Ep 1. Noble Memory

Empire season 4 takes off with the episode name Noble Memory. The season starts with the Lyon family in a state of chaos as it surrounds an incident that took place at the end of season 3. Although Hakeem, Andre, and Anika's fates hang in the balance, the season essential takes a complicated and, at times, amusing detour.

The episode opens with a flashback, as Empire Entertainment’s CEO, Lucious Lyon, remembers his past and his mother's teachings. Lucious looks back on memories of playing piano with his mother as a child, who taught him to embrace his heritage, but those memories often turn darker, featuring his mother, who lived for several years with an undiagnosed mental illness that eventually drove her to take her own life.

Now, Lucious has to deal with his mother's passing as he navigates his way through the trial. Lucious similarly struggles with the family's loyalty to Empire, both financially and emotionally. The Lyon family has a whole set of problems as the pilot episode shows. Hakeem faces a custody battle with Anika's mother, and Lucious' marriage to Anika gives him a strange alliance with the man who attempted to kill him - Frank Gathers.

Meanwhile, Andre continues to fight for control of Empire, but in an unexpected turn of events, Lucious tasks Cookie with running the company instead. Cookie's irreverent approach to Empire isn't always in line with Lucious's vision, leading to several clashes throughout the episode.

Despite the family's personal turmoil, Empire continues to entertain the masses as Cookie Lyon gives a raunchy performance on her new talk show that has everyone talking, and Jamal's return to the stage stuns fans and colleagues alike. The Lyon family has always been associated with drama and glamour, and season 4 looks no different as the several underlying themes unfold in this episode.

As the story progresses, things start to heat up as Lucious faces scrutiny from the FBI, trying to dig into Gathers' past and, in the process, threatening the future of Empire. Cookie tries to balance her relationship with her new beau and the company that is now in her hands, while Hakeem tries to come up with a solution to the custody battle of his daughter. Meanwhile, Andre tries to empower himself to take on his father's mantle of a powerful captain in the Empire, but he hits a roadblock when someone from his past appears and threatens his present.

Overall, Empire season 4 episode 1, Noble Memory, brings a lot to the table as the family drama continues to unfold, the rampant power struggle continues, and the theme of finding one's identity remains at the forefront of the episode. The first episode introduces new characters, new plot lines, and an overall sense of anticipation for what's to come. With compelling characters, intense moments, and an enthralling storyline, Empire manages to maintain its reputation as a potent and important show. If you are a fan of the show, this episode lays the foundation for the show's upcoming seasons, making it a must-watch.