The purpose of this recap is to break down the key moments from each episode without wasting time on unnecessary filler storylines.
Ready? Let’s jump in.

**Spoilers below. Scroll down at your own risk**
1. Becky finds out that Lucious has ALS
At the end of the pilot episode we found out that Lucious is suffering from ALS, an incurable disease that affects the nervous system. While Lucious hasn’t told anyone about his ailing health, he reacts indirectly by taking Empire public with an IPO and pinning his sons against each other to weed out the strongest heir to succeed him.
In this episode, Lucious’ assistant Becky finds his ALS medication in his bathroom and confronts him about his secret. 
Throughout the episode, Lucious tells both Hakeem and Andre that the company will be theirs one day. While Andre seems to be the most obvious choice, Lucious continues to dangle the company in front of both Hakeem and Andre. It’s still unclear what exactly Lucious is looking for in an heir.
2. Lucious vs. Cookie
The spark between Lucious and Cookie is undeniable—even when they hate each other. Especially when they hate each other.
In this episode, the not-so-perfect parenting duo continue to involve their sons in their dispute. With Lucious prepping Hakeem in his corner of the ring and Cookie pushing Jamal in the other, what could possibly go wrong?
When Cookie finds out that Lucious is planning on debuting Hakeem at one of the hottest clubs in NYC, Leviticus, she immediately plots a way to have Jamal steal the show instead. 
With the help of Andre’s wife Rhonda, Cookie hires a publicist to help plan Jamal’s public “coming out” so he can sing his way out of the closet. One of the most endearing things about Cookie thus far has been seeing how she has loved Jamal unconditionally, unlike Lucious. However, seeing her attempt to use her son’s sexuality as a publicity stunt to get back at Lucious makes her almost as bad as her ex-husband.
When Lucious finds out about Cookie’s plans, he meets with Jamal secretly and threatens to completely cut him off if he comes out to the public. 
In the end, Jamal stands his ground and doesn’t attend the press conference. Instead of coming out, he lets his talents speak for him when he makes an appearance onstage with his brother, surprising both of their parents and wowing the crowd. 
Towards the end of the episode, when Lucious makes the executive decision to drop Kid Fo-Fo from the label, it’s not the shooting the rapper was involved in that sparks his decision. Instead, Lucious makes the surprising move after Kid Fo-Fo disrespects Cookie multiple times. Honestly, this moment made me happy because I know that Lucious and Cookie would be so much more powerful if they were back to scheming together instead of against each other.
3. Bunkie is found dead
In the pilot episode, Lucious shoots and kills long-time family friend, Bunkie.
When Bunkie’s body is found in a river during this episode, the Lyon family, including Cookie, is left grieving his death. It’s interesting to see that there is a side of Lucious that is still capable of murdering someone so close to him despite the fact that he preaches to Cookie to “stop acting like a hoodrat” and to “be more professional.”
There is also a paradox in this episode between the Lucious Lyon who internally feels content with shooting and killing a family member and CEO Lucious Lyon who goes on national television preaching about how rap music is “poetry” that lets young African-Americans express themselves through music instead of grabbing a 12-gauge shotgun. 
I have a feeling that this won’t be the last time we’ll see someone die at the hands of Lucious. The question is, will all of this dirty work catch up to him, or will other people continue to take the fall?
4. Hakeem makes himself even more unlikable
While out with friends at a swanky restaurant, Hakeem drinks a little too much and begins ranting about everything from a girl that didn’t want him to Barack Obama being a “sellout.” Of course, being that it’s 2015, video of Hakeem making irrational statements, and even exposing his genitals, hits the internet. Yet another bad press moment for Empire Records.
Of course, Lucious gets on the phone with Barack to apologize on behalf of his son, but the President doesn’t want to hear it. While Lucious was initially upset, Hakeem’s “bad boy image” is a hit with the general public, skyrocketing ticket sales to his show at Leviticus. 
Granted, this particular instance of Hakeem acting out probably stems from him being upset about losing Bunkie, but I’m not moved to show him much sympathy. I understand he grew up in a broken home with one parent in prison and another who is never satisfied, but even that isn’t reason enough for me to accept how ignorant and bratty his character can be. 
5. Cookie’s deal
At the end of the episode a detective approaches Cookie and tells her they need her to testify in front of a court. Apparently, Cookie made some sort deal with the feds who don’t seem to think she’s off the hook just yet.
Other observations:
We find out in this episode that Lucious’ oldest son, Andre, suffers from bipolar disorder. We see moments throughout the episode where his wife Rhonda urges him to see his doctor and reminds him to refill his medication. There is also a scene where Lucious notices that Andre isn’t acting himself. 
It’s obvious that Andre wants Empire all to himself and feels that he is the most deserving son. While he hasn’t done anything to blatantly sabotage his brothers’ rise, he has silently acted as a double agent as we waits for his family to implode, leaving him as the lone survivor.
This is one of the first instances on primetime television that I can recall a person of color dealing with a mental disorder. It should be interesting to see how this storyline is handled going forward. 
Chat with me about the episode on Twitter at @AggiAshagre.
Listen to music from this episode:

Watch the preview for next week’s episode, “The Devil Quotes Scripture”: