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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!

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.

Seasons6

  1. Background image for Love Is a Smoke
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Love Is a Smoke

    S3:E14

    Cookie gives Lucious unexpected news that makes him feel uneasy about the future. Hoping to make Cookie jealous, Giuliana moves in on Lucious and persuades him to comply with her new plans. Meanwhile, Anika and Tariq devise a new plan and Charlotte Frost holds the Empire Las Vegas dream in her hands.

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    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Civil Hands Unclean
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #2 - Civil Hands Unclean

    S3:E15

    Angelo's relationship with Cookie turns toxic and leaves her questioning her decisions. Hakeem makes a public plea for Lucious to give him paternity of Bella during his return to Empire Xstream. Meanwhile, Cookie becomes increasingly more suspicious of Lucious' intentions with Giuliana and Empire's future in Vegas, and Lucious and Jamal work overtime to finish their albums.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Et Tu, Brute
    8.7/10(556 votes)

    #3 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
  4. Background image for Rise by Sin
    8.7/10(418 votes)

    #4 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for One Before Another
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #5 - One Before Another

    S3:E5

    Lucious and Andre are on high alert as they wait for Shine to retaliate after their latest business encounter went south. Jamal, who has yet to perform in front of his fans, teams up with Hakeem for a performance that he thinks could help him face his fears. Meanwhile, Cookie is caught off-guard during a routine meeting with her probation officer

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Sound & Fury
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Sound & Fury

    S3:E10

    After launching a deadly missile at Angelo, Lucious announces his new music project, Inferno, and puts everyone on notice - especially Cookie, who then vows to knock him off his throne for good. Meanwhile, Jamal befriends musician Tory Ash during his stay in rehab, Andre continues with his plan to take over EMPIRE, and Hakeem and Tiana battle Nessa for a spot in the music showcase.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Play On
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #7 - Play On

    S3:E11

    Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo, while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious. Meanwhile, Leah seeks out Tariq's help in taking down Anika, and Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Strange Bedfellows
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #8 - Strange Bedfellows

    S3:E12

    Angelo makes an unsettling discovery and is concerned that Cookie's past isn't in the past and will hurt his chances of becoming the Mayor. Anika is faced with a life-changing decision after Tariq reveals what he is really after. Meanwhile, Hakeem's 21st birthday party takes an unexpected turn.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for The Lyon's Roar
    8.6/10(807 votes)

    #9 - 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.

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    Director:Danny Strong
  11. Background image for Unto the Breach
    8.6/10(808 votes)

    #10 - 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.

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  12. Background image for Sin That Amends
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #11 - Sin That Amends

    S3:E2

    In an attempt to cope with life after being shot, Jamal teams up with businessman Angelo Dubois, to talk about gun violence and host a summit for awareness. When he tries to perform again, things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Lucious attempts to win over Cookie, Hakeem starts to record new songs with Shine, and Andre runs into some trouble with the police.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Our Dancing Days
    8.5/10(795 votes)

    #12 - 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.

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    Director:Sanaa Hamri
  14. Background image for Absent Child
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - Absent Child

    S3:E16

    The Lyons fear that the Dubois family is to blame for their latest family crisis, so when no one is willing to give up any information, Cookie takes matters into her own hands. Jamal and Lucious reach a breakthrough in a song on which they have been working, and Andre lashes out. Meanwhile, Cookie sets her eyes on a new plan for Empire in Vegas.

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    Director:Unknown
  15. Background image for Toil and Trouble (1)
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Toil and Trouble (1)

    S3:E17

    When Cookie is banned from Leviticus Vegas, she pulls together a team of her own allies to seek revenge on Giuliana and steal her secret weapon. Meanwhile, Jamal is encouraged to put his album on hold, so as not to compete with Lucious' "Inferno".

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Dangerous Bonds
    8.3/10(771 votes)

    #15 - 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.

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  17. Background image for Who I Am
    8.3/10(686 votes)

    #16 - 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.

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  18. Background image for My Bad Parts
    8.3/10(417 votes)

    #17 - 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

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    Director:Unknown
  19. Background image for The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
    8.3/10(349 votes)

    #18 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Cupid Painted Blind
    8.3/10(244 votes)

    #19 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Sins of the Father
    8.2/10(631 votes)

    #20 - 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.

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  22. Background image for Out, Damned Spot
    8.1/10(725 votes)

    #21 - 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.

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  23. Background image for Die But Once
    8.1/10(631 votes)

    #22 - 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.

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  24. Background image for Sinned Against
    8.1/10(401 votes)

    #23 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Poor Yorick
    8.0/10(453 votes)

    #24 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Death Will Have His Day
    8.0/10(372 votes)

    #25 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Love Is a Smoke" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored 9/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by Tricia Brock and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/26/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Civil Hands Unclean".