Return

IMO this episode above all others demonstrates the depths of evil that Logan's capable of and pushes his character yet further into "irredeemable monster" territory albeit in more subtle ways than usual. The Roy children have their trauma weaponized against them and oh my god how is Kendall not in a psych ward after this.

Episode seven, "Return," is a deeply personal installment for Kendall, as the Roy family returns to England to visit Logan's estranged brother, Ewan. This episode shifts the focus away from corporate warfare and toward the intimate, strained relationships within the Roy family. Kendall, still grappling with the emotional toll of his father's manipulation, finds himself torn between his desire for redemption and his loyalty to Logan. The family's visit to Ewan's sprawling estate in the English countryside is filled with tension, as Ewan, played brilliantly by James Cromwell, represents a moral counterpoint to Logan's ruthlessness.

The dynamic between Logan and Ewan is one of the highlights of the episode. Their conversations are laced with decades of unresolved resentment and philosophical differences about wealth and power. Ewan's disdain for Logan's empire is palpable, and the scenes between the two brothers are filled with biting dialogue and unspoken bitterness. Brian Cox delivers one of his best performances of the season, as Logan's icy exterior cracks ever so slightly in the presence of his older brother. The episode masterfully explores themes of family loyalty, guilt, and the price of success.

Kendall's internal struggle comes to a head in this episode as he seeks comfort in his past relationships. His emotional reunion with his mother is a standout moment, as it offers a rare glimpse into the vulnerability he has worked so hard to suppress. The episode's direction captures this emotional intensity, with close-ups emphasizing the discomfort and unease of each interaction. The pacing is slower compared to previous episodes, allowing for deeper character exploration. Despite the lack of corporate scheming, "Return" is a crucial episode for understanding the psychological complexity of the Roy family, particularly Kendall's journey toward self-destruction.

This is a rather sad episode. We see that neither of Kendall's parents is worth a thing. We know what Logan is: a tyrant and a manipulator, willing to sacrifice his own children. The mother is nearly as bad. If there is anything that is the least bit uncomfortable, she turns her back. Logan takes Kendall with him when he goes to see the family of the boy who drowned. Logan had got him fired and berated him because he overfilled a glass of champagne (which wasn't even his fault). Logan tries to come clean with his mother, but she bugs out before he can tell her what happened. Meanwhile Shiv is being used and Logan is bent of bedding the woman representing the Pierces.

So much great dialogue and facial expressions that I truly crave. "Apparently we're in a Simon and Garfunkel song" - Such a great line! Continuously enjoyable show, would very much recommend.

... you get Logan Roy in this episode. His oldest son is on some decades old crunchy granola crusade and wants no part of the family business. His youngest son is a fatal screw up. But son Kendall and daughter Shiv do want in, and he has been playing them all season using their own peculiar weaknesses.

This week, the family of a waiter who worked Shiv's UK wedding last year who was killed in an accident later that night, is demanding an apology from Logan for yelling at the boy prior to the accident, as though one thing had something to do with another. All during this episode it seems Logan is trying to get Kendall to "crack" - perhaps because he has made his use of him and he just wants him to break down so he can be rid of him.

But Logan seems to not realize that exactly how and where Kendall cracks could open big liabilities for Logan himself. And so this extremely conscience stricken time bomb - Kendall - is being constantly triggered in this episode. Also, Logan, 81 but still a man, is letting the devil (Rhea) whisper in his ear yet suspects nothing.

Acting kudos this week especially to Jeremy Strong as Kendall, and to Nicholas Braun as Greg, the outsider cousin, who definitely wants the respect and moola from inside the Roy empire, but sure has some strange ways of going about it.