‘Succession’ has come to an end. After four magnificent seasons and 39 unforgettable episodes, The mystery surrounding who was to succeed Logan Roy has been memorably solved. There will be those who are already ringing the bells talking about one of the best endings in the history of television -if the sensational outcome of ‘Better Call Saul’ is still recent-, but these debates deserve a more calm and thoughtful reflection. What I see here is an impeccable closure for a story that on paper was very much like a family soap opera with business overtones and that has always known how to maintain a clear course and respect its characters.
The identity of who ends up in charge of Waystar RoyCo is sure to serve as the basis for a multitude of discussions, although I am also clear that there will not be such fiery reactions here as there were with the end of ‘Game of Thrones’. After all, everyone in ‘Succession’ is deplorable – Greg was the closest thing there was to a good person, but ambition had long since taken over him too – and no one can reasonably make a case for moral virtue. of one of its protagonists so that that person would have to end up in charge of the company. Having said that, the end has been perfect for everything that the series has been showing usto the point that he even remembered a very important event that took place in the first season.
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the new king
The previous episode made it quite clear that Kendall was set to play a key role in the series finale. From the first moment of the series, it seemed that he was destined to end up at the head of Waystar RoyCo, regardless of whether he was really the one for it. And he did not lack arguments for it, because Jeremy Strong once again demonstrates how well he knows how to reflect the curious pathos of this character -who here reaches even higher heights with his final talk with Roman and Shiv when he sees that he is going to lose something that he already touched with his fingertips-, who shines more for opposition to the rest -that way of “saving” Roman when he is going to give the speech at his father’s funeral is still a bit for him- than for his real individual capacity.
That is present again in the way in which he convinces his two brothers that the common front against Matsson has to be with him in front. After all, Shiv has been played at the last moment and Roman’s crisis at the end of the penultimate chapter is the definitive demonstration that he is not good for this. There Jesse Armstrong It plays very well with the idea of a family reconciliation, first with the peculiar moment of Kendall’s coronation at their mother’s house and then with the video of their father that they watch with Connor. And it is that in this last scene it is perhaps the only moment of the entire series in which the character of Brian Cox he seemed genuinely happy. There have been many moments showing himself to be powerful and successful, but of happiness…
The problem is that a happy ending for ‘Succession’ would have been a mistake, since it would feel that way even if they stressed to us that Kendall in power was doomed to disaster. In fact, the series had already been letting us know how Strong’s character was becoming more and more isolated, both with all the problems with his ex and his children and with the sudden abandonment of his secretary. There was always the option is that this loneliness was aimed at showing his isolation in the circle and how that led to an inevitable self-destruction, but it has simply led to his running out of direction in life. He had always been lost but with something to hold on to and now he has nothing left.
A devastating but consequent closure, as it is for Shiv, no matter how much his change of mind at the last minute may be surprising at first, since the character of Sarah Snook She’s always been more emotional than Roman and Kendall, hence her initial outburst after finding out about Tom’s (new) betrayal, but she’s also the one who knows best how to maneuver to improve her position. And that she is going to have more power like this than with Kendall in charge, she is indisputable. A separate issue is the total emotional deterioration of the character and how her relationship with Tom has been doomed for a long time, but that they are going to try to stay together is beyond doubt. It is the best possible defeat for her-because she continues to be subject to someone else’s designs-, simple as that.
As expected, all this has been accompanied by a precise and impeccable script by Armstrong, who once again leaves us with irreproachable moments with unusual ease. Obviously, the work of the actors is also essential, both when it comes to reciting those wonderful dialogues and when they have to use a more physical or gestural element to reflect the state of their characters. There it is clear that Kendall’s collapse shines with its own light, but to me I would like to highlight that brief confrontation between Tom and Greg, with the second showing, if only fleetingly, his determination in striking back at his mentor. To tell the truth, I wouldn’t be surprised if being aware of that is what leads Tom to end up saving him from certain “death” when he is already the new CEO. After all, Greg is going through a transformation similar to what he himself had to go through at the time, because let’s not forget that at first he was nothing more than Shiv’s power-hungry couple, and the latter little less than he did what he wanted.
Of course, Matsson may be the one who ends up controlling Waystar, but the absence of Alexander Skarsgard during the final minutes is yet another reminder that ‘Succession’ is the story of the Roy family, of everything that unites them but, above all, of everything that separates them. And it is that even the great winner that is Tom is still a mere intermediary, someone who is still subject to the designs of another person. It cannot be said that it is a defeat, especially due to the delicate position in which he found himself, but it is still curious that what surely convinced Matsson to bet on him was Shiv’s comment making it clear that he would submit without problem to the person with more power.
Thanks for everything, ‘Succession’
And it is that the empire of the Roys has fallen, Waystar is no longer more than a piece -although a very important one- in the empire of another and here the really important thing was to see in what position their characters remained after everything seen so far. There it is not only that it is impossible to put any fault, it is that all the pieces have ended up fitting perfectly. And it is that I already pointed out before that to see where this episode fits among the best in the history of television, a little more rest is needed, but that ‘Succession’ is one of the best series of the 21st century is beyond any doubt.
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