Episode 6 of the succession: violence and scandal at "Argestes"

Do you remember those melodramatic promos for The slap on NBC? From what I understand, according to the viral extracts that I have viewed on Twitter, all the intrigue of the miniseries (and the issue and the of the Australian novel on which it is based) is that Zachary Qunto slaps the child of a stranger at the birthday party of his cousin.

This titular slap, which required a 483-page book, sixteen television episodes and a very good memory, was somehow less dramatic than the setback that Logan put on Roman in the last episode of Succession, "Argestes." (Coincidentally, Brian Cox also played in The slapalthough he was not the one who slapped this show.)

As part of a VIP "media and banking retreat", the sixth episode of Succession the second season brings Logan to his breaking point, pushing him to hit his son in a moment of helplessness and rage. What brought him to that, the reaction of his entourage and what a moment of violence reveals about the dynamics of the Roy family is both tragic and true.

Peter Kramer / HBO

A good old dinosaur reform

Since the first moments of SuccessionLogan Roy has existed in contradictions: he is an old man who gets lost and gets lost on the way to the bathroom and a ruthless tyrant who recites humiliations like "Boar on the ground". revealing that he was a bully invaded by the school yard, but a bully capable of signing $ 25 billion worth of acquisition contracts.

"Argestes" opens on the Waystar Royco jet, which was waiting to land "since a damn hour," according to Logan. He is obviously frustrated – with the air tower, certainly, but especially with the acquisition of Pierce, who is stuck in a unique behavioral pattern. He hopes to sign Pierce's purchase contract at the Argestes Retreat, but soon learns that a New York Magazine article is about to appear, revealing the cruising scandal that Greg and Tom tried to hide.

Logan's reaction to the bullets he launched during this episode is both youthful and geriatric. He pouted when he did not have the priority of landing at the airport. It is unleashed in the tone of an angry child when it asks someone to print an article to read. Entering the green room after a sign in which Shiv calls "a good reform of the old dinosaurs" at Royco, his body language is that of a child called in the director's office.

So, when he slaps Roman (who acts rather childish himself), it's upsetting, but not quite surprising. Crushed in a corner, without emotional, psychological or financial weapons, his response is a primordial violence.

Peter Kramer / HBO

Gerri adds insult to Roman's injury

While the slap itself is a heartbreaking moment, the reactions of the rest of the Roys are truly heartbreaking. Roman himself, in his typically mischievous way, pretends that it does not matter. "It's just a tooth," he says in response to his father snatching a molar from his mouth. "I'll have another one." This is certainly not the first time we see Roman hurt and humiliated by his father. According to his answer, it does not really seem to be the first time that it is physical.

To make matters worse, Roman's girlfriend, Gerri, really soothes Logan after he hits his son. She reassures him that the moment has "worked well", with the soft and pleading voice that parents use to calm their screaming children on the subway. Earlier in the episode, Gerri had pleaded for Roman, suggesting that he enter into negotiations with a Qatari investor, but this response makes it clear that his priority is always to keep Logan happy – or at least calm .

And Shiv, whose inflammatory commentary led to the incident, looks vaguely worried and barely manages to launch a "Bro, are you … kay?

Peter Kramer / HBO

Kendall steps up

The only person who has resisted Logan is Kendall, who has gone through this season as a zombie that exists only to execute Logan's plans. But watching his father hit his brother seems to shake something at Kendall's, pulling him out of this stupor. He puts his finger on Logan's face, shouting, "Do not touch him, damn." And growling, "Dad, no." Again, it's as if Logan was a misbehaving child.

In fact, throughout this episode, Kendall has behaved like a stern father. On the plane, he told his employees – who were trying to reach the Pierce deal – that he was disappointed and was reprimanding them for the crime of … eating snacks. Later, when Shiv and Roman make fun of Argestes on stage, he does not participate in the sibling rivalry, but tells them to focus on what can only be described as a daddy's voice.

Looking at those moments before slapping, I assumed that Kendall just imitated Logan. It is now clear that it alleviates Logan's parenting style. Maybe, in a distorted way, he is trying to be a better father for his siblings than his own father, but these are the only tools he knows.

With Waystar Royco in the midst of a #MeToo scandal, a proxy battle and a relentless acquisition contract, Logan assured his family that side glances and meetings canceled other Argestes participants are only "playground bullshit". This episode clearly shows that "Gambling Connies" is all that Logan knows; it is no wonder he raised a class clown, a naughty girl, and a teacher's pet.