As Don battle his raging migraines, he looks to secure a new talk show with the network; after surviving their near death experience, Simone and JT search for their own independence and win over Aiya's foster parents.

Don rushes back home to Chicago after his son Raymond alerts him of an altercation with the neighbor. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of 206, Ruby looks to get revenge on Don and Gerald.

Simone steps up as JT attempts to get custody of his sister, Ruby uses her connections to impress Don, and Gerald and Don's loyalty to each other is tested.

On the eve of their performance of Soul Train, James Brown loses his best musicians Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker. Don and Gerald help James get them back while learning a lesson in humility.

Tessa must rein in Sly and the Family Stone, Flo calls out Simone on how she treated Kendall, and Don gets flack when he books a famous white musician.

Simone thanks JT for helping her get back on "Soul Train," JT accepts a promotion to "run errands" for Gerald, and Don gets shot down by a successful publicist.

Tessa and Brooks deal with the fallout from Don's temper, Simone attempts to get back on "Soul Train" as a dancer, and Gerald tries to keep Ruby away from Don.

Simone handles a sticky situation, Gerald double-crosses someone from his past, and Don questions Dolores's motives as his health continues to decline.