Why is Iraqi Lieutenant General Zibari requesting a decade-long US military presence?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Empire Season 2 Episode 9 - The Peace Procession
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - The Peace Procession

    S2:E9

    Empire looks at the Israeli-Palestinian talks and asks what it will take to reach the promised land.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Empire Season 2 Episode 10 - Islam and America
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Islam and America

    S2:E10

    On the 9th anniversary of 9/11, the fault lines between the US and the Muslim world seem to have expanded. As America's internal cultural wars begin to affect its foreign policy, what are the options for President Obama? Which is the real US: The one that fights for Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the one that considers US Muslims as the enemy within? And have Osama bin Laden's hopes of driving a wedge between the US and the Muslim world become a reality?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Empire Season 2 Episode 11 - The UN - Tower of Babble?
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    #23 - The UN - Tower of Babble?

    S2:E11

    Empire asks if the United Nations is outdated and whether it can stand up to the challenges of the 21st century.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Empire Season 2 Episode 12 - The new arms race
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    #24 - The new arms race

    S2:E12

    The world has entered a new arms race, but what justifies this global military addiction?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Empire Season 2 Episode 13 - Nato: Going Global
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Nato: Going Global

    S2:E13

    The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is the largest military force ever assembled, with a potential armed force of more than seven million. But as its original enemies, communism and the Soviet Union, were defeated two decades ago, what is the alliance's new identity or new role?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Obama's Middle East Challenge" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/21/2009. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Israel and the US".