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Telly addicts

Buckle up fuckleheads we’re excited for the Succession finale

748 replies

CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair · 22/05/2023 21:53

Continuing our discussion here 😊

OP posts:
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18
MarciaSaysANumber · 31/05/2023 19:48

Well, this is … peculiar. Following global advice I’ve tried ‘Barry’ - and couldn’t get through even one episode. Why? Is it because every single character is unattractive, or because every room looks like a set design student’s idea of a shabby room, or because the dialogue seems clunky, or …?

What it’s telling me is that Succession was more than a happy accident, it was a miracle. It was … perfection.

XelaM · 31/05/2023 20:47

MarciaSaysANumber · 31/05/2023 19:48

Well, this is … peculiar. Following global advice I’ve tried ‘Barry’ - and couldn’t get through even one episode. Why? Is it because every single character is unattractive, or because every room looks like a set design student’s idea of a shabby room, or because the dialogue seems clunky, or …?

What it’s telling me is that Succession was more than a happy accident, it was a miracle. It was … perfection.

Try "Big Little Lies" and see if you like it. Completely different subject-matter but so well-made and very attractive cast. 😂

Also, "Happy Valley" if you haven't yet seen it. The first season is perfection in my view.

Currently watching "Night Of". Loving it so far, but it's a short series.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 31/05/2023 22:02

Just catching up on the thread, I just had to go to bed last night after watching it! Sheer perfection.

The Kendall/Roman hug - most complex moment of the whole thing. Yes, Roman wants to be hurt, its the only way he can experience love. Yes, doing it for 'the optics' - making the stitches look worse than they were so he wouldn't be accused of pussying out. But ALSO - huge call back to Logan and Ken's hug at the end of S1 after Kendall has killed the waiter when Logan grabs him and calls him 'my boy' and grinds his head into his shoulder. It's like when he sits on Logan's chair, Logan's spirit has moved into him. And that's when it all goes wrong.

When Ken went into the water I actually couldn't breathe...

And OF COURSE Jeremy Strong ate the potion irl. I can feel Brian Cox's incredulity from here.

mauveiscurious · 31/05/2023 23:00

Just finished it tonight - superb astounding drama

You can’t make a Tomelette without breaking some Gregs

Spamham · 01/06/2023 00:18

The Roman / Kendall bear hug I thought signified Roman’s mental unraveling & Kendall’s dominance simultaneously. You could see how Kendall was mimicking Logan’s brutal treatment of Roman (didn’t he mention locking him in a cage as a child in an earlier series?) to rule him out from being CEO.

The whole power dynamic and dominance theme was beautifully reflected in the last Tom & Shiv scene in the car, with his holding out his hand to her in a gesture of power not affection; her gently laying her hand on his as acceptance. He’s come a long way since boar on the floor, even as a self proclaimed pain sponge. I wonder if Shiv has a new found respect for him now?

I haven’t seen King Lear but will check it out to see if there are loads of similarities to Succession.

Also … how cool that the brilliant Jesse Armstrong is a Brit 🎉

Lottapianos · 01/06/2023 01:11

'I can feel Brian Cox's incredulity from here.'

Brian Cox is a tremendous actor, and I have a lot of time for him, but I do think he's been very unprofessional with his criticism of Jeremy Strong and how much he immersed himself in his character. He's clearly not Brian's cup of tea, and that's fine, but no need to air all that in public

I listened to Jeremy Strong on the official podcast and thought he sounded warm and honest. Yes he takes his work very seriously and very intensely, and maybe that's a bit irritating to be around for some, but his performance is truly stunning

soberfabulous · 01/06/2023 08:20

Lottapianos i completely agree - Brian Cox has wanged on about Jeremy far too much in my opinion. Unprofessional and disrespectful and really jars with how supportive the cast and crew usually are.

In the recent Firecrotch and Normcore podcast episode with Jessie, he is very gallant and won't be drawn on Jeremy's methods - he actually says: "there's been enough press about that" and moves onto how spectacular JS is.

MarkWithaC · 01/06/2023 10:50

user1471543094 · 30/05/2023 16:44

I was really happy with the ending. But (don't come at me) a little bit Meh about the final episode.
I found I was bored in parts. Unlike some I didn't like the Logan home video. At this stage I just wanted it all to move along!
Also re the kids at the Barbados house.
Also Lady C is very wealthy herself - why would Peter's friend not pitch to her. Why just the kids?
Maybe when I go for my second viewing I can enjoy it more. I was v satisfied with the ending, really liked Greg playing both sides as usual and getting caught and Tom coming out on top and the change in dynamic now between him and Shiv.

I liked the home video. It gave us a last, late insight into a slightly humorous and playful side to Logan that we hadn't seen, which was very poignant. It was painful to watch the three sibs watching it, too; it was clearly a side of Logan that he'd kept from them. Conor sitting quietly in the background made me well up; he alone saw that side of their dad, and he could have gloated about it then but he didn't. It was more like he was giving it to the others as a present.

The Barbados stuff I loved. It was like one of Shakespeare's enchanted islands or forests; the fact that the whole first 'act' between the siblings played out there made it so clear that things were going to go tits-up later. In this fantasy Arcadian world, they could float about in the water, they could wear casual/swimwear, they could get on, they could bond over Peter's special cheese Grin and they could give Kendal the crown; but eventually they had to leave the enchanted world and put on their suits and sit in a boardroom. And that was when you remembered again that they are not 'serious people' and they cannot deal with the reality that Logan created and ruled over.

I loved Colin lurking in the background at the end; he knows exactly what Kendal did (not to mention how he tried to bully/threaten Colin out of talking to his therapist about it), and it feels like Kendal is doomed to cary him round for ever, like the Ancient Mariner and the albatross or like his own guilty conscience.

I always thought the dead waiter would come back in the end, but I'd imagined that it would get out into public, rather than that Kendal would basically lose the crown because of his own handling of it. Watching him telling the others he'd made up the story for sympathy was painful and shocking and actually embarrassing; the depths he'd sink to for power – not just allowing a cover-up but then compounding the lie about it.

slamfightbrightlight · 01/06/2023 10:54

I liked the home video as well, and those around the table were those who Logan valued at the end, despite treating some of them appallingly at times.

franke · 01/06/2023 12:40

I really like Jeremy Strong. He comes across as thoughtful, sensitive and intelligent. I've enjoyed all the interviews I've heard or read with him. He is also always generous about the people he works with and just gives the impression of striving to do the absolute best that he can in order to do justice to the character and the script. Sure, the way he works probably isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it clearly works for him.

He seems to having a very grounded private life too.

ShivRoysBlender · 01/06/2023 12:44

Ironically Cox comes across far more method than Strong does, in his endless public criticism!

I think Greg will be fine. He's still inheriting $5 million, he's still a Roy, and he's got a very conniving personality and knows how to play people.

In terms of 'betrayal', when he phoned Ken, he didn't know Tom was going to be CEO, he only knew it wasn't going to be Shiv.

SunnyEgg · 01/06/2023 12:44

MarkWithaC · 01/06/2023 10:50

I liked the home video. It gave us a last, late insight into a slightly humorous and playful side to Logan that we hadn't seen, which was very poignant. It was painful to watch the three sibs watching it, too; it was clearly a side of Logan that he'd kept from them. Conor sitting quietly in the background made me well up; he alone saw that side of their dad, and he could have gloated about it then but he didn't. It was more like he was giving it to the others as a present.

The Barbados stuff I loved. It was like one of Shakespeare's enchanted islands or forests; the fact that the whole first 'act' between the siblings played out there made it so clear that things were going to go tits-up later. In this fantasy Arcadian world, they could float about in the water, they could wear casual/swimwear, they could get on, they could bond over Peter's special cheese Grin and they could give Kendal the crown; but eventually they had to leave the enchanted world and put on their suits and sit in a boardroom. And that was when you remembered again that they are not 'serious people' and they cannot deal with the reality that Logan created and ruled over.

I loved Colin lurking in the background at the end; he knows exactly what Kendal did (not to mention how he tried to bully/threaten Colin out of talking to his therapist about it), and it feels like Kendal is doomed to cary him round for ever, like the Ancient Mariner and the albatross or like his own guilty conscience.

I always thought the dead waiter would come back in the end, but I'd imagined that it would get out into public, rather than that Kendal would basically lose the crown because of his own handling of it. Watching him telling the others he'd made up the story for sympathy was painful and shocking and actually embarrassing; the depths he'd sink to for power – not just allowing a cover-up but then compounding the lie about it.

Lovely post summing up various things

I was on edge whilst watching it so felt like I wanted it to go faster

I may watch again now I know the ending

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 01/06/2023 12:45

Let's face it, Brian Cox can be a bit of a tit. He annoys many Scots with his Professional Scotsman act. He does do a lot to support the theatre though.

tribpot · 01/06/2023 12:47

I liked the home video as well. We hardly ever got to see Logan not being an irascible old git so seeing him for the final time being relaxed and happy, and with genuine affection for everyone there, including Connor, was poignant.

I hadn't thought about the Barbados scenes as the enchanted islands but that's so true, @MarkWithaC

tribpot · 01/06/2023 15:01

Just seen an interview that Jeremy Strong did with Stephen Colbert back in October - as before he comes across as very earnest "who is talk show Jeremy Strong? How do I play that character?" but definitely not humourless or weird.

LoobyDop · 01/06/2023 15:31

I found the Barbados scenes distracting, because they were jumping about left, right and centre between locations.

EachandEveryone · 01/06/2023 16:34

I didnt know Willa is married to Poldark 😮

slamfightbrightlight · 01/06/2023 17:10

EachandEveryone · 01/06/2023 16:34

I didnt know Willa is married to Poldark 😮

As in Adrian Turner? She isn’t - he’s married to someone else

slamfightbrightlight · 01/06/2023 17:11

Aidan!

Mingomang · 01/06/2023 17:20

Poldark is married to the actress who played Roman’s girlfriend. We didn’t see her this season.

Genzken · 01/06/2023 17:22

slamfightbrightlight · 01/06/2023 17:10

As in Adrian Turner? She isn’t - he’s married to someone else

He's married to Tabitha - Roman's ex.

teezletangler · 01/06/2023 17:38

I think Greg will be fine. He's still inheriting $5 million, he's still a Roy, and he's got a very conniving personality and knows how to play people.

Greg will definitely be fine. But this has reminded me of one of my all-time favourite exchanges on the show:

Five’s a nightmare. 
Can’t retire.
Not worth it to work. 
Five will drive you un poco loco, my fine feathered friend.
Poorest rich person in America
The world’s tallest dwarf.
The weakest strong man at the circus.

ExcaliburBaby · 01/06/2023 18:23

@MarkWithaC i love that Enchanted Island idea - and so right. that section has a dreamy, silly, unreal quality to it. i did date to believe it all might turn out…..ok. in some ways it made what followed even worse!

agree with what people have said about Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox. it was very “team player” of BC to be so publically scathing of JS’s methods. live and let live. there’s clearly lots of affection and respect for him by the rest of the cast

glad there’s other Firecrotch & Normcore listeners. so many great cast and creative team interviews to work through this week!

XelaM · 01/06/2023 19:27

Can I just mention what an awesome "soft pitch" Tom gave to Mattson?! 🤩

I need to steal it for my future job interviews 🤣

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 01/06/2023 19:57

XelaM · 01/06/2023 19:27

Can I just mention what an awesome "soft pitch" Tom gave to Mattson?! 🤩

I need to steal it for my future job interviews 🤣

Just tell the interviewer that you've no objections to them wanting to shag your spouse, and the job should be yours 😀