01x08 - The Key: 8/10 (Great)
“What we know is a drop. What we don’t know is an ocean”
Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese have created another excellent science fiction show, although “1899” differs greatly from their past efforts. The big reveal at the end was precisely what I suspected and the most logical explanation. Although the mystery has been revealed to some extent, I have no doubt that Season 2 will also surprise us in many more ways. Akin to Inception's dream within a dream, I suspect the spaceship is only another simulation. While I can understand why some people may be disappointed by the finale, anybody familiar with this duo would know that they are saving their biggest reveal for later. All the pieces are in place for an epic season two, so a round of applause to everyone involved in developing this show; I, for one, cannot wait for what is next.
Everyone out here complaining about the ending. I’m just really upset my dude died his hair that hideous red color
That was such an incredibly sad but perfect and correct ending.
I don't understand people who didn't like the ending because their favorite character didn't win. After 4 seasons with these despicable characters did anyone expect the Roy kids to unite and defeat the bad guy with the power of love and friendship? It was never going to end that way.
The three siblings just could never get over their egos. They all proved, through the 4 seasons, that they’re basically useless and the only reason they were ever in the discussion to be CEO is because Logan was their father. They'd rather destroy everything than have only one of the trio take the upper hand. Shiv just could not let her brother have a win, even if it meant her losing as well. Perfectly summed up their whole family dynamic and the show as a whole.
The siblings are so entitled and self-absorbed they never saw Tom coming. They’ve never had to work for a damn thing. I don't like Tom, but it makes sense for someone like Tom, who worked his way from the ground up and earned himself the position he was in.
The scene with the siblings making that awful smoothie and them watching their dad reveal yet another side of himself was so nice among the insanity that came in between.
That penultimate shot with Shiv and Tom in the car was phenomenal. Complete shift in the power dynamic. After marrying him specifically because she thought he was weak enough to keep holding power over.
Kendall not winning every season. That’s rough.
Willa revamping Logan's apartment with a cow print couch.
In the end Conor was the only one to have any kind of a relationship with Logan, the other kids are never shown having moments with him like he did at the recorded dinner.
Greg translating the Swedish in real time is the smartest thing he’s ever done. Four seasons and I cannot for the life of me understand why he would put up with that. His uncle offered him $250mil to get away from the firm.
But the biggest thing for me coming out of this episode is Kendall’s son isn’t really his. It really came out of nowhere and seemed more like a fact than a rumor the way everyone reacted to it.
All in all, Succession stuck to the show’s core till the end. In a way it’s a predictable ending but because it’s television and we expect some twist where a cool character comes out on top we don’t expect the expected. The outcome is pretty much what you’d expect from all the characters knowing their faults
It was clear from the beginning of the show that Shiv felt that being a woman regardless of how capable she was meant that she would never be taken seriously as the successor both with her father and her brothers.
You see her mentions this in passing plenty of times including her fathers funeral when she spoke, I believe this caused great resentment from her towards her brothers and in particular Kendall.
This was likely the reason she decided to screw them over and team with Mattson as she saw this as the only way to get what she believed was deservedly hers.
A few episodes back when the siblings were planning to go into business themselves and all 3 would be equals appeared to the be a turning point for Shiv where she finally felt she was no longer being taken for granted and would be treated fairly based on merit however this didn't last long, when Ken and Roman decided to become Co-CEO's while they tried to land the Mattson deal, this likely was the final nail in the coffin as she then knew she would never be seen as an equal.
As mentioned she teamed with Mattson and as we saw then got screwed over, her decision at this point to side with her brothers despite knowing she would once again be taking the third seat was understandable because at this exact point Mattson's betrayal again pointed towards one of two things... he didn't want a Roy as CEO and would not be easily controlled ( most likely) or again it was another man that didn't believe a woman could do the job.. we don't get her take on it other than her acknowledging she got screwed.
I believe at this point her choice to side with her brothers and put kendall in the top spot made sense as at this point her hate for Mattsons betrayal was greater than her hate of the idea of one of her brothers succeeding.... only just.
Roll forward to the next day, her hate for Mattson has began to cool down... and just like a see-saw her hate for the idea of one of her brothers undeservedly getting the top spot began to rise back up but wasn't strong enough to not go through with it at the start of the day.
But watching Kendall at her fathers desk, feet up on the table.. and a whole load of other tells brought out the contempt once again at the idea of her being passed over just for being female despite in her opinion being the better fit for the job... and she then decided she'd rather see her husband in the position.
With Tom as CEO there is a possibility for her to manipulate him and in a roundabout way be able to claim she is CEO or closer to being CEO than her 2 brothers... something I'm sure she will lord over at any opportunity... and also don't forget their child could potentially be the next successor... s
I would have liked maybe a tiny bit more of epilogue instead of just people taking their fateful places, but it was still quite fitting. From the swimming scene to the joyful but grotesque abomination of the kitchen scene to the ending.
There are two things I would like to highlight. The first one is water. There was that episode in the first season where people were joking that Logan can't swim, and at the end of that episode he did swim when only Marcia saw it, but ever since then Ken was obsessed with water and staying above water to prove that he can float and swim.Now we were literally shown that his sibling can swim as well, and it's fucking amazing he was even denied of water at the end. I don't know if him being gone and done would mean that he would kill himself after these events, but it can certainly mean he was ripped off of his natural habitat and while that does not make him repent for what he did and what he is, it is certainly the cruelest and most fitting poetic justice.
The other thing is person-on-person violence. This show has always been about verbal and emotional abuse, very carefully picking one moment every season where that emotinal abuse was not enough for someone and it manifested into physical. In season 1 Logan hit one of his grandkids, in season 2 he slapped Roman, in season 3 Roman pushed Kendall on his birthday and he fell. And while this season was pushing that limit e.g. Shiv falling and drinking while pregnant, now we got TWO of it, mainly the outburst of coincidentally Roman insulting Kendall's kids. The moments of violence are always carefully picked and always terrifying because they always made it seem like it can't get worse than emotional. But it can. Fucking amazing genius of a show.
Not much sympathy for the town of Antelope
That final scene, where an exhilarated Ted finds a crestfallen Marshall, is one of the most brilliant moments in the whole show. The contrast of triumph of tragedy, of a new relationship just beginning and an old one falling apart, as friends comfort one another in the rain is a striking juxtaposition, and "This Modern Love" in the background, while a little on-the-nose, is the perfect accompaniment.
Marshall and Lily are the backbone of this show. I have to admit, even as a fan, I get a little tired of the romantic comedy tropes that always seem in play with Ted. His scene with Robin is nice enough, if a bit overwrought. And his rain dance is a nice thematic way to show his devotion and goofiness. But his and Robin's kiss isn't nearly as affecting as Marshall and Lily's in the middle of their fight. They're such a strong couple, and having them go through real, believable problems in the midst of their palpable, obvious love for one another feels both real and heartbreaking. Contrasting that, with the more romcom-esque victory for Ted and Robin was a canny way take some of the edge off of Ted's tropery, and take away some of the sting of Marshall's despair. Superlative work.
fascinating, but leaves a lot of unanswered questions
In contrast to many comments here I really liked this episode. Especially the part with the (former) doctor. Best episode sofar.
And no I don’t need 100% Mando. I also need these sidestories otherwise it would become quite boring.
My god, the art during the end credits is so damn good.
So Geralt broke Rience's hands but then decided to walk past him and not kill him in that instant?!?! He could have just swung his sword and finish him off on his way back to the portal!
Oh shit! I'm still processing this. Jesse Armstrong made one hell of a finale that reflected Succession's core themes, one of the biggest ones being everyone's a backstabber. I'm not sure how I feel about Tom coming at the top but he was at the bottom of the totem pole and everyone in power lacked concern over his fate, so it does feel karmic but Tom's availability to serve got him to the top spot of being Mattson's Yes Man, and Greg being his bitch for life even made this funnier. The episode is tragic since we're tricked into thinking these siblings will unite to support one another, remember we're watching the spawn of a man who is responsible for a country and society's decline, they're selfish bastards. No one is a good guy! Even when you sympathize with one of them, you're already ignoring their terrible behavior. Why did Shiv say no? Because if she can't have it, no one else can? Because she couldn't stand starring in the Ken show again? I don't sympathize with her nor do I believe the decision was made morally rather due to spite and greed. She's just gonna need to kiss up to Tom from now long and be her mom. Perhaps in her mind that was better than letting Logan 2.0 chew her out and burn the company to the ground. But as Roman says, they're all bullshit and it's all bullshit. No line could demonstrate the stakes of this finale, these characters will end up with money either way. Anyways, this one will definitely be talked about for years to come. We're like Kendall sitting down and dealing with it.
If I could give this an 11/10 I would. Not the ending I personally wanted from a selfish standpoint, but the ending that it needed to be to maintain the integrity of the show. What's so special about Succession is that it somehow manages to give us a show with virtually no character growth for the main characters, at least in the way you would expect, yet is so insistent and confident in who these characters are fundamentally that it is no less compelling to watch this all play out. The three Roy siblings are the same people they were at the beginning of the show, and any hope that they would grow or achieve their goals is squashed by the harsh truth that they are who they are and no matter how much we kid ourselves or how much they kid themselves, this was their inevitable fate all along. This was perfectly devastating and one of the best finales I have ever seen.
Comedy. Absolute comedy. To know the answer and still see the loser planning out their attack, knowing it won't mean jack. In the end, Roman is free. Shiv is humbled. Ken is put in his place. Tom and Greg are the kings. I love it, even after the quad, Tom and Greg are brothers (or rather Tom needs his Greg).
Ironically this was the first episode we saw the Roys act as a family, when in Barbados - only for the vote day to go all wrong.
This show has, without a doubt, some of the best writing and character development of any show from the past decade. Truly phenomenal performances from the actors, and the perfect ending for the fans.
I should have seen that coming but I didn’t. All of the Roy’s brought it home in this, the final episode. Brilliant television.
Really the perfect ending. Thanks for a masterpiece, this will be my new favorite TV production ever.
Whoever gave this less than a 10/10 probably misclicked because they tears fogging their vision. Absolute masterpiece even if it doesn't follow the game canon!
how am i supposed to just continue living my life after watching that episode?!?!?! like i have to try to go to bed and wake up for work tomorrow?!?! just absolutely incredible and heartbreaking. will stick with me for a long time
Never commented on Trakt before, but wow what an episode! Felt compelled. One of the best bits of television I have seen in recent memory.
I had to use the speed force to fast forward through Bart's pointless and awful singing. Then I used the still force to question why I'm STILL watching this garbage.
