7.2/10192 votes#1 - Steal from the Thief
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 9/26/2018
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10158 votes#2 - Pay for Their Presumptions
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 10/3/2018
Cookie and Lucious learn the difficulties of launching an artist without Empire Entertainment's resources, and their future with new artist Treasure is jeopardized. So when they receive two interesting offers that will launch them back into power in the music industry, they make a surprising decision. Meanwhile, Jamal decides to put his family first and move back to New York, leaving Kai with some tough decisions.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10156 votes#3 - Pride
Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2018
Cookie and Lucious push to get back in the music game, but they'll need the whole family and some old allies to make serious sacrifices in order to do so. Meanwhile, Andre finds a risky way to make a name for himself among his fellow inmates.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10154 votes#4 - Love All, Trust a Few
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2018
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.9/10150 votes#5 - The Depth of Grief
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2018
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10156 votes#6 - What Is Done
Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2018
In an effort to sign more artists, Cookie and Lucious make a bet to see who can find someone first. While Lucious bets on the chance to meet an up and coming rapper in a high stakes poker game, Cookie takes to the streets to find untapped talent in a set of auditions. Meanwhile, Hakeem refuses to leave the studio when his rage inspires what he considers his best music yet and Jamal finds himself at a crossroads when Becky claims he's spending too much time with Kai.
Director: Jussie Smollett
Writer: Felicia D. Henderson, Thomas Westfall
6.8/10157 votes#7 - Treasons, Stratagems, and Spoils
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2018
In an effort to bridge the gap between Lyon Family Management and Empire, Lucious must play nice with Jeff Kingsley, so that the two companies can get girl group TBD back on the map. Meanwhile, Jamal grows frustrated with Cookie when she tries to steal his London artist, Wynter, out from under him, Andre works with the mother of one of his old inmates to help free her innocent son and Cookie realizes her sister is in danger.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10164 votes#8 - Master of What is Mine Own
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 11/28/2018
The cost of running Lyon Family Management starts to put pressure on Cookie and Lucious' relationship. When Kingsley pulls a power move of his own that has major financial repercussions for Lucious, Cookie thinks back to their early struggles. Kai becomes upset when Jamal announces their engagement on live TV and Tiana hits a crossroad with Hakeem, who refuses to set aside his beef with Blake. Meanwhile, Candace becomes vindictive after feeling betrayed by Cookie and Giselle uncovers a key to her future.
Director: Dianne Houston
Writer: Matt Pyken, Yolonda Lawrence
7.5/10178 votes#9 - Had It From My Father
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2018
The financial security of the Lyon family is on the line as their LFM showcase quickly approaches. Kai's research for an expose on Empire uncovers some dirty activity within the company and causes conflict with Jamal. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Tiana finally reach an agreement on how best to move forward with their relationship, Andre struggles with his decision to let a new love interest in and Kingsley strikes a deal with Giselle.
Director: Sanaa Hamri
Writer: Carlito Rodriguez, Diane Ademu-John
5.8/10177 votes#10 - My Fault Is Past
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 3/13/2019
With the control of Empire within reach again, the Lyons must pull out all the stops to prove Lucious and Becky's innocence in the datamining scandal. Meanwhile, Cookie struggles with Lucious' past and Jeff Kingsley's place in it, Jamal and Kai try to figure out where they stand and a mystery begins to unravel.
Director: Michael Goi
Writer: Craig Brewer, Cameron Johnson
5.8/10166 votes#11 - In Loving Virtue
Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 3/20/2019
With the reputation of the family business on the line, the Lyons strategize on how to clean up Kingsley's mess and introduce a new and improved Empire. As Lucious and Cookie hire an old acquaintance to help track down the money Eddie stole, Andre tries to convince Devon's record label to let him record with Empire. Meanwhile, Treasure and Tiana fight for the female vocalist track on Jamal's new song.
Director: Clement Virgo
Writer: N/A
5.4/10175 votes#12 - Shift and Save Yourself
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 3/27/2019
Cookie is offered a career game-changer that would put her future in the family business in jeopardy. Jamal works diligently to try to make Tiana and Treasure's track a success, as Lucious, Cookie and Giselle deliberate future plans for Hakeem and the rest of the artists at Empire. Meanwhile, the feds pressure Thirsty, due to his affiliation with Lucious and Damon Cross, and Andre receives startling news.
Director: Dianne Houston
Writer: Matt Pyken, Thomas Westfall
6.9/10157 votes#13 - Hot Blood, Hot Thoughts, Hot Deeds
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 4/3/2019
When Empire launches its national tour in Philly, things heat up and egos clash. Jamal and Kai's relationships gets complicated and Treasure has an embarrassing mishap on stage. Cookie tries to grapple with her feelings for Damon, while the Feds start investigating Empire.
Director: Gabourey Sidibe
Writer: Diane Ademu-John, Evan Price
6.3/10142 votes#14 - Without All Remedy
Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 4/10/2019
After receiving news about Andre's health, the Lyon family does everything in its power to support him, while continuing the tour. As Cookie and Lucious hash out their wrongdoings, Kai comforts Jamal through this process. Meanwhile, Maya comes to terms with where she stands with Blake and the others, and the rest of Empire must make sure the tour stays afloat.
Director: Craig Brewer
Writer: Jamie Rosengard
6.1/10135 votes#15 - A Wise Father That Knows His Own Child
Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 4/17/2019
As the Feds close in on Empire, Jeff Kingsley seeks the truth about what really happened between Lucious and Tracy Kingsley. Meanwhile, Teri and the Lyons pray for Andre's health, and Cookie faces the truth about her relationship with Damon Cross. Jamal and Kai reach an understanding, while Hakeem attempts to figure out where he stands among his relationships.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.0/10158 votes#16 - Never Doubt I Love
Season 5 Episode 16 - Aired 4/24/2019
It's a special day for Jamal and Kai, but drama might ruin it when AUSA's Meghan Conway continues to pursue the Lyons by any means necessary. Meanwhile, Damon shows up, threatening to expose Cookie's secret; Teri confides in Cookie, sharing a big secret; and Andre asks Lucious for help with a life-altering task.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/10144 votes#17 - My Fate Cries Out
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 5/1/2019
Cookie gets picked up by AUSA Conway, while Lucious is visited by his past. Becky, Hakeem and Andre devise a plan to save Empire by putting on a show with special guests Sevyn Streeter and Ty Dolla $ign. Meanwhile, Andre helps Empire by getting help from the last person the Lyons expect and Cookie may never forgive Lucious for what he's done.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10152 votes#18 - The Roughest Day
Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 5/8/2019
As Cookie and Lucious deal with each other's betrayals, they wonder if this could be the end for their relationship. Meanwhile, Andre's life hangs in the balance and the future of Empire is in jeopardy as the Feds close in and the mystery of who is in the coffin is finally.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Empire Season 5
Every episode of Empire Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Empire Season 5!
A powerful family drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.
Genres:DramaSoap
Network:FOX
Season 5 Ratings Summary
"Steal from the Thief" is the best rated episode of "Empire" season 5. It scored 7.2/10 based on 192 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 9/26/2018. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Pay for Their Presumptions".