'Succession' Delivers Dark Comedy in the Wake of Chaos
The fourth episode of "Succession's" fourth season, titled "Honeymoon States," dives into the chaos following Logan Roy's sudden death. The show finds humor amidst the power struggle and uncertainty that ensues, as the characters grapple with the aftermath and the void left by Logan.
Logan's unexpected passing leaves his children and colleagues in a frenzy, each subtly vying to take his place while worrying about how their candidacies will be perceived by the company's board. As they mourn the loss of the formidable figure, they also reflect on his often harsh treatment of them. This episode also sees the return of Logan's wife, Marcia, in a dramatic fashion, while his younger girlfriend, Kerri, is unceremoniously dismissed, reminiscent of a scene from "Evita."
The episode highlights "Succession's" knack for dark humor, with Shiv reading her father's obituary and quipping about how great he sounds, wishing she had met him. Meanwhile, Kendall and Roman humorously decode euphemisms in the obituary, equating "a man of his time" with being "racist."
The executives at Waystar Royco face the awkward task of dealing with a document containing Logan's posthumous wishes and handwritten notes about his successor. They joke about destroying it, barely concealing their desire to actually do so.
Tensions rise as Carl harshly critiques Tom, barely disguising his doubts about Tom's future as hypothetical. Yet, amidst the corporate maneuvering, there are genuine moments of vulnerability, such as Kendall expressing his conflicted emotions to Frank, admitting he felt unloved and a disappointment to his father.
The episode also explores the fragility of both life and corporate legacy. The PR team discusses strategies to downplay Logan's recent involvement to boost the company's image and stock value—a move Kendall discreetly endorses, recognizing it as something his father would have done.
The question of succession threatens the unity between Kendall, Shiv, and Roman, with Shiv feeling sidelined in the plan to temporarily fill the CEO role until the GoJo sale is finalized. Trust is scarce in Jesse Armstrong's world, and Shiv's comment about needing her share of the deal underscores the fragile alliances.
After the emotional intensity of the previous episode, the series shifts focus to the next steps in the business, capturing the essence of what Logan would have done in similar circumstances.