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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 Et Tu, Brute
    9.5/10(4 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.

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    Director:Sanaa Hamri
  2. Background image for My Bad Parts
    9.2/10(5 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Background image for The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
    9.2/10(4 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Background image for Fires of Heaven
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #4 - 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.

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    Director:Craig Brewer
  5. Background image for A High Hope for a Low Heaven
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #5 - A High Hope for a Low Heaven

    S2:E6

    Lucious and Cookie must put aside their differences and work together as parents to protect their family and keep them out of danger. Jamal does his best to get back in the studio and break away from being defined solely as a gay artist, while Hakeem struggles with how to feel and act like a man. Meanwhile, Andre works to shut down a division at Empire, until he discovers a disciple in the midst of Lucious' Gutter Life records.

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  6. Background image for Sinned Against
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    #6 - 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:Paul McCrane
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  8. Background image for The Lyon's Roar
    8.6/10(808 votes)

    #7 - 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
  9. Background image for Unto the Breach
    8.6/10(809 votes)

    #8 - 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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  10. Background image for Our Dancing Days
    8.5/10(796 votes)

    #9 - 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
  11. Background image for Time Shall Unfold
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Time Shall Unfold

    S2:E14

    Lucious releases his new music video, as he manipulates and sabotages those around him to regain his CEO position at Empire. Meanwhile, Andre learns more about his grandmother's mental illness in order to understand his own struggle with bipolar disorder, Anika reveals a big secret to the family and Hakeem leads the big shareholder meeting.

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  12. Background image for Cupid Painted Blind
    8.5/10(243 votes)

    #11 - 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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  13. Background image for Dangerous Bonds
    8.3/10(774 votes)

    #12 - 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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  14. Background image for Who I Am
    8.3/10(686 votes)

    #13 - 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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  15. Background image for Sins of the Father
    8.2/10(631 votes)

    #14 - 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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  16. Background image for Without a Country
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #15 - 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.

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  17. Background image for Poor Yorick
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #16 - 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:Danny Strong
  18. Background image for The Tameness of a Wolf
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #17 - The Tameness of a Wolf

    S2:E13

    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.

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  19. Background image for More Than Kin
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #18 - More Than Kin

    S2:E15

    With help from Andre, Lucious hosts a fundraiser, as part of his campaign to prove to the board that he should return as Empire’s CEO. Meanwhile, Hakeem must decide whether he wants to be a father to his and Anika’s child.

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

    #19 - 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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  21. Background image for Die But Once
    8.1/10(631 votes)

    #20 - 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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  22. Background image for Past Is Prologue
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Past Is Prologue

    S2:E18

    After a life-changing experience, Jamal refuses to make music until his family ends its seemingly endless cycle of violence and fighting. Meanwhile, the Feds are tailing Anika because they want to force her to testify against Lucious. In order to protect her family, Cookie organizes a meeting at Hakeem and Laura's wedding with various people from her and Lucious' past.

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  23. Background image for A Lean and Hungry Look
    8.0/10(179 votes)

    #22 - 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.

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  24. Background image for Pilot
    7.9/10(1.2k votes)

    #23 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Lucious Lyon is the head of a music empire whose reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes when he learns he has a disease and must choose one of his three sons to take over: Andre, Jamal or Hakeem. Complicating matters is their mother and Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie, who emerges from prison to claim her share.

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  25. Background image for The Outspoken King
    7.9/10(879 votes)

    #24 - 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.

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  26. Background image for The Devil Quotes Scripture
    7.9/10(775 votes)

    #25 - 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.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Et Tu, Brute" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored 9.5/10 based on 4 votes. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Radha Blank, it aired on 12/2/2015. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "My Bad Parts".