Victory and defeat often emerge from the same struggle. This truth has become abundantly clear in the world of Succession.
The series culminates after four gripping seasons. And, the flurry of conjectures and anticipations has been intense, but never clearly leaning toward a particular outcome. The multitude of potential developments in the Roys' universe – defined by cunning, deception, and ambition – was simply overwhelming. The shadows lurking in the depths of the siblings' minds, a product of their affluent but emotionally void childhood, are perhaps Logan's most lasting influence. The quality of a series finale can perhaps be gauged by how inevitable the ending feels. By this measure, Jesse Armstrong's 90-minute finale of his masterful saga stands tall among the best.
The final episode was a boiling cauldron of events. It began with the Roys in their usual state of affairs, firmly rooted on different sides of a transaction. He is trying to consolidate their respective board supporters. Shiv is supporting Matsson. She assures him that his acquisition of Waystar would happen while putting down her husband Tom in the process. Matsson responded with dry humor: "Love is in the air."
Simultaneously, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) struggled with his own calculations, appearing more uncertain than ever. Roman (Kieran Culkin) was noticeably absent. This is following his entanglement in the uproar caused by Waystar's apparent election of a fascist president. Shiv and Kendall's worry intensified upon learning that Roman was with their harsh mother (Harriet Walter). She is a woman who perceives eyes not as windows to the soul, but as "face eggs."
Eventually, they all converge on the intimidating maternal figure. What starts as a dreadful gathering transitions into a near familial reunion. It is done by Matsson's epic act of treachery and some assistance from Greg (Nicholas Braun). Following heated negotiations over Logan's throne, the siblings decide to vote against the deal together. Crucially, they agree to let Kendall take charge, provided the murder plan devised by the younger siblings doesn't go awry. They ceremoniously induct Kendall as their leader, even making him consume and wear a symbolic "meal fit for a king" in a fleeting moment of merriment. However, their collective jubilation can't possibly endure, reminding us of their history of prioritizing wealth and business over family and nation. Yet, there's a tiny glimmer of hope for a surprise redemption and a happy conclusion.
Matsson invites Tom to dinner and, after confirming Shiv's claims in the most embarrassingly imaginable way, he makes Tom an offer that disrupts everything. The tension mounts. In one final tranquil scene, the family congregates in Logan's old apartment to select, via Connor's (Alan Ruck) rigid system, the belongings they wish to keep. As they watch a video featuring their father in his prime, the audience is permitted to harbor hope one more time.
Subsequently, Shiv, Roman, and Roy proceed to Daddy's office to await the decisive boardroom vote. The sight of Gerri (J Smith-Cameron) triggers in Roman a profound despair deeper than the funeral grief, a self-realization too painful to bear. Kendall embraces him so tightly that Roman's head wound reopens.
The climax intensifies as the narrative evolves from a King Lear-esque plot into a Macbeth-like denouement. Each episode, each betrayal, vulnerability, and cover-up from the past 40 hours of this captivating, comes to fruition in this final installment. It's a fitting end to a groundbreaking dark comedy series.
