Church and State

For all its fanfare & fame, this episode is a testimony that 'Succession' is as genuine a show as they come - it doesn't engage when it isn't ready. It doesn't subvert expectations for an extra glare. It doesn't act with the conceited grandiosity that a show of its caliber seemingly warrants. Instead, it grants subtle victories that you forgot you were rooting for (just before it dunks on those same victors). This show is a masterful display of patience & story-building & character-wrecking worthy of prestige TV fame & infamy all the same. A giant. I'll miss it almost as much as the Roy sibs clearly miss their patriarch.

I can't add much that is new concerning this incredible series. How often can one take a cast of dozens and be able to know them well enough to create a commentary on each. The major characters, of course. The funeral is an example of a sad society, where Logan probably wronged most of the people in attendance, they made it there, perhaps out of a kind of prurience. The Roys are going to go on. They are splintered off the same rotten wood. Kendall fancies himself the leader, but his foundation is made of fragile underpinnings. The rest of the gang, especially Shiv, have very little loyalty when money comes into the picture. Roman is so interesting because below the wisecracks and outrageous behavior, he is just a fragile non-entity. He volunteers to speak at the funeral. But he comes up with a vapid, newspaper like eulogy. When James Cromwell's piercing speech is over, he retreats into nothingness. When Kendall tells him he blew it, it is a typical Roy, knife in the back. The final scene is devastating.

In the age of mediocrity, there is always an exceptional human, who makes an exceptional piece of art that drives people to think about it, consider it, and appreciate it, or maybe help in making it if there is any chance for them to be part of that process, and doing it better than their hearts and minds ever imagined. This is the peak of drama, the peak of TV ,and if you can reach that level ,you are one of the very few unmatched creative minds, that create the top art forms.

Church and state felt like it isn't a single episode, felt like it's many in one, there was a lot to take, in a good way of course. Honestly, it's a perfect episode and my favourite one so far.

Finally, this is one of the few great timeless shows that will always be remembered. I am sure of that In few years people will regret not seeing this show on it's time.

Wow. This proved to be a shining moment of ensemble acting from the entire cast. However, it was Kieran Culkin and James Cromwell who stole the show with their exemplary performances.

Culkin's portrayal of the troubled Roy sibling, Roman, was once again the highlight of the episode. He showcased his comedic timing and ability to improvise in the most unexpected situations. But he broke down, finally being human.

On the other hand, Cromwell's determined entrance as the intimidating and no-nonsense Ewan Roy, Logan's estranged brother, was huge. The veteran actor brought a gravitas to the role much like his on-screen brother Brian Cox.

Overall, the cast of Succession delivered a tour de force of acting in "Church and State". They will have to compete against each other for the Emmy Awards this year.

The 8.9 rating is pretty great, I'd say every episode in season 4 deserves a 9 or higher on IMDb! The 2nd to last episode is based a lot around the memorial of Logan Roy (Brian Cox) probably the biggest memorial I've ever seen and I've been to a couple of them they are hard and exactly like this. This is so poetic, I wish I could hangout with the brilliant crew I'll always praise them. The emotions are the greatest thing I've seen in a long time of television history; Mark Mylod was perfect director for any of the ones he's done! I love anyone that praises this masterful series there's barely any like it.