Succession Season 4 Episode 9 Church and State
As the family girds themselves for an emotional funeral, Kendall finds himself at odds with Rava… and inopportune news from Jess. Later, Shiv tries to reposition herself within a new political landscape, as Kendall rallies supporters to his side.
The gist of it
At Logan’s funeral, Roman’s plans for greatness go awry after Uncle Ewan unloads some heavy truths. Kendall steps into the breach, and for the second time this season, he puts on a good show. Shiv hasn’t given up on getting the GoJo deal through, and she thinks she can make Mencken’s possible victory work for her. And while the Roys maneuver in private, protests in the streets erupt over the contested election.
Funeral planning
The opening of this episode closely mirrors the opening of the one with Logan’s wake, with both Shiv and Roman surrounded by enormous windows looking down on the city. Shiv is strategizing with Matsson while Roman paces and practices his eulogy, telling the mirror that he’s the man.
Kendall is on his way to the church when Rava calls to tell him that the unrest in the city over the election has her nervous, and she’s taking the kids out of town. I love the writing and performing of this sequence (once again: Natalie Gold!), since Rava obviously doesn’t want her kids around the Roys for a whole host of reasons, and 90 percent of what you know about her in this moment is all the things she’s not saying.
Kendall freaks out and goes full scary-ex on Rava and the kids, threatening to lie down in front of her car so she can’t leave. A bit later, after his threats have failed (he would never get his coat dirty by lying on the street), Kendall tells a visibly uncomfortable Jess that he wants to get a lawyer and go after custody. Remember: Logan also wanted full control of his kids after his divorce even though he was a terrible parent, so if you intend to be Logan, this is something you would do. While demanding that Jess get him a family lawyer, Kendall drags it out of her that in fact, she’s quitting, and when he’s dragged it out of her, he blames her for springing it on him. Jeremy Strong is so good in these moments where Kendall sincerely believes he’s a victim, even when he’s being straight-up abusive. Godspeed, Jess. Go as far away as possible.
Season Number: 4
Episode Number: 9
Episode Title: Church and State
Air Date: May 21, 2023
Language: English
Subtitle Language: English
Source: Succession.S04E09.1080p.WEB.H264-CAKES
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