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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!

Binge this in 3d 2h•Peaking at 8.8/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Empire Season 2 Episode 10 - Et Tu, Brute
    8.8/10(562 votes)

    #1 - Et Tu, Brute

    S2:E10

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writer:Radha Blank

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  2. Empire Season 2 Episode 17 - Rise by Sin
    8.7/10(425 votes)

    #2 - Rise by Sin

    S2:E17

    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:Paul McCrane
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Ayanna Floyd Davis

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  3. Empire Season 1 Episode 8 - The Lyon's Roar
    8.6/10(813 votes)

    #3 - The Lyon's Roar

    S1:E8

    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

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  4. Empire Season 1 Episode 9 - Unto the Breach
    8.6/10(813 votes)

    #4 - Unto the Breach

    S1:E9

    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

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  5. Empire Season 1 Episode 7 - Our Dancing Days
    8.5/10(799 votes)

    #5 - Our Dancing Days

    S1:E7

    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

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  6. Empire Season 4 Episode 8 - Cupid Painted Blind
    8.5/10(244 votes)

    #6 - Cupid Painted Blind

    S4:E8

    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:Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
    Writers:Diane Ademu-John, Carlito Rodriguez

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Empire

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  7. Empire Season 1 Episode 5 - Dangerous Bonds
    8.3/10(779 votes)

    #7 - Dangerous Bonds

    S1:E5

    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

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  8. Empire Season 1 Episode 12 - Who I Am
    8.3/10(690 votes)

    #8 - Who I Am

    S1:E12

    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
    Writers:Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken

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  9. Empire Season 2 Episode 8 - My Bad Parts
    8.3/10(421 votes)

    #9 - My Bad Parts

    S2:E8

    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:Sanaa Hamri
    Writer:Malcolm Spellman

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  10. Empire Season 2 Episode 16 - The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
    8.3/10(351 votes)

    #10 - The Lyon Who Cried Wolf

    S2:E16

    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:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Joshua Allen

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  11. Empire Season 1 Episode 10 - Sins of the Father
    8.2/10(634 votes)

    #11 - Sins of the Father

    S1:E10

    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
    Writers:Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft

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  12. Empire Season 1 Episode 6 - Out, Damned Spot
    8.1/10(728 votes)

    #12 - Out, Damned Spot

    S1:E6

    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

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  13. Empire Season 1 Episode 11 - Die But Once
    8.1/10(634 votes)

    #13 - Die But Once

    S1:E11

    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

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  14. Empire Season 2 Episode 9 - Sinned Against
    8.1/10(405 votes)

    #14 - Sinned Against

    S2:E9

    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:Paul McCrane
    Writer:Eric Haywood

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  15. Empire Season 2 Episode 4 - Poor Yorick
    8.0/10(458 votes)

    #15 - Poor Yorick

    S2:E4

    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:Danny Strong
    Writer:Joshua Allen

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  16. Empire Season 2 Episode 11 - Death Will Have His Day
    8.0/10(376 votes)

    #16 - Death Will Have His Day

    S2:E11

    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:Danny Strong
    Writer:Danny Strong

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  17. Empire Season 4 Episode 9 - Slave to Memory
    8.0/10(205 votes)

    #17 - Slave to Memory

    S4:E9

    Cookie and Lucious devise an elaborate plan to take down Diana Dubois and her family once and for all. Andre recovers from his mental breakdown in the hospital, Shine tries desperately to protect his secret and Eddie Barker is concluding his tenure at Empire. Amidst the chaos, someone's life hangs in the balance.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Joshua Allen

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  18. Empire Season 4 Episode 15 - A Lean and Hungry Look
    8.0/10(181 votes)

    #18 - A Lean and Hungry Look

    S4:E15

    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
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Joshua Allen

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  19. Empire Season 1 Episode 2 - The Outspoken King
    7.9/10(883 votes)

    #19 - The Outspoken King

    S1:E2

    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
    Writers:Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken

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  20. Empire Season 1 Episode 3 - The Devil Quotes Scripture
    7.9/10(780 votes)

    #20 - The Devil Quotes Scripture

    S1:E3

    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
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Ilene Chaiken

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  21. Empire Season 1 Episode 4 - False Imposition
    7.9/10(732 votes)

    #21 - False Imposition

    S1:E4

    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

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  22. Empire Season 2 Episode 1 - The Devils Are Here
    7.9/10(691 votes)

    #22 - The Devils Are Here

    S2:E1

    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
    Writers:Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken

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  23. Empire Season 2 Episode 2 - Without a Country
    7.9/10(521 votes)

    #23 - Without a Country

    S2:E2

    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:Dee Rees
    Writer:Carlito Rodriguez

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  24. Empire Season 2 Episode 3 - Fires of Heaven
    7.9/10(464 votes)

    #24 - Fires of Heaven

    S2:E3

    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:Craig Brewer
    Writer:Attica Locke

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  25. Empire Season 2 Episode 12 - A Rose by Any Other Name
    7.9/10(361 votes)

    #25 - A Rose by Any Other Name

    S2:E12

    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:Michael Engler
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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Best Episodes Summary

"Et Tu, Brute" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored 8.8/10 based on 562 votes. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Radha Blank, it aired on 12/2/2015. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Rise by Sin".