Succession is back and the vibes are off in the season three premiere, "Secession". Critic and author Adam Nayman joins the Fly Guys to break down COVID's impact on the filmmaking process, Succession's changing relationship to contemporary reality, Kendall's clout madness, Shiv's flop era, and a handful of new characters.

Adam Nayman (Twitter: @brofromanother) writes about film for The Ringer and Cinema Scope magazine. His new book, David Fincher: Mind Games is out this fall. https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/david-fincher-mind-games_9781419753411/

Succession 3.1, "Secession" with Adam Nayman

Everyone's struggling to control the narrative in "The Disruption", which sees Ken and Shiv trading blows while the government comes knocking on Logan's door. To discuss a busy installment, The Fly Guys are joined by podcaster and historian Everett Rummage. The conversation begins by digging into Succession's fascination with the Napoleonic era and revolutionary history, then turns to this week's installment and its treatment of online life, old media versus new media, headspaces, bunker mentality, Colin canon, and more. 

Everett Rummage (Twitter: @Trillburne) is the host of Age of Napoleon, a podcast about the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte. https://ageofnapoleon.com/

Succession 3.3, "The Disruption" with Everett Rummage

A deceptively quiet episode that sets the stage for the looming shareholder meet, "Lion in the Meadow" reunites Kendall and Logan for a critical encounter at the island estate of major shareholder Josh Aaronson (Adrien Brody). Film and television critic Vikram Murthi returns to the RoyCast to talk the loaded silences and emotional violence of Ken and Logan's reunion, the parallels between father and son, Josh Aaronson's motives, the episode's mix of dramatic narrative and sitcom plotting, Terminal Tom, simmering online backlash, and more.

Vikram Murthi (Twitter: @fauxbeatpoet) is a freelance critic whose writing about film and television regularly appears in the AV Club, The Nation, and Reverse Shot. 

Vikram's piece on the production of Succession for Filmmaker Magazine: https://filmmakermagazine.com/109903-location-truth/#.YYytr55KhfV

David Davis on Roman and Gerri's relationship: https://itsdavid.substack.com/p/david-davis-d61

Succession 3.4, "Lion in the Meadow" with Vikram Murthi

At the much-anticipated Waystar shareholder meeting, "Retired Janitors of Idaho" finds the cast of Succession in a madcap scramble as they try to salvage a last-minute settlement with Sandy and Stewy while dealing with an incapacitated Logan. Emily VanDerWerff joins the RoyCast to discuss this episode's farcical energy, its visual and narrative form, the show's political themes, Shiv's redpilling, childhood traumas, the prospect of Roy-Wambsgans offspring, and Ken's Sermon on the Marriott.

Emily VanDerWerff (Twitter: @emilyvdw) is critic-at-large for Vox and the co-creator of the fiction podcast Arden.

Emily's piece on "Retired Janitors of Idaho": https://www.vox.com/culture/22777228/succession-episode-5-season-3-recap-review-retired-janitors-of-idaho-logan-abuse

Succession 3.5, "Retired Janitors of Idaho" with Emily VanDerWerff

With returning guest Jeremy Mongeau, the Fly Guys wade into the swamp and try to dispel some of the very bad vibes emanating from “What It Takes”. Topics include: the show’s approach to the U.S. political system, the limits of triangulation, Justin Kirk’s home run performance, the Conheads, Shiv’s identity crisis, Roman’s show biz aspirations, the episode’s undercurrent of sinister libidinal energy, the respective rises of Kerry and Greg, Tom’s blackpill era, and the Ken Hive in shambles. 

Jeremy Mongeau tweets from @JeremyMonjo.

Succession 3.6, "What It Takes" with Jeremy Mongeau

At Ken's maximalist 40th birthday party, the Waystar team celebrates a sudden release from consequences while Ken looks for a resolution of his own. Film programmer and critic Madeleine Wall joins the RoyCast to discuss some of the episode's extreme highs and lows: Tom's King Kong moment and subsequent rough night, vagina tunnels, Connor's bag, Greg's game, Lukas Matsson, the return of Naomi, an ascendant Roman, a frustrated Shiv, dueling Electra and Oedipus complexes, Hudson Yards, Ken's music taste, childhood regression, the death wish, the aftereffects of abuse, and more.

Madeleine Wall (Twitter: @parietines) is a film programmer for Indie Memphis and critic whose writing has appeared in Cinema Scope, Sight & Sound, MUBI, and Quill & Quire. https://www.indiememphis.org/

We love doing this podcast and we take pride in delivering thoughtful and thorough discussions. RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting the podcast, however, we have no intention of paywalling the show. For those who would like to support you can do so here: https://roycast.square.site/#uHRBZn We are deeply grateful for all who listen!

Succession 3.7, "Too Much Birthday" with Madeleine Wall

In another of Succession's trademark bad vacations, "Chiantishire" moves the season's plot, and maybe Kendall, towards an endgame. Anna Golez joins the Fly Guys to discuss the direction of Mark Mylod, new Nicholas Britell cues, the season's theme of historical change, Greek tragedy, deadbeat dads spanning multiple generations, Peter Munion, Kendall's fate, water imagery, John Berryman, podcasts, the Roys as analogues for the Kennedys, Shiv and Tom renegotiating their relationship, Roman's sicko moment, Logan's prejudices, Connor's proposal, Greg's flailing storyline, Lukas Matsson's true motives, and more.

Anna Golez is the proprietor of no context Succession (Twitter: @nocontextroyco) who you can find tweeting even more about Succession at @waystarceo.

Emily VanDerWerff on the episode's final shot: https://www.vox.com/culture/2021/12/7/22822667/succession-episode-8-season-3-chiantishire-kendall-recap-dead

Jesse Armstrong on the season 2 finale and John Berryman: https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/succession-season-2-finale-jesse-armstrong.html

RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting the podcast. However, we have no intention of paywalling the show. For those who would like to support you can do so here: https://roycast.square.site/

Succession 3.8, "Chiantishire" with Anna Golez

Dominoes fall in the Succession season finale, and "All the Bells Say": too late. Isaac Butler returns to the RoyCast for a spirited debate about the third season's flaws and virtues, as well as to weigh in with some expert commentary on the recent Jeremy Strong discourse. Topics from the finale discussion include: Ken's confession, the Roy children teaming up, parallels between Matsson and Logan, billionaire elitism, the decision to sell Waystar and its implications for the future, Godfather references, Kieran Culkin as the season's MVP, Sympathy for Shiv, Tom as the show's true protagonist, Greg's place in the narrative, costume design, and the long-deferred dream of Connor Season.
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting the podcast. However, we have no intention of paywalling the show. For those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Isaac Butler (Twitter: @parabasis) is a cultural critic and author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act, available 2/1 from Bloomsbury. 
He is also the co-host of Slate's Working podcast. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/method-9781635574784/

Succession 3.9, "All the Bells Say" with Isaac Butler

In Succession's final season premiere, a merger-of-the-week plays out in sunny California with dark clouds on the horizon. Marie Bertonneau returns to the RoyCast to discuss Logan's troubling state of mind, Catholic perspectives on sin and redemption, the world's dullest birthday party, a rare glimpse into Colin's backstory, the show's relationship with the modern American right wing, the Comedy Central Roast of Logan Roy, new developments in Shiv and Tom's fractured marriage, sympathy for Shiv, the Disgusting Brothers, Architectural Digest tours, hypermarche vin ordinaire, and getting the facts about The Hundred. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Marie Bertonneau tweets from @marieberd.

Succession 4.1, "The Munsters" with Marie Bertonneau

In “Rehearsal”, Succession’s final season begins to take shape as old habits die hard. John Semley joins the RoyCast to discuss the episode’s theme of regression, insularity versus circularity, the cable news landscape, new wrinkles in the Gojo deal, Connor’s blues, family lore, karaoke confrontations, desperadoes, the season’s use of NYC locations, Logan’s ATN visit, business bona fides, Ken’s addictive drives, Mencken’s electoral prospects, and Kerri’s TV ambitions.
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
John Semley is a freelance writer for The Baffler, The New Republic, Wired, and elsewhere. Twitter: @johnsemley3000

Succession 4.2, "Rehearsal" with John Semley

The Roy family gathers with Waystar colleagues and assorted hangers-on for a wake at Logan's home, where an ambiguous pencil stroke complicates their search for an interim CEO. Novelist, TV writer and showrunner Megan Abbott joins the RoyCast to discuss this week's installment of Dark Kendall: Waystar Rising, Shakespearean themes, Logan's true intentions for his heir, the revelation of Shiv's pregnancy, themes of misogyny and women being cast aside, the episode's single setting and its evocations of prisons, traps and haunted houses, director Lorene Scafaria's skillful blocking and staging, Tom's Midwestern origins, Greg's continued devolution, the return of Marcia, real estate negotiation, costume choices, and much more. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Megan Abbott is the award-winning author of ten crime novels, including You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout. She also writes for television, including Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her next novel, Beware the Woman, will be in bookstores on May 30. Twitter: @meganeabbott

Succession 4.4, "Honeymoon States" with Megan Abbott

The Roys are off to bleed the Swede in "Kill List", where newly minted CE-bros Kendall and Roman face new developments in rival Lukas Matsson's bid to acquire Waystar. Critic and author Charles Bramesco joins the RoyCast to help work through the shifting power dynamics of the Gojo deal, revelations of Matsson's true character, Alexander Skarsgard's impressively off-putting performance, Roman's turning point, location shooting, "room meat", opposite numbers, Kalispitron reshoots, culture clashes, blood bricks, flirt fighting, the Quad Squad, and more. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Charles Bramesco is a film and television critic living in Brooklyn. In addition to the Guardian, his work has also appeared in Rolling Stone, Little White Lies, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Forbes, Nylon, Vulture, Frieze, The A.V. Club, Indiewire, The Dissolve, Vox, and Pitchfork. He is the author of Vampire Movies (Little White Lies for William Collins, 2019). His book Colors of Film: The Story of Cinema in 50 Palettes is in bookstores now. https://www.quarto.com/books/9780711279384/Colors-of-Film
Twitter: @intothecrevasse

Succession 4.5, "Kill List" with Charles Bramesco

Kendall's ambitions take flight as the Waystar team preps for a Hollywood investor presentation in "Living+". Returning guest Danny Bowes joins the RoyCast to discuss the episode's grim central conceit, its larger social and political implications, the season's tragic endgame coming into view, a standing ovation for director Lorene Scafaria, Kendall's moment of victory, model homes, Matsson's bad tweet, the fall of Rome, an explosive confrontation with Gerri, Shiv and Tom's reunion, a friendly game of "Bitey", bad bosses, a surprising Logan cameo, Karl unleashed, Hollywood strife, and much more. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Danny Bowes is a former critic for Roger Ebert Dot Com, Salt Lake City Weekly and the Village Voice. Twitter: @bybowes

Succession 4.6, "Living+" with Danny Bowes

At the Roys' pre-election party, the simmering tension between Shiv and Tom finally boils over. Critic and programmer Madeleine Wall returns to discuss the staging and writing of that climactic blowup, the paths leading both Shiv and Tom to finally unload their grievances, scorpions and frogs, Shiv's moment of recognition, the layers of the episode's premise and what it says about the show's political critique, Matchstick Matsson, Skarsgard's performance and his standout scenes with both Snook and Eili Harboe's Ebba, the returns of both Nate and Rava, Roman's failure to close, the Connor surge, ambassador games, Franky and Kenny, Greg's zoom firings, and more.
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Madeleine Wall is a film critic and programmer whose work can be found in Cinema Scope Magazine. Subscribe here: https://cinema-scope.com/subscriptions/
Twitter: @parietines

Succession 4.7, "Tailgate Party" with Madeleine Wall

It's election night in "America Decides", where the Roy family tragedy spills over into a national catastrophe of their own making. Brendan and Gabi sit down for a solo discussion that dives deep into the road to this inevitable outcome, the episode's atypical structure, the details of the show's electoral reality, lost votes in Milwaukee, Kendall's swing vote, Shiv's final humiliation, Roman's demonic energy, real life parallels for Mencken and Jimenez, Tom's election night diet, Greg's payback moment, a rare sign of agency from Jess, the ATN culture, director Andrij Parekh and his history with the series, ethical walls, bodega sushi, and more.
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/

Succession 4.8, "America Decides"

At Logan’s funeral mass, Kendall and Shiv eulogize their father while rallying their forces, and Roman goes to pieces. Number one boy Vikram Murthi returns to the RoyCast to talk about “Church and State” as a classic penultimate episode, the show’s signature blend of dry humor and pathos, the direction and staging of Logan's funeral, the decline and fall of Roman, Kendall's bitter goodbyes to Rava and Jess, the pending Shiv W, Mencken maneuvers, Ewan’s good hard take, a curious scene with Colin, the women in Logan's life, CEO odds, some light series finale speculation, and more. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
~~~
Vikram Murthi is a freelance writer and critic based in Brooklyn, NY. He's a contributing writer for The Nation, the editor of Downtime Magazine, and has contributed to publications such as The New Republic, Filmmaker Magazine, Criterion, Vulture, Vanity Fair, the old A.V. Club, among others. He tweets at @fauxbeatpoet.

Succession 4.9, "Church and State" with Vikram Murthi

In the Succession series finale, "With Open Eyes", the closed-loop system begins another revolution as the Roys lose Waystar for good. Critic and author Adam Nayman returns to the RoyCast to discuss the anxieties and potential pitfalls of this final season, the insular quality of the ending, frustrated expectations, the uncertain fate of Mencken's Presidential bid, corporeal themes, eruptions of physical violence, hearty fare, meager rations, and the fates of the many lead and supporting characters we bid farewell to in this episode. We also offer some thoughts on Succession's legacy and the future of the podcast.
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/ 
We thank everyone who has listened and supported us over the years. 
~~~
Adam Nayman is a critic, lecturer and author whose writing has appeared in The Ringer, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. He is a contributing editor to Cinema Scope magazine and the author of several books, most recently David Fincher: Mind Games. Twitter: @brofromanother

Succession 4.10, "With Open Eyes" (Series Finale) with Adam Nayman

Brendan, Gabi, and producer Dan reunite for a retrospective look at the complete run of Succession by attempting to rank every episode of the series. Discussion also covers the cast and crew's final tour of the awards circuit, the publication of the full shooting scripts, and unreconciled feelings about the series finale. 
~~~
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/
We thank everyone who has listened and supported us over the years.

Succession, Ranked

We're at the movies again as Gabi and Brendan discuss each of the nominees for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards, whether any of these films are any good, and what they say about the particular present anxieties of the American movie industry. We also recap the last hurrah of Succession's awards tour.

The 2024 RoyCast Oscars Special

Critic Dan Schindel joins Gabi and Brendan to discuss three recent Broadway shows starring Succession actors: Jeremy Strong in An Enemy of the People, Sarah Snook in The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Kieran Culkin in Glengarry Glen Ross. The discussion also covers recent projects from other Succession collaborators as well as more upcoming shows and movies in the pipeline. 
***
Dan Schindel has been a freelance critic for over 13 years and is a former associate editor at the arts website Hyperallergic. His work has appeared in Reverse Shot, Film Comment, MUBI Notebook, Documentary Magazine, Screen Slate, and more.
***
RoyCast is a passion project and we incur minor ongoing expenses related to producing and hosting this independent podcast. The show will never be paywalled, but for those who would like to support you can do so here: roycast.square.site/ We thank everyone who has listened and supported us over the years.
***
Production and intro/outro music: Dan Black

On Broadway, with Dan Schindel

Brendan, Kate, and Gabi are joined by special guest Brendan James to discuss Succession's pilot episode, the work of series creator Jesse Armstrong, the politics of the show, Cousin Greg, and much more.

Brendan James is a co-author of The Chapo Guide to Revolution: A Manifesto Against Logic, Facts, and Reason. He is occasionally on Twitter at @deep_beige

Succession 1.1, "Celebration" with Brendan James

The three hosts return to discuss the second episode of Succession.

Succession 1.2, "Sh*t Show at the F*ck Factory"

Film and TV critic Vikram Murthi joins the podcast to discuss "Lifeboats", the internal culture of WayStar/RoyCo, the evolution of Succession's critical reception, the TV recap economy, and more.

Vikram Murthi is a frequent contributor to The AV Club, Vulture, The Film Stage, and RogerEbert.com. He is on Twitter at @fauxbeatpoet.

Succession 1.3, "Lifeboats" with Vikram Murthi

The Roys get dressed for the RECNY ball, and we venture into "the death pit" with our friend Kate H., who speaks on her experience with nonprofit fundraising and on the toxic culture of WayStar/RoyCo.

Follow Kate on Twitter at @Katehascats. The Age of Napoleon is available on iTunes and Spotify and is on Twitter at @AgeofNapoleon.

Succession 1.4, "Sad Sack Wasp Trap" with Kate H.

With its sixth episode, Succession upsets the game board for the second half of the season and kicks into high gear. Joining Gabi, Kate, and Brendan for this episode is actor, writer, and erstwhile podcaster Danny Bowes, for a talk about the geography of New York state, television production, revolutionary language, and the various delusions of the Roy children.

Danny Bowes is an erstwhile podcaster on the show Minor Bowes and a writer who can be found on Twitter at @bybowes.

Succession 1.6, "Which Side Are You On?" with Danny Bowes

The three hosts fly solo for an extended discussion of trauma as the show's central theme, how the Roys' "family therapy" compares to other TV depictions of therapy, Ken's relapse, and the question of what makes a Logan Roy. This episode comes with a content warning for discussion of trauma, substance abuse, and sexual abuse.

Succession 1.7, "Austerlitz"

It's haters in the building as mutual friend Cam shares his more critical perspective on the first season. Fortunately, the group reaches a consensus on "Prague" as one of Succession's finest hours and dives into its deliberate visual style, the script's mix of comedy and symbolism, and manage to bring Game of Thrones and Hell's Kitchen in the mix as well. 

Cam is a journalist and Twitter funnyman who you can follow at @cam_oflage.

Succession 1.8, "Prague" with Cam Oflage

The first season's tragic structure comes into focus in the finale, "Nobody Is Ever Missing". For this pivotal episode, Gabi and Brendan are joined by expert guest Isaac Butler, who speaks on the show's relationship to Shakespeare. live theatre, and the poetry of John Berryman.

Isaac Butler is a writer, director, and the host of Slate's Lend Me Your Ears podcast. He is a co-author of The World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America, and is currently at work on a book about method acting. Follow him on Twitter at @parabasis.

Succession 1.10, "Nobody Is Ever Missing" with Isaac Butler

Succession's second season gives season one episode "Lifeboats" an unofficial sequel in "Vaulter", which takes a turn for the grimly realistic. Gabi, Kate, and Brendan were joined by Maya Kosoff to talk the episode's resonances with the new media landscape, Shiv's career choices, and Tom's new challenge at ATN.

Maya Kosoff can be found on Twitter at @mekosoff.

Succession 2.2, "Vaulter" with Maya Kosoff

Succession's second season soars to new lows of absurdity and depravity in "Hunting". The Fly Guys are joined by Julie Kosin for an episode discussion and a friendly game of Boar on the Floor.

Julie Kosin is the Entertainment Director for Harper's Bazaar and can be found on Twitter at @juliekosin.

Succession 2.3, "Hunting" with Julie Kosin

A long day at Waystar headquarters is an opportunity for major confrontations between Tom and Greg, Logan and Pierce CEO Rhea Jarrell (Holly Hunter), and finally Ken and Shiv. Brendan and Kate explore what makes this hour of Succession so special with their guest Jeremy Mongeau.

Follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyMonjo.

Succession 2.4, "Safe Room" with Jeremy Mongeau

Everyone shits the bed in "Tern Haven", as the Roys fly out to the Pierce family estate to close Logan's deal of a lifetime. The Fly Guys are joined by Brandy Jensen to decide whether the Pierces are worse than the Roys or merely just as bad.

Brandy Jensen is an editor for The Outline where she authors the column "Ask a Fuck Up". She is on Twitter at @brandyljensen.

Produced by Dan Black, of banglocaldads.com and on Twitter at @daanblaack.

Succession 2.5, "Tern Haven" with Brandy Jensen

The original and still independent Succession podcast. All seasons available widely.

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