In a freewheeling reunion special, the Fly Guys return from a nearly two-year hiatus to take stock of Succession's critical and awards success, online fandom, a recent New Yorker profile of Jesse Armstrong, new additions to the ensemble cast, indulge in reckless speculation about the upcoming season, and answer some mailbag questions.

Pre-season Reunion, aka "Prekend"

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

Kendall pitches his siblings on his vision for their future in “Mass in Time of War,” which re-establishes the emotional and material stakes of the series. The Fly Guys are joined by Fran Hoepfner to discuss the episode’s centerpiece scene, its thicket of character motivations, guilt, complicity, Messiah complexes, Based Ewan, and the return of Marcia. 

Fran Hoepfner (Twitter: @franhoepfner) is a writer, cultural critic, and Editor-at-Large for Bright Wall/Dark Room. https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/author/franhoepfner/

Dan Sallitt on Michael Clayton: http://sallitt.blogspot.com/2008/02/michael-clayton-or-why-do-we-even.html

Succession 3.2, "Mass in Time of War" with Fran Hoepfner

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.
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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

From a chat recorded on March 7th, Brendan and Gabi reunite for a loose, hangout style episode to share some news about the podcast, discuss season 3 with the benefit of a few months’ hindsight, and share wildly outdated thoughts about the awards race. Topics include: Euphoria, The Righteous Gemstones, Golden Globes, SAGs, Emmys, Succession season 2 versus season 3, episode rankings, fantasy casting, and favorite films of 2021.

Apologies for Brendan’s squeaky chair in the background of this ep.

Postseason

For the first installment in a series exploring works that make up the creative DNA of Succession, critic and author Adam Nayman joins Brendan to discuss The Game, the 1997 conspiracy thriller directed by David Fincher starring Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, and Deborah Kara Unger. The discussion kicks off with an analysis of the title sequence, which inspired Succession's own opening credits, and branches off from there to explore other interesting connections between film and series. Towards the end, Adam and Brendan also discuss Succession executive producer Adam McKay's recent film Don't Look Up. This episode was recorded before the Oscar nominations, so listeners will once again be privy to some laughably outdated awards speculation.
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Community's spoof of The Game's ending, from "Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de4KwN6CjZ8
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Critic Gina Telaroli on The Game, for Criterion: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/7135-the-meaning-of-money-in-the-game
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Adam Nayman (Twitter: @brofromanother) writes about film for The Ringer and Cinema Scope magazine. His latest book is David Fincher: Mind Games. https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/david-fincher-mind-games_9781419753411/

Bonus — The Game (1997), with Adam Nayman

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

It's a holiday episode as the Roys come together for Thanksgiving, so we invited one of our nearest and dearest, writer Jordan Freiman, to chat about what exactly the deal is with Roman and Grace, Uncle Ewan's politics, and Greg's Watergate scenario.

Follow Jordan on Twitter @JordanFreiman.

Succession 1.5, "I Went To Market" with Jordan Freiman

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

Wedding bells are ringing, but the death pit looms ever darker and nearer as the Roys gather overseas for the Roy-Wambsgans (Wambsgans-Roy?) nuptials. We're joined by Chris Person (@papapishu) to discuss the episode's satirical edge, the various agendas at play behind the scenes of this wedding, its depiction of women, Gil, Marcia, Greg, and much more.

Succession 1.9, "Pre-Nuptial" with Chris Person

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 bomb planted all the way back in season one finally goes off in "Argestes" as the Roys deal with the fallout from a damaging article about "the death pit" and attempt to salvage the Pierce deal. Nick Usen joins the Fly Guys to talk the staging and direction of one of Succession's busiest hours yet. 

Find Nick on Twitter at @nickusen.

Succession 2.6, "Argestes" with Nick Usen

It's a family affair as Succession revisits the emotional terrain of season one for a visit to Lady Caroline, a return to the scene of Ken's crime, and a spiritual sequel to "Austerlitz". We brought the RoyCast family together with producer Dan Black hopping on the mic to discuss this episode's subdued tone and its theme of irresolution.

Succession 2.7, "Return" with Dan Black

Logan is visited by old ghosts in his hometown of Dundee, Scotland, as Succession lays the ground for the season's endgame. Brendan and Gabi were joined by Alex Heeney to discuss one of the season's funniest episodes, plus King Lear, death, history, and Ken.W.A.

Alex Heeney is the Editor-in-Chief of Seventh Row (http://seventh-row.com), an online film criticism publication and publishing house that publishes an ebook every two months. Their most recent is the 2019 Canadian Cinema Yearbook, available at canadiancinemabook.com. Alex is also the host of 21st Folio and the Seventh Row podcast. Follow Alex on Twitter at @bwestcineaste.

Succession 2.8, "Dundee" with Alex Heeney

Logan meets an existential threat as the cruise scandal unravels and faces tough questions in D.C as the various Roy children rise to their family's defense. The Fly Guys are joined by Brandon Nowalk to discuss the episode's deft writing and parallels to previous inquiry episodes in the extended Armstrong-Iannucci universe. 

Brandon Nowalk is a freelance critic and can be found on Twitter at @bnowalk.

Succession 2.9, "D.C." with Brandon Nowalk

The Fly Guys are joined by Katie Stebbins to discuss the Succession finale.

Succession 2.10, "This Is Not For Tears" with Katie Stebbins

The original and still independent Succession podcast. Seasons 1-3 available widely.

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