Austerlitz

Succession is definitely taking a turn in the right direction.

It's funny, because everything that made this episode so great is the polar opposite of what made the last one equally as brilliant.

Here we take a complete backseat from tension or the high stakes that were so key to producing the episode prior. This is a family drama, at its core, and this episode reminds the viewer of that. What it lacks in action or intensity is replaced with a brutal insight into the lives of each family member.

Kendall is shaping up to be the hero of this season, amongst a litter of horribly unlikeable individuals. Is he flawless? No. But this episode certainly propels him further into the hero/protagonist role and, honestly, I rarely want someone to succeed as much as I do him. If not solely for the sake of seeing his father suffer.

I said in the last review - "I hate Logan Roy more with each and every episode" and this episode proves no different. There is a lot to digest in terms of the characters within this universe. There are things I'm certain I'm not privy to yet, but each character seems to be deeply troubled by the actions and behaviour of their father. Even the supporting characters are constantly berated or put down by Logan; he is undoubtedly one of the most unbearable, unlikeable individuals in the history of TV.

I have been waiting for Kendall to have an outburst, to truly tell his father how he feels and this episode came the closest. The intricacies of their relationship are largely unspoken, and come in the form of their body language towards the other (bar for a few abusive Logan outbursts) - and I'm sure that this will soon come to a head.

I can't help but ask the question, if Kendall succeeds - will inheriting Logan's empire destroy him as it did his father? Another fine episode that kept me thoroughly engaged, littered with interesting insights into each of the characters.

Its a game and when you play you take risks! Risks that either pan out in your favor.. or not!

This episode was a nice way to continue off from the previous episode! This was character centered and explored the relationship between the characters! Like the previous episodes we see the more psychotic traits and what It means to be born in a wealthy powerfull family and what It means to have Logan as your father! Especially liked Kendall in this episode! Excited too see where he goes from here!

In the beginning of the show i was not fond of the characters and It was hard to connect and relate, except for Greg! Still i find it intrigueging to follow the journey of the characters and they have grown on me despite their behavior sometimes!

Once again great acting and i strangely enjoyed the setting! It all feels trustworthy!. Highly recommend to watch it.

Ignore me ; you find nothing special

Dont know what to write , just typing what my thoughts are on this episode.

With all the episodes the episodes from beginning its just a drama and i actually like sitcoms with dark comedy in this episode i laughed so hard . Kendal ,willa ,shiv ,roman ,logan ,connor marcia everyone got their own chance at doing funny things.

So nice to see Griffin Dunne participation as the therapist in the same episode that we are introduced to the wolves in the junkies's house. Griffin starred in one of the movies that marked my younger years the most: An American Werewolf in London. Was intentional or coincidence? :) Apart from that, a typical Succession episode with quality lines, great acting and amazing location. Also nice to give the chance for Connor to be the host this time for his family as he seems to be always the less relevant of the sons. I was laughing a lot when Wylla is urging for a Starbucks in the middle of nowhere and he offers her coffee pods!

"Austerlitz" takes the Roy family out of their corporate battlefield and into a more personal, emotional arena. The episode revolves around a family therapy session organized at Logan's sprawling ranch in New Mexico. This change in setting is visually striking, as the vast openness of the ranch contrasts sharply with the confined, tension-filled boardrooms of the previous episodes. However, the emotional stakes are just as high, if not higher. The episode explores the deep-seated psychological scars that have been inflicted on each member of the Roy family over the years, with the therapy sessions serving as a vehicle for long-repressed grievances to come to the surface.

The therapy sessions are fraught with tension from the start, as it becomes clear that none of the Roys are interested in genuine healing. Logan's presence looms large, and his manipulative tactics come to the forefront once again as he uses the therapy sessions to further undermine his children. Brian Cox delivers a powerhouse performance in this episode, portraying Logan as a man who is both vulnerable and terrifying. The scenes between Logan and Kendall are particularly charged, as Kendall continues to grapple with his father's overwhelming control over his life. The episode also delves into Shiv's complicated relationship with Logan, highlighting her desire to break free from the family's toxic influence while also being drawn back into its orbit.

The direction in "Austerlitz" is impeccable, with wide shots of the ranch juxtaposed against the close, intimate shots of the therapy sessions, creating a sense of emotional claustrophobia amidst the vast landscape. The editing is tight, with scenes that slowly build tension as old wounds are reopened and new conflicts emerge. The pacing of the episode is slower compared to the previous one, but this allows for more in-depth character development. One of the most powerful moments in the episode is the confrontation between Kendall and Logan, where Kendall finally confronts his father about his destructive influence. The episode ends on a somber note, with the family no closer to reconciliation than they were at the beginning, further deepening the emotional stakes for the rest of the season.