Once in front of his daughter, he grabs the gun and the family breathes a sigh of relief.
Ride or die is a lie, Cookie tells Tiana.
She then tells Tiana to put her worth into herself and her children and to let Hakeem do Hakeem.
Credit: Matt Dinerstein/FOX
Everyone in our family got blood on their hands except you, he tells Hakeem.
Clean your house, son, he says.
It doesnt have to be a vicious cycle unless you make it one.
These two conversations are interspersed together as Hakeem and Tiana each take the advice differently.
Until our future is secure, we gotta be all about the money, she says.
And if the money doesnt start coming soon, theyll lose everything.
Speaking of Kingsley, he and Giselle meet in the aftermath of her finding out about his family ties.
Together we can run Empire and destroy Lucious Lyon, Kingsley says.
Thick or thin, sink or swim.
Giselle seemingly accepts, asking what the company policy is on drinking champagne before noon.
Andre and Teri welcome the newly-freed Quincy into his family home, complete with an early Christmas gift.
When Quincy opens the gift, he finds a note simply saying Anything!
Anywhere; Quincys idea of anything, anywhere is hotdogs on the beach.
Andre insists he has work to catch up on but tells them to call if they need anything.
This scheme, however, is news to Becky and Giselle, who watch the report in shock.
Damn, why it gotta be the po-po?
Becky asks as a furious Kingsley throws his drink at the TV.
Kais report directly fingers him as the mastermind behind the data-mining.
As rehearsals continue to show some growing pains, Cookie rallies the troops to remind them of the stakes.
You are performing for your future, she says.
What you do on that stage tomorrow night will define the rest of your life.
Thats what wrong with you celibates.
she snaps back, telling Devon to put that pent-up energy into his performance.
But where is Hakeem?
We may not be good together, but we can be good to each other, Hakeem says.
Hakeem tries to go for one last embrace, but Tiana pushes him away and says she cant.
As Andre fills Lucious in on the further fallout at Empire, he ignores a call from Teri.
Take it, accept that, you deserve that, Lucious says as Cookie watches on silently.
Having seemingly closed the door on Tiana, Hakeem heads off to the pool tables to see Blake.
I dont know how to make that right but whatever it is Ill do it, he tells Hakeem.
Taking his fathers words to heart, Andre shows up for Teri and Quincys dream beach day.
I thought that being alone and in the dark was what I was meant to be, Andre says.
What I need to know is are you willing to take the risk of being around me?
Teri answers with a kiss and a new door opens in his life.
As Becky is pushed out insisting its all a lie, Giselle asks to see the proof.
Sink or swim is all Kingsley says as he keeps the information to himself.
Kai, however, argues that Lucious actions silenced numerous victims.
So youre asking me to choose between whats right and whats right for your family?
Hes been offered a new permanent position in London and hes seriously considering it.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Lyons, Cookie tells the adoring crowd.
And tonight, we are proud to introduce to you our family.
The rivalry that started with a song has now ended in the same fashion.
Back at Empire, Giselle storms into Kingsleys office insisting Becky had nothing to do with the scheme.
Before long, Kingsleys face turns into a bloody mess and Giselle screams Hes your son!
Before long, Lucious manages to make his way to Tracys hospital room.
While handing her a baggy of cocaine, he tells her to slow her roll.
I know what Im doing, Lucious, Tracy says before inviting him out for the night.
She tells Lucious she always knew hed come back to her.
It doesnt take more than that, Tracy says as she urges him to take a look at Kingsley.
you’re able to take a DNA test if you want but just look at my babys eyes.
she asks, telling them that while LFM is nice enough, Im offering you the throne.
But theres one catch: Giselle would be co-partner in their takeover.
Cookie seems less than receptive to working with her, but Lucious agrees to think about it.
So we gotta choose between our future and our foundation?
Im all in with you, she tells him.
Every step, every penny.
Since flair for the dramatic seems to run in this family, he declares to the confused crowd.
Allow me the honors, dad.
Got my face beat in by Lucious, he announces.
Kingsley then says that not being raised by Lucious makes him the lucky Lyon son.
Unless I end you first, baby bro, Kingsley says smugly.
Is Andre the person in that mysterious casket or will another casualty emerge?
How will the Lyons deal with their biggest rival being one of the family?
Will Lucious and Cookie take back Empire or go their own way?
How are we gonna manage having to wait four months to find out all this?
Until 2019, ladies and gents.
