THE PERFORMER | Jeremy Strong
THE SHOW | Succession
THE EPISODE | “With Open Eyes” (May 28, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | This week’s series finale was supposed to be a coronation for Kendall Roy. Instead, it was the latest in a string of humiliating defeats, and the ultimate one, with Kendall failing in his quest to take over for his late father Logan as CEO of Waystar Royco. But at the same time, it was a fittingly grand final act for Strong, as he found an exquisite pathos in Kendall’s downfall and put the finishing touches on one of the best TV performances of the past decade.
Kendall was riding high as the series finale began, supremely confident in his chances of becoming CEO. We’ve seen this swagger from Kendall before, and it always ends badly for him, but Strong still brought an unsinkable verve to Kendall, so close to his lifelong goal that he could taste it. He even showed us a lighter side to the famously stone-faced Roy scion, cracking a smile (!) and horsing around with his siblings, with Strong adding just a hint of childlike joy to Kendall’s endlessly complex persona. When it came time for the big board vote, though, Kendall overplayed his hand, and when Shiv hesitated about casting her decisive vote for him, he flew into a rage, barking commands at her like Logan used to do to them. As Kendall felt his chances of becoming CEO slipping through his fingers, Strong’s face softened, and Kendall began to plead: “If I don’t get to do this… I might die.” He was like a kid being denied his favorite toy, and he lashed out at those closest to him, asserting a primal authority (“I am the eldest boy!”) and physically attacking Roman for daring to bring up his children’s lineage. Strong masterfully played every emotional note along the way as Kendall clung desperately to the one thing he’s always wanted… only to watch it float away.
Once the vote was over and Kendall was denied the CEO job, he sunk into a catatonic state, with Strong wearing that deep disappointment all over his face. He didn’t say another word of dialogue after that, and he didn’t have to, with Kendall’s tear-filled eyes and slumped shoulders saying everything for him. He wandered around outside in a daze, unsure of what to do with himself now that his cherished crown had been ripped from his hands before he even got to put it on. It was a tragic ending for a tragic character, and though Kendall was far from perfect, Strong’s unforgettable performance made his flaws fascinating, right down to the final shot.
Scroll down to see who scored Honorable Mention shout-outs this week…
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HONORABLE MENTION: Bridget Everett
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Hurt feelings permeated the penultimate episode of Somebody Somewhere‘s superb Season 2, giving Bridget Everett the stage she needed to unleash her best dramatic work yet. Joel’s lie to Sam regarding his new boyfriend caused heaps of contention between the besties which came to a head during an outing with Fred. Joel crashed the party to apologize, but the anger and pain was too much for Sam to bear, as seen through Everett’s mournful eyes and stiff posture. When she finally raised her voice, our hearts sunk for both parties. Then the bombshell hit: “I just don’t want you to leave me!” Sam confessed. It was a moment of truth and nakedness that left her more exposed than she’s ever been, and Everett’s delivery made it feel so pure, so real.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Ari Notartomaso
Image Credit: Paramount+ screenshot A ball of energy in sneakers, Notartomaso delivered regular shots of adrenaline to Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. But the nonbinary actor made tomboy Cynthia much more than just a fun jolt of electricity, a point they drove home in Season 1’s finale. As Cynthia laid her heart on the line, admitting to crush Lydia, “I like you the way Gene Kelly likes Debbie Reynolds in that stupid movie I secretly kind of like,” Notartomaso was so achingly vulnerable that we held our breath along with their character. And when she finally confessed to fellow Pink Lady Nancy why she was so blue — in a coming-out scene that was as original as it was sweet — her portrayer made Cynthia’s relief as palpable as her anguish. So, obviously, by the time she joyfully sang to Lydia that she was all in, Notartomaso had ensured that we were, too. Season 2 or bust!
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HONORABLE MENTION: Ke Huy Quan
Image Credit: Disney+ screenshot For the first stretch of Disney+’s American Born Chinese, Ke Huy Quan played the buffoon, only seen as a hapless Asian stereotype in an ’80s sitcom-within-the show. But in the penultimate episode, Quan showed us the depth that earned him an Oscar and more, for Everything Everywhere All at Once. As the Beyond Repair cast gathered for a reunion special, Quan’s Jamie was bubbling with excitement. But then his character’s old, dorky wig got trotted out, followed by a question about his legacy as the “iconic” Freddy “What Could Go” Wong. Quan, with every syllable that followed, showed us how carefully considered Jamie’s response was — quietly condemning his past and also voicing his unfilled wish to have then been cast as someone better. As a “hero.” Instead, Jamie went on to teach acting, which makes him super in our book.
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in Comments!
This story originally appeared on TVLine
