Early reviews of the fourth and final season of Succession have praised its final version as “energetic, brutal and hilarious”.
Early reviews have hailed its first four episodes as packed with “powerful” performances and “compelling dialogue” from creator Jesse Armstrong, ahead of the series’ return to HBO on Sunday.
Others have noted that the episodes will be packed with surprises and mark a “long and glorious goodbye” to the acclaimed show, which will air its final episode on May 26.
The Season 3 finale of Succession revealed that Logan doesn’t trust any of his children and would rather sell the company to a stranger, especially now that his children have banded together to prevent the company from abandoning the family.
And the final run begins with Logan no longer on speaking terms with his offspring, as he goes ahead with the sale of Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsso, with the Roy family questioning their future once the deal is complete.
Praised: Early reviews of Succession’s fourth and final season have praised its final run as “energetic, brutal and hilarious.”
In his four-star article, The Guardians Says Lucy Mangan: “The opening episodes of each Succession season tend to subsume family dynamics into corporate intrigue, because there are always so many pieces to not only set up, but also explain to a lay audience. They seem to have opted for a balance more equitable, perhaps to personalize the tragedy, or tragedies, that are sure to come.
“It is a drama set in the heart of darkness, with comedy set to illuminate its timeless and inescapable depths. Gather your strength for one last look into the abyss.
In his four-star review, the Telegraph Ed Cumming writes, “Everything Succession fans love is here: the acid dialogue, the private planes, the horror its characters feel every time they’re forced to confront the real world.”
Awarding the initial five stars of the fourth season, The times’ Carol Midgeley wrote, “Based on the four episodes I’ve seen, it has plenty of surprises, fanged vipers and toast-dropping shocks on its luscious Tom Ford sleeve.”
In another five star review, i News’ Gerard Gilbert wrote: “This propulsive plot is, as usual, only half the story, as Succession is also one of the funniest comedies on television.
“I almost feel sorry for the cast, who will probably never again get the chance to deliver such magnificently well-crafted dialogue.”
the irish times Ed Power wrote: ‘They are all as terrible as we remember. But beneath the comedy lurks horror.
“As Succession never tires of reminding the viewer, these people aren’t just running over each other. They are also running the world. Ultimately, the joke in this jet-powered black comedy is on us.”
Acclaimed: Early reviews have hailed its first four episodes as packed with ‘powerful’ performances and ‘compelling dialogue’ from creator Jesse Armstrong.
rolling rocks Alan Sepinwall was full of praise for the ‘deliciously dark’ final run, writing: ‘Logan knows the end is near, and so does Succession.
“Without spoiling what happens in the episodes sent to critics, the way events play out and the impact they have on Logan and everyone else, it never feels like a rehash of what’s gone before.
“Important decisions are made, both by the characters and the creative team, that cannot be reversed. It’s full steam ahead to the end. Much of what happens is shocking and/or surprisingly moving, especially since it’s a show about the worst human beings alive.
VarietyJoshua Alston called the season four opening episodes “energetic, brutal and hilarious”, noting that he is moving full steam ahead towards the series finale in the coming weeks.
He wrote, “While the season takes a bit longer to heat up than its predecessors, once the shady dealings begin in earnest, ‘Succession’ is more intense than ever.”
“And with the series finale in the offing, the show has a full tank of gas and an 800-pound gorilla foot on the pedal.”
collider Samantha Coley wrote: “Right off the bat, the Succession cast is delivering some truly spectacular performances in Season 4 with the full ensemble in top form.
“It’s obvious that this is a collective that has been working closely together for years now, with each bouncing off each other in even more nimble ways, coming together in a way that makes every conversation compelling.”
writing on IGNEmma Fraser said: “The powerful performances by the Roy clan deliver a dazzling masterclass in pent-up emotions competing with years of desperate craving for the family patriarch’s approval.”
the hollywood reporter Says Daniel Fienberg, “Brian Cox has an early monologue that represents a side of Logan that we’ve never seen before.
“I think I said last season was The Season of Sarah Snook and I’d be inclined to say it again, except it could just as easily be The Season of Kieran Culkin, and let me tell you… even if the Jeremy Strong process riles Cox. or whoever, man, gets results.’
SensationaL: Others have noted that the episodes will be packed with shock and set up a ‘long, glorious goodbye’ to the acclaimed show.
deadline Added Dominic Patten: “Satisfying authenticity with precision, like certain brutal Manhattan penthouse locations and karaoke joints, and the pleasure and carnage that comes with royal wealth and power, Succession’s swan song largely satisfies because it brings together many of the disparate elements that have graced past seasons.
Creator Jesse Armstrong announced last month that the hit HBO series will culminate in the next 10 episodes, which will begin airing on March 26.
In a recent interview with the new yorkerArmstrong, who is the show’s creator and head writer, confirmed the fourth season as the last run of the show.
He also explained in part: ‘I never thought this could go on forever. The ending has always been on my mind.
Succession first aired in 2018 and tells the story of the Roy family, known for controlling the world’s largest media and entertainment company.
However, his world changes when his father (Cox) leaves the company and leads his sons to fight to secure the highest position as his successor, by any means possible.
While, for most of the series, the Roy kids have been at odds with each other, the final episodes of season three found them finally joining forces to stop their father, Logan, from selling off the family’s media conglomerate.
Little did they know that the black sheep of the family Tom Wambsgans (Matthew McFadyen) betrayed his own wife Shiv (Sarah Snook) and gave Logan a heads up about what they were up to, giving him enough to disempower them to block the impending sale.
The final shots of the third season indicated that Shiv realized that her husband betrayed her, although it’s unclear how that will play out in the fourth season.
Succession returns Sunday March 26 on HBO and HBO Max in the US, and Monday March 27 at 2am and 9pm on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.