Lifeboats

Episode 3, "Lifeboats," shifts focus to the corporate fallout from Logan's health crisis, as Kendall tries to stabilize the company's stock price and maintain investor confidence. The episode delves deeper into the cutthroat world of corporate finance, with Kendall at the center of increasingly tense negotiations. His desperation is palpable as he tries to project confidence to the board and the media, while behind the scenes, he is barely holding it together. Jeremy Strong's portrayal of Kendall's growing anxiety is one of the episode's highlights, as he navigates a series of increasingly precarious situations.

The corporate intrigue in this episode is well-crafted, with scenes that emphasize the high stakes of the business world. Kendall's meetings with financiers, including his old friend Stewy, reveal the complexity of his character - torn between his loyalty to the company and his personal ambition. The episode also introduces more tension between Kendall and his siblings, particularly Roman, who continues to undermine his brother at every turn. Kieran Culkin's performance as Roman adds a layer of dark humor to the episode, as his character's cynicism contrasts sharply with Kendall's earnestness. The interplay between the two brothers is one of the episode's strengths, as it highlights the deep-seated rivalry that will continue to play out over the course of the series.

Visually, the episode maintains the sleek, polished aesthetic of the previous installments, with sharp cinematography that reflects the cold, calculated nature of the corporate world. The direction is strong, with scenes that build tension through tight close-ups and rapid-fire dialogue. The pacing is steady, with a focus on the mounting pressure Kendall faces as he tries to juggle multiple crises. The editing is seamless, cutting between Kendall's increasingly frantic attempts to keep the company afloat and the more personal drama unfolding within the family. While the episode occasionally slows down during the business meetings, it never loses its sense of urgency, and the final scene-where Kendall learns that his father is regaining control-leaves the audience on edge.

Succession Season 1, Episode 3 "Lifeboats" is a strong entry in the series that focuses on the family dynamics and power struggles that define the Roy family. The episode starts with a crisis at the company, forcing Kendall (Jeremy Strong) to take charge and make tough decisions that put him at odds with his father Logan (Brian Cox). Meanwhile, Roman (Kieran Culkin) tries to make a deal with Lawrence Yee (Rob Yang), and Shiv (Sarah Snook) wrestles with her loyalty to the family.

The writing and acting continue to be the show's strengths. The dialogue is sharp and biting, with each character delivering their lines with precision and nuance. The performances are top-notch, particularly Jeremy Strong as Kendall, who showcases his range as an actor in this episode.

However, the episode suffers from some pacing issues. Some scenes feel slow and drawn out, particularly those involving Roman's negotiations with Lawrence Yee. While the tension is palpable, it takes too long for the scene to reach its conclusion.

Overall, Succession Season 1, Episode 3 "Lifeboats" is a strong addition to the series that further delves into the family dynamics and power struggles that make the show so compelling. Despite some pacing issues, the writing and acting continue to shine, and the episode sets up some intriguing plotlines for the rest of the season.

I like the way this is going. I know I should really hate them but I do feel drawn to several of the characters here. I like the cinematography and the score as well. Only slight worry is the Craig/Greg story arc. They need to pull something extraordinary out of the hat with that one. 8/10.