Empire

10 Best Episodes of Empire - Season 4

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 - S4E1

#15 - Noble Memory (Season 4 - Episode 1)

On the brink of Empire Entertainment’s 20th anniversary, Lucious is making his first public appearance after the explosion in Las Vegas, while all members of the Lyon family, as well as Lucious’ nurse, Claudia, have their own interests in Lucious regaining his physical and mental faculties. Crossover episode with Star Season 2, Episode 1.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 1086 votes.

Empire - S4E10

#14 - Birds in the Cage (Season 4 - Episode 10)

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Nurse Claudia takes her job to a new level, when she kidnaps Lucious. To find him, Cookie must race against time and use the skills she learned in prison to rescue him. Meanwhile, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem pick up the pieces from their battle with the Dubois family.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 538 votes.

Empire - S4E7

#13 - The Lady Doth Protest (Season 4 - Episode 7)

Production comes to a halt on Empire’s 20-For-20 when Calvin and Portia, feeling overworked by their new producer, Eddie Barker, call for a strike, leaving Cookie to find a solution to the issue. In an attempt to prove that he can still be the man he was before the explosion, Lucious arranges a deal on Hakeem’s behalf, not knowing the repercussions that could follow. Meanwhile, love is in the air for Jamal and Andre, who each express their feelings for their significant others, not knowing the secrets that are being kept from them.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 684 votes.

Empire - S4E13

#12 - Of Hardiness is Mother (Season 4 - Episode 13)

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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.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 505 votes.

Empire - S4E14

#11 - False Face (Season 4 - Episode 14)

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.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 473 votes.

Empire - S4E12

#10 - Sweet Sorrow (Season 4 - Episode 12)

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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.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 534 votes.

Empire - S4E11

#9 - Without Apology (Season 4 - Episode 11)

On the brink of a lucrative tech deal, Eddie realizes that he must work on rebranding Empire. Cookie springs into action when a girl group from the past re-unites and threatens to expose secrets about Empire and Lucious. Meanwhile, Hakeem makes a major move with Tiana, Andre continues to struggle with his guilt and Becky is faced with a difficult situation.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 566 votes.

Empire - S4E17

#8 - Bloody Noses and Crack'd Crowns (Season 4 - Episode 17)

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Cookie and Lucious fight to keep Empire in the family, as they prepare a livestream concert to crowdfund the amount needed to trump Eddie’s plans. Meanwhile, the success of Jamal’s new anonymous group climbs, Hakeem brings Haven to the showcase to make Tiana jealous, and Andre is put to the test and must decide between the family or his career.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 437 votes.

Empire - S4E5

#7 - The Fool (Season 4 - Episode 5)

When the secret about Lucious’ memory is exposed, Cookie attempts to convince the board that he is fine by inviting the press to watch him produce the first 20 for 20 album. Eddie Barker jumps in to help Lucious get back in his groove and make music in the studio. Just as Andre’s feelings for Detective Pamela Rose intensify, she reveals information that’s been uncovered regarding the explosion. Meanwhile, Hakeem worries about his secret involvement with the DuBois family and Claudia helps Lucious with a breakthrough.

The episode was rated 7.88 from 764 votes.

Empire - S4E16

#6 - Fair Terms (Season 4 - Episode 16)

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When Cookie finally visits her mother, the two must confront their complicated past. Meanwhile, Lucious and Eddie continue their fight over Empire and Eddie makes a power play at the grand opening of Empire’s 20 for 20 showcase. Then, Jamal and his band anonymously release their latest single and Hakeem tests out a career in film.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 443 votes.

Empire - S4E15

#5 - A Lean and Hungry Look (Season 4 - Episode 15)

As Eddie fights for his place at Empire Entertainment and gets the board on his side, Lucious and Shine must find a permanent solution to keep him out. Meanwhile, Cookie is desperate to fulfill a promise to a friend before it’s too late. Then, when tensions rise in Jamal and Tory’s new band, Preacher Azal inspires Jamal with an idea to get everyone in sync.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 469 votes.

Empire - S4E8

#4 - Cupid Painted Blind (Season 4 - Episode 8)

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Cookie and Lucious take matters into their own hands as they watch Diana DuBois’ master scheme unfold. Meanwhile, Andre begins to spiral out of control, wondering what she could have in store for him. Also, Jamal’s sobriety is put to the test and Shine gives Hakeem advice on how to maintain a balance between his work and personal life.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 672 votes.

Empire - S4E6

#3 - Fortune Be Not Crost (Season 4 - Episode 6)

The Lyon family stands together as Anika and Hakeem begin a custody battle for Bella. Although they’re confident in Hakeem’s ability as a father, no one is prepared for the revelations her team brings to the trial. Meanwhile, Claudia grows more possessive over Lucious, who has unlocked a new way to understand music through his paintings. Also, Jamal introduces Warren to Lucious, Andre begins seeing a new therapist, and one of Becky’s old flames returns.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 751 votes.

Empire - S4E9

#2 - Slave To Memory (Season 4 - Episode 9)

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Cookie and Lucious devise an elaborate plan to take down Diana Dubois and her family once and for all. Andre recovers from his mental breakdown in the hospital, Shine tries desperately to protect his secret and Eddie Barker is concluding his tenure at Empire. Amidst the chaos, someone’s life hangs in the balance.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 675 votes.

Empire - S4E18

#1 - The Empire Unpossess'd (Season 4 - Episode 18)

As the Empire ownership bid presentation nears, Lucious must make a difficult decision to save the future of the company and his family, while Eddie shows no signs of backing down. However, Cookie reveals a potential upper hand in the power play for Empire, after doing a little digging into her past. Meanwhile, Andre makes a power play of his own, Hakeem’s high spirits comes to a quick end due to a threat, Jamal and Tory struggle to cope with the success of their new music group, tension boils as the Lyons face Empire’s most existential threat yet and someone’s past mistakes leads to a deadly consequence. Season Finale.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 457 votes.

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