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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!

A powerful family drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.
Genres:DramaSoap
Network:FOX

Best Episodes Summary

"Et Tu, Brute" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored 8.7/10 based on 551 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 12/2/2015. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Rise by Sin".

  • Et Tu, Brute
    8.7/10551 votes
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    #1 - Et Tu, Brute

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 12/2/2015

    Lucious makes a reckless play for the streaming service that he believes will make him the most powerful man in music, only to learn that the entire business strategy was part of a scheme that might bring Hakeem’s ex, Camilla, back into the picture. Meanwhile, Cookie decides to plan a concert at the prison where she spent 17 years locked away from her family and a tragic “accident” leaves Rhonda in a scary state.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Rise by Sin
    8.7/10415 votes
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    #2 - Rise by Sin

    Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 5/4/2016

    Hakeem feels the pressure of his underwhelming fiancé, Laura, as he struggles to find a place for her both in his family and his career. Cookie finally reveals to Jamal the truth behind what happened to Freda's father, prompting Jamal to warn Freda of his family's ulterior motives. Meanwhile, despite his frustration with the family, Jamal makes a sacrifice for Lucious from which it will be hard to recover.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Lyon's Roar
    8.6/10800 votes
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    #3 - The Lyon's Roar

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2/25/2015

    It’s time for the Lyon family to come together and record a legacy album with Lucious, Hakeem and Jamal. Cookie and Camilla finally come face-to-face, Andre struggles with some inner demons and Jamal steps into the spotlight with news that surprises everyone.

    Director: Danny Strong

    Writer: Danny Strong

  • Unto the Breach
    8.6/10802 votes
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    #4 - Unto the Breach

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/4/2015

    It's an all-out war when Cookie uncovers Anika's big backstabbing secret, and Lucious must come face-to-face with his longtime rival, Billy Beretti. As the Lyon family rallies to save Empire Entertainment, all three sons take drastic measures: Jamal gets close with famous artist Delphine, Hakeem works hand-in-hand with Cookie and Andre is pushed way beyond his limits.

    Director: Anthony Hemingway

    Writer: David Rambo

  • Our Dancing Days
    8.5/10789 votes
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    #5 - Our Dancing Days

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/18/2015

    Tension mounts between Hakeem and Jamal, as Lucious attempts to brand Empire Entertainment as a tight-knit, “family-run” company. Meanwhile, Cookie and Anika don’t hold anything back when it comes to taking over the company.

    Director: Sanaa Hamri

    Writer: Attica Locke

  • Cupid Painted Blind
    8.4/10243 votes
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    #6 - Cupid Painted Blind

    Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2017

    Cookie and Lucious take matters into their own hands as they watch Diana DuBois' master scheme unfold. Meanwhile, Andre begins to spiral out of control, wondering what she could have in store for him. Also, Jamal's sobriety is put to the test and Shine gives Hakeem advice on how to maintain a balance between his work and personal life.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dangerous Bonds
    8.3/10764 votes
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    #7 - Dangerous Bonds

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/4/2015

    Cookie receives an anonymous gift from an admirer that she believes might be a veiled threat from a person from her prison past. Meanwhile, Lucious takes charge of Hakeem's first video shoot.

    Director: John Singleton

    Writer: Malcolm Spellman

  • Who I Am
    8.3/10680 votes
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    #8 - Who I Am

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2015

    Hakeem decides to flirt with the enemy, while trying to figure out what the best move is for his career. Meanwhile, Cookie is cooking up a plan of her own.

    Director: Debbie Allen

    Writer: Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken

  • My Bad Parts
    8.3/10412 votes
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    #9 - My Bad Parts

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 11/18/2015

    Lucious, eager to assert his power, releases a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Not to be outdone in Lucious' eyes, Hakeem fires back at Freda with a rap battle challenge that could put Lyon Dynasty's future in danger. Meanwhile, Cookie gets a special visit from her spitfire sister, Candace, Jamal is working on landing a major sponsorship deal and Anika receives some life changing news

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Malcolm Spellman

  • The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
    8.3/10345 votes
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    #10 - The Lyon Who Cried Wolf

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 5/4/2016

    A wrench is thrown into Lucious’ deeply personal music video about his mother, when Andre discovers a dark secret. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Jamal are compromised after tempting themselves with new or rekindling, but secretive affairs. Then, Rhonda starts to suspect who her attacker was.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sins of the Father
    8.2/10626 votes
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    #11 - Sins of the Father

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/11/2015

    Andre forms a new musical relationship with Michelle, and a woman from Lucious' past, Angie, comes into the picture. Meanwhile, Lucious invites the whole family over to his home. However, everyone arrives with their own agendas. Hakeem, under the influence of Camilla, sets out to show his father that he's a true artist and a good businessman. Then, Cookie prepares to state her own agenda for Empire and for her family, when Olivia arrives.

    Director: Rob Hardy

    Writer: Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft

  • Out, Damned Spot
    8.1/10718 votes
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    #12 - Out, Damned Spot

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/11/2015

    Vernon is caught in the middle of a very sticky situation. Meanwhile, Jamal is rising to stardom, but his newfound drive and ambition might stir up trouble in his relationships. To make matters worse, a mystery woman (guest star Raven Symone) from the family's past shows up with a huge surprise.

    Director: Michael Engler

    Writer: Eric Haywood

  • Die But Once
    8.1/10624 votes
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    #13 - Die But Once

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 3/18/2015

    Jamal and Lucious are on their way to forming a music-centered relationship, but once again, Lucious has a secret that's about to change everything.

    Director: Mario Van Peebles

    Writer: Ilene Chaiken

  • Sinned Against
    8.1/10396 votes
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    #14 - Sinned Against

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/25/2015

    Cookie and her sister, Candace, team up with a former prison mate to rescue their sister, Carol. Back at Empire, Jamal and critically acclaimed pop star Skye Summers begin collaborating and soon share a deep connection. Meanwhile, Laz has truly fallen for Cookie, but things get complicated when she finds out the truth about him.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Poor Yorick
    8.0/10449 votes
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    #15 - Poor Yorick

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/2015

    The Lyons are still split into warring factions, but they all decide to shoot a music video that will capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal's duet from Hakeem's leaked album, a collaboration that will benefit both companies. Meanwhile, Lucious trades his real handcuffs for virtual ones. However, knowing he can't fully control his company with a federal murder case hanging over his head, he sets out to find Vernon and make him permanently disappear.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Death Will Have His Day
    8.0/10368 votes
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    #16 - Death Will Have His Day

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 3/30/2016

    After losing the company he built, Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie has her own way of handling things. Meanwhile, Rhonda, Andre and the rest of the Lyon family come to terms with a horrific, life-changing tragedy that changes their lives as they know it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Lean and Hungry Look
    8.0/10180 votes
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    #17 - A Lean and Hungry Look

    Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 5/2/2018

    As Eddie fights for his place at Empire Entertainment and gets the board on his side, Lucious and Shine must find a permanent solution to keep him out. Meanwhile, Cookie is desperate to fulfill a promise to a friend before it's too late. Then, when tensions rise in Jamal and Tory's new band, Preacher Azal inspires Jamal with an idea to get everyone in sync.

    Director: Bille Woodruff

    Writer: Matt Pyken, Joshua Allen

  • The Outspoken King
    7.9/10872 votes
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    #18 - The Outspoken King

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/2015

    Lucious has to defend Empire's IPO launch after one of his artists is involved in a shooting; Cookie hears about Lucious' plans for a huge performance for Hakeem, but not Jamal; Bunkie's murder is investigated.

    Director: Lee Daniels

    Writer: Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken

  • The Devil Quotes Scripture
    7.9/10768 votes
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    #19 - The Devil Quotes Scripture

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2015

    The Lyons head to Philadelphia and get a taste of what their life could have been if Lucious hadn't made it big. Lucious promotes Hakeem's new relationship with hip-hop star Tianna, but tensions rise when another woman tries to catch Hakeem's eye.

    Director: Sanaa Hamri

    Writer: Ilene Chaiken, Joshua Allen

  • False Imposition
    7.9/10711 votes
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    #20 - False Imposition

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1/28/2015

    Lucious attempts to steal a super-hot, chart-topping artist from his rival at Safe House Records. Meanwhile, Jamal struggles to compose original music and Cookie tries to forge a relationship with her estranged son, Hakeem.

    Director: Rosemary Rodriguez

    Writer: Wendy Calhoun

  • The Devils Are Here
    7.9/10681 votes
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    #21 - The Devils Are Here

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2015

    Still in federal lockup, Lucious is trying to run Empire from inside, while a headline-grabbing state prosecutor hangs her political ambitions on bringing him down - no matter what it takes. Meanwhile, Cookie stages a star-studded #FreeLucious concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakeem, Anika and the business savvy Mimi Whiteman to finalize the hostile takeover of Empire.

    Director: Lee Daniels

    Writer: N/A

  • Without a Country
    7.9/10509 votes
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    #22 - Without a Country

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2015

    Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it’s off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label. As his first project for the new company, Hakeem decides to form a girl group and woos a hot Latina lead singer, proving that he can be more than just an artist. Meanwhile, Lucious, feeling extra pressure from a bloodthirsty prosecutor, hires a new lawyer and records an epic track from inside jail. In Lucious’ absence, Jamal neglects his music and makes business moves that further his journey toward becoming every bit as ruthless as his father.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Fires of Heaven
    7.9/10454 votes
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    #23 - Fires of Heaven

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/7/2015

    Anika secretly work together behind Lucious’ back to pull off a surprise performance that catches the eye of Pitbull. Meanwhile, Lucious tracks down Frank Gathers’ daughter, Young Ma, to try to convince her to sign with him at Empire, while Hakeem is hard at work on his girl group, Ménage a Trois. Also, Andre and Rhonda hope their baby-on-the-way will be the key that unlocks Lucious’ cold heart and opens the door for Andre to return to the Empire fold.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Rose by Any Other Name
    7.9/10355 votes
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    #24 - A Rose by Any Other Name

    Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 4/6/2016

    With Hakeem acting as Empire’s CEO, Camilla sinks her claws further and further into him. The rest of the Lyon family tries to get him to rejoin their side, but Hakeem has his own plan. Meanwhile, Jamal receives backlash from his fans and Andre and Rhonda’s marriage is tested.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Tameness of a Wolf
    7.9/10324 votes
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    #25 - The Tameness of a Wolf

    Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 4/13/2016

    Tensions between Lucious and his sons continue to rise. Back at Lyon Dynasty, Lucious aims to direct his most emotional and honest music video yet and recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for the new single. Meanwhile, on the Mirage a Trois tour, Tiana and Laura begin viciously fighting over the spotlight, forcing Hakeem to mediate between the two divas.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A