HBO’s Succession is a story about siblings forever locked in a conflict over who will prove themselves worthy of inheriting their father’s vast media empire. For more than three seasons, we’ve watched as Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and their elder half-brother Connor (Alan Ruck) jockeyed for their father’s praise, trust, and attention. Now, in Succession Season 4 Episode 2 “Rehearsal,” Logan Roy (Brian Cox) offers his children the two things they’ve longed for the most: an apology and his love. The question is whether or not the Roy children can accept this offering after all they’ve been through. And if this key moment in a karaoke (of all places!) is enough to make Roman switch sides this early on in the season…
Succession Season 4 Episode 2 “Rehearsal” catches up with the Roys in the immediate aftermath of last week’s episode, where Kendall, Roman, and Shiv managed to outbid their father for Pierce. Logan licks his wounds by diverting his attention to the favorite part of his soon-to-be-sold empire: ATN, the one asset he’s holding onto until the end. After giving a barnburner speech on the newsroom floor and forcing Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) to deal with his mistress’s terrible anchor audition tape, Logan pays his children a visit…at a karaoke.
Yeah, so the reason why all four Roy kids wound up in a karaoke establishment is because the main three arrived late to Connor’s rehearsal dinner. They missed a dramatic moment where it seemed Connor’s bride-to-be Willa (Justine Lupe) broke things off, but arrived just in time to survey the emotional debris. When a despondent Connor says he wants to sing karaoke, his siblings reluctantly comply…putting in motion one of the most unusual scenes in all of Succession. It’s Logan Roy telling his kids he loves them in a karaoke room.
So what does this mean for Succession‘s final season? Will everyone suddenly get along? Is Connor and Willa’s wedding off? And does that final scene mean that Roman has switched sides? Let’s break it down…
Does Logan Roy Really Love His Children on Succession?
The central drama of Succession has been so wrapped up in how badly the Roy children want their father’s approval that comic Demi Adejuyigbe’s satire of the theme song — aptly titled, “Who Will Get The Kiss From Daddy?” — has gone viral many times over. The real twist in this week’s Succession is that Logan wanted to give all his kids his love. It just seems like his apology was too little, too late, and too foreign a concept for his children to understand.
After he tracks down his kids in the karaoke, Logan admits that he wanted them there at his birthday party. “Holy shit,” Kendall says, “Did Dad just say a feeling?” Logan seems to want to both make amends with his children and warn them off potentially ruining the GoJo sale by pushing Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard) for more money. When his children scoff at his vulnerability, he brings up that he was going to offer an apology. This is huge, as even Logan says, “I don’t do apologies, but if it means so much to you, then sorry.”
The Roy kids, still grappling with a lifetime of emotional abuse, don’t respond well (though Connor tries to stick up for Logan). All of their grievances, from the backstabbing in Italy to the abuse of Connor’s mother, comes up. Logan returns to trying to warn them about pushing Matsson too far and the kids don’t budge. They want more money.
“Jesus, you’re such fucking dopes,” Logan says. “You are not serious figures. I love you, but you are not serious people.”
So there you have it. Logan Roy does love his children. The issue still gnawing at the heart of Succession, though, is he does not respect them. Except…does he respect one?
Succession Season 4 Episode 2 Ending Explained: Is Roman on Logan’s Side Now?
As soon as Logan leaves, Roman is uncomfortable about how giddy Shiv and Kendall are about “fucking dad.” At the end of the episode, he goes to Logan to clear the air. Logan tells Roman that he wants him to skip Connor’s wedding the next day to fly to Europe and woo Matsson. He then outlines his vision for ATN. Cyd (Jeannie Berlin) will be fired and replaced with a “firebreather.” Logan says he not only wants Roman to run the new ATN, he needs him.
So will Roman jump ship from Kendall and Shiv and the liberal-leaning Pierce to take over an even more right-wing ATN? Did Logan’s vulnerability get to the middle Roy child? It certainly seems like a fascinating development…
Will Connor and Willa Actually Get Married in Succession Season 4?
What precipitates the whole karaoke kumbaya scene is Connor’s disastrous wedding rehearsal. It seems that Willa ran away from the party and Connor doesn’t expect her to go through with the marriage. However, when Connor arrives home, Willa is there and lets him lay in bed with her.
So will Connor and Willa make it to the altar?
Well, next week’s episode is titled “Connor’s Wedding,” but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen. You’ll just have to tune into Succession Season 4 Episode 3 “Connor’s Wedding” to find out…
By: Ny Post
