In the second to last episode of the season, we all gather together in England for Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Tom’s (Matthew Macfadyen) impending nuptials. Well, I suppose I shouldn’t say all since Logan (Brian Cox) and Marcia (Hiam Abbass) already peaced out on that invitation. Oh wait, since media can’t spin it where Logan doesn’t look like the world’s worst dad, he drops in. Oh, it’s on now.
Since Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv’s mother Caroline (Harriet Walter) is British, she forced Shiv into having it abroad and the whole drama feeding family crosses the pond. Roman shows up with his new squeeze who also happens to be the same lovely lady that Tom hooked up with at his bachelor party. Though we find out their relationship is lacking a sexual aspect. I think we might find out next season that Roman is having trouble accepting his sexuality. Willa (Justine Lupe) and Connor (Alan Ruck) have a moment of friction when she says he does nothing. She’s not entirely wrong. Connor is a rich man who handles things through foundations. Yeah, it’s work but not exactly a strenuous, eight-hour standing shift serving food. Come on, Con.
Caroline is feeding into the drama with her commentary throughout the night. I certainly can’t wait to see Caroline and Logan go head to head. Tom runs into Nate (Ashley Zukerman) who readily lets him know the best man won. Obviously, Tom confronts Shiv and she denies it, causing Tom to open up about the cruise crimes situation. But after Greg (Nicholas Braun) sees an interaction between Shiv and Nate too, I’m guessing Tom might be having some thoughts. Beneath the surface, Kendall is making his own moves against his father’s company. Working to wrestle it out of family control along with Stewy (Arian Moayed) and Sandy (Larry Pine), things get escalated due to friction from partners and the moves have to be made immediately. So it looks like Kendall’s fast-tracking the work during his sister’s wedding. We finish the episode with Shiv getting into the car alongside her father after brokering a small peace. But how long will that last? I’m guessing it’ll be done by the time they get to the church.
The highlights of the episode are certainly the presence of Caroline, who will continue to shine as a snappy, mother of the bride, and a small moment where Shiv, Kendall, and Roman sneak away. Connor gets left out because Willa didn’t pass along the message or something like that, but I think it really shows that although Connor is their older brother, having a different mother set him apart. It was these three really growing up in the trenches of their father’s house together. And for a small moment, they strip away all the conniving, all the B.S., all the snipping at each other. For one small moment, they are just siblings again and it is refreshing to see these moments where you’re reminded they are still occasionally normal, cool people who don’t ooze nastiness towards each other. Check it out in this behind the scenes video!
Tune in next Sunday night, August 5th at 10:00 p.m. for the stunning conclusion to Season One of Succession!
