Sh*t Show at the F**k Factory

This shows 2nd and 3rd seasons were so excellent, it's interesting to see when it was just merely very good. The production has always been top-notch, every facet, but early on the writing and dialog wasn't quite razor sharp yet. Some of the acting was a bit timid as well, because, I think, of the not quite perfect writing.

All those knocks aside, the bare-bones are there, what the show becomes later is in this episode, it's just not all polished yet.

Greetings from Lithuania.

First two episodes of "Succession" were strong in terms of setting up characters, place, location and situation. I enjoyed the setting but of course characters will have to be fleshed out more. What i enjoyed the most is it setting - this is a world that is very far from my in every way. The lifestyle these people are having is a luxurious one, and i'm not in it, but i will definitely going to continue watching it. I liked witting and acting the most in these few episodes.

Overall, so far so good - nothing that impresed me very much but i bet its going to get more involving.

In this epiode the tension from the previous episode escalates as Logan suffers a stroke, throwing the family and the company into chaos. Kendall, who had been poised to take over, is suddenly thrust into a leadership role he is not fully prepared for. The episode masterfully portrays the fragility of both family and corporate structures, as Kendall struggles to maintain control of Waystar Royco while dealing with his own emotional turmoil. Jeremy Strong's performance as Kendall continues to impress, as he conveys the character's growing sense of desperation and inadequacy.

The episode's title is fitting, as the Roy family's dysfunction is on full display. Logan's incapacitation creates a power vacuum, and each of his children reacts differently. Roman, ever the cynic, seems more interested in mocking the situation than in helping resolve it, while Shiv, who has distanced herself from the company, is drawn back into the fray. Meanwhile, Kendall's attempts to assert control are undermined by his own insecurities and the cutthroat nature of the business world. One of the episode's most powerful scenes is Kendall's breakdown in the bathroom, where he is forced to confront the fact that he is not as capable as he thought. This moment of vulnerability is a stark contrast to the bravado he tries to project in front of the board and investors.

The direction of the episode is tight, with scenes that balance corporate intrigue with personal drama. The cinematography continues to emphasize the sterile, isolated world of the Roys, while the editing enhances the sense of chaos as Kendall scrambles to keep the company afloat. The pacing is slightly uneven, with moments of high tension interspersed with slower, more introspective scenes. However, this works to the episode's advantage, as it allows for deeper character exploration. The script is sharp, with biting dialogue that highlights the Roy family's inability to communicate effectively with one another. As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Kendall is out of his depth, and the episode ends on a cliffhanger as Logan regains consciousness, setting the stage for further conflict.

I'm reading that this show gets better in subsequent seasons but this episode has it all/ it's VERY funny, the drama is well played, the arrogance and narcissism of the presumptuous characters are palpable. I usually dislike 1-hour episodes but you won't feel the time passing. Good work.

Ep 2 is a solid, albeit slightly less electric, follow-up to the explosive pilot. Where Ep 1 was a grand introduction, this episode settles in for the grind, confined largely to the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of a hospital.

The central plot of the children jockeying for power is compelling, but it feels more like a direct, albeit brilliant, execution of a predictable premise rather than the shocking novelty of the first episode. The writing remains a highlight, with every line of dialogue a verbal dagger, but the episode's slower, more contained pace makes it feel less innovative.

Still, the performances are top-notch, with Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin expertly embodying the volatile sibling rivalry. It's a testament to the show's strength that a "slower" episode is still packed with enough venomous humor and character insight to keep you hooked.

7.5/10 - It's an excellent episode, even if it feels like a necessary, rather than groundbreaking, step in the series' journey.