HBO’s ‘Succession’ Season 4 Episode 6 Review - New Killer

Season 4 of Succession has provided hit after hit, never missing a beat, and is not afraid to kill off characters, allow slow build-up, and explore deep human feeling while showcasing how lavish the rich life is – and how awful they are.

Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) takes center stage in this week’s episode as Waystar reveal their plan to launch a new lifestyle that promises an improved and longer life for a premium in a Waystar community. It is investor day, and everyone is watching. Lukas (Alexander Skarsgård) tries to entice Shiv (Sarah Snook) to be his insider while Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Kendall (Jeremy Strong) try to take charge. Kendall takes the lead on the new product while Roman does his best to emulate his late father, firing people in positions of power and making sure he and Kendall are in charge. In a shock, Kendall pulls off the ludicrous idea and Roman seems increasingly lost than ever, snapping and firing Gerri and other executives at Waystar. Shiv is the only sibling to keep it together and manages to hold influence from the sidelines and uses her influence over Lukas to help her brothers regain some control or the appearance of it.

While the episode is good, nothing much happens to the plot. A good build-up is appreciated and although this episode offers more insight into the characters psyche, it seems unnecessary. There are only four episodes left and a lot to cover going by trailers and set photos. Plus, there is the build-up of how Succession will handle the election mirroring the 2020 US Presidential run. We have heard things about Mencken and Waystar/ATNs' influence over the public, but we have yet to see anything from their presidential pick. Pacing for the season has gone well so far and it is fair to give way to some momentum after Logan’s demise but there is a lot of room for the final four episodes to see the impact of this episode. It is still a stellar episode but what pushes it above a low score is the performances.

As Kendall, Strong gives an unleashed look at Kendall. His ideas are outlandish and often border erratic of how ludicrous they are and the time he expects them to be done. Building a house in a day with clouds? Kendall demands it and it is done. The meatier scenes for him come when squaring up to the Old Guard, asserting his dominance as a leader and unafraid of looking like a fool to the investors. His confidence and ideas somehow manage to pull it off and we see Ken accept that he is number one. Then, there is Roman. He tries to emulate the harsh nature of his father and stands up to Gerri, making it clear that he is in charge. Shiv and Tom continue their complicated relationship but with an openness that creates a refreshing honesty between them with a grounded mix of subtle sniping between the two. After last week’s earlobe instant, somehow these two look a little more united than before.

Living+ supplies moments for the characters where we can see ideas and some aims become known but a new side of each of them. Kendall is number one and embraces all of himself and his erratic gleam now works in his favor, concern for Roman this season grows as he tries to become his father and Shiv is showing she may not have the experience of running a business but her political prowess plays a hand in navigating Lukas.  The only worry is how this stands when the season completes, if something more could have been done, or if Living+ is worth it, as Lukas questions. If anything, the episode showcases the attempt at Logan’s killer attitude but the only one able to pull it off is Shiv.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Leigh Doyle
Publisher at Midgard Times
Premiere Date: April 30, 2023, on HBO