We Cringed So Hard During This Week's 'Succession' That We've Turned Into A Fossil

This very funny TikTok definitely reflects on one of the most memorable moments from the episode for me. It’s the last scene of the episode, when Kendall goes to the beach, seemingly to reflect on his big moment. He draws a “1” in the sand — naturally. In the finale of Season 1, Logan tells Kendall, “You’re my No. 1 boy,” after Kendall has killed an innocent waiter when he crashes his car into a body of water. Seeing Kendall float in water in “Succession” has been a repeated moment on the show. So, it’s interesting to see it happen in this particular episode as he tries to step into his father’s “big, big shoes.” — Erin

It’s the “big nervous breakdown” part for me. Because all the siblings are having one here, even though Roman (the actual person who says this about Kendall) fails to admit it. I also thought throughout this entire episode that maybe Kendall had a relapse and was back on drugs.

I also appreciated Karl reminding Kendall that “You have my dick in your hand, Ken, but I've got yours in mine.” Because that’s true and he should say it. — Candice

“I know a thing or two about a thing or two.” I love that this season has been Karl’s time to shine. Though I’m also now worried because Kendall is probably going to make him take the fall for those cooked numbers.

We’ve mentioned a lot of great lines already, but as if this whole episode weren’t unhinged enough, Tom having to follow Kendall at this event was just so much cringe. “How am I supposed to follow this? He just promised them eternal life!" And then him going all Oprah with his “YOU’RE an ATN citizen, and YOU’RE an ATN citizen!” This show is exhausting, but in the very best of ways. — Marina

This little, insecure, miserable, untalented man had the nerve to fire not one, but two very talented women in the Roy orbit. That tells me everything I need to know about him.

Plus, Roman listening to his dad berating him on the phone (yet again) over and over reflects a lot of self-loathing that I think all the siblings have. — Candice

This moment was so sad and disturbing to me, whew. Another thing about Roman is that we often see him doing a nervous fast trot across the scene in a bunch of episodes when he’s about to fuck something up. I feel like I’ve seen that walk IRL before — and it unnerves me to no end. — Erin

Great eye, Erin! He also did a version of that last week on the mountaintop with Matsson. That split second when he scrunches up his face, and then decides: “Fuck it! I’m doing it!” and heads over to Matsson pissing on the side of the mountain. Incredible work from Kieran Culkin. — Marina

When he asked Kendall, who is also deeply unwell, whether maybe he went too far after firing Joy, and Kendall was like ... YOLO. That’s a very rare occasion when Roman is actually second-guessing himself out loud, and he goes to the absolute wrong person for clarity. — Candice

All anyone wants is approval from their dad, and now they’ll never get it.
Obviously, this doesn’t take away from their incompetence, but I do wonder how much the fact that none of these idiots have grieved their father’s death contributes to them making these totally unhinged business moves.

Also, Gerri! That is all. The face she makes when Roman asks her to believe he is as good as his dad. Chef’s kiss. And her line: “You are a weak monarch in a dangerous interregnum,” and when she whispers: “I am good at my job.” Every episode, we say: “Give [X ACTOR] an Emmy,” and this was J. Smith-Cameron’s Emmy moment, for sure. — Marina

Also, when Gerri says, “Say it, or believe it?” in response to Roman’s demand? I laughed so hard. J. Smith-Cameron is so, so good. — Erin

Yeah, I think they’re all spinning out after his death. Because they don’t know who they are and what to do when they’re not openly competing with him or taking his bullshit.

I love Gerri SO MUCH. She says what needs to be said every time. Always the “I’m gonna call bullshit on this” woman. Respect. And I love that she read Roman for filth after he fired her (AGAIN). He deserved that. He’s trying to force people to respect him that don’t, and won’t. — Candice

The fact that they just started biting each other in the middle of a party among a ton of other people is a testament to how deeply self-centered everyone in this space is. NO ONE noticed the two cannibals in the center of the dance floor? I cringed in every scene they were in, especially the after-sex scene. I have no answers to this question of what is going on with them, just more questions.

She must be spinning over the pregnancy thing, right? She doesn’t know what to do, and just hangs with Tom because he’s just ... there? Like, there ALL THE TIME? I don’t know. It all seems like a new pathetic low for Shiv. Though, I did think when they talked about what they’re in this for, when Tom says that he basically likes shiny things, was telling. I just ... am not entirely sure what it tells us, though.

But even with all the disturbing things they did throughout this episode, the one that puzzled me most is the scene where Tom is driving himself and Shiv somewhere. Because I don’t recall ever seeing any character on this show drive their own car. Where are they going? Tom has a car? Tom knows how to drive? — Candice

Wait, he was driving? I assumed their driver was driving them, and they were both in the back seat.

I regret to inform you that I briefly thought Tom and Shiv looked kind of hot at this party … until they started doing whatever the hell they were doing. I know, I know. This marriage is toxic, and they have both hurt each other and pushed each other around the entire time. It’s a real testament to Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook, who are so, so good in this episode (and all the time).

I really wonder what’s going to happen. There’s a part of them that needs the other in a perverse way. Will Shiv tell Tom about the pregnancy? Will they ever have an honest discussion? Or was this the closest we’ll ever get to, as Tom said earlier in the season, “a full accounting of the marriage”? — Marina

I thought they were in the back seat too, because they’re ALWAYS in the back seat. But I saw the back seat behind them! And the way Tom was staring ahead and had his hand up. I was like … are these two very disturbed people going on … a road trip together? — Candice

Shiv looked hot all episode. Her wardrobe was just light-years better than it had been in the past few episodes and I’m sure for good reason. (Another reason to read Ruth’s interview with costume designer Michelle Matland since she provided so much insight to her thoughts around fashion in “Succession.” I’ll have to go back to see what I think of Tom’s lewks! I have no clue what is going on with them as a couple, though. Do we even know if Tom knows that she’s pregnant? That has been on my mind every time they appear on screen together. — Erin

I don’t think Tom knows, and I’m still deeply concerned about that whole thing. — Candice

Sidebar: Every week, I’ve been loving people making memes of Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy, with Tom Wambsgans' quotes. Genius. (I recently rewatched that “Pride & Prejudice” adaptation, which is one of my favorites, and it really holds up.) — Marina

I knew when he flashed that chaotic smile shit was going to go real sideways, real fast. And him taking time to actually respond to Matsson’s Twitter trolling ... LOL. Kendall doesn’t know what he’s doing. And he seems pretty proud about that. But like ... Roman’s reaction to Kendall crashing and burning — even though Roman is also crashing and burning ... pot meet kettle. I was cracking up when Roman tried to distance himself from the looming disaster, while doing absolutely nothing about all the little fires he just started in the span of a day. — Candice

So many little fires everywhere! But I know we’ll chat more about Roman later on. I found it so funny that, as Kendall was presenting, people were really into the product, with claps and excitement seeming to mount in the room. Even I was starting to believe in him! — Erin

I took all of that as nervous “OMFG I can’t wait to get on social media [or back to my yacht club or whatever] and laugh about all of this” laughter. — Candice

As it was happening, I of course was cringing (and turned into a fossil). But I also thought it made total sense that the investors in the audience were into hologram Logan and bought into Kendall’s cringey emotional appeal. I could see it being weirdly moving if you were sitting there. — Marina

That’s true. I also feel like in upfronts and presentations like these, people naturally — and sometimes nervously — cheer in the room. And then go home and are like WTF was that? — Erin

I agree, Erin. I took the cheering as performance. Happens a lot at film festivals, too. — Candice

Yes! I could totally picture some headline like: “Investors Give Kendall Roy Ten-Minute Standing Ovation After Surprise Appearance Of Logan Roy Hologram.” — Marina