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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!

Binge this in 12h 54m•Peaking at 7.5/10

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 5 Episode 9 - Had It From My Father
    7.5/10(187 votes)

    S5:E9

    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
    Writers:Carlito Rodriguez, Diane Ademu-John

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  2. Empire Season 5 Episode 4 - Love All, Trust a Few
    7.3/10(164 votes)

    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.

    Director:Mario Van Peebles
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Cameron Johnson

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  3. Empire Season 5 Episode 8 - Master of What Is Mine Own
    7.3/10(171 votes)

    S5:E8

    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
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Yolonda E. Lawrence

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  4. Empire Season 5 Episode 1 - Steal from the Thief
    7.2/10(203 votes)

    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.

    Director:Sanaa Hamri
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Brett Mahoney

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  5. Empire Season 5 Episode 17 - My Fate Cries Out
    7.1/10(154 votes)

    S5:E17

    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:Paul McCrane
    Writers:Cameron Johnson, Janeika James, Jasheika James

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  6. Empire Season 5 Episode 2 - Pay for Their Presumptions
    7.0/10(166 votes)

    S5:E2

    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:John Krokidas
    Writers:Yolonda E. Lawrence, Carlito Rodriguez

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  7. Empire Season 5 Episode 18 - The Roughest Day
    7.0/10(162 votes)

    S5:E18

    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:Craig Brewer
    Writers:Felicia D. Henderson, Brett Mahoney

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  8. Empire Season 5 Episode 5 - The Depth of Grief
    6.9/10(160 votes)

    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.

    Director:Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
    Writers:Jamie Rosengard, Janeika James, Jasheika James

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  9. Empire Season 5 Episode 13 - Hot Blood, Hot Thoughts, Hot Deeds
    6.9/10(165 votes)

    S5:E13

    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
    Writers:Diane Ademu-John, Evan Price

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  10. Empire Season 5 Episode 3 - Pride
    6.8/10(164 votes)

    S5:E3

    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:Clement Virgo
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Diane Ademu-John

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  11. Empire Season 5 Episode 6 - What Is Done
    6.7/10(165 votes)

    S5:E6

    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
    Writers:Felicia D. Henderson, Thomas Westfall

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  12. Empire Season 5 Episode 7 - Treasons, Stratagems, and Spoils
    6.7/10(166 votes)

    S5:E7

    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:Tamra Davis
    Writers:Dianne Houston, Joshua Allen

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  13. Empire Season 5 Episode 14 - Without All Remedy
    6.4/10(149 votes)

    S5:E14

    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

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  14. Empire Season 5 Episode 15 - A Wise Father That Knows His Own Child
    6.2/10(142 votes)

    S5:E15

    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:Dawn Wilkinson
    Writers:Yolonda E. Lawrence, Carlito Rodriguez

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  15. Empire Season 5 Episode 16 - Never Doubt I Love
    6.1/10(165 votes)

    S5:E16

    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:Darren Grant
    Writers:Joshua Allen, Thomas Westfall

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  16. Empire Season 5 Episode 10 - My Fault Is Past
    5.9/10(185 votes)

    S5:E10

    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
    Writers:Craig Brewer, Cameron Johnson

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  17. Empire Season 5 Episode 11 - In Loving Virtue
    5.8/10(173 votes)

    S5:E11

    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:Unknown

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  18. Empire Season 5 Episode 12 - Shift and Save Yourself
    5.4/10(182 votes)

    S5:E12

    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
    Writers:Matt Pyken, Thomas Westfall

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Had It From My Father" is the best rated episode of "Empire" season 5. It scored 7.5/10 based on 187 votes. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Carlito Rodriguez, Diane Ademu-John, it aired on 12/5/2018. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Love All, Trust a Few".