Succession Season 4 Episode 4 Review: Like father, like son

Spoiler Alert.

You’d be lying to yourself if the closing shot from Succession’s latest episode didn’t have you grinning ear to ear. It seems even in death, the spirit of old man Roy has his claws firmly sunk into each one of his potential successors to the Waystar throne (albeit one in particular).

Before the business of the episode unfolds, the mournful gathering transforms into a comical, yet poignant, tribute to the freshly deceased, Logan Roy. 

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“The reviews are in”, proclaims Roman, with a variety of publications having prepared eulogies for the late media mogul. Despite being on the verge of a breakdown, the Roy siblings display excellent comedic chemistry as they scrutinize the obituaries, translating them into a hilariously truthful account of his character.

From a bit of phone-chucking habit, to casual racial biases, it seems Logan’s reputation preceded himself. The trio even find humor in the euphemistic "well-connected," which they insinuate implies pedophilia and quip that Grandpa Roy wouldn't even hug his own grandchildren, undercutting the previous statement's absurdity.

Following the return of Hiam Abbass’s Marcia and the subsequent spit-shake agreement between her and Connor over the resplendent Manhattan apartment, showrunner Jesse Armstrong, employs yet another simple plot device to add a bit of flavour to the tense dynamics.

Where last week's episode featured the drafting of a statement to announce the demise of Logan Roy, triggering a fierce debate on the future control of the company, this week features the discovery of a will, found in Logan's private safe with Kendall’s name on it underlined (or struck through) in pencil - exacerbating the already volatile situation regarding Logan’s successor.

For now let’s try and "speculate in a comic mode" or have a quick look "in a humorous vein" at where each character stands in matters of succession, shall we?

Lukas Matsson, doesn’t seem to shy away from his contempt for the archaic Waystar interface, though despite his unconventional approach, his calm and straightforward demeanor did win Logan over.

Though the Swede proceeds to strong-arm the siblings' position of weakness against them, his position as a true outsider joining the show in its latter half casts him as a secondary adversary to the Roys, devoid of any personal investment.

Gerri should not be underestimated as a viable candidate for succession within the company, as she has proven herself to be an exceptional leader during her time as interim CEO while Logan was incapacitated. 

However, it is important to remember that Logan uncovered the troublesome relationship between Gerri and Roman. One of Logan’s final commands even ordered Roman to terminate Gerri's employment, though it remains unclear if this will be upheld. Though Gerri seems convinced of her capacity, the likelihood of that happening seems just as much as Frank or Carl.

Tom has earned a loyal fan base due to his unsavory tactics and skilled manipulation of Waystar's complex world. In the third season, he pulled off an impressive double-cross, securing his position as an ally of Logan and enhancing his chances of success.

However, the first episode of this season has already hinted at the impending worry on whether or not Logan will welcome Tom into the fold regardless of his relationship with Shiv. With his "protector" gone, it looks likeTom has been reduced to a groveling kiss-ass that makes him seem more of a dog without its master than the jean-wearing and child-bearing Colin.

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Greg has (probably unwittingly) established himself as the people's champion of sorts, offering a new line of succession that deviates from the corrupt state of the current family hierarchy.

Though Greg's boldness may have left the room in splits for being considered as second in line for the throne, his familial connection with Logan - being the offspring of his estranged brother Ewan - grants him an edge over most candidates. Should Ewan pass away and bequeath his estate to Greg, he would inherit a controlling stake in Waystar, allowing him to navigate the company's affairs with an aptitude for survival.

Shiv's frustration and sense of powerlessness are exacerbated by the news of her pregnancy, which makes her feel increasingly alienated as her brothers exclude her yet again. Despite being Logan's favorite in many ways, Shiv is plagued by guilt over her father's death, which she blames herself and her siblings for, as they coerced him into boarding a plane to Sweden. Tom, who seems unaware of Shiv's pregnancy, intuits her feelings of being unloved and wounded. 

Shiv is an astute politician who espouses values that are more agreeable to the general public, while also inheriting her father's ruthless streak when necessary. It’s frustrating to see her frustrated. In many ways, she feels like the natural successor. Perhaps her little tumble towards the end of the episode may prove a catalyst enough for her to finally embrace the Logan lurking within her once and for all.

Roman’s intellectual prowess is arguably the most potent among the trio, were it not for his proclivity towards unpredictability. While Kendall and Shiv initially appeared singularly focused on exacting retribution, Roman evinced a greater inclination toward engaging in productive pursuits, be it through embarking on novel business ventures or cautiously collaborating with his father once more.

Though his self-assured strut into his father’s office feels like a victory lap for the youngest Roy, if there is anything that Kieran Culkin’s shifty mannerisms have set in motion this episode, is that Roman is destined for a bit of a humbling.

Which brings us to the prized-child.

Kendall’s emotional fragility was perfectly encapsulated in the opening shot of the episode, as he sat sunken into the floor in an inconsolable mess. A quick look at his traumatic past over the span of the previous seasons gives us enough of an understanding of how the very same fragility has been consistently and purposefully exploited by Logan to his advantage.

Now that he has been named interim successor to Logan along with Roman, the prodigal son has finally risen to power, overcoming his wicked father, even in death. With newfound determination and the support of his siblings, he could finally attain the leadership he has always craved.

Here’s the curveball.

On a very fundamental level, the notion of leaving up to the expectations of his father, in spite of death doing them part, is a fixation that he can’t help but obsess over. Something as arbitrary as a piece of paper holds more value to Kendall than any fleeting words of praise that Logan had bestowed upon him and his siblings. When Shiv and Roman display a lack of urgency in devising a strategy before the board vote, Kendall loses his temper, demonstrating a Logan-esque rage, the first sign of what’s to follow.

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As Karolina and Hugo present them with two options for presenting their position in public as new CEOs, Roman is quick to dismiss the idea of rewriting Logan's public image as a poor father who had lost his touch, finding it distasteful.

Kendall, however, secretly instructs Hugo to initiate a posthumous smear campaign against Logan, holding a throwaway piece of dialogue involving a strap-on towards the start of the episode against him. He manages to intimidate Hugo into complying, demonstrating a level of assertiveness that Logan would have admired. He does so, convinced that Logan would have approved of this course of action. “It’s what he’d do. He’d want this for the firm”.

Admitting defeat, Hugo’s face lights up in a smile, as if in recognition of a certain crafty old chap. The padawan has finally become the master and Hugo’s gleam reflects the acceptance of the very same sentiment.

The previously downtrodden Kendall seems to have gotten back his long-lost moxie, with just a hint of a smile taking form before cutting to the credits. As Nicholas Britell's powerful orchestral close highlights Kendall’s newfound “killer instinct”, this moment that seems to have been building since Season 2’s finale has finally come full circle. Like father, like son.

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