The Munsters

What an extremely BORING episode! I couldn't wait for Succession to finally come back and they just want me to go to sleep while watching this episode to start THE LAST SEASON?!,!?!!,?? So boring I felt like it went o for 5 hours with nothing I couldn't guess. Dear God I hope they step it up to end this. If you want a snooze fest for a great show this icon the episode to watch. Nothing happens that you couldn't ever guess from season one episode one.come to me y'all had over a full year break for the next season and this is what you give us? I do very very hope that y'all do better for the rest of the season or I want my hbo max money back!

All actors and the writing team are firing on all cylinders here. This is what succession does best: nerve-wracking, rapid-fire conflict>negotiation>partial resolution. As always, Logan is evil but we see a more personal side to him here. To me, the most interesting part of the episode was when he described how he felt about other people. Painting with a broad stroke, you really get an inside view into his psyche, and it's a soliloquy performed to a captive audience. "You're my Pal." I get chills just thinking about that scene. The real scene stealers this episode were Shiv and Tom (honorable mention to Karl. Love whenever that guy pops up). Also wanted to give a shout out to the directing/editing team. So much happens in this episode but it is not exhausting visually, in fact it is quite the opposite. This show is truly a technical masterclass and I am excited to see what happens in this final season.

I have a very interesting history with this show. At first, I wasn't a big fan of it and it really took me time to get into it and the concept of the show. It took me time to realize that these are not likable characters and that they're not supposed to be. Since that realization, I've absolutely been in love with this show and I have been looking so much forward to the fourth (and final) season, and now it has finally premiered. And the premiere was everything I could have asked for, with the classic tension and great character work right off the bat.

The relationship between the siblings has always been the highlight of the show, and seeing them all working together for once is very satisfying. The fallout of the last season finale is taking shape wonderfully, and it's clear that there are things waiting for the siblings as they try to set up something for themselves and prepare to take on Logan. There's certainly a toxicity in the relationship, but seeing them get along is something that'll hopefully carry the season into a beautiful trajectory. There's a beautiful contrast in the storyline here, as it's clear that Logan still has a lot of regrets; regrets that he'll never publicly disclose. His storyline this episode (which beautifully mirrors the beginning of the series with his birthday) really goes to show the loneliness inside Logan, something that has definitely been hinted at earlier, but is coming very wonderfully to the surface after his fallout with the children. It all leads into a very intense deal that they're both involved in and which sets up the real fight between the two parties very well. Jesse Armstrong's writing is as crisp and gorgeous as it has always been, and it gives the actors a lot of great stuff to work with. Especially Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook who totally stand out throughout the entire episode, but especially in a very moving finale that asks a lot of questions about where their relationship is going. It promises a lot of exciting weeks ahead and one heck of an intense finale.

"The Munsters" capture the best elements of this show in a great hour of television that promises some great weeks to come in the future. The writing is great and the character work is off to a thrilling start with a lot of interesting questions about each character's future being put on the table quickly.

The fourth season of Succession kicks off with "The Munsters," which sets the tone for another round of high-stakes power games and family dysfunction. The episode opens with the Roy siblings - Kendall, Shiv, and Roman - on the offensive, having joined forces to create a new media venture in direct competition with their father's empire. Logan Roy, however, remains as formidable as ever, working behind the scenes to close the sale of Waystar Royco to Lukas Matsson's GoJo. The juxtaposition between the siblings' ambitious but uncertain endeavor and Logan's ruthless consolidation of power forms the core tension of the episode.

Logan's cold detachment from his children continues to be a central theme. Brian Cox's performance emphasizes Logan's dominance and his growing impatience with those around him. His 80th birthday party serves as a backdrop for much of the episode, but it's a joyless affair, highlighting his growing isolation. The Roy siblings, notably absent from the party, are plotting their next move, cementing their rivalry with their father. The tension between the siblings and Logan is palpable, with the family's fractured relationships foregrounded in nearly every scene.

From a technical perspective, the episode excels in maintaining Succession's visual and tonal consistency. The sleek cinematography captures both the luxurious settings of the Roy world and the emotional emptiness that pervades their lives. One of the most striking sequences occurs during the birthday party itself, where Logan, surveying the room, seems almost disgusted by the sycophantic behavior of his guests. The episode uses lighting and camera angles to emphasize his isolation, contrasting his towering presence with the smaller, scheming figures around him. The rhythm of the episode is deliberately slow, allowing tension to simmer beneath the surface, building anticipation for the inevitable confrontations to come.

The performances in "The Munsters" are uniformly excellent. Kieran Culkin shines as Roman, torn between loyalty to his father and his desire to assert himself independently. Jeremy Strong continues to portray Kendall with a mix of bravado and vulnerability, while Sarah Snook's Shiv is more calculating than ever, determined to make her own mark. The chemistry between the three siblings is electric, with their banter and shared scheming providing both levity and drama. The episode's script is sharp, filled with the biting humor and cutting dialogue that has come to define Succession.

In conclusion, "The Munsters" sets the stage for another season of familial power struggles, corporate machinations, and emotional manipulation. The episode effectively reintroduces the major players, reestablishes the stakes, and hints at the explosive confrontations to come. While it lacks the explosive drama of some previous episodes, its careful pacing and attention to character dynamics lay a strong foundation for the season ahead.

Succession season four premieres with a demonstration of power. This show has not lost anything of its glory, it is even getting better. The fact, that the showrunner decided to end his show on its own, not forced by superiors, says everything. This show serves as proof, that there are still great shows without stupid political messages, woke ideologies and poor writing. This show's writing is the best I have seen for a long time. The conversations are long and detailed, compare that to Disney Star Wars/Marvel and you eill see what I mean.

This episode was great, because it got me right back into the action and put the hype even higher for the finale! This is how television should be!