Jeremy Strong’s “Succession” series finale performance as Kendall
THE ACTOR | Jeremy Strong
THE SHOW | successor
THE RESULT | “With Eyes Open” (May 28, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | This week’s series finale should be a crowning glory for Kendall Roy. Instead, it was the latest in a series of humiliating defeats and the ultimate, as Kendall failed in his bid to succeed his late father Logan as CEO of Waystar Royco. But at the same time it was a suitably great closing act for Strong, as he found exquisite pathos in Kendall’s downfall and put the finishing touches to one of the best TV performances of the last decade.
Kendall was in high gear early in the series finale and was extremely confident that he would become CEO. We’ve seen this boast from Kendall before, and it always ends badly for him, but Strong still gave Kendall an unsinkable zest that was so close to his life goal he could taste it. He even showed us a lighter side of the famous petrified-faced Roy scion, smiling (!) and fooling around with his siblings, Strong lending just a hint of childlike glee to Kendall’s infinitely complex personality. However, when it came time for the grand board vote, Kendall overdid his hand, and when Shiv hesitated to cast her deciding vote for him, he threw a rage, barking orders at her like Logan used to do to them. As Kendall felt his chances of becoming CEO dwindling, Strong’s expression softened and Kendall began to plead, “If I can’t do this…I could die.” He was like a kid who was denied his favorite toy, and he was lashed out at those closest to him, reaffirmed his original authority (“I’m the eldest boy!”), and physically attacked Roman for daring to bring up his children’s parentage. Strong masterfully played every emotional note along the way, while Kendall desperately clung to the one thing he’d always wanted… only to watch it float away.
When the vote was over and Kendall was denied the CEO post, he slipped into a catatonic state and Strong wore deep disappointment on his face. He didn’t say another word of the dialogue after that, and he didn’t have to, while Kendall’s tear-filled eyes and slumped shoulders said it all for him. He wandered outside in a daze, not knowing what to do with himself after his beloved crown was ripped out of his hands before he could even put it on. It was a tragic ending for a tragic character, and while Kendall was far from perfect, Strong’s unforgettable performance made his flaws intriguing to the last take.
Scroll down to see who received an honorable mention this week…
-
HONORABLE MENTION: Bridget Everett
Image Source: Courtesy of HBO
Hurt feelings permeated the penultimate episode of Someone Somewhereis the amazing second season that gives Bridget Everett the stage she needed to unleash her best dramatic work yet. Joel’s lie to Sam about his new boyfriend sparked a heated argument between the best friends, which came to a head during an outing with Fred. Joel stormed the party to apologize, but the anger and pain was too much for Sam, as evidenced by Everett’s sad eyes and stiff posture. When she finally raised her voice, both sides sank into our hearts. Then the bombshell hit: “I just don’t want you to leave me!” Sam confessed. It was a moment of truth and nudity that left her more exposed than ever, and Everett’s delivery made it feel so pure, so real.
-
HONORABLE MENTION: Ari Notartomaso
Photo credit: screenshot from Paramount+
Notartomaso, an energy ball in sneakers, regularly provided Paramount+’s with adrenaline rushes Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. But the non-binary actor turned tomboy Cynthia into much more than just a jolly jolt, a point they made clear in the season one finale. Putting her heart on the line and admitting she had a crush on Lydia, Cynthia said, “I like you the way Gene Kelly likes Debbie Reynolds in this stupid movie that I secretly kind of like.” Notartomaso was so achingly vulnerable that we held our breath along with her 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 actor made Cynthia’s relief as palpable as her fear. When she happily swore to Lydia that she was fully there, Notartomaso obviously made sure that we were there too. Season 2 or broke!
-
HONORABLE MENTION: Ke Huy Quan
Photo Credit: Screenshot from Disney+
For the first part of Disney+ American-born Chinese, Ke Huy Quan played the sucker who only featured as an unfortunate 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 Everything everywhere at once. As the Beyond repair As the cast gathered for a reunion special, Quan’s Jamie was bubbling with excitement. But then his character’s stupid old wig was pulled out, followed by a question about his legacy as the “iconic” Freddy “What Could Go” Wong. With every syllable that followed, Quan showed us how thorough Jamie’s response was – tacitly condemning his past and also voicing his unfulfilled desire to then be cast as someone better. As a “hero”. Instead, Jamie taught acting, which makes him a superstar in our eyes.
Which performance(s) knocked your Are you taking off your socks this week? Tell us in the comments!