Cookie and Lucious learn the difficulties of launching an artist without Empire Entertainment's resources and when they receive two offers that will launch them back into power, they make a surprising decision; Jamal decides to move back to New York.
Cookie and Lucious push to get back in the music game; Andre finds a risky way to make a name for himself among his fellow inmates.
Lucious and Cookie worry that their new artist, Devon, may not be ready for the pressure; Hakeem is determined to convince Tiana that he's matured, but she has reservations; Cookie becomes concerned about Jamal.
The financial security of the Lyon family is on the line as their LFM showcase quickly approaches; Kai uncovers some dirty activity within Empire; Hakeem and Tiana finally reach an agreement on how best to move forward with their relationship.
As Cookie and Lucious deal with each other's betrayals, they wonder if this could be the end for their relationship; Andre's life hangs in the balance; the feds close in and the mystery of who is in the coffin is finally revealed.