Empire Review: Slave to Memory (Season 4 Episode 9)

On Empire Season 4 Episode 9, “Slave to Memory,” Lucious is back. For real this time.

It’s the fall finale of so, naturally, Empire has gone waaaaaaaay off the deep end.

This time, though, I’m jumping in after them.

This fall finale is everything an Empire fall finale should be. It has music, sparkly dresses, fist fights, shots fired, epic speeches… and just a little romance.

Of course we’re left with a cliffhanger (and I don’t even want to talk about the fact that Crazy Claudia is back), but that’s not really what sticks out to me here.

“Slave to Memory” just makes me feel good.

This season of Empire has at times sputtered and at other times soared. It has dragged its feet and pulled me to the edge of my seat. All of that – the good and the bad – comes together here in the best way possible.

The biggest and best thing is that the Lyons are the Lyons again. It seems clear that Lucious is back, but with improvements (or, as he puts it, “I’m kinda Lucious Plus now”). He’s tough, but kind. He’s vengeful, but patient. He’s still “seeing music,” but I’m going to try to look past that. I have a lot of faith that he will forgive Andre.

He’s seems to genuinely want to work to get Cookie back. Their dance (although, again, totally off the deep end) is sweet. Lucious is, maybe, going to let her lead the family. He at least lets her lead the attack on the DuBois.

And boy does she lead it.

I just love Cookie here. Her ruthless leadership is elegant and exacting. Diana DuBois doesn’t see it coming at all.

Honestly, most of “Slave to Memory” feels like the perfect series finale.

But that’s not what it is, so, of course, cliffhangers have to be introduced.

I just wish Jamal didn’t have to be part of them. He really, really doesn’t deserve any more trauma.

As for Lucious and Claudia… I’m going to just assume that Cookie will fix that all real quick and try not to think about it until spring.

Random Thoughts:

• Hakeem has stolen my heart. Seeing him finally step up and do the right thing with Bella and Anika is so touching. As much as I want to never see Anika again, I guess he’s right that she should stick around.
• What is happening with Becky?? Did Thirsty really diagnose a pregnancy based on her crying and eating chocolate? Come. On.
• I would really, really like to attend a party that goes down like the Captain’s Ball. Really, really.
• Speaking of the ball, the faces in the crowd are a little too over the top. We get it, you’re shocked.
• Warren – you should always use the peep hole when someone pounds on your sketchy motel room door. Always.
• What’s the deal with Eddie? Clearly Empire is setting this up to be something big in the spring.

 

What did you think of the fall finale of Empire? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

Empire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!