Succession Spoilers Thread
 

This thread is one giant spoiler. Use black spoiler text if you want, but it's superfluous because it'll be nothing but spoilers, including the most recent ep(s).

That said, I'm still shaking my cobwebs out this morning, so I'll start super vague:

What do you guys (probably just Destor at this point) think of the current season?

I already thought the show was an all-timer, but this last season is really solidifying its standing in my book.


First few eps of Season 1 really weren't all that great, and I thought it only got going in ep 6 (with ep 5 being a gorgeous prologue). Part of this was I thought Logan being at his full powers provided the kids with a necessary foil (and vice versa). The worry with killing Logan was losing that foil--but they've done such great work with each character that it was probably the best thing the show could've done. I love the new arc and love how Logan's ghost looms over literally every scene.

The writers/creators say Tom and Shiv is the driving narrative force of the show, which makes me want to watch it with a different lens. I want to try to be more aware of the ebbs and flows of all other plots/subplots based on their relationship and see if I can draw parallels/chain reactions.

Also Kendall's reaction to the smoke clouds not working properly was fucking hysterical. Logan may as well have just died all over again.

Also, Living+ is also the most Margaret Atwood shit ever.

I watch it like it’s the McMahon family nowadays, just waiting for Vince to die or retire and with no assurance of their continued involvement in the business he created. You could say it’s Game Of Thrones without the tits and dragons but with far far better dialogue. I suppose it all goes back to King Lear really, and even that was probably ripped off. It may be the best dialogue driven show I can name off the top of my head, but I suppose I actively avoid political shows and they make up the brunt of the genre.

As for how good this season is… it’s pretty amazing given how predictable it should be. I’m just waiting for the shoe to drop and the kids to realise how fucked they are with or without Logan. Every sniff of success is sniffed out by their own neuroses and inherent belief that they are not the screw ups that they are portrayed to be.

Kendall is my spirit animal. I hate him so much but for the reasons I hate myself.

Connor had some big lines in the wedding episode. That “I don’t need love” speech was short but fantastic. I also feel for Roman, but Kendall and Siobhan are equally unstable in a far more destructive way. I particularly enjoyed the Norway episode. Scooby Doo indeed.

I also wanted to crawl into a hole and die when he performed L to the OG.

As far as this season goes, you’re right about how it’s been predictable yet no less astounding in quality. It’s not the general broad plot points that matter, it’s the various shades and intricacies that do.

I realized when Sandy and Stewie’s takeover ended with zero fanfare (followed by a throwaway end to Waystar’s legal troubles) that those components are solely there for context. What’s most important is the character dynamics. Business stuff is the backdrop.

Also next time we have a beef Seanny, I’m just gonna tell you your numbers are gay.

Ok but I get to slap you in the ear like Tom

I don’t blame you. They’re thick and chewy like barnacle meat.

L to the OG might be the best scene in the whole show… totally took my breath away.

One of the last episodes I watched had a great reaction in it. When Greg assumed he’ll be Kendall’s second in command and Frank starts pissing himself in a way that looked real as fuck. Even the small things are crafted beyond comparison in Succession.

The Disgusting Brothers ffs… top notch.

The understated, grounded performances of the old guard are so perfect. Now that the apex predator is gone, they can be more candid while maintaining their calmness. Carl’s been on a fucking heater all season. He’s delivered some of my favourite lines of the entire show.

I’m really enjoying Connor this season, that’s exactly how inherited wealth should behave. Just embrace the total lack of legitimacy and marry a woman that doesn’t even hate you, she just feels sorry for you.

Alan Ruck is an American treasure and I’ll hear nothing suggesting otherwise.

Him and Kieran Culkin are the best cast Roy offspring. While Snook and Strong are both great, they had to win me over first. Snook looks weird these days. Like a male-female power lifter hiding the guns under a suit-strong wardrobe. She looks Herculean compared to other women in the show.

Also she has a terrible voice, I’d argue the same for Strong. They have lisps that aren’t lisps, it’s like she gets the back of her tongue trapped in her back teeth when she talks…like a duck hissing.
Strong sounds more like he’s lisping through his teeth instead of lips.

I guess that Habsburg incest crack was pretty good all things considered.

Ken and Shiv needed time because of the layers involved. It took me a while to “get” Ken. I still don’t even know if I do. He reminds me a lot of Pete Campbell from Mad Men but that doesn’t quite do the character or performance justice.

His stammering and stuttering is a thing of beauty. He’s a disaster and nothing he does really lands, but he’s willing to commit and force feed whateve horse shit he’s spewing.

Shane blowing out his knee on a leap frog during his supposed-to-be triumphant return at Mania was so Kendall.

Watching Living+ now. Another great episode, every one of the three main siblings is doing their very best to capsize the ship in a slightly different way.
They have been insulated and protected from the repercussions of failure all of their lives, now there’s nobody to motivate them and nobody that cares enough about them or has the influence to rein them in before they lose everything.

I have a few suspicions about how dark the outcome will be. It’s looking to be an epic downfall.

Tom totally destroyed Siobhan in their balcony bitch-off. That was glorious from Macfadyen. Sarah Snook wasn’t well directed there. She is not great at anything emotional anyway but they’re playing it like every “complicated” female character nowadays - lots of screwy faces but no real tears so you are expected to believe she’s strong for looking like a bald monkey with a stubbed toe after her husband devastates her with some rapid fire, well articulated baggage unloading.

You need a big cryer for that shit. I want to hear a muffled sob or an angry tearful scream not a character actor trying to cough out some emotion, failing and it being edited to look like she’s struggling to steel herself.

Fuck right off with that. They need to start writing better women, stop writing them as men with tits. It’s too close to the truth now.

I thought she played it right. Like a spoiled brat trying to act tough.

She’s also the daughter of Logan Roy so she’s not going to be some simpering crybaby.

Maybe she should have a heart attack on a plane then.
She looks huge, it’s believable.

Nah she’d remember to wear her compression socks.

I’d say all four of those kids are simpering crybabies, Shiv just hides it better. Those Roy brats go bonkers when things don’t go their way, Kendal is self destructive, Roman is self flagellating, Connor is a martyr. Siobhan is more of a “can’t see the wood for the trees” type so she’ll hurt herself but she won’t mean to and will never see it coming.

They’re all useless in their way and the show highlights it constantly. But there’s also this undercurrent that they’re all in a position to thrive and can do so even if they kind of suck. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but think of all the “Titans of business” who are inevitably exposed as frauds. In a sense , the show could be an origin story for one of those very frauds.

Rhea basically told us who each character was and why they sucked when Logan asked her for an objective assessment.

At the same time, though, the kids—besides Connor—aren’t necessarily dumb. None of them are a modicum as smart as they think they are. But there’s intelligence there…just a lack of understanding of how to apply it practically.

They make terrible decisions in the name of appearing competent enough to hold their own last name. All four are definitely hamstrung by their fathers epic success. There is no hope for any.

Gerri’s pretty sure Waystar will get swallowed by tech but I honestly think it’s too big to fail. Apparently the ending will be wild and unpredictable but who knows? I honestly think you can have have the failsons bumblefucking at the top of the org and it remain afloat because of brand equity. But that’s definitely not how it will play out.

I say this because Logan toward the end wasn’t doing much of use other than when he decided to sell. He basically just yelled at people and fought off takeovers and had deals fall through. He was chasing his tail because he was losing it. Was just getting by on who he used to be and his unlimited access to resources.

By the end, his competency was a myth. He was just intimidating and knew how to carry himself.

I say this as someone who adores Logan, too. Probably one of the best characters in TV history.

I see Logan as more of a one dimensional character than the offspring are, in that way I actually think he might be there almost solely for context as you said about the business side earlier on. The context being - this is who you have to be to be successful at the top and pale imitations will not cut the mustard. Everything those kids touch turns to shit so fast purely due to their own conflicting need to impress and piss off their dad. They want to be him without putting in the work, this is why you get Kendall going all weird over clouds…
You’re undeniably right that certain factors make it difficult for the mega successful to go broke or even truly fail, but I think that’s more true of self made men like Logan rather than his typically spoiled and oblivious progeny. They just cut the safety net that would have kept them in the catbird seat too… the old guard and the new money are all ready to drown them before they even get a chance to capsize.

Very good point about Logan. He is totally contextual, which is probably why I see him as a myth, even when he's still alive. He's also the embodiment of the show's contextual "business stuff."

It's also probably why you don't get much into his psyche on the show. You definitely see his doggedness, determination, spitefulness, and pettiness. There's a hint of background story when he and Ewan (who is a personal favourite) get into it. But there's never usually anything deeper going on than his obvious ulterior motives.

Also, the show occurs after Logan's basically lived his entire life. All that's left is for his shadow to loom over his broken children, even when he's still alive those last few years.

-edit-this is why the intro has fucked me up ever since he died.

The intro is pretty great, especially the theme tune. I always skip the intro’s but not for Succession. That tune has been stuck in my head a lot.

Kinda like a more menacing Mad Men theme, which is already pretty dark.

Dale I’m five minutes into episode 8, I stayed up all night waiting for it to drop.
Tom and Greg give me a boner. I’m conditioned to enjoy their banter now. Like a Pavlov dog.

Hey Dale? Stay hydrated.

This episode has me all excited. Connor and Willa are fantastic at looking stupid, you have to earn that though and at this point I just love every character so much that it feels as if the show is cheating. Miles ahead of regular tv. Miles.

Kieran Culkin has done it, he’s better than his big brother.

Roman Roy is the one. He’s the most like Logan.
I need a hero.

Tom should be the one but he’s a climber. His story is already Shakespearean.

That was great.

I love the real-time stuff. It felt like an Aaron Sorkin piece but with better dialogue. Some of the best writing ever.

Siobhan still cares. That’s where her flaw is. She actually gives a fuck about America.

One of the best ever episodes. Acting was so strong it felt real. Beautiful.

Yea to call that anything less than an unmitigated triumph would be a crime against good taste.

Once more, not cheap surprises. Everyone stayed true to who they were. Yet, it was no less fucking bonkers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When your sister pisses you off and you decide to destroy democracy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuccessionHBO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuccessionHBO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Succession?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Succession</a> <a href="https://t.co/diqUhknOvP">pic.twitter.com/diqUhknOvP</a></p>&mdash; Ross Keith (@r_keith_) <a href="https://twitter.com/r_keith_/status/1657958177772650496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When you make big decisions you need a guy called Greg to Coke you up.

Just be careful tho cuz you may get wasabi in your eye.

chased with mildly lemon-flavored Le Croix

That particular scene brought it home for me. Rich people suck.

lol the preview for next week feels like the climax of Roman's villain origin story.

Kieran Culkin has been on fire all season.

She always seemed like the most evil/selfish of all the siblings to me... Others are also evil but seem to have more "feelings" sometimes and don't seem as sociopathic...

Their mother is the real villain

Queen of the harpies

Her and Kendall are the most actively self destructive in terms of their business dealings when they should know better given the coaching they have had, but that’s probably because nobody respects Roman enough to take him seriously due to his caustic personality.
Shiv definitely cares more about the status quo than her brothers, Kendall is out there trying to build things up only to flip the script on a whim every single time he gets close to it.
Part of me rates Roman as secretly “most like his dad” as a businessman due to his willingness to embrace any outcome that favours their position but Shiv definitely wants to be seen that way the most.

All three are seriously fucked up in terms of creating their own obstacles. I think that’s why I like Tom and Greg so much. They are dilettantes in the Amorality game compared to the Roys.

Roman's machinations last episodes reflected his dad more than anything his siblings have ever done. So did firing Joy and Jerry in a fit of rage. Obviously, Logan would typically have been more strategic about the firings but if it was a situation where his ire was raised to the degree of Roman's, he'd have shitcanned both on the spot. And, of course, Roman hasn't earned the power and respect of his father, so he seems like much more of a spoiled punk just going around and firing people at the drop of a hat.

Romulus's fatal flaw will prove to be his perversions--which seem to be a result of Logan's physical and psychological abuse. Really, Logan's callous child-rearing techniques and his big, big shoes cultivated all the flaws holding back his children.

Logan Roy dying off-screen was so good… I couldn’t figure it out at the time but now I see it as “He’s out of the way now” combined with “We can’t ever seem to get close to him”.
That was well played anyway, it dropped all four siblings right back into their natural positions, even Connor.

Big Jimmy Cromwell. What a beauty.

"Those were some good hard takes."

Baby Ro Ro still has it what it takes to be a good CEO but he was always destined to go down in flames in this scenario.

Especially when Ewan already lit the fire. Fucking impossible for someone as green as Roman to follow.

Catfood Ozymandeus.

I think the line was “She was my Kerry” or something to that effect… classic classic shit man. That actress playing Kerry does “emotionally unstable” brilliantly. I actually almost felt bad.

Succession is going to end in disaster for the Roys, a disaster that earns or costs them hundreds of millions but takes their egos for everything.

Kieran Culkin was fucking incredible in that episode. That really was the best of the acting, Strong just nailed his delivery so well that it might overshadow it despite not being as excellent. Culkin threw me there, that is also down to some top class writing and direct though. The whole concept of this show should be applauded for how freshly it approaches a tired subject.

Most subjects are tired. All that's left is fresh approaches, and the writers of the show have those in spades.

Culkin channeling that level of grief through his physical and verbal acting was really something. The way he shrank and moaned was harrowing.

Yeah, and him trending on Tik Tok afterwards was pretty freakin’ accurate

And also Roman would be the one laughing at someone who went viral on TikTok for the exact same thing. Yet I still feel terrible for him. Goddamn TV.

L to the OG

The best part about L to the OG is Kendall’s earnestness. He is of the utmost belief that his rap about his weird abusive dad is hard as fuck. And that’s why I love Kendall.

I wouldn't have had it end any other way.

That was a great ending, I was glad to see the siblings compulsion to self destruct came to its natural conclusion with a few surprises. The dialogue and scene setting was tremendous, made even more enjoyable with top form performances from everybody involved.

Succession has been another one of those amazing television series that ranks with the very finest.

I’m glad Tom won in the end. Tom is the best.

Oh God he’s never going to sleep again…

As an engaged viewer who was having fun with different ideas for outcomes, I wanted Kendall to transform into a monster like his dad (but worse) and take over. I also knew any such prediction likely wouldn't come to fruition.

Regardless, the outcome was way better than any cute bullshit idea I had about Kendall. Wouldn't have been right for it to go any other way than what they did and I am happy they remained disciplined about sticking to the clear and present trajectory we were always on.


Also, I had a feeling when Tom worked during Logan's funeral (hearkening back to Kendall NOT working during Logan's Bday in the first ep) combined with Shiv selling Mattsen on a puppet CEO that he'd made the case for himself.

This show is def an all-timer for me.

Me and my buddy always call Kendall, Biff Loman

If there’s one reason not to have glass walls in your office - it’s that finale.

lol I loved how they were the kids screeching outside of dad's office to get his attention. But daddy wasn't there to come out and yell "silence!"

I feel very satisfied with it. I’m also glad I gave it a second chance, I watched most of it in the last year after I tried it and decided it was too dry.

It is definitely not too dry.

Yeah I'm glad I was in the headspace to enjoy it. I'm not always that lucky for shows like this.

Cunt is as cunt does.

I’M THE ELDEST BOY

No you’re not mate, Connor is.

Good line that, shows you a lot about the real power struggle.

The funniest, saddest line I’ve witnessed in television. A perfect encapsulation of the show. (Re: eldest boy.)

Using “eldest” is perfect as a word choice because it’s kind of like a 7 year old older brother trying to sound grown up so he can pull rank.

Post that rep you sent me, that never crossed my mind and it holds up to scrutiny.
I am going to go back and listen to the speech he gave a few episodes back, the one about love.

I can never remember the reps I send (rampant marijuana usage). What did I say?

Also Peter Munyon is the fuckin best. Just a total shit stick.

He really is the most caring one, even if he’s a lunatic with crazy aspirations and a wife that pities him. Ruck’s best role by far.

And his three siblings treat him like shit, unappreciative and unaware that he’s always there to be supportive.

He’s a great piece of tragedy thrown into a show that makes so many un-likeable character’s likeable. I really am going to miss this and Barry as a great Monday night.

Ken’s birthday episode when he has one of his big meltdowns is where Connor shines most. Just refuses to give up his jacket, then when Kendall shows the the parody newspaper headline about Connor shitting himself on the camping trip, Con lets him have it. And he says how he took Ken and Roman because Logan wouldn’t and he ate bad fish.

I got the idea Con did “dad” stuff a lot. But Caroline’s children just think he’s a loser dumbass (lol and he is) so they don’t really appreciate it. I also noticed after that scene mentioned above Roman made fun of him a lot less lol. There came a point where they seemed to intentionally write Connor more sympathetically. They seemed to lean into more revelations about his past (loony cake, for instance). And with Willa it went from creepy and concerning to him being more portrayed as a harmless, deluded buffoon and her accepting him (as long as he’s keeping up his end of the arrangement).

TBH their transactional relationship is the only romantic relationship a Roy child could have. It’s the only way to cut the bullshit.

I write fiction as a hobby and I hope one day I'm secure enough with my characters to write someone as pathetic (and oddly loveable) as Kendall Roy.

Just finished 402


Few weeks back i told xrod he wasnt a serious person. Dale repped me saying that was very logan roy of me. I didnt follow the meaning until Logan literally said that to his kids in 402.


Fair enough.

Logan has a way with words lol

403


So like i said in the other thread this i wouldve imagined to be something for 408 or even 409. Doing it here sets the stage for a feeding frenzy across the next 7 eps which is a very interesting approach and completely shakes up the dynamic.


It does open the door for them to end in a more positive place than they otherwise could have. Finding unity through loss and all that...but this is secession. Every hug comes with a free knife.

Watching the behind the scenes and holy shit they shot a 28 min scene with no cuts. Obviously what we got had cuts to the plane but what was done on set was a 28min oner. Outstanding

Logan never in frame during the death scene. Quality.

Sarah Snook’s reaction especially on the phone was top notch.

One of my favourite parts of that episode is it's called Connor's Wedding.

Really is the perfect title. No one cares about conner

Dale says Connor is the real father figure. Hard to disagree. He gets good lines.