What I’m Watching: Succession (Season Premiere)

Succession: Season 4, Episode 1 “The Munsters” (B+)

This is my second time watching this show along with the general public, which I think will make it more satisfying since it seems to be one the last remaining “watercooler” or appointment television series out there, something HBO continues to dominate in delivering. It’s also bittersweet to know that this is the show’s final season, but that’s also a sign that it wants to go out on top while there’s still great storytelling left to feature. It’s very entertaining to see the newly unified trio of Shiv, Roman, and Kendall, and to note how often Shiv and Kendall stand in opposition to Roman, speaking in a much friendlier manner to each other than is typical for their family. They didn’t reserve such kindness for Kerry, who just had to take Roman’s demeaning taunts as she essentially begged them to wish Logan a happy birthday. Making a bold play for Nan Pierce knowing how much she hated longer was a trepidatious but ultimately successful venture, one that made Logan very angry and is going to send him on more of a warpath than he’s already been on since this show started. Greg’s apparently recorded sex was a humorous and cringe-worthy subplot, and I enjoyed how Frank, Gerri, and Karl all tried to defer having to break the news about who the other bidder was to Logan. Connor lamenting the possibility of dropping below one percent and having to spend an additional $100 million dollars to keep himself there was also hilarious and painful to watch. The most poignant part of the episode was its final scene with Shiv and Tom, showing just how far apart they’ve always been and how this really is the end of them as a couple.