Even though the rating I've given this episode is lower than the ones I gave the Pilot and Episode 2, when the credits started rolling, I had a much bigger smile on my face than I did after finishing the other two. Now, that was firstly because of that fucking amazing ending, which I'll get into in the bulk of the review, but the main reason was because I had just finished what was supposed to be the worst episode in the whole show - AND IT WAS FUCKING AWESOME. I mean, I actually asked on my 1x2 review, in the comments, whether this one was actually the worst in the show after I finished it, because I was just so shocked that this show could be, allegedly, so consistent. The most consistent show I've ever seen is Dark, but this has 13 more episodes, so if this manages to somehow be the worst episode in the whole show, I think this could usurp Dark as my new most consistent show (and maybe my favourite show in general who knows?). Anyways, like I said, this was really strong, Kendall got some very much needed and very well-used screentime, and that's probably what I'll base most of this review on (Kendall), but the other plotlines were still decent, I especially liked the familial dynamic being developed, with that smaller conflict bubbling on the surface between Shiv and Marcia. 

One thing I thought this episode did beautifully was develop the hitherto overshadowed Kendall into a fully-fledged protagonist. Now, that's not to say he wasn't great the other two episodes, but I feel as though for some (including me), he may have been sidelined in our thoughts in favour of, say, Roman, who steals the show every time he shows up, thanks to Kieran Culkin's intoxicating screen presence. But this episode really centres around Kendall, and his rectifying of the plight he learned of at the end of the previous episode - that Waystar-Royco is, in fact, drowning in debt. 

It's established from the very beginning that Kendall is going to be at the forefront of the storyline this episode, thanks to the introductory montage which detailed his morning routine. There were a couple subtleties I picked up on here, which add layers to Kendall's character in such a small way that it might almost be invisible to some. The first of these is the establishment of Kendall's riches. We obviously know this guy is stinking rich, but this montage solidifies that within the space of 10ish seconds. We get three (almost) successive shots, each painting a picture of luxury, but in different ways. The 1st of these shots just shows Kendall getting up, but something not everyone might pick up on is the fact that the lights turn on, BY THEMSELVES FOR FUCK'S SAKES. It's such a subtle moment, I almost missed it, but when I rewinded, it became more clear to me. It's just a hint that when you're that loaded, you don't have to do ANYTHING yourself. The next shot is pretty self-explanatory, Kendall is working out in his own home gym. It's the quick chopping of these scenes which makes this such an interesting montage to me, because it almost makes it seem like a normal morning routine, when in reality it's anything but. Most of us don't wake up a 4:45 to self-operating lights and a home gym waiting to be used, Succession. And the final shot is probably my favourite of the three, but I’ll get to that in the next paragraph (just wait). But my two favourite scenes of the introductory montage are the ones which close it out, the first being the shot of Kendall walking into Waystar, shown from far-off, in a very wide camera shot, and therefore dwarfing Kendall. It would’ve been very easy to have us follow Kendall more closely here, and make the scene really feel like we are personally following his morning, but I think this shot emphasises something else entirely. The dwarfing of Kendall in the context of Waystar’s lobby illustrates to me that the showrunners are trying to imply Kendall isn’t big enough for Waystar; he doesn’t fit the bill. He is ‘dwarfed’ in comparison to the sheer behemoth that is this empire, and the story the creators are trying to tell here is evidently saying that Kendall isn’t up to this. But Kendall seems to think he is up to it, as shown by the last scene, in which he grins upon looking at his new dominion (the office). I’ve yapped so much here, but the intro was just that good for me.

Another reason I really liked this episode was because of how it gave us an insight into the ins and outs of a day at Waystar (as seen in the opening montage, but also the rest of the episode as well). The first two episodes were primarily centred around how the Roys operate as a family, as relatives, but this episode is about how they function in the world as a whole. It’s vital, because we finally get to see how Waystar Royco is run, from the meetings, to its offices to, most importantly, the ways in which Kendall and Roman attempt to run a company in almost unsalvageable waters. Now, I can get back to that final scene of the three which I mentioned in the intro paragraph - it's a scene in which we see Kendall look out into the streets through the tinted window of his chauffeur-driven Benz, at the ‘everyday people’. The garbage men, to be specific. I think the fact that Kendall and these people are painted in such stark contrast is so crucial, because it shows that luxury (his Benz) is distorting his views (tinted windows) on the everyday people of the world, and emphasising the division between Kendall, someone brought into this world on a silver platter, and those garbage men, who will never know the indulgence Kendall experiences on a daily basis. This helps to tie into that theme of wealth, but also helps with the point of framing the Roys against the rest of the world. And, I never thought I’d talk about this scene seriously, but here we are, even that scene of Roman literally wanking over his window has stuff behind it. He’s demeaning the entire city, in the most disgusting way possible, and it really shows how these Roys believe they truly are the kings of the hill that is the world (let’s pretend I didn’t just analyse masturbation please and thanks 😊). 

And my last point is on Logan, because what a fucking powerhouse of a character he is. He’s just got such a dominant air about him, it’s impossible not to like him, despite how much of an asshole he is. And his dynamic with Kendall is already unreal. We see throughout the whole episode, Kendall goes to ridiculous lengths to save the company, teaming up with equity sharks, doing numerous illegal things, and just generally sweating his ass off trying to build up the company that his father has almost single-handedly sunk. But all of this work stems from something completely separate from the company. Kendall seeks his father’s approval, simple as. He wants so badly to be noticed, to be appreciated by Logan, to be loved like a son should, and so far we’ve seen none of this. The conclusion of this episode gives us a little spark of hope, that maybe, just maybe, Logan will say something nice. How naïve was I. Kendall rants for almost 30 seconds about how he’s brought Waystar back from the brink, and all Logan has to say is two words, and that spark is extinguished. “Fucking idiot.” The effect is instantaneous. Kendall’s smile, something which is so infrequent in this show, vanishes, and so did mine. The fact that Logan slurring two words, TWO WORDS, can negate Kendall’s entire speech and somehow undermine everything he’s said really speaks volumes about the absolute power that he exudes. Even as someone who’s bed-ridden, and almost entirely dead (practically anyways), he can still command a room, with no issues whatsoever. Just an incredible antagonist already, and I can’t wait to see him when he isn’t recovering from a brain haemorrhage, because the whole fucking world better look out. 

SIDE NOTE: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR 600 FOLLOWERS!!!! I wish I could tag every single follower I have to show how thankful I am to all of you, but I can't, so here's a super long list anyways of some people I'm extra thankful for, either because they constantly like my stuff, constantly comment, or are just awesome to talk to:

@ABrighterSummerDay
@AndreasBolton
@alcapone/@oll1e
@azarli
@badasshonk 
@baileyb
@braedenllama
@brisk
@callumoak28
@campbell_
@charlie_lannister
@conorbrowny
@d3vr1sh1
@daevy
@desmondhume
@desprill
@dobe
@elijahbruff
@ethannuuu
@evangeli8n
@evilkangaroo
@filmbro_77
@flmkrp
@fringtavo/@fringtavo_gus
@gwx
@hcapone1
@hiddenshonen
@iliketelevision
@isabela6192
@jaack/@jack_46
@jad
@jaygatsby
@JimmyIsHot
@Jmagill
@kaitlynashley
@Lidstedt
@mabell
@madtwister
@mariustv
@moviesandstuff
@mralderson/@shanevendrell
@ninestack
@noahbruff
@nouser
@nowhere2go
@peterlih
@pod42
@prisonbreakpeak
@punkz
@realryangosling
@rgd
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@sanduc
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@shaww
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@snowtv
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@spartin
@sparzx
@swales
@swisher
@taylorvillax
@tdonn
@tgrkush
@thecinefox/@thepromise
@themastermind7
@wxczut
@zerefelgamba
@zxetrl

People are gonna say I tagged the multiverse, but who cares, I seriously do appreciate all you guys so much. Thanks so so much again!
