Source
I think if you've entered this post, one of two things (maybe even both) are equally possible: you like really dark, raw comedy, and you know the series, you follow it. Then there will be some spoilers in this review. That said, I'll start with my perspective on ‘Church and State’, an episode of Succession that is impossible not to be affected by from a human point of view... Because, if you watch the first episode of this story, you would never imagine that the closing of the story would have such a bitter, dark and equally biting and clearly psychopathic tone... Honestly, it's an incredible challenge for me to rate this episode.
Romulus Roy (Roman) a complete lout, arrogant, unfeeling, cold, sneering, supremely billionaire and on a moral scale far removed from the one you and I might share, is the absolute protagonist of this chapter. And believe me, to make this review, I rewatched the series from scratch and obviously, I also rewatched the episode. It's been 6 episodes since the master of Succession, the capo si tutti cappi, the soul of the whole HBO production died. His death was a foretold but absolutely unexpected decision. You will agree with me, admitting that the way it was presented to the audience was equally wonderful and distressing.
Source
Dying in agony on a flight, in the air, with your children and surrounded by the capitalist vipers who for decades fawned over you and fulfilled your wishes, but far from what is supposed to be really worthwhile in life: family. It was not only a majestic but extremely challenging script decision. With 7 episodes to go, the main character of Succession was dying, and in the final season, it could all go to hell.... Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened. In fact, in the last few episodes we see the distorted and sick nature of his children. SHIV, KENDALL and ROMAN (also Connor) really comes to the surface.
Over 4 seasons, from 2018 to 2023 we saw contained and subdued these royal sons and brothers sickened by absolute Power, not money; and at last the goal is in sight.... The King has been deposed, and like Caesar assassinated, now it is the ‘Senators’ who have the Power at their disposal... However, in ‘Church and State’ we witness the heartbreaking humanity of Roman Roy. Who is the one chosen by his brothers to give the speech in honour of his father, at the funeral mass... Throughout the episode's footage, Jesse Armstrong, writer and producer of Succession, leaves us with a glimpse of what's to come with the youngest Roy, the spoiled brat, the taunting and powerful Roman...
Here is the scene. All the siblings in their front row seats in the Cathedral. It's their turn to speak in public, after their uncle, Ewan Roy, Logan's brother, surprisingly reveals to everyone why Logan became Logan. The death of his little sister from Polio always haunted Logan Roy throughout his life. It made him tough, cruel, unscrupulous; ambitious, everything he knew how to be in life. Remember, you are part of the audience, you are not in the story but Ewan speaks to us all; to the characters, to you, to me.... Roman goes up, unable to utter a word. She babbles, and bursts into disconsolate tears. So much so that I see my daughter when she sees him crying. He makes me cry, the lout, the mocker, the cruel one; he's such a good character and Kieran Culkin such a good actor, I'm crying as he cries.... There's still 30 minutes left in the episode but the last goodbye of the son who loved his father the most, breaks every fibre of your soul. For a moment, you and The Roy's have something in common; you both mourn the death of someone who doesn't care about us at all. If that's not a masterpiece, what would be one?
