Empire
Noble Memory
TV Flash files “Noble Memory” as the first listed hour of season 4 — Empire (2015–2020) on Fox, season 4, episode 1, aired 2017-09-27, 60 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S04E01: listed hour 49 of 102 in the Empire guide, first listed hour of season 4. It aired 2017-09-27 (60 min). The listed hour before it is “Toil and Trouble, Part 2” (S03E18). Next is “Full Circle” (S04E02).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
In celebration of Empire's 20th Anniversary, Lucious makes his first public appearance since the explosion in Las Vegas, but still has no memory of his family, Empire or his life before the accident. A devastated Cookie struggles to rebuild her relationship with him, while keeping a close eye on his nurse, Claudia (guest star Demi Moore). Meanwhile, Andre is faced with an investigation by the LAPD surrounding the night of the explosion, Diana DuBois (guest star Phylicia Rashad) continues her war against the Lyons and the worlds of EMPIRE and STAR collide when Carlotta (guest star Queen Latifah) comes face-to-face with Cookie and Lucious.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Noble Memory sit in the Empire guide?
S04E01 is listed hour 49 of 102 — first listed hour of season 4, season 4 episode 1.
When did Empire S04E01 air?
Noble Memory aired 2017-09-27 and is listed at 60 minutes.
Do I watch for the plot or the songs?
Both: songs are plot, soundtrack strategy hit the charts on purpose. Dynasty soap with a trap beat, not a jukebox parked next to the story.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Lee Daniels and Danny Strong built a hip-hop dynasty soap that actually moved the ratings needle: Lucious's crown fight, Cookie Lyon's entrance as event television, songs that were plot not wallpaper. Mid-decade appointment heat — boardroom knives, chart synergy, and Taraji P. Henson eating scenery like a meal.
January **2015** was not a soft launch. Lee Daniels and Danny Strong's Fox drama premiered to massive live-ratings growth: Terrence Howard's Lucious, a hip-hop mogul's family warring over succession when illness forces a crown fight, and Taraji P. Henson's Cookie as event television in a coat that ate the overnight. Songs are plot, not wallpaper. Soundtrack strategy made chart impact part of the show's identity. Rex will tell you appointment TV died with the three-network living room. *Empire* was mid-decade…
Filed against
- Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon
Terrence Howard crowned Empire as Lucious Lyon — hip-hop dynasty soap that actually moved the ratings needle, a crown fight, songs as plot, boardroom knives and chart synergy. Mid-decade appointment heat. TV Flash files him as 2010s…
- Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon
Taraji P. Henson entered Empire as Cookie Lyon — hip-hop dynasty soap as event television, a crown fight with songs that were plot not wallpaper, mid-decade appointment heat. Lee Daniels and Danny Strong's boardroom knives. TV Flash files…
- Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon
Jussie Smollett’s Jamal Lyon gave Empire a singer in the crown fight — Lee Daniels and Danny Strong’s hip-hop dynasty soap that actually moved the ratings needle, Cookie’s entrance as event television, songs as plot not wallpaper.…
- Trai Byers as Andre Lyon
Trai Byers’s Andre Lyon fought for the crown on Empire — Lee Daniels and Danny Strong’s hip-hop dynasty soap that actually moved the ratings needle. Lucious’s succession war, Cookie’s entrance as event television, songs that were plot not…
- Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon
Bryshere Y. Gray played Hakeem Lyon on Empire — the son in a hip-hop dynasty soap that actually moved the ratings needle. Lucious's crown fight, Cookie as event television, songs that were plot not wallpaper. TV Flash files him as 2010s…