Ep 3. Playing the Game

"Playing the Game" is the third episode of the first season of the hit television series Empire. In this episode, viewers are taken deeper into the world of the Lyon family and the music empire they built.

At the start of the episode, Lucious Lyon is continuing his search for a successor to his music empire. He has narrowed his choices down to two candidates - Hakeem, his youngest son, and Jamal, his middle son. Meanwhile, Andre, his eldest son, is left feeling increasingly isolated and undervalued as he struggles to find his place in the family business.

As Lucious continues to weigh his options, tensions between Hakeem and Jamal begin to rise. The two brothers have always had a competitive relationship, but their rivalry reaches new heights when they are pitted against each other in a freestyle rap battle. The scene is intense and showcases the talents of both actors as they navigate the complexity of their characters' relationship.

Elsewhere, Cookie, Lucious's ex-wife, has her own agenda. She is determined to get back at Lucious for betraying her and sending her to jail. After discovering that Lucious has kept a massive stash of cash hidden away, Cookie enlists the help of her cousin, Bunkie, to steal it and put it in her hands.

The episode also sees the introduction of a new character, Anika, who is Lucious's current girlfriend. She sees herself as a contender for the position of successor to the empire and is not afraid to play dirty to get what she wants. Her arrival adds another layer of tension to the already complex web of relationships between the main characters.

As the episode comes to a close, Lucious makes his decision about who will be his successor. The choice is sure to have major repercussions for the family and the Empire.

Overall, "Playing the Game" is an intense and dramatic episode that showcases the talents of the actors and the depth of the characters they portray. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and those who enjoy compelling drama with a musical twist.