Chris Connor reviews the sixth episode of the fourth and final season of Succession…
After the acting masterclass from Kieran Culkin in the previous episode and an episode that once again shifted the trajectory of the final season, the ‘Living+’ is once again full of memorable moments giving some of the other players a chance to shine, namely Sarah Snook’s Shiv. The episode is built around the launch of Waystar Royco’s Living + initiative which ruffles the feathers of Lukas Matsson. We also see the ramifications of the agreement reached last week with all sides considering if the deal is really in everyone’s best interests and if there is a way out.
It’s another clever upending of expectations and giving Shiv more of the limelight is welcome, and Sarah Snook is more than up to the task, sharing her most meaningful scenes with Matthew MacFadyen in this season and the two once again bouncing off each other and showing exceptional chemistry. We get the sense Shiv’s loyalties are torn as she has several private conversations with Lukas, but much as Roman’s split loyalties earlier in this season, on what side will she ultimately land? Especially if the deal begins to crumble later.
Kendall takes it upon himself to go off script while launching Living + and given how much of a loose canon Kendall can be while going solo this is a dangerous ploy. Jeremy Strong once again excels with Kendall’s presentation a clear highlight, both excruciating and must-watch in equal measure, something the show has always managed to balance to perfection.
The ghost of Logan Roy hangs heavily over this episode and Brian Cox makes several short appearances, underlining that his children are still coming to terms with his death and finding their feet running the company in his absence.
It’s clear they bear the weight of being his children and trying to prove a match and rightful heir to their father, with comparisons being drawn throughout to how they line-up next to Logan, we really feel how much this affects Roman and Kendall especially, through a minimal amount of dialogue.
Alexander Skarsgård continues to make the most of brief amounts of screentime as Matsson, acting as an antagonist for this season, causing loyalties within the Roy camp to split and carrying an aura about him.
While lacking a moment as season-defining as Roman’s outburst last week, Living + continues the show’s incredibly strong final season with more memorable moments as alliances are forged and broken as the Roys continue to cling onto what is left of Waystar Royco for now. There are a number of questions left to answer as we move into the show’s final stretch, will this deal now go through? Will Shiv side with Lukas or her brothers and what future is there for her and Tom? Jesse Armstrong and co continue to shift the goalposts and shatter expectations.
Chris Connor
