Max’s original series Succession ,season four episode nine entitled “Church and State,” starts with Kieran Culkin’s Roman Roy as he practices his speech for his father’s funeral. From what the viewer can see, he is not concerned with the funeral as he mostly wants to look good for the important people that are coming. In his mind, he has already mourned all that he needs to earlier on and wants to focus on more important matters. Meanwhile, Jeremy Strong’s Kendall Roy finds out that the mother of his child is going to take their daughter away. This is due to her fearing the repercussions of his support for his candidate for president. From what the viewer sees, Kendall quickly becomes desperate to keep his daughter close. In his mind, he knows that something like this would happen. However, as a result of his newfound power, he believed he could do whatever he wanted and not have any consequences. Deep down he knows that it is for the best that she takes their daughter away for safety.
Additionally, during the funeral Roman breaks down in a fit of sadness. Thanks to the brilliant acting by Kieran Culkin, the viewer sees how much Roman was keeping things bottled up inside. Usually, he acts as if everything is alright, however, when he finally sees his father’s coffin his emotions all hit him all at once. The interesting thing about this is how the rest of the Roy siblings all express their emotions. The viewer could argue that speaking at the funeral became a therapeutic moment for all of them. For Kendall, he finally sees that his father was simply just enjoying life and all of it riches. This is something that Kendall seems to have learned from his father as he too is enjoying life even if he loses a couple of things. Meanwhile, for Sarah Snook’s Shiv Roy, she realizes that her father simply did not know how to deal with having a daughter. Also, it would seem that she lets go of some of the hate she had for him. This could be assumed by the viewer as a result of her venting her feelings during her speech. The interesting part about this is how earlier on James Cromwell’s Ewan Roy makes a speech about his brother. Thanks to the brilliant acting done by James Cromwell the viewer gets a first look at someone finally telling the truth about Brian Cox’s Logan Roy. From the way he speaks it is obvious that there are some conflicting emotions between him and his brother. This is demonstrated by how he starts off by saying nice things about him and how much he loved him. However, later on he begins to talk about all of the things he did wrong during the time he was alive. Also, as soon as he gets to the mistakes, he made with his kids the viewer sees their faces change. From here it it clear that they also agree with him when he says that he messed up with them. Deep down they are grateful that he got up and made it easier for them to speak up about their father.
Towards the end of the episode, the Roy siblings all try to get the candidate for president to support them individually. Unfortunately, it would seem that he ends up supporting Shiv and Alexander Skarsgard’s Lukas Matsson’s plan. This is as a result of him wanting to support an all-American business. In her mind, Shiv sees she finally got something instead of her siblings. Deep down she feels an immense sense of satisfaction as she proves she is better than they are. Not to mention that she will get a big-time position as a CEO. This is a position that she feels should have been given instead of Kendall.
At the end of the episode, the viewer sees Roman as he as a breakdown from being blamed for his mess up at the funeral by Kendall. It would seem that Roman has become Kendall’s punching bag ever since he became CEO. In his mind, he hates how things are with Kendall being the one who really is in charge. Deep down he feels as if Kendall is not being fair with how he messed up at the funeral from being overwhelmed by his emotions. Also, he feels as if the whole world is against him due to him not having anyone he could talk to. This is implied with how he is in the middle of a riot as a result of him wanting to get away with people pushing past him and not caring if he is bumped.
Rating: 8.5/10