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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 Full Circle
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Full Circle

    S4:E2

    With Leah still insisting that he is a monster, Lucious sneaks away in hopes of finding out what type of person he was before the explosion. Cookie panics that Lucious has gone missing on Claudia's watch, until she realizes he found his way to Uncle Eddie, a music icon who has since become family to the Lyons. Meanwhile, with Anika still behind bars, Hakeem and Tiana grow more comfortable as a family, and Becky makes a rash decision regarding Jamal's new song.

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  2. Background image for The Fool
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - The Fool

    S4:E5

    When the secret about Lucious' memory is exposed, Cookie attempts to convince the board that he is fine by inviting the press to watch him produce the first 20 for 20 album. Eddie Barker jumps in to help Lucious get back in his groove and make music in the studio. Just as Andre's feelings for Detective Pamela Rose intensify, she reveals information that's been uncovered regarding the explosion. Meanwhile, Hakeem worries about his secret involvement with the DuBois family and Claudia helps Lucious with a breakthrough.

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  3. Background image for Fortune Be Not Crost
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Fortune Be Not Crost

    S4:E6

    The Lyon family stands together as Anika and Hakeem begin a custody battle for Bella. Although they're confident in Hakeem's ability as a father, no one is prepared for the revelations her team brings to the trial. Meanwhile, Claudia grows more possessive over Lucious, who has unlocked a new way to understand music through his paintings. Also, Jamal introduces Warren to Lucious, Andre begins seeing a new therapist, and one of Becky's old flames returns.

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  4. Background image for The Lady Doth Protest
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - The Lady Doth Protest

    S4:E7

    Production comes to a halt on Empire's 20-For-20 when Calvin and Portia, feeling overworked by their new producer, Eddie Barker, call for a strike, leaving Cookie to find a solution to the issue. In an attempt to prove that he can still be the man he was before the explosion, Lucious arranges a deal on Hakeem's behalf, not knowing the repercussions that could follow. Meanwhile, love is in the air for Jamal and Andre, who each express their feelings for their significant others, not knowing the secrets that are being kept from them.

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  5. Background image for Cupid Painted Blind
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Background image for Without Apology
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Without Apology

    S4:E11

    On the brink of a lucrative tech deal, Eddie realizes that he must work on rebranding Empire. Cookie springs into action when a girl group from the past re-unites and threatens to expose secrets about Empire and Lucious. Meanwhile, Hakeem makes a major move with Tiana, Andre continues to struggle with his guilt and Becky is faced with a difficult situation.

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  8. Background image for Steal from the Thief
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Steal from the Thief

    S5:E1

    Two years after losing Empire to Eddie Barker, Cookie and Lucious are still in the midst of picking up the pieces. The family is now completely dispersed and coping in their own ways after experiencing unimaginable tragedies. Meanwhile, in an effort to reclaim the Lyons' position in the music industry, Cookie sets her eyes on a talented new singer and rapper, Treasure.

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  9. Background image for Love All, Trust a Few
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Love All, Trust a Few

    S5:E4

    The Lyon family works to get back in their groove with a brand-new project underway. As Cookie and Portia attempt to sign Devon, who has just the sound they're looking for, Andre tries to prove himself useful to Lucious on the business side of things. Not having heard from Kai, Jamal panics and looks back at their history together. At Empire, the new management entangles itself with a dangerous tie from the Lyon family's past.

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  10. Background image for The Depth of Grief
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - The Depth of Grief

    S5:E5

    Lucious and Cookie prep their new artist Devon (guest star Mario) for a premiere listening party, but worry he may not be ready for that kind of pressure. Hakeem is determined to convince Tiana that he's matured, but she has a hard time letting go of everything they've struggled through the past couple years. Meanwhile, Cookie becomes concerned about Jamal.

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  11. Background image for Et Tu, Brute
    8.7/10(557 votes)

    #10 - 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
  12. Background image for Rise by Sin
    8.7/10(420 votes)

    #11 - 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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  13. Background image for The Lyon's Roar
    8.6/10(808 votes)

    #12 - 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
  14. Background image for Unto the Breach
    8.6/10(809 votes)

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

    #14 - 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
  16. Background image for Dangerous Bonds
    8.3/10(773 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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  19. Background image for The Lyon Who Cried Wolf
    8.3/10(350 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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  20. Background image for Sins of the Father
    8.2/10(631 votes)

    #19 - 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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  21. Background image for Out, Damned Spot
    8.1/10(725 votes)

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

    #21 - 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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  23. Background image for Sinned Against
    8.1/10(401 votes)

    #22 - 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
  24. Background image for Poor Yorick
    8.0/10(453 votes)

    #23 - 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
  25. Background image for Death Will Have His Day
    8.0/10(372 votes)

    #24 - 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:Danny Strong
  26. Background image for A Rose by Any Other Name
    8.0/10(358 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.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Full Circle" is the best rated episode of "Empire". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Craig Brewer and written by Eric Haywood, Craig Brewer, it aired on 10/4/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Fool".