It's been 5 years since bayezid was killed. Defne commits suicide with her son Mehmet rather than allow Nurbana to get her hands in him or the sultan.

Mihrimah vows to get revenge in Selim and Nurbana. She tells Selim she curses him every time she sleeps. She tells him that all she sees is a brother who killed another. He reminds her of her hand in mustafas death. And that their mother said no one under this dome is innocent. Mihrimah slaps Selim and he warns her that this is her last chance.

All 3 of Nurbana and swoons daughters are married to pashas. One had a child called Mehmet which haunts Nurbana. She is also married to soklukku who is now grand visier. Nurbana tells her daughters that they are sultanas and their husband worth relies on them and they should know it.

Sulieman is in great pain. His gout is getting worse. He is refusing help from the physicians

Fidan is still serving mahidevran. Mahidevran haas a dream that tells her sulieman is near death

A flashback shows Gulfem trying to smother Suleiman to death. She tells him he cannot sleep as he is a father who killed his own children.  That Suleiman drive bayezid to the enemy and into his brothers arms. All these misfortunes have happened because if hun and this throne that he cannot even sit on now. The whole palace is drenched in his blood.
As she tries to smother and stab him the guards intervene and she stays herself to death. How gulfem died is kept a secret.

Sumbal is still serving mihrimah. He says even though he was freed the palace is his home

Murad arrives at the palace and greets his mother and sisters. He greets mihrimah very warmly. Mihrimah also gifted him his favourite safiye who is pregnant with his baby.