Empire

10 Best Episodes of Empire - Season 2

A powerful family drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 08, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Empire - S2E8

#15 - My Bad Parts (Season 2 - Episode 8)

Lucious, eager to assert his power, releases a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Not to be outdone in Lucious’ eyes, Hakeem fires back at Freda with a rap battle challenge that could put Lyon Dynasty’s future in danger. Meanwhile, Cookie gets a special visit from her spitfire sister, Candace, Jamal is working on landing a major sponsorship deal and Anika receives some life changing news

The episode was rated 7.77 from 980 votes.

Empire - S2E3

#14 - Fires of Heaven (Season 2 - Episode 3)

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Anika secretly work together behind Lucious’ back to pull off a surprise performance that catches the eye of Pitbull. Meanwhile, Lucious tracks down Frank Gathers’ daughter, Young Ma, to try to convince her to sign with him at Empire, while Hakeem is hard at work on his girl group, Ménage a Trois. Also, Andre and Rhonda hope their baby-on-the-way will be the key that unlocks Lucious’ cold heart and opens the door for Andre to return to the Empire fold.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 1004 votes.

Empire - S2E14

#13 - Time Shall Unfold (Season 2 - Episode 14)

Lucious releases his new music video, as he manipulates and sabotages those around him to regain his CEO position at Empire. Meanwhile, Andre learns more about his grandmother’s mental illness in order to understand his own struggle with bipolar disorder, Anika reveals a big secret to the family and Hakeem leads the big shareholder meeting.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 1384 votes.

Empire - S2E11

#12 - Death Will Have His Day (Season 2 - Episode 11)

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After losing the company he built, Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie has her own way of handling things. Meanwhile, Rhonda, Andre and the rest of the Lyon family come to terms with a horrific, life-changing tragedy that changes their lives as they know it.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 1340 votes.

Empire - S2E4

#11 - Poor Yorick (Season 2 - Episode 4)

The Lyons are still split into warring factions, but they all decide to shoot a music video that will capitalize on Hakeem and Jamal’s duet from Hakeem’s leaked album, a collaboration that will benefit both companies. Meanwhile, Lucious trades his real handcuffs for virtual ones. However, knowing he can’t fully control his company with a federal murder case hanging over his head, he sets out to find Vernon and make him permanently disappear.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 974 votes.

Empire - S2E2

#10 - Without a Country (Season 2 - Episode 2)

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Cookie and her cohorts decide to start their own small record label, but it’s off to a bumpy start as everyone has different visions for the new label. As his first project for the new company, Hakeem decides to form a girl group and woos a hot Latina lead singer, proving that he can be more than just an artist. Meanwhile, Lucious, feeling extra pressure from a bloodthirsty prosecutor, hires a new lawyer and records an epic track from inside jail. In Lucious’ absence, Jamal neglects his music and makes business moves that further his journey toward becoming every bit as ruthless as his father.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 1051 votes.

Empire - S2E1

#9 - The Devils Are Here (Season 2 - Episode 1)

Three months after the shocking arrest and incarceration of Empire Entertainment head Lucious Lyon. Still in federal lockup, Lucious is trying to run Empire from inside, while a headline-grabbing state prosecutor hangs her political ambitions on bringing him down – no matter what it takes. Meanwhile, Cookie stages a star-studded #FreeLucious concert in his support, while scheming with Andre, Hakeem, Anika and the business savvy Mimi Whiteman to finalize the hostile takeover of Empire.

The episode was rated 7.86 from 1268 votes.

Empire - S2E15

#8 - More Than Kin (Season 2 - Episode 15)

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With help from Andre, Lucious hosts a fundraiser, as part of his campaign to prove to the board that he should return as Empire’s CEO. Meanwhile, Hakeem must decide whether he wants to be a father to his and Anika’s child.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 1444 votes.

Empire - S2E9

#7 - Sinned Against (Season 2 - Episode 9)

Cookie and her sister, Candace, team up with a former prison mate to rescue their sister, Carol. Back at Empire, Jamal and critically acclaimed pop star Skye Summers begin collaborating and soon share a deep connection. Meanwhile, Laz has truly fallen for Cookie, but things get complicated when she finds out the truth about him.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 993 votes.

Empire - S2E16

#6 - The Lyon Who Cried Wolf (Season 2 - Episode 16)

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A wrench is thrown into Lucious’ deeply personal music video about his mother, when Andre discovers a dark secret. Meanwhile, Hakeem and Jamal are compromised after tempting themselves with new or rekindling, but secretive affairs. Then, Rhonda starts to suspect who her attacker was.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 1391 votes.

Empire - S2E13

#5 - The Tameness of a Wolf (Season 2 - Episode 13)

Tensions between Lucious and his sons continue to rise. Back at Lyon Dynasty, Lucious aims to direct his most emotional and honest music video yet and recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for the new single. Meanwhile, on the Mirage a Trois tour, Tiana and Laura begin viciously fighting over the spotlight, forcing Hakeem to mediate between the two divas.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 1369 votes.

Empire - S2E10

#4 - Et Tu, Brute? (Season 2 - Episode 10)

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Lucious makes a reckless play for the streaming service that he believes will make him the most powerful man in music, only to learn that the entire business strategy was part of a scheme that might bring Hakeem’s ex, Camilla, back into the picture. Meanwhile, Cookie decides to plan a concert at the prison where she spent 17 years locked away from her family and a tragic “accident” leaves Rhonda in a scary state.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 987 votes.

Empire - S2E12

#3 - A Rose by Any Other Name (Season 2 - Episode 12)

With Hakeem acting as Empire’s CEO, Camilla sinks her claws further and further into him. The rest of the Lyon family tries to get him to rejoin their side, but Hakeem has his own plan. Meanwhile, Jamal receives backlash from his fans and Andre and Rhonda’s marriage is tested.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 1364 votes.

Empire - S2E17

#2 - Rise by Sin (Season 2 - Episode 17)

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Hakeem feels the pressure of his underwhelming fiancé, Laura, as he struggles to find a place for her both in his family and his career. Cookie finally reveals to Jamal the truth behind what happened to Freda’s father, prompting Jamal to warn Freda of his family’s ulterior motives. Meanwhile, despite his frustration with the family, Jamal makes a sacrifice for Lucious from which it will be hard to recover.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 1486 votes.

Empire - S2E18

#1 - Past is Prologue (Season 2 - Episode 18)

After a life-changing experience, Jamal refuses to make music until his family ends its seemingly endless cycle of violence and fighting. Meanwhile, the Feds are tailing Anika because they want to force her to testify against Lucious. In order to protect her family, Cookie organizes a meeting at Hakeem and Laura’s wedding with various people from her and Lucious’ past.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 1538 votes.

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