YOU would expect a bit of a come down the week after Succession aired what has been widely dubbed as one of the greatest television episodes of all time.
Indeed, things naturally don’t move as quickly or as intensely as they did last week but that doesn’t make the events which play out any less entertaining.
While killing off its central character a mere three episodes into its final season was certainly a bold choice, what plays out in its immediate aftermath is a chance for everyone to react and make their moves free of Logan Roy looming large over them.
He might be dead, but somehow his influence doesn't wane as everyone puts their name in the hat to succeed the boss.
As much as everyone revelled in watching Logan insult his way through life, giving those around him time to process his death should make the show far-more compelling in the long-run than if it was left to say the final 30 minutes of the season finale.
The focus this week is as much on the “old guard” as it is the family as everyone gets a sudden injection of confidence following Logan’s death. Loyalties suddenly (and completely unsurprisingly) change on a whim as everyone explains why they should be the one to steady the Waystar ship.
Much like last week, the majority of the episode takes place in a single setting – Logan’s lush, multi-million pound penthouse as admirers and followers pour in to pay tribute to the media mogul.
His children react to his death in typical Roy fashion, pouring over obituaries which paint a picture of a man they never knew as they seemingly compete to see who can best mourn their dead father – one of them even claims to have “pre-grieved”. It’s fascinating to see these people, seemingly untouchable on account of their endless wealth, deal with something so human. It makes those memorable one-liners that bit more complex.
Matthew Macfadyen offers a captivating performance as Tom who, having effectively made Logan his only pal in the world, desperately goes about remaining everyone what a humble servant he has always been. It’s a telling reminder of just how cut-throat a world these characters inhabit.
Season four is really hitting its stride. That’s not to say that its first two episodes weren’t good but things were perhaps a little more comfortable than we’ve come to expect.
Until Logan’s death there hadn’t been much to suggest that the Roy trio would look to stab each other in the back but now they look to be getting back to their old ways. It’s testament to the character that both Jesse Armstrong and Brian Cox created that his departure from the show can have such a seismic impact.
Even when he’s not there, everyone’s still trying to impress him.
