The WORST episodes of Empire (2015)

Every episode of Empire (2015) ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Empire (2015)!

Lucious Lyon is the king of hip-hop. An immensely talented artist, the CEO of Empire Entertainment and a former street thug, his reign has been unchallenged for years. But all that changes, when he learns he has a disease that is going to render him crippled and incapacitated in a matter of three years. The clock is ticking, and he must groom one of his three sons to take over his crowning achievement, without destroying his already fractured family.

Last Updated: 11/26/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
Home is on the Way
star
7.30
166 votes

#1 - 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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
I Am Who I Am
star
7.32
163 votes

#2 - I Am Who I Am

Season 6 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/24/2020

While on a road trip, Cookie, Candace and Carol take a painful trip down memory lane, shedding light on their childhood and exposing heartbreaking secrets from the past. Lucious uses something special from the past to help give Yana her big break. Meanwhile, Maya hatches a scheme to generate more buzz for the "Birth of an Empire" movie and Teri becomes increasingly more fearful of Andre.

Watch Now:Apple TV
We Got Us
star
7.37
161 votes

#3 - We Got Us

Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/7/2020

After witnessing Andre's breakdown, Cookie and Lucious have him committed to the same treatment facility as Leah and the guilt Cookie feels from Andre's situation causes her to wonder how different life would be if she had not gone to prison. Meanwhile, Becky struggles with balancing her personal and professional relationships and Hakeem and Maya find themselves in a less-than-ideal situation after a drunken night in Vegas.

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Over Everything
star
7.43
163 votes

#4 - Over Everything

Season 6 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/14/2020

Lucious continues to run Empire and discovers some of Andre's business missteps by way of Kelly Patel (guest star Pej Vahdat). Meanwhile, Cookie tries to relaunch BossyFest but is met with major obstacles from the ASAs. Also, Hakeem and Maya's unlikely partnership proves to be beneficial and Becky celebrates her birthday.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Heart of Stone
star
7.49
198 votes

#5 - Heart of Stone

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/2019

Candace and Carol take Cookie on a girls' trip to Miami to have some fun and take her mind off Lucious. After an unsettling visit with Leah, Lucious is left to deal with some inward self-reflection. Meanwhile, Andre makes a bold decision regarding Treasure's upcoming album and Giselle goes behind Becky's back to find Tiana a new audience.

Directors: Sanaa Hamri
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Come Undone
star
7.49
170 votes

#6 - Come Undone

Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/17/2020

Cookie continues to keep her secret from her sisters, but Lucious feels she needs to come clean in order to move forward. When Treasure is unable to perform at the upcoming showcase, Becky suggests that Yana take the spot, but Lucious feels she's not ready. Meanwhile, Giselle struggles with keeping her family secret from Julian, Maya sets her sights on her own recording deal and Andre's actions put Quincy in a very bad situation.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Do You Remember Me
star
7.49
186 votes

#7 - Do You Remember Me

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/26/2019

Upon taking her first steps back into music, Cookie discovers an artist with raw talent when Lucious dismissed years ago. Meanwhile, Lucious spends a day in the city with Yana and is surprised to discover they have much more in common than he thought. Also, Andre pulls out all the stops in order to convince a reluctant artist to sign with Empire, Tracy finds evidence that incriminates Lucious and Giselle runs into an old friend who could help Bossy Media with its financial trouble.

Directors: Ruben Garcia
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
You Broke Love
star
7.50
260 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.

Directors: Howard Deutch
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Strange Bedfellows
star
7.55
1319 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.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
What Is Love
star
7.56
296 votes

#10 - 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.

Directors: Sanaa Hamri
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Talk Less
star
7.57
165 votes

#11 - 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.

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Stronger Than My Rival
star
7.57
231 votes

#12 - Stronger Than My Rival

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/5/2019

Lucious, still obsessed with his past, tries to make amends for his wrongdoings with an old friend. Cookie vies to take control of the house, putting the whole family in the middle. Andre and Lucious go head-to-head in a competition to figure out the direction Empire should be heading in. Meanwhile, Becky and Giselle are at odds over the future of Bossy music.

Directors: Dawn Wilkinson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Tell the Truth
star
7.58
244 votes

#13 - Tell the Truth

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/2019

A happy family occasion brings the Lyon family back together, but it becomes apparent that no one seems to see eye-to-eye. Lucious, unhappy with how Empire and the Empire movie are progressing, springs into action and comes face-to-face with demons from his past. Meanwhile, Cookie reaches her breaking point and considers seeking help and Andre encourages Tiana to smooth over the controversy she created for the company.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
In Loving Virtue
star
7.60
299 votes

#14 - 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.

Directors: Clement Virgo
Watch Now:Amazon
Without All Remedy
star
7.60
282 votes

#15 - 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.

Directors: Craig Brewer
Watch Now:Amazon
Remember the Music
star
7.60
191 votes

#16 - Remember the Music

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/3/2019

Hakeem raises concerns over Lucious' changes to the Empire movie script, causing Lucious and Cookie to come together to recount the events that lead to the evolution of Empire. Andre turns to Kelly Patel to help him gain controlling interest in the company, as Teri grows increasingly suspicious of Andre's role in signing Prophet the Poet. Meanwhile, Bossy Media considers taking on a silent partner to help with their financial issues and Philly Street confronts Lucious about the info he received from White Tracy.

Directors: Geary McLeod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Love Me Still
star
7.61
168 votes

#17 - Love Me Still

Season 6 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/31/2020

As their wedding day arrives, Teri's fears concerning Andre's temper continue to surface. Meanwhile, Cookie finds a shocking discovery while digging into Bossy's finances, which leads to a heated confrontation with Giselle. Then, Yana starts to fall for Lucious again and Maya sets her sights on Hakeem.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Full Circle
star
7.62
882 votes

#18 - 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.

Directors: Craig Brewer
Watch Now:Amazon
A Wise Father That Knows His Own Child
star
7.63
272 votes

#19 - 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.

Directors: Dawn Wilkinson
Watch Now:Amazon
Good Enough
star
7.63
195 votes

#20 - Good Enough

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/19/2019

After realizing that music is her real first love, Cookie makes moves to get back into the music world and offers to throw an event to gain exposure for Bossy Media. Meanwhile, Lucious tries to regain control of Empire by attempting to sabotage Andre's vision for the company. Also, Hakeem feels threatened by DeVon's strong bond with Prince and Bella.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bleeding War
star
7.63
759 votes

#21 - Bleeding War

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/2017

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.

Directors: Sanaa Hamri
Watch Now:Amazon
Cold Cold Man
star
7.64
195 votes

#22 - Cold Cold Man

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/17/2019

Cookie becomes frustrated with Lucious, who is struggling to accept that their relationship is over. Upon being shut out of the ASA nominations, the women of Bossy choose Melody to take their performance slot at the ASAs, causing Tiana to question all of her decisions over the past few months. Meanwhile, Teri confronts Andre over his lies and elsewhere, an emotional confrontation ends with a bang.

Directors: Sanaa Hamri
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Shift and Save Yourself
star
7.64
303 votes

#23 - 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.

Directors: Dianne Houston
Watch Now:Amazon
Evil Manners
star
7.65
824 votes

#24 - Evil Manners

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2017

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.

Directors: Bille Woodruff
Watch Now:Amazon
Got on My Knees to Pray
star
7.65
266 votes

#25 - Got on My Knees to Pray

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/1/2019

While Lucious is still on the run, Cookie confronts Damon about why he lied to her. Andre, who is dealing with his own personal trauma, is suddenly forced to grapple with an unforeseen family complication. Meanwhile, Becky and Giselle try to get the star power they need out of their first Bossy Media artist and Tiana tries to help Devon find his sound.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV