Topic: HBO/Sky Atlantic - Succession

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Agree but I think that's where striking out on its own is a potential future storyline maybe with some merit. How much of what we've seen from Kendall is a function of his relationship with Logan? If he does go his own way it'd be really instructive.

But where does all that paranoia, destructive behaviour go to? They just box that back up again and he goes back to crushing it? Or do you think he branches out and it’s a car crash?

Just can’t quite get my head around how he steps out of this. Maybe rehab ha!

[Barefoot Doctor]

Spoiler

The most powerful and maybe natural progression would be Kendall dying. He is at his lowest point, realising he can't 'go home' and knowing that his future at Waystar is over. He's also a drug addict, so it isn't hard to envision an overdose, whether intentional or otherwise. That, for me, is maybe the most authentic way this story can go. It'd also open up a lot of interesting stuff for the remaining characters - Logan having lost his son, maybe seeing a deeper emotion from him which he'd no doubt cover with talk of Kendall's weakness. The remaining siblings, feeling more adrift because their regular foil - and someone they do actually love - is gone.

I just don't think they'll do that because Jeremy Strong is so good as Kendall and he's so integral to the show.

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[Garrus]

Spoiler

That poor waiter's body is going to come back to haunt Kendall. I just wonder how Logan will separate himself from the coverup.

Delusional messiah Kendall has been interesting to watch because he always seemed the most grounded of all the kids, maybe alongside Shiv. I really enjoyed the last episode and this season overall but I can understand the criticism. It's probably down to the premise of the show too and I can't see past two more series at best.

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[Chip Evans]

Spoiler

The most powerful and maybe natural progression would be Kendall dying. He is at his lowest point, realising he can't 'go home' and knowing that his future at Waystar is over. He's also a drug addict, so it isn't hard to envision an overdose, whether intentional or otherwise. That, for me, is maybe the most authentic way this story can go. It'd also open up a lot of interesting stuff for the remaining characters - Logan having lost his son, maybe seeing a deeper emotion from him which he'd no doubt cover with talk of Kendall's weakness. The remaining siblings, feeling more adrift because their regular foil - and someone they do actually love - is gone.

I just don't think they'll do that because Jeremy Strong is so good as Kendall and he's so integral to the show.

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Spoiler

Have had a feeling there could be a death coming too. Logan maybe either - he's been slightly sidelined this series, and is clearly in bits.   

Agree they'll need to pull the trigger at some point. I think they are aware of that too. So this has maybe been a holding season before it all properly kicks off. 

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[The G in Gerrard]

Shiv dancing was a highlight

[Red Viper]

I'm genuinely amazed at people criticising the show for not progressing much. For me this has never really been a plot-centric show. When you actually think back to seasons 1 and 2, there wasn't a whole lot of actual plot that progressed there either. The strength of this show for me is the main core characters and their relationships with each other and in that sense I think the show keeps going from strength to strength.

[Chip Evans]

I'm genuinely amazed at people criticising the show for not progressing much. For me this has never really been a plot-centric show. When you actually think back to seasons 1 and 2, there wasn't a whole lot of actual plot that progressed there either. The strength of this show for me is the main core characters and their relationships with each other and in that sense I think the show keeps going from strength to strength.

Jesse Armstrong has said himself that the name of the show, Succession, comes with a built in promise. So it will happen at some point.  And Brian Cox has said he only sees a couple more series max too. It'll be a sad day when it ends though. It's so good. 

[Barefoot Doctor]

I'm genuinely amazed at people criticising the show for not progressing much. For me this has never really been a plot-centric show. When you actually think back to seasons 1 and 2, there wasn't a whole lot of actual plot that progressed there either. The strength of this show for me is the main core characters and their relationships with each other and in that sense I think the show keeps going from strength to strength.

I totally agree, the plot is largely irrelevant to me. I just want to see these characters in awful situations chatting shit to each other 

And on Logan potentially dying, it was the original plan to kill him off at the end of Season 1 so it's not out of the realms of possibility that they do it sometime soon. I think something huge is lost if they do that though, the best part of the show is often the interactions between him and the kids, and his looks of disdain at them. But Logan casts a long shadow, and he'll haunt those kids long after he's gone. It's a bit like Tony and Livia in the Sopranos, she was only physically present in the first two seasons but continued to be in Tony's head the rest of the show.

[Dench57]

Spoiler

The most powerful and maybe natural progression would be Kendall dying. He is at his lowest point, realising he can't 'go home' and knowing that his future at Waystar is over. He's also a drug addict, so it isn't hard to envision an overdose, whether intentional or otherwise. That, for me, is maybe the most authentic way this story can go. It'd also open up a lot of interesting stuff for the remaining characters - Logan having lost his son, maybe seeing a deeper emotion from him which he'd no doubt cover with talk of Kendall's weakness. The remaining siblings, feeling more adrift because their regular foil - and someone they do actually love - is gone.

I just don't think they'll do that because Jeremy Strong is so good as Kendall and he's so integral to the show.

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Spoiler

Yes, it feels like Ken this season has been trying to drown out the voice in his head telling him to kill himself. Certainly in the last episode "I wish I was.....home". But I just don't see them going there, as black as it is, it's still a comedy, and I think that might be too dark. Not to mention he's the best character in the show!

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[afc tukrish]

"Matsson's a visionary."

"Sure, because he's tripping balls."

[Hedley Lamarr]

Fucking hell Roman...

Now, that's an episode.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Really fascinating profile of Jeremy Strong. He sounds, quite frankly, really hard to work with and you don't get the impression he's particularly popular with other cast members. But his acting approach certainly gets results.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/12/13/on-succession-jeremy-strong-doesnt-get-the-joke

[scatman]

wow that was intense... and the ending...what the hell?

Spoiler

I couldn't stop laughing when Roman sent the dick pic because I noticed on his phone straight away that it said 'Dad' hahahahah holy fuck

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[rafathegaffa83]

wow that was intense... and the ending...what the hell?

Spoiler

I couldn't stop laughing when Roman sent the dick pic because I noticed on his phone straight away that it said 'Dad' hahahahah holy fuck

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Spoiler

Same

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[bradders1011]

There's definitely a death coming, but who?

Spoiler

Still don't think prison has gone away. The investigation was wrapped up too quickly and neatly, but maybe that's the cynical point about how these people get away with it.

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[Barefoot Doctor]

There's definitely a death coming, but who?

Spoiler

It can only be Logan or Kendall, I think. Anything else isn't really narratively satisfying. Logan is the obvious one. His health problems have really been front and centre this episode, so him finally going makes a lot of sense. They wanted to do it in Season 1, so they may feel the time is right. It would be perfect timing - not one of the kids is well positioned at this point, so there'd be chaos in the aftermath.

And of course, the show is literally about succession, so he has to die or be incapacitated at some point. If it happens now, you could have two more seasons of the fight for control before the show concludes. Would miss Brian Cox though, whose presence is just everywhere in the show.

Kendall, on the other hand, probably feels the most natural for me. It feels like his story has reached a natural end, and there's no way back for him while Logan's still there. Of course, if Logan dies then we could see him make a comeback.

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[Schmidt]

Spoiler

It can only be Logan or Kendall, I think. Anything else isn't really narratively satisfying. Logan is the obvious one. His health problems have really been front and centre this episode, so him finally going makes a lot of sense. They wanted to do it in Season 1, so they may feel the time is right. It would be perfect timing - not one of the kids is well positioned at this point, so there'd be chaos in the aftermath.

And of course, the show is literally about succession, so he has to die or be incapacitated at some point. If it happens now, you could have two more seasons of the fight for control before the show concludes. Would miss Brian Cox though, whose presence is just everywhere in the show.

Kendall, on the other hand, probably feels the most natural for me. It feels like his story has reached a natural end, and there's no way back for him while Logan's still there. Of course, if Logan dies then we could see him make a comeback.

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Spoiler

I was wondering if Tom could make the list, Shiv is slowly beating him into submission and the recent episode just felt like it could be a push too far. I guess the problem there is that the main characters are so uncaring that a side act like Tom dying probably wouldn't really have much impact, unless it took hold in the media and reinvigorated the investigation, but that story seems dead now.

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[Dench57]

Spoiler

I'm wondering if the ending to this season will be Ken, having reached rock bottom, torpedoing himself and his dad/Waystar by confessing to the kid's death and his dad's cover up

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[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Spoiler

I'm wondering if the ending to this season will be Ken, having reached rock bottom, torpedoing himself and his dad/Waystar by confessing to the kid's death and his dad's cover up

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Spoiler

It came up for reason, for sure. Maybe the reference to a podcast too was not an accident. I did see a similar theory to yours - maybe Kendall on this podcast goes nuclear.

But doesn’t that mean the two of them in prison? Not sure what satisfaction comes from losing both characters.

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[John_P]

Spoiler

It came up for reason, for sure. Maybe the reference to a podcast too was not an accident. I did see a similar theory to yours - maybe Kendall on this podcast goes nuclear.

But doesn’t that mean the two of them in prison? Not sure what satisfaction comes from losing both characters.

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Spoiler

Kendall probably thinks this will be hung over him the rest of his life, either by his father, or those who cleared up the evidence.

From this weeks episode he knows he can't take control of the company whether his father's there or not, and just wants to completely breakaway.

Kendall breaking the story himself is the best possible cause of action for him. He can say what happened, and that without his knowledge his father covered the whole thing up. Which would surely be the death knell for Logans career, and could potentially topple waystar itself.

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[Garrus]

Spoiler

Kendall testing his dad's two minute theory at the end?

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[bradders1011]

Spoiler

Kendall testing his dad's two minute theory at the end?

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Spoiler

That's what I think. Total distraction that it looks like he's drowning.

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[The G in Gerrard]

Unbelievable episode. Where to begin. Shiv and her Mum. Tom and Shiv. Roman in general it was just too class from start to finish and beautiful location.

[iamnant]

Really fascinating profile of Jeremy Strong. He sounds, quite frankly, really hard to work with and you don't get the impression he's particularly popular with other cast members. But his acting approach certainly gets results.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/12/13/on-succession-jeremy-strong-doesnt-get-the-joke

That's absolutely fascinating -- so much of Kendall seems to have already been in Jeremy!

[Barefoot Doctor]

That's absolutely fascinating -- so much of Kendall seems to have already been in Jeremy!

Yeah, it's a brilliant piece. He sounds absolutely insufferable and tedious, when I get the impression the rest of the cast is fairly fun and loose. Comes across as so, so driven - the lengths he went to to get time with Pacino, Hoffman and Day Lewis, for example.

Had to laugh at the story about him walking around the set of The Judge wailing because they were filming a funeral scene, even though he wasn't required on set that day  Or wanting to be hit with real tear gas on the set of The Trial of the Chicago 7, only for Aaron Sorkin to explain that he wasn't going to poison the cast!

[iamnant]

Yeah, it's a brilliant piece. He sounds absolutely insufferable and tedious, when I get the impression the rest of the cast is fairly fun and loose. Comes across as so, so driven - the lengths he went to to get time with Pacino, Hoffman and Day Lewis, for example.

Had to laugh at the story about him walking around the set of The Judge wailing because they were filming a funeral scene, even though he wasn't required on set that day  Or wanting to be hit with real tear gas on the set of The Trial of the Chicago 7, only for Aaron Sorkin to explain that he wasn't going to poison the cast!

He sounds like one of those people you pray you don't make eye contact with at the bar. He'd be a great character in Seinfeld to annoy Jerry.

But in all seriousness, thank god he is insufferable because it's played beautifully into the plot of this season. And thank god he didn't get the part of Roman -- the casting of him and Kendall seem to be the most perfect ever.

[Snail]

Fuck Shiv.

[bradders1011]

Fuck Shiv.

This. Of all of the **** kids she's the worst because it's all so calculated. I actually root for Tom.

[Snail]

This. Of all of the **** kids she's the worst because it's all so calculated. I actually root for Tom.

I posted that before I'd finished the latest episode, holy fuck Kieran Culkin's acting there was one of the funniest things I've ever seen

Also yeah, I do kind of root for Tom. She's a fantastic character though, Sarah Snook is boss.

[Snail]

Spoiler

Kendall testing his dad's two minute theory at the end?

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Yep.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Fuck Shiv.

'

certainly

[Chip Evans]

Don't open Pandora's Box - there's just more dicks in it 

Watched it late this week. Best episode of anything I've seen in ages. Poor Tom though

Was line after line after line.

A man dying of thirst has suddenly become a mineral water connoisseur!

[BarryCrocker]

Don't open Pandora's Box - there's just more dicks in it 

Watched it late this week. Best episode of anything I've seen in ages. Poor Tom though

Was line after line after line.

A man dying of thirst has suddenly become a mineral water connoisseur!

Logan on not knowing who he's dealing with:

Because I can win any bout with a boxer f*ck, but I don't know how to knock out a clown.

[Chip Evans]

Logan on not knowing who he's dealing with:

Because I can win any bout with a boxer f*ck, but I don't know how to knock out a clown.

Spoiler

The whole sit down with his Kendall and feeding the mozzarella to Iverson too. Man, he is hell bent on torturing Ken.

I reckon the theory above that Kendall is going to go on that podcast and confess might have something to it.  It's almost the only move he has if they won't let him divest. There's no way he's killed himself - the show isn't nearly done with chewing him up yet. I'll eat my hat if he has.   

Still team Tom. I think he'll end up winning.

Mad into Shiv getting the shiv out on Geri and Roman.

They've ruined Greg in this series tho. He's not even that funny anymore - just a punch bag for other people's lines.

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[BarryCrocker]

Spoiler

The whole sit down with his Kendall and feeding the mozzarella to Iverson too. Man, he is hell bent on torturing Ken.

I reckon the theory above that Kendall is going to go on that podcast and confess might have something to it.  It's almost the only move he has if they won't let him divest. There's no way he's killed himself - the show isn't nearly done with chewing him up yet. I'll eat my hat if he has.   

Still team Tom. I think he'll end up winning.

Mad into Shiv getting the shiv out on Geri and Roman.

They've ruined Greg in this series tho. He's not even that funny anymore - just a punch bag for other people's lines.

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Spoiler

Greg is going to be the abused wife who comes back to bite them all on the ass. All the weak characters in this show don't last long.

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[Barefoot Doctor]

Definitely getting up early to watch this on Monday morning. Never a show I mind having spoiled, as it's not the most plot driven, but it feels that something's going to down in the finale.

[Hedley Lamarr]

Spoiler

I think Kendall drowned and Shiv will carry on his fight but for different reasons

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[Schmidt]

I like Gregg this season, I think he's risen to a point where he's comfortable from a wealth perspective, has little actual work to do and knows that progressing higher is fraught with problems. He seems happy to dodge the tough stuff and just coast, and it's fun seeing how much his happiness gets to Tom.

[A-Bomb]

Fucking hell that episode was absolute genius, best hours television i've watched for quite some time......epic stuff

[Barefoot Doctor]

Holy fuck, that was incredible.

Spoiler

Just beautiful, beautiful stuff. Ken, Shiv and Roman finally uniting - that scene with Ken confessing about the waiter was all kinds of amazing. And Logan still winning, all because of Tom.

Sets Season 4 up beautifully, with the three kids on the outside and Logan/Tom/Greg on the inside with GoJo. Although I think this would arguably have been a perfect ending for the show overall.

Can't begin to tell you how pleased I am that nobody died though. I thought they'd go there with Logan - him downing health drinks felt like a sign of impending doom, and there was so many shots of him climbing steps that a heart attack felt inevitable. But the show is so much better with him in it.

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