"Austerlitz" is the seventh episode of the first season of Succession and seventh of the series overall. It premiered on July 15, 2018 on HBO. It was written by Lucy Prebble and directed by Miguel Arteta.
Premise[]
In an effort to fix his public image, Logan agrees to a family therapy session at Connor's New Mexico ranch that Logan intends to double as a publicity stunt. While lying low, Kendall spends some time with the locals and finds his sobriety tested. Shiv considers putting herself in a precarious situation when Nate pushes her to join the team of a potential presidential candidate, Gil Eavis, who goes against everything her father stands for. As Willa spends more time with his family, Connor makes a hard-to-refuse proposal.[1]
Plot synopsis[]
Following his expulsion from the company, Kendall begins planning how to best take legal action against his father as well as his brother, Roman. After seeing in the tabloids that he has allegedly relapsed, Rava calls Kendall to express her concern; he insists that he's sober. Connor invites everyone to a weekend-long therapy session at Austerlitz[n 1], his ranch in New Mexico. Logan agrees in hopes of repairing his public image. Kendall refuses to attend.
Logan arrives at Austerlitz and has photographers set up for a family photoshoot. Shiv and Roman arrive soon after. During their first session, the therapist, Dr. Alon Parfit, has Logan express his feelings toward his children; he claims that everything he's done has been for them. Shiv senses that he is being disingenuous, and questions his intentions with the therapy. Connor and Roman remain quiet, leading the therapist to suggest that they may be afraid of their father. Logan grows upset and begins berating the children, before apologizing to the therapist. Dr. Parfit suggests that they take a break. Outside, Marcia lectures Willa on her career choice, sharing the story of an old friend of hers who was also an escort and was murdered.
Kendall decides to head down to New Mexico. He goes into a pub and meets some locals. After having a few drinks, he agrees to join them for a drug binge.[n 2] Back at the ranch, Connor proposes that Willa live there with him to focus on her playwriting career, provided that she's given an allowance and means of travel. Willa reluctantly agrees. Shiv leaves to meet with Senator Gil Eavis and Nate Sofrelli. After having spoke with Eavis, she begins to seriously consider working with him.[n 3] Then, she and Nate have a minor sexual encounter in the car. Meanwhile, Dr. Parfit dives headfirst into the pool, breaking several teeth, and is rushed to the hospital.
Logan allows Roman more responsibility within the company by placing him in charge of overseeing an upcoming satellite launch out of Japan. Roman discovers that Kendall is in New Mexico and has relapsed, and goes to pick him up. Shiv returns and is immediately questioned on her whereabouts. In the midst of their arguing, Kendall arrives and bangs on the windows outside while shouting in a sing-song voice. Once inside, he confronts his father for having planted those stories about his alleged drug use. Logan says that this is all just a game, and that Shiv is "scared to compete," calling her a coward. She then accuses him of being jealous of what he's given his own children, before leaving in tears. Logan says that he never spoke to his uncle that way, and Kendall begins taunting him about his "evil Uncle Noah." Logan grows more enraged with Kendall and gets in his face, but is pulled away by Marcia.
Everyone except for Logan and Marcia leave Austerlitz that morning. Logan goes for a swim, revealing deep scars across his back, seemingly a result of the abuse he faced as a child.[n 4]
Notes[]
- â The name of Connor's ranch is derived from the Battle of Austerlitz, a major event in the Napoleonic Wars. Connor shows interest in Napoleon history several times throughout the show.
- â Kendall uses cocaine and methamphetamine.
- â As mentioned in "Which Side Are You On?", when Nate suggest that Shiv work alongside him and Eavis.
- â It was previously said that Logan refuses to swim in front of or show his back to his children.
Cast[]
Starring[]
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Recurring[]
Guest[]
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Quotes[]
- Shiv Roy: So what happened with the fake therapy? Any pretend breakthroughs? Any good performances?
Connor Roy: Nothing. Our therapist died.
Shiv: What?
Connor: Metaphorically speaking.
Tom Wambsgans: He smashed his teeth out in the pool.
Shiv: Oh, my god...
Tom: Freud would have had a field day.
References[]
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| Season 1 | Celebration âą Sh*t Show at the F**k Factory âą Lifeboats âą Sad Sack Wasp Trap âą I Went to Market âą Which Side Are You On? âą Austerlitz âą Prague âą Pre-Nuptial âą Nobody Is Ever Missing | ||
| Season 2 | The Summer Palace âą Vaulter âą Hunting âą Safe Room âą Tern Haven âą Argestes âą Return âą Dundee âą DC âą This Is Not for Tears | ||
| Season 3 | Secession âą Mass in Time of War âą The Disruption âą Lion in the Meadow âą Retired Janitors of Idaho âą What It Takes âą Too Much Birthday âą Chiantishire âą All the Bells Say | ||
| Season 4 | The Munsters âą Rehearsal âą Connor's Wedding âą Honeymoon States âą Kill List âą Living+ âą Tailgate Party âą America Decides âą Church and State âą With Open Eyes | ||