Black Ink Crew Chicago - Episode Guide

The crew celebrates 9 Mag's one-year shop anniversary & honors the memory of Ryan's late sister Nova. Phor expresses his true feelings for Kat, while Don & Charmaine take their relationship to the next level. But a surprise visitor erupts real drama.

Ryan is turning 29, so the crew plans a one of a kind surprise party. Don tries to make things right with his girlfriend Ashley, but when he is put on the spot about their future, things go from bad to worse. Charmaine confronts Don about text messages at the worst possible time and Ryan's world gets rocked by unexpected a phone call.

With his first solo music performance approaching, Phor decides to put it all on the line and pursue a relationship with Kat. After a harsh meeting with his lawyer, Van's future at 9 Mag is in jeopardy.

After confronting Charmaine at Phor's concert, Ashley makes a shocking decision about their relationship. All eyes are on Kat when she does a sexy photo shoot for Urban Ink Magazine. Ryan spirals out of control.

After Ryan's meltdown, Kat and Van confront him about his erratic behavior. When the crew questions Kat's loyalty to the shop after she plans to attend a tattoo convention in New York without her 9Mag family, tensions escalate.

The rest of the 9Mag crew heads to New York City to lend support to Kat and get in some partying while they're there. Ceaser and the NY crew throw a mixxxy party in their honor, but things get ugly when Charmaine taunts Don about their past history.

After returning from NYC, Charmaine reveals a secret. Don works on mending things with Ashley, while Danielle's relationship is tested. And, when Kat discovers that the guys are talking behind her back, things become uncertain.

Ryan throws a shop appreciation party on a yacht; Kat takes time away from the shop while the rest of the crew lets loose; and Danielle's confusion leads her to Ryan. Later, the party takes a turn for the worse when Ashley shows up on the boat.

Shocking news at Van's final court appearance leaves him wondering if he should run. Kat's enjoying her time away from 9 Mag, but when the girls fail to pay her a visit, she questions their loyalty.

With the death toll in Chicago at an all-time high, the 9Mag crew hosts an event to help victims of violent crimes. Meanwhile in the Dominican Republic, Don tries to win Ashley back. Van is forced to make a decision that will change everyone's lives.

Ryan steps up his boss game when he learns that his staff is taking advantage of him. Kat betrays 9 Mag in order to take her Kat Tat brand to the next level. Don's old college fling claims that he's the father of her child, threatening his engagement to Ashley. Meanwhile, when the crew turns up for the biggest performance of Phor's career, all hell breaks loose.

The shop is up in arms after Ryan hires a new tattoo artist. Fists fly when Kat learns that Charmaine threw her personal items in the trash. Don takes a paternity test hoping to squash the rumors that he fathered a love child. Van is finally released from boot camp but rising tensions in the shop could put a damper on his happy homecoming.

Don's paternity test results send him on a downward spiral as Ryan dips his toes back in the dating pool. Van has an emotional reunion with his daughter after being separated from her for four months. Danielle's birthday celebration turns into chaos when Ashley and her friends crash the party and attack Charmaine.

Van returns to work at 9 Mag but is angered that the shop has changed as Charmaine is forced to face the consequences of quitting her corporate job and following her dreams. Ashley confronts Don about fathering another child with another woman. Tempers flare when Ryan introduces yet another new tattoo artist in the shop.

The crew heads to New Orleans for some Bourbon Street debauchery. Charmaine's family demands that the she moves back home when they find out she's broke. Don is caught off guard when his baby mama Whitney ambushes him at 9 Mag.

Don brings his two baby mamas together in hopes of uniting his family but Whitney has no intention of making nice. Ryan celebrates his 30th birthday in style with a Great Gatsby themed bash, but the celebration comes to a halt when Van confronts Cobra about her behavior. And Danielle's boyfriend Terrence makes a fool of himself when his jealousy gets the best of him.

Don receives some life-shattering news that could send him back into a spiral. Charmaine is determined to improve her financial situation and auditions to be a radio DJ. In the wake of one of the deadliest weekends in Chicago history, Phor heads into the studio with one of hip hop's top rappers to record a song about peace. When Cobra's behavior becomes questionable, Ryan is forced to make a tough decision about her future at 9 Mag.

With his jail sentence looming, Don pushes up his wedding date. Kat hosts her first art show, but things turn sour when Phor shows up with the woman he cheated on Kat with. Van's relationship is tested after he confesses to his girlfriend that he's not a one-woman kind of guy. Phor's girlfriend Nikki confronts Kat about her attitude at a 9 Mag party—and things get physical.

The 9 Mag crew heads to the Dominican Republic for Don's wedding. Kat confronts Phor about cheating on her when they were together. Van's threesome goes horribly wrong when his girlfriend brings a surprise guest to share in on the fun. And Don gets a little too friendly with a stripper, jeopardizing his wedding to Ashley.

Ashley arrives in the DR for her wedding day and enlists her brother to spy on Don's bachelor party. Terrence crashes Don's wedding weekend and gives Danielle an ultimatum—him or 9 Mag. And Ashley threatens to call off the wedding when she sees scandalous photos of Don at his bachelor party.

Ryan battles his staff over their growing disrespect towards him. Don and Ashley's marital bliss is threatened. Kat leaves Chicago for LA. Van starts a brawl at the 9Mag anniversary party. Ashley starts trouble with Charmaine.

Ryan makes a controversial move to assert his authority. Ashley looks to the heavens to help Don control his anger. Danielle confronts Kat about being a bad friend. Van discovers he's been intentionally locked out of the shop.

Charmaine's birthday party turns sour when Danielle confronts Ryan. While Ryan heads to Philly for a tattoo convention, Van and Danielle take over the shop. Ryan rehires a former employee. Kat shocks the crew when she unexpectedly shows up in Chicago.

Kat invites the crew to a lake house. Charmaine's job is in jeopardy after a night of hard partying. Nikki learns that Phor sent Kat roses. Ryan and Van come to blows. Charmaine is shocked when she discovers two unlikely people hooking up.

The crew is smitten when Ryan hires a new female tattoo artist. Phor's peace offering sends Nikki over the edge. Don explodes when Ashley gives him a taste of his own medicine.Things get messy when Lily hooks up with a fellow employee.

Danielle reveals an explosive secret about Kat. JR and Lily take their relationship to the next level. Van freaks out when Jenn mentions the "m" word. Charmaine grills Ryan about Kat. And all hell breaks loose at Phor's concert.

Don starts his new career as a piercer at 9Mag. Charmaine's mom gives her devastating news. Phor attempts to reconnect with family. Cobra gets turned on by her new roommate. Nikki goes ballistic when Phor's alleged cousin, Janelle, shows up.

Don freaks out after Ashley gives him shocking news. Lily and Cobra come to blows. Van struggles to deal with the fallout from his breakup. When Ryan throws a party for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Charmaine seizes an opportunity to get her job back.

Lily jeopardizes her relationship with JR. Cobra confronts Ryan about a rumor on the internet. Van has a questionable plan to win Jenn back. Danielle throws a fashion show to help promote her new fashion blog. Ryan is rushed to the emergency room.

Ryan triumphantly returns to the shop after a major health scare while JR learns disturbing information about his relationship with Lily. Phor questions his career as a tattoo artist when a client shames his work on the internet.

Kat questions her life in LA. Lily tries to turn the shop against Cobra. Charmaine's relationship is on rocky ground when her career takes priority over Neek. Nikki's jealousy rears its ugly head again. Don blows up after hearing the crew bully Cobra

Ryan is devastated when an injury prevents him from tatting his childhood idols. Charmaine tries to persuade Cobra to stay at 9Mag. Jenn's inadvertent nip slip sends Van over the edge. A photo shoot for a major tattoo magazine nearly gets derailed.

The crew heads to Mexico for some fun, sun and tequila. Tensions rise when Kat arrives at the villa unannounced. Ryan loses his cool when Lily crosses a line. Kat reveals a shocking secret. Nikki flies off the handle when Velvet gets close to Phor.

Cobra is faced with a tough decision when Phor tells her the truth about Velvet. Lily attempts to reunite with the sisters she hasn't seen since her father's murder. Kat decides it's time Rachel knows the truth.

Ryan tries to salvage his relationship with Rachel, while Phor and Nikki take theirs to new heights. The crew throws Kat a surprise birthday party at 9Mag behind Ryan's back. JR goes ham when Lily brings the guy she cheated on him with to the shop.

The crew hatches a plan to get Kat to come back to 9Mag. Ashley throws a tantrum at her gender reveal party. Charmaine's dreams of movie stardom hang in the balance. Kat confronts Ryan over what happened at the lake house.

Ryan blows up after his staff betrays him. When Neek accepts a project in Africa, Charmaine goes to extreme lengths to keep him in Chicago. Lily hooks up with another 9Mag tattoo artist. Don's world is turned upside when he gets news about his sister

The girls grill Kat and Lily about their hook up. Everyone puts their differences aside to honor Don's sister. Lily opens up to JR about her past. Ryan invites the crew to yet another a lake house to make amends, but things go left when Kat shows up.

After Kat's banishment, Ryan has disappeared. 9 Mag grapples with the new status quo. Phor plays the biggest show of his rap career. A snapchat video finally makes Ashley leave Don. Van tries to keep his temper in check as Ryan drops a bomb on 9 Mag.

Ryan questions his decision to leave 9Mag while Van tries to save the shop. Ashley comes face to face with Don's side piece and Lily has to contend with her past. Danielle returns to Chicago with news. Phor gets the opportunity of a lifetime.

Ryan surprises Rachel with his new venture while Van debuts his side hustle for the city of Chicago. Ashley contemplates taking the kids to Texas to clear her head leaving Don behind to fight for his family.

While the 9MAG crew is at a loss, Lily makes moves to bring the shop back from the dead. Charmaine blind-sides Danielle with details of Terrence's hookup. Van is shook about his baby girl's new boyfriend. Ryan takes a stance with a new shop.

Ryan starts a new shop but faces a learning curve when bringing in a new staff. Lily hires a new artist, which does not fly with Charmaine, who brought Dani back to the shop. Nikki throws Phor a surprise party.

Charmaine makes a power grab for Loyal Ink, dividing the crew even further. Don faces huge repercussions after getting arrested for a DUI. Dani and Terrence's relationship continues to heat up.

Charmaine establishes the "rules" as she continues as H.B.I.C., causing Lily and Reese to rebel. Ryan reveals a long awaited Mother's Day surprise for Rachel. And Van has a big blow up with Jenn.

Phor gets a second chance to pursue his dream. A family crisis brings Don and Ashley back together. Lily and Charmaine's fight reaches a fiery end. A male stripper bares all during the Loyal Ink Grand Opening.

Phor leaves Chicago to pursue his music dreams in L.A. Ryan joins him with plans to rebuild the 9Mag brand. The gang discovers a news article implicating Ryan in the shop shoot out. Ryan gets advice from a super celebrity client.

Phor arrives in Jamaica with the 9MAG crew for a performance of a lifetime. Loyal Ink's plan to surprise him fails when they bring too much of their Chicago baggage with them.

9Mag and Loyal Ink's trip to Jamaica takes a turn for the worse. Phor's dream of being on stage in Jamaica is deferred. Don has something special planned for Ashley to win her back. 9Mag and Loyal Ink finally come face to face.

Neek returns from Africa and Charmaine uses her best assets to bind them together forever. Don takes it back to his male stripper days. When Cobra discovers a dirty secret about Reese's past, all hell breaks loose at Loyal Ink.

With construction behind schedule, Ryan hires a manager to get 9MAG back in business. Charmaine makes a catastrophic first impression on Neek's mother, while Junior's girlfriend stirs up trouble at Loyal Ink trying to clear his name.

The Loyal Ink crew tries to regain the trust of Lily and Reese by taking them on a team-building trip at an adult campground in the middle of the woods. Tensions ignite at the camp's "Foam Party" and Ashley finally unloads on Don.

After quitting Loyal Ink, Lily decides to make other moves. Cobra takes on a new hobby of becoming a luchador. After Phor hits a breaking point in LA, he looks to Ryan for some ink therapy. Charmaine and Ryan come face to face.

Ryan makes a shocking move. Phor struggles to keep both his music career and relationship with Nikki afloat. Charmaine and Neek are confronted with a life-altering event. Don makes an announcement that will change the direction of Loyal Ink forever.

Ryan returns to run the shop with a new team and a fresh vision. Don, Char and Van try to move on from the hurt Ryan caused them. Phor is caught in the middle of his feuding tattoo family. Tempers flare when Ryan hands out a long overdue apology.

Charmaine uses her newfound celebrity to protect Phor when he becomes a hot topic. Van finally receives the forgiveness he's been pushing for, Don seizes an opportunity to make more money for his family. Ryan lays down the law for his new employees.

Don has taken over as manager and tensions are building between him and Brittany. Ryan invites an artist from California to come tattoo at the shop. Van hires an apprentice that rubs everyone the wrong way. Ryan decides to throw a Halloween party.

Charmaine takes the 9MAG crew to Vegas for a tattoo convention in an attempt to prove her worth to Ryan. When Van's apprentice shows up, everyone speculates on where she's going to be sleeping at night. Meanwhile, Don focuses on his family back home.

Junior arrives in Las Vegas to take the guys out for a spin on the Strip, and Shine contemplates giving up his guest artist spot at 9MAG. Things get awkward for everyone when Van and Jenn decide to head to the altar.

After Jenn and Van's Vegas chapel disaster, Charmaine tries to get the trip back on track with one last Vegas 9MAG pool party. Jenn and Van hash it out and Lily finally confronts Junior and Adriana. Phor spirals into a dark place.

Junior is officially back at 9MAG and Charmaine hooks Ryan up with a celebrity client, Erica Mena. Bella reconnects with an old flame, and the gang gets together for a 9MAG Friendsgiving.

All of 9MAG reacts to what happened on Friendsgiving. Junior gets in touch with himself and his past, Don expands his horizons and Charmaine outs Lily as a racist.

Ryan gets an ominous call for a meeting from the building management to discuss the future of 9MAG, Lily uses her break from the shop to focus on her art, Charmaine decides to organize a protest and Van does whatever it takes to win Jenn back.

Ryan toils in secrecy on a mystery shop while Van scares some sense into his daughter's bae. Don ponders a move to NYC. Phor shines in the studio while Charmaine wants answers about her future with 9MAG. Ryan debuts his new shop.

9MAG is more than a tattoo shop, it's a family. Despite the drama that split the team in half, Ryan is ready to move forward, even if it means putting his personal life on hold while he rebuilds the shop into a bigger and better one.

Van's leadership skills are put under the microscope, as the old shop continues to suffer. Meanwhile, Lily wonders if she still has a future at 9Mag. Charmaine's parents come to town and Phor receives a baller opportunity.

When Ryan decides to treat the new 9Mag and old 9Mag to a team building trip in Miami, Charmaine questions her future with 9Mag and an emotional Ryan releases some pent-up anger towards the OGs.

Mandatory team bonding pays off as Charmaine and Lily put years of beef behind them. Phor makes his return to the stage. When Lily lashes out at Neek, Ryan's hard-won 9MAG peace goes left. Charmaine faces a heartbreaking decision.

Van defends himself and his artwork against a few unhappy clients causing legal trouble for Ryan; while Don and Ashley view houses at the top of their non-existent budget, a familiar face returns for a second chance at life.

The 9MAG crew--past and present--takes over the Chicago Tattoo Convention, digging up buried conspiracy theories and dragging old rivalries into the ground.

After showing no remorse for tarnishing the 9MAG brand at the Tattoo Convention, Van fires Lily. Charmaine goes back on her word forcing Neek to give her an ultimatum. Ryan and Phor fly to LA for an appearance on the Steve Harvey show.

Charmaine returns to 9MAG in hopes of getting her job back, Van takes his daughter on a college tour, and Don asks Ashley for another chance at a perfect wedding. A rumor started by an unlikely source gains legs quickly.

Neek plans to surprise Charmaine in South Carolina with a marriage proposal and invites the crew along for the event. A few unexpected guests and a history lesson force everyone to revisit the past and be grateful for the present.

The happiest day of Charmaine's life is overshadowed by a rumor that won't die. Ryan decides it's time for a change at 9MAG and Don is just the one to make it.

Charmaine bounces back with a shop of her own, with London's hottest black female tattoo artist by her side. Ryan's business excels as his personal life struggles. Don and Ashley get unexpected news.

After 2nd City Ink's Zach brokers a deal with Draya in exchange for a date, they flirt with the idea of starting a shop romance. Ryan opens up about some family issues in therapy.

Charmaine announces her pregnancy to the 2nd City crew and tries to appease her unhappy mother-in-law. Jess announces a pajama party at her house and gets a dose of reality of Chicago life with Prince and Fly.

Ryan moves up and moves on with a rumored fling visiting from out of town. Don's plan to help Phor and Ryan find love in the club goes left when Ashley crashes the party with her single friends. Zach's arrogance pushes Fly to his breaking point.

After a fight between her artists, Charmaine starts to see the cracks in 2nd City Ink. Don helps Phor deal with a potential bombshell while the tension between Charmaine and Ryan comes to a head when one of her artists considers switching teams.

Phor meets his maybe-teenage-baby for the first time while Ryan realizes he is responsible for the broken relationships with the women around him. Charmaine is devastated by the news of her mother Glenda's passing.

As Charmaine prepares for her mother's funeral, concerns grow for her Dad - who's struggling to come to terms with Glenda's death. The 2nd City crew and Ryan head to New Orleans for the burial, but Don and Phor are not invited.

The gang turns up on Bourbon Street in the spirit of Glenda. Kitty considers Charmaine's job offer, but Jess is left in the dark. Don helps Phor get answers about his potential daughter while Prince makes a tough decision.

Kitty lands in Chicago with a splash, making waves with the 2nd City crew. Tensions reach a boiling point when Jess confronts Char about Kitty's role at 2nd City. Ashley finally takes her marital matters into her own hands.

Ashley reveals the real reason she left Don. Jess flies back to London. Fly drops off Prince at the courthouse to turn himself in. Charmaine finds out the gender of her baby. The Chicago Tribune article drops and Van pops up to talk to Charmaine.

After an incriminating article puts 2nd City on blast, Charmaine and Kitty do damage control with their artists by burying the lede. As news travels quickly, the truth about the article threatens to ruin Charmaine's lavish NYC baby shower.

The future of 2nd City is in jeopardy while Charmaine attempts to secure the proper documents to legalize the shop. Ryan is forced to make some decisions about his love life. 9MAG and Charmaine come face to face again after their falling out.

When a romantic video of Ryan and Rachel vacationing in Mexico shows up on social media, a jilted Kitty bares her claws. Former Chicago Bull Eddy Curry gets a memorial tattoo. 2nd City Ink hosts an open call to expand the team.

Char's false alarm forces her into early maternity leave. Kitty's determined to prove to Char that she can handle the shop in her absence. Over at 9MAG, Draya and Phor forge on to keep the tattoo community unified while tensions at 2nd City rise.

Char struggles to find balance between the shop and maternity leave. Kitty's caught off guard by Jess' surprise to elevate things at 2nd City. At 9MAG, Ryan and Rachel finally come to terms with their relationship while Don seeks legal counsel.

As Ryan tries to keep the morale of 9MAG high, the future of 2nd City lies in the balance as coronavirus makes its rounds in Chicago. Jess and Steven jet back to London. Don & Ashley are forced to make decisions on the future of their marriage.

Ryan deals with fallout from his actions, Charmaine juggles work while keeping her family first, Don faces a health scare, and Phor questions his future as he gets ready for fatherhood.

Ryan faces the possible end of his friendship with Anthony, Charmaine has doubts when Miss Kitty invites Draya back to 2nd City Ink, and Phor attempts to make peace with Nina's mom.

Draya and Kitty encourage Charmaine to delegate, Phor tries to solidify his coparenting situation before Nina's baby arrives, and the grand opening of Don's gym doesn't go as planned.

9MAG and 2nd City Ink prep for a local tattoo convention, Draya objects to paying booth rental fees to Charmaine, and Phor becomes a dad.

Ryan mediates as Draya and Charmaine feud at the convention, Phor and Nina get off to a promising start as coparents, and Ceaser's presence at the convention upsets Kitty.

After the dysfunction at 2nd City Ink was put on display at the convention, the crew is scrambling to understand what happened and if the situation can be fixed. Meanwhile, Ryan is welcoming a new artist to 9MAG and searching for answers of his own.

9MAG hosts a health event for the community, Ryan's friends and family rally around him as he takes part in a therapy retreat, and Charmaine deals with a devastating loss.

Charmaine and Don both have exciting news to share, Steven finds himself on the outs with Ryan and 9MAG, and Prince reaches a breaking point with 2nd City Ink.

Ryan organizes a retreat for the 9MAG and 2nd City Ink crews to improve team relationships, but Charmaine continues to butt heads with Prince and Draya.

Charmaine starts a new era at 2nd City Ink by launching an aftercare product line, Prince finds out Miriah made a major decision without him, and Neek confronts Don about an old rumor.

The 9MAG crew offers its artistry to help raise gun violence awareness, Draya braves the cold to catch up with B-Slam and Miss Kitty, and Ceci and Ryan discuss Charmaine's fragile state.

Don prepares for his first bodybuilding show, the 9MAG family gets a little larger, and Kitty becoming Draya's apprentice forces her and Ryan to confront their issues.

Draya suggests a séance to deal with a ghost haunting the shop, Kitty debates whether she can put aside past pain to join 9MAG, and a psychic reading encourages Ryan to focus on family.

Don sets up Ryan on a date with a hidden agenda, Prince tries to be a positive role model, Ceci bonds with the other ladies at 9MAG, and Phor holds a lingerie listening party for his new EP.

Ashley's advice to both Nina and Don to make peace with their exes gets mixed results, a 9MAG employee makes an abrupt exit, and Draya bonds with Anastasia, her potential half sister.

The newly renovated 9MAG gets a grand reopening, Shogun gives Draya an authentic Chicago welcome, Prince deals with a client's unusual request, and Phor ponders a significant life change.

Prince's tattooing equipment is stolen, a friend returns to 9MAG, Draya struggles with her relationship to her father, and Van shows up to speak to Ryan about their past.

Phor and Nina seek advice from their friends on coparenting Phorever peacefully, Ryan is frustrated about working overtime, and Don and Ashley clash over her career path.

Prince joins Draya on her trip to New York to confront her father, making a pit stop by the Brooklyn shop to team up on a back tat -- and Don and Ashley sit down with a therapist.

Draya and Prince both consider new beginnings, a 9MAG artist loses it on the camera crew, Don and Ashley deal with the aftermath of their counseling session, and Phor leaves Chicago.

The special will feature the Chicago crew for a fun and revealing gathering to discuss iconic show moments with few guest surprises along the way.