Over the next number of weeks here on Balls.ie, football scribe John Brewin will review and rate the main characters in the latest episode of the final series of Succession. As ever, please note this article does contain spoilers.
Logan Roy is dead. It’s left to his family, dependents, confidantes and attendant other parasites to pick over his bones. The old master leaves quite a gap in the show, as well as plenty for his children to sweep up. Dying in the middle of selling off most of his empire was a power move and a half.
In a week when Fox News and the Murdochs enter a US courtroom, there’s also a series of reminders that all family businesses have associates who can either take a fall, scrape up the mess or perhaps even steal the spoils. The likes of Frank, Geri, Hugo, Karolina and Karl are in motion from the start. “I wonder if we don’t take control of the plane here,” says Carl, pun probably intended.
There are zero guarantees that Logan Roy’s children can command anything like the same power as their father. For the moment, thanks to a piece of scrap paper, it appears Kendall is heir apparent. What that also means is a division of his shaky alliance with Roman and Shiv. They seem certain to be at each other’s throats soon enough. Just as Logan enjoyed them.
Kendall Roy - 8/10
“Unless you want me to pull out the strap-on.”
There is a glimpse of his father’s ability to use others’ foibles as a payable debt when he corrals Hugo into doing his bidding. He’s also ice-cold with Tom in wishing him “good luck”. “It sure as shit doesn’t say Shiv,” he snaps at his sister, only to be soon wracked with self-doubt as the idea of succeeding someone who “made me hate him” comes into focus. He goes back to his old faithful move, relying on the ever-unreliable Stewy for back-up. “Same old with a vibey new banner,” he suggests of his company’s new direction, but Kendall remains thoroughly haunted by the ghosts of the past, his revenger’s fantasy, that unshakeable Oedipal complex. “It is my preference that the title and role of CEO should be given to Kendall Roy,” wrote his dad on that legal paper. But had he crossed it out? In death, Logan continues to torture Kendall.
The final reckoning: Doomed by power.
Kendall Roy at the start and the end of Episode 4, he's UP LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOO #Succession pic.twitter.com/2TkVVYOzro
— beth (@elsbet_) April 17, 2023
Roman Roy - 6/10
“I’ve maybe pre-grieved.”
Roman shows off a human side when being kind to, a devastated, outcast Kerry. He asks for her private number, perhaps a detail to watch in future. He’s also wise to Tom’s attempt to install him as the Dauphin to Logan’s kingdom. “Tightrope Tommy, riding his little subtle cycle across Niagara Falls,” he seethes, swatting away his “here to serve” brother-in-law. Roman continues to idolise his dad. “Don’t bring us this disgusting s*** ever again,” he says when offered a PR plan to plump up his own future as co-CEO with Kendall by doing down Logan. Thus begins the next family feud?
The final reckoning: Keeper of the flame.
Connor Roy 8/10
“Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania.”
The eldest son takes on the crucial role of making the first move for the deceased’s former belongings. There’s always one. He’s soon striking a deal for Logan’s New York pile with Marcia, the estranged ex-wife-turned-grieving-widow-
The final reckoning: "Practically an anarchocapitalist."
Shiv Roy 6/10
“Dad sounds amazing, I’d like to have met Dad.”
Her father gone, a pregnancy kept secret from everyone, including Tom, Shiv’s tongue remains sharper than ever. “You might have picked the wrong horse, you might have picked the dead horse,” she tells Tom. “I need to be wetting my beak,” she sighs in allowing her two brothers to lead the post-Logan operation. Her ambition remains unbowed, and her failures lead her to take it out on others.
The final reckoning: Little girl lost.
that fall was NASTY #Succession pic.twitter.com/LRmcnBFC2F
— jolt (@meltborne) April 17, 2023
Tom Wambsgans - 6/10
“If there’s a ring, my hat’s in, respectfully.”
“The only guy pulling for you is dead, and now, you’re just married to the ex-boss’ daughter, and she doesn’t even like you. And you are fair and squarely fucked.” Carl rather nails Tom’s position, and the schemer supreme will have to be on his game from now on. Shiv’s pregnancy, and the exit strategy he’s cooking up with Greg may not be enough to get the crown he’s always been angling for.
The final reckoning: Outside the tent, pissing in.
tom gossiping to greg how logan died PLEASEEEEE pic.twitter.com/ygrgXSlHDL
— cousin tom | succession spoilers (@tomwambsgays) April 17, 2023
Cousin Greg - 8/10
“Into the shape of a dick.”
“My guys, my lovely guys”. Greg doesn’t take long to offer clumsy platitudes to his cousins; his own ambitions are undimmed by the solemn occasion of a wake. “The natural conclusion might be I’d be his No 2,” he says of Logan’s scrawlings. “It’s so distasteful,” he tuts as the unfortunate Kerry is ejected. “Look who has crawled out of the woodwork.” Revenge indeed for her making him squirm over her TV announcers’ audition. Cousin Greg: easily as nasty as the rest of them.
The Suits - 7/10
“You’re speculating in a comic mode.”
Logan’s former chorus line hunt their piece of the action. “The family no longer has majority control of Waystar,” Frank reminds Kendall as Logan’s note is revealed. “You’re damaged goods,” Karl tells Kendall, as the siblings take on the “the Keystone fucks” in an awkward battle for the soul of what Logan once surveyed.
The final reckoning: Full packages and Greek islands.
