HBO Max’s original series Succession ,season one episode one entitled “The Munsters,” starts with Sarah Snook’s Shiv Roy as she gathers with her siblings in order to sort out the company they want to start. This is due to them wanting to get back at their father as he never believed in any of them. It can be guessed by the viewer that each of them has their own reasons for being a part of the company startup against him. The interesting part about this is how Shiv apparently has some marital problems with her husband following her file for divorce. In her mind, she still has some hope that they can work out the issues they have. However, as she finds out that he is dating someone else that hope is crushed. Deep down she wonders if he actually truly loved her, given how he is allied with her father. It can be assumed by the viewer he only ever got close to her so he could possibly take over her father’s company.
Additionally, the viewer sees Brian Cox’s Logan Roy as he celebrates his birthday. In his mind, he finds this annoying as he sees everyone who came to his party as parasites. Deep down he knows that he wants his kids to come and spend it with him. Unfortunately, his pride as a businessman is what keeps him from reaching out to them. Not to mention that once he finds out that his kids are trying to take a deal away from him, he hates them even more. The sad part about this is how he knows eventually he will end up alone with no one by his side when he dies.
At the end of the episode, Shiv and her siblings end up having a victory over their father. The interesting part about this is how Cherry Jones’s Nan Pierce sides with them over their father in a business deal. She knows that once their father buys her business, he will get rid of everything. In her mind, she knows that they are right especially since her and their father hate each other. At least with them taking over, she knows her business will be in good hands. Also, she sees that it is a win for her as her selling to Logan’s kids would mean he loses for a change. In the viewer’s eyes it would appear that everyone wins except for Logan. Only time will tell how this will affect everyone’s relationship as a family.
Rating: 8.5/10