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The Best Episodes of Empire Season 4

Every episode of Empire Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Empire Season 4!

Binge this in 12h 54m•Peaking at 8.5/10

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
    Empire Season 4 Episode 1 - Noble Memory
    7.5/10(247 votes)

    #1 - Noble Memory

    S4:E1

    In celebration of Empire's 20th Anniversary, Lucious makes his first public appearance since the explosion in Las Vegas, but still has no memory of his family, Empire or his life before the accident. A devastated Cookie struggles to rebuild her relationship with him, while keeping a close eye on his nurse, Claudia. Meanwhile, Andre is faced with an investigation by the LAPD surrounding the night of the explosion, Diana DuBois continues her war against the Lyons.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writer:Brett Mahoney

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  2. Empire Season 4 Episode 2 - Full Circle
    7.2/10(194 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    Director:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Eric Haywood, Craig Brewer

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  3. Empire Season 4 Episode 3 - Evil Manners
    7.3/10(183 votes)

    #3 - Evil Manners

    S4:E3

    When Cookie is denied a line of credit, she flashes back to her years in prison and compares her past struggles to her life now. Lucious continues to struggle with demons of his own and begs his family to tell him about the ways he's wronged them, but they are reluctant to tell him the truth. Meanwhile, the NYPD is still on Andre's case about the events that transpired in Vegas and one officer in particular catches his eye.

    Director:Bille Woodruff
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Carlito Rodriguez

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  4. Empire Season 4 Episode 4 - Bleeding War
    7.3/10(190 votes)

    #4 - Bleeding War

    S4:E4

    The race is on when Cookie announces that the number one album for Empire's 20-For-20 will be a competition between all of the label's top artists, giving Jamal a bold idea for his newest song. On the heels of Bella's first birthday, the family plans a special "Prince and Princesses"-themed birthday party, including a special Prince tribute, but the special day brings back haunting memories for one of the Lyons. Meanwhile, Lucious is at a crossroads, as he tries to put to rest the anger from his past life.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Diane Ademu-John

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  5. Empire Season 4 Episode 5 - The Fool
    7.5/10(195 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writers:Janeika James, Jasheika James

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  6. Empire Season 4 Episode 6 - Fortune Be Not Crost
    7.9/10(185 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Joshua Allen

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  7. Empire Season 4 Episode 7 - The Lady Doth Protest
    7.3/10(190 votes)

    #7 - 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.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Eric Haywood

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

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

    #9 - 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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  10. Empire Season 4 Episode 10 - Birds in the Cage
    7.4/10(191 votes)

    #10 - Birds in the Cage

    S4:E10

    Nurse Claudia takes her job to a new level, when she kidnaps Lucious. To find him, Cookie must race against time and use the skills she learned in prison to rescue him. Meanwhile, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem pick up the pieces from their battle with the Dubois family.

    Director:Craig Brewer
    Writer:Craig Brewer

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  11. Empire Season 4 Episode 11 - Without Apology
    7.4/10(179 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Dianne Houston
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Joshua Allen

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  12. Empire Season 4 Episode 12 - Sweet Sorrow
    6.8/10(165 votes)

    #12 - Sweet Sorrow

    S4:E12

    A Lyon health scare shakes up Empire, as Cookie holds down the fort, in spite of it all. Both Andre and Jamal try to right their wrongs, and Jamal makes a shocking revelation on live TV with Robin Roberts. Eager to take Empire to new heights, Eddie's motives are questioned when numbers don't add up. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Tiana find common ground and Becky reveals the secret she's been keeping from J. Poppa.

    Director:Eric Haywood
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Eric Haywood

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  13. Empire Season 4 Episode 13 - Of Hardiness is Mother
    7.1/10(165 votes)

    #13 - Of Hardiness is Mother

    S4:E13

    Although Lucious pressures Cookie to take it easy, she can't help but take matters into her own hands when she receives unsettling news about an old friend. Meanwhile, Tiana's new 20 for 20 single takes off, leading to an unexpected change in her demeanor. Also, Jamal struggles to rebrand his image, Hakeem adopts a new role as musical mentor and Andre recruits Lucious to help him uncover the truth about Eddie's intentions.

    Director:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Carlito Rodriguez

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  14. Empire Season 4 Episode 14 - False Face
    6.9/10(169 votes)

    #14 - False Face

    S4:E14

    Lucious and Thirsty try to squash Eddie's takeover by confronting him with legal papers. Cookie recalls her complex relationship with her mother, while she continues her search for her friend's orphaned daughter. Meanwhile, Andre flounders, Hakeem anxiously prepares a release strategy for his 20 for 20 single and Jamal and Tory try to find a new team to make their own first non-Empire single.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writers:Janeika James, Jasheika James

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

    #15 - 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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  16. Empire Season 4 Episode 16 - Fair Terms
    7.2/10(173 votes)

    #16 - Fair Terms

    S4:E16

    When Cookie finally visits her mother, the two must confront their complicated past. Meanwhile, Lucious and Eddie continue their fight over Empire and Eddie makes a power play at the grand opening of Empire's 20 for 20 showcase. Then, Jamal and his band anonymously release their latest single and Hakeem tests out a career in film.

    Director:Jussie Smollett
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Jamie Rosengard

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  17. Empire Season 4 Episode 17 - Bloody Noses and Crack'd Crowns
    7.6/10(169 votes)

    #17 - Bloody Noses and Crack'd Crowns

    S4:E17

    Cookie and Lucious fight to keep Empire in the family, as they prepare a livestream concert to crowdfund the amount needed to trump Eddie's plans. Meanwhile, the success of Jamal's new anonymous group climbs, Hakeem brings Haven to the showcase to make Tiana jealous, and Andre is put to the test and must decide between the family or his career.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Carlito Rodriguez

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  18. Empire Season 4 Episode 18 - The Empire Unpossess'd
    7.9/10(197 votes)

    #18 - The Empire Unpossess'd

    S4:E18

    As the Empire ownership bid presentation nears, Lucious must make a difficult decision to save the future of the company and his family, while Eddie shows no signs of backing down. However, Cookie reveals a potential upper hand in the power play for Empire, after doing a little digging into her past. Meanwhile, Andre makes a power play of his own, Hakeem's high spirits comes to a quick end due to a threat, Jamal and Tory struggle to cope with the success of their new music group, tension boils as the Lyons face Empire's most existential threat yet and someone's past mistakes leads to a deadly consequence. Season Finale.

    Director:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Brett Mahoney

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Season 4 Ratings Summary

"Noble Memory" is the best rated episode of "Empire" season 4. It scored 7.5/10 based on 247 votes. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Brett Mahoney, it aired on 9/27/2017. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Full Circle".