The Worst Episodes of Empire
Every episode of Empire ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Empire" is "Shift and Save Yourself", rated 5.4/10 from 176 user votes. It was directed by Dianne Houston and written by Matt Pyken, Thomas Westfall. "Shift and Save Yourself" aired on 3/27/2019 and is rated 0.2 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Home Is on the Way".
5.4/10 176 votes#1 - 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
5.6/10 183 votes#2 - Home Is on the Way
Season 6 Episode 18 - Aired 4/21/2020
In the midst of the Bossyfest launch and the fight to regain control of Empire, Cookie reflects on her life and the woman she has become. Lucious finds it impossible to deny his feelings for Cookie, while continuing to support Yana and her rise to stardom. When the Lyons face their biggest threat yet, Lucious prepares for the battle of his life and realizes that in the end, family is what matters the most.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
5.8/10 177 votes#3 - 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
5.8/10 167 votes#4 - 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
6.0/10 159 votes#5 - 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
6.1/10 136 votes#6 - 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
6.3/10 143 votes#7 - 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
6.6/10 129 votes#8 - You Broke Love
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 10/8/2019
While Lucious' plan to escape from the Feds finally comes to a head, Cookie finds herself in a dangerous situation with Damon. Andre is haunted by a ghost from his past that he can't seem to shake and Tiana receives backlash from fans over a social media post. Meanwhile, Becky tries her new artist on track and is surprised by an unexpected visit from family.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/10 213 votes#9 - Strange Bedfellows
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 4/5/2017
Angelo makes an unsettling discovery and is concerned that Cookie's past isn't in the past and will hurt his chances of becoming the Mayor. Anika is faced with a life-changing decision after Tariq reveals what he is really after. Meanwhile, Hakeem's 21st birthday party takes an unexpected turn.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10 163 votes#10 - Sweet Sorrow
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 4/11/2018
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: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10 155 votes#11 - 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
6.8/10 156 votes#12 - 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: Thomas Westfall, Felicia D. Henderson
6.8/10 157 votes#13 - 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
6.9/10 168 votes#14 - False Face
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 4/25/2018
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: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.9/10 150 votes#15 - 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
6.9/10 136 votes#16 - What Is Love
Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2019
Lucious, who is now a wanted fugitive, is on the run from the Feds. Cookie keeps busy by focusing on her brand outside of Empire, which now includes a daytime talk show and a community center. Andre, currently sitting on the Empire throne, is confronted by several people who now want to get in on the company and Hakeem sets his sights on the lead role in the first EMPIRE movie. Meanwhile, Becky and Giselle search for their first Bossy Media artist.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 215 votes#17 - Play On
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/2017
Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo, while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious. Meanwhile, Leah seeks out Tariq's help in taking down Anika, and Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 163 votes#18 - Of Hardiness is Mother
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 4/18/2018
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: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 158 votes#19 - 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
7.0/10 158 votes#20 - 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
7.0/10 153 votes#21 - 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
7.0/10 108 votes#22 - Can't Truss 'Em
Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 3/3/2020
The Lyons' world is turned upside down as they face a loss, which forces one Lyon to deal with an unresolved trauma from the past. Meanwhile, Andre makes an important decision about his health, family and career and Devon confronts Tiana about her relationship with Hakeem. Also, a shocking revelation about the future of the Lyons is revealed.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/10 193 votes#23 - Full Circle
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2017
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: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/10 145 votes#24 - 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
7.1/10 104 votes#25 - Talk Less
Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 3/10/2020
Lucious hunts for a record deal for Yana, but is met with surprising feedback from the label execs. Meanwhile, Cookie struggles with her inability to shake memories of the secret she's kept for so many years. Also, Lala, feeling neglected by her team at Bossy Media, pulls a dangerous stunt to take promotion into her own hands, and Andre suffers from brownouts and lapses of judgement as Kingsley pushes for more control.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A