Cinepals - SUCCESSION 4x3 "Connor's Wedding" Reaction & Spoiler Review/Discussion | We Were Not Ready!

Episode Date: February 9, 2024

Jaby Koay and Achara Kirk watch Season 4 episode 3 of HBO Max 'Succession' and got absolutely destroyed. This is probably THE ONE episode that everyone has been waiting for and we were not ready for it, much like in real life, which makes this episode hit all that much harder. Stunning performances all around from Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, Matthew Macfadyen and Nicholas Braun.  You can see our cutdown reaction on https://www.YouTube.com/@Cinepals or join our Patreon for access to the uncut reaction https://www.Patreon.com/JabyKoay   Social Media ~JABY KOAY~ Instagram: @TheCinepals, @JabyKoay   ~ACHARA KIRK~ Twitter & Instagram: @AcharaKirk 

Sinha. Pals. What's going on, everybody? I'm Jabby Kauai, joined by Char Kirk. What's up? We are continuing forward with succession, episode of three from season four. Conner's wedding, thanks so much for being here. But if you want to watch the whole thing with us, no cuts, no interruptions, hit over to our Patreon page. You'll get access to the full long cut reaction.

You will need your own Mac subscription so you can open up each episode side by side with our reaction. We give you a 3-2 and Countdown sync, and it's like you're watching it with two of your favorite pals from the internet. Oh, man. are you okay that's pretty fucking triggering yeah yeah i'll try to keep it together sure let me go get some no no no no no no no i'll be right it's very real the way they handled that yeah it's i mean i mean it's just like the way that all played out it's just like that's just very real and then like the conversations afterwards it's like you're feeling it in real time it was pretty it's pretty wild yeah no i mean i thought it was really good

that choice to just have him go like that with no fanfare in a kind of quite undignified way as well but sometimes it is like that you know it's like you can literally go anytime and sometimes you go in the in the toilet you know and that's just and that's just I relate I related a lot to a Roman just like the denial it's just like well we don't know it's just very human you know you don't it doesn't he's like it didn't feel real it's like no it doesn't feel real when you're experiencing and it's like no but that's not it's not real like he's just kidding right and just to give people context in case they don't know you lost your yeah your father yeah and so yeah like the thing is the way the show sets it up you never know when they're being they never know

when they're being tested and so for roman to leap to the conclusion that this is just an elaborate test it's you know the fantasy kicking in because you don't want it to be true right I mean the first the first step of the grieving process is denial right And he was in that zone hard. I was there too. It's just like, you know, I got the call. It's just, you're, you're trying to rationalize something that's just not rational, right? And so it's like, no, surely this is a joke.

And they just, no, there's no way they, you know, you go through the whole cycle of things. And so each of them were playing a different function of that experience. And then to have to be forced into like this business negotiation thing right after that. I don't, I don't know how you do that. Yeah. You know. it's hard but you have to and like yeah like you said

it's showing everything that goes on in that situation you know like Carolina took charge and was like no we have to get ahead of this like yes we're grieving and all that but we absolutely cannot like we cannot be unprepared and it sucks to have to be

the kids to be in that situation where you're like all I want to do is just grieve my dad right now but I can't even do that properly because I have to think about like the stock prices or the board or like our future and all of that like death is complicated in a way you know that's just wild how real it was the way they handled it like she's getting the phone call from tom that she just keeps sending to voicemail and then the last message roman left for his pops it's like

all messy and ugly and that's and that's so real yeah like i didn't talk to my dad for you know two weeks before he passed away i was just sort of ignoring him we had a weird relationship you know and i felt horrible i think my brother hadn't talked to him in like a year And so, and that was the first time I had seen my brother in a long time. Like, it'd been ages since I saw him face to face. Yeah, I was in the room when they, you know, put him in the bag. And it's just like, if you lose a parent, I recommend not being in there. Because it's like the ugliest thing you'll see.

And it stays in your head, you know? So I understand, um, Kendall staying outside. I think that's the move, honestly. Well, yeah, now that you say that, I'm like, I don't think I could. Yeah, it's like you want to be in there. Like you've, because you're trying to take control of the situation. somehow even though it's you can't control anything and so you feel like you're supposed to do it and then you then you do it and it's like you've just traumatized yourself because like what i saw i it's it just

stuck in my wrote memory for like months this is my favorite episode because it's like it's the first episode that actually got me to this like i mean we got you things always get you but like for me it was like it hit it hit like a real spot i don't know how i how i would have reacted if i still had my dad I don't know if I'd still be behaving this way. I still have both my parents. Yeah. And it hit me. Yeah.

Because of that experience, like, I can draw upon that and say with like from, what do you call it? With my own reference, like, the way they handled all of this is just like so fucking accurate to real life. I mean, I thought it was wonderfully acted. Yeah. From everyone. Like, and even for me, like, the standout performances, I mean, everyone was fantastic, right?

But, like, I really loved Kieran Culkin's performance as Roman. Even before the finding out about his dad, right? Like, when he was on the voice, firing Jerry, that was just so nuanced and so layered. Like, it could tell just how uncomfortable he was. And, like, he's trying to say it, but, like, he doesn't want to. And he's, like, you know, kind of like, please don't hate me. But also, like, fuck, I'm so mad at my dad right now from him making me do this. And then when he got on the phone to talk to his dad's ear, and he's like, he wants to say the nice things.

Like, he wants to say, like, I love you. And I think he did. But, like, he was also just, it wasn't, their relationship wasn't that, you know. And I just thought it was really interesting how they showed what each of the kids did, you know, like how they all reacted differently, like when they were trying to talk to him at the end, right? Like, Roman was just like, it's complicated. Like, I just don't, I don't know what to do. Don't I do the right thing? And then, like, Kendall, you know, did his thing.

And he was great as well. And then Shiv, when she said, Daddy, I was just like, I'm dead. Yeah. Like, I can't. It's a trippy experience, to say the least. Like, you feel so many things that, and you feel guilty. All the things you feel are valid, you know? And you just kind of work through that.

It sucks. It's this shittiest fucking feeling. And the thing is, what the show illustrates so beautifully is that even though their relationship was wrought with all kinds of tumultuous things and it was not ideal in the slightest and it was ugly, they still felt that loss, you know? It was still, it was still awful for them. And it's like, that's what made me appreciate this episode so much. It's just like, all that fucked up stuff just kind of went away. And it's like, now you have to deal with this, that you don't have him anymore. Yeah.

You know what I don't know if I'm making any sense or from articulating it very well. I think it's like, I don't know. I mean, I guess I can't speak for everyone, right? I'm just kind of like using my imagination a little bit. But I would imagine that even if you had a troubled relationship with a parent, most of the time, if you found out they died, you would feel sad about it. And you would have a plethora of emotions. Like, yeah, you'd be sad.

You'd be angry. Like, you know, feel guilty, like you said. Like there's so many different things, so many different layers that you would feel. Like, just because you don't get along with someone all the time doesn't mean that you don't love them. And maybe if you don't love them also doesn't mean that they didn't have an impact on your life for some reason or other, you know. I would have to co-sign with what you said about. Kieran. Kulkin.

The way he handled the phone call where he was just trying to find the world. words to say to his dad on the phone. I was like, he's what made me start crying. Yeah. Honestly. Yeah. Um, because he's trying. He was so in the moment. Like, what's fascinating about him over the course of this whole show was I sort of took him for granted, if that makes any sense. Like, almost like the way the show did. Like, I just kind of took him for granted in terms of his acting and all that stuff. And over the course of things, I've just seen how good he is, you know? Right. Well, because I think throughout the course of the show, we've kind of of like stripped away his exterior because like yeah when he presents himself to us and to the

public when he's out in the world he's like he has an armor of sarcasm yeah of humor yeah um but it's hiding at his core a very vulnerable little boy yeah you know just out there trying to get the validation from his father and he had such a complicated relationship with his dad like his dad was straight up abusive to him you know and so yeah it would be complicated because like what what do you say it's like i love you but also like i can't say that because like maybe i don't really genuinely feel that but i do love you but like you were awful to me and it's like just the way that he performed that all of those different layers were just so apparent yeah i feel bad for not mentioning connor

Just because, like, throughout the whole thing, I'm just like, you got the three siblings who were in it, and it wasn't until dad was already dead or whatever, that they were like, shit, we should tell Connor. Yeah. And I wish, I guess that just goes to show as well, like, how disregarded he is within his own family. I liked his acting quite a bit, the way he handled that situation, you know, when he was told the information. He was restrained. There are so many places you can take that script that he was given that day. There are so many different directions you can go. And it takes balls.

It takes courage to be that restrained, I think, and not go to somewhere extreme with it. It's like he still felt like the coner we've known. And it was such a human response to the situation. Am I making sense? Yeah. Yeah. He's just such a human response to it just trying to rationalize, deal with things, deal with like the decades of the experience with his father and what he hasn't got. the regret that suddenly like he's being filled with without emotional dumping like it was all

very contained well I think as well like it's so easy to just kind of be like oh I have a big emotion yeah play it big yeah but in reality it's probably not that and when you think about as well like societal norms right for a man to show grief and tears and all that you You're probably not going to, you know. It's very contained, and that's what makes it more powerful. It's because you feel all of those things. Like, you feel the sadness, the regret, the pain, the anger. All of it's there.

But it's having a lid put on it. Yeah, well, it's like you told me before. You know, when you're playing, it's almost like playing drunk, right? Yeah. People have the tendency to go crazy stupor with it, right? Yeah. The thing is in real life, when you're drunk or when you're feeling upset, you're trying not to cry. Exactly.

You're trying not to show you're drunk. And so the effort to hold it back, it's like, that's a crazy thing to me. It's like, you have to feel it, but you also have to want to hold it back. Yeah. Like, it's a two-layer thing that I think he did a really wonderful job with. But that's one of the things, like, I'll always remember from drama school is my principal was like, is your job as an actor to feel all of the emotions. Whether or not you can cry on cue

or whether or not you cry in a scene doesn't matter so much. Yeah. Because your job is to make the audience feel that. Yeah. And I think they all did an amazing job at making us feel all the emotions. Like, I was still not okay, I'm sure.

Yeah, yeah. I think I'm all right. Are you? Yeah, no, I've been through this before. It's not my first. Rodeo. Yes. But it's it is weird though how like easily I can feel triggered by something like that.

I remember being an improv class at UCB and someone decided that their their improv story or whatever or their sketch was going to revolve around their dad dying. And I'm like, fuck. Like it wasn't that long after my dad passed away that I was in that class. And so even to this day, 10, 11 years removed, it still can hit me. I don't know. It's almost like a wound that doesn't. doesn't heal. That's what I've heard.

You know, it's like it just kind of is still there. Yeah. You just get, you get stronger to it is the phrase I was told. And so, but watching something puts me in a vulnerable state where it can just access it. And it's like, oh, fuck.

Damn it. I wasn't ready. You know what I mean? I forgot. I forgot. Your sister warned me. She said, there was an episode.

I thought she said it was episode four. She said there's a good chance that he's going to get triggered because she said that she got really triggered by it. And so when that started happening, I was like, oh, shit, is this it? So that's why I kept looking over at you, like, just to make sure that you were okay. That didn't help at all. That didn't help. I was like, are you okay? That just made me more self-conscious that you were doing that.

I'm sorry, I was just checking. I was like, oh, no. I was like, why the fuck is it trying looking at me right now? I was so concerned about you because I was just like, oh, no, is he going to, are we going to make it through the episode? Do you want to stop? That is the equivalent of like when you're doing a reaction with someone and they look at you and they're like, are you crying? And it's like, well, not anymore.

I was like, I was so immersed in the drama. And I feel you looking at me. I'm like, what is happening? I was just like, I was, it came from a place of caring, okay? I wasn't laughing at you for crying because I was feeling terrible. No, I know, I know. I know. I know.

No, great episode. It was highly unexpected. What's amazing, though, you guys might have heard me talk about this if you've been following along our reactions for a while. this is what Stephen Spielberg ruined This is the thing he's spoiled Yeah What do you say?

He said the father passed away And now like the kids You know they something about like how the kids will handle it He gave away that I mean honestly I don't think that's a massive spoiler Because I feel like that is the direction it has to go I thought he was going to die in episode two

Ocharro so like this is a massive spoiler for me Like I thought he was going to make it to the end He's on all the fucking you know pictures and stuff like I wouldn't I wouldn't have thought they would kill them off at episode four that's so unexpected or three whatever god damn like that's so unexpected that is quite unexpected I expected it to be like maybe episode eight yeah so for me it is a spoiler you know um I didn't see it coming the way it happened when when like Tom called them up and was like this is what's going on I was like this is real like you were like is he jo I'm like this is not a joke right from

the beginning of it like it was so beautifully handled from the writing and directing. Yeah. And the acting. It was like wonderfully handled. Yeah. And I want to shout out Matthew McFadden as well because like all throughout like how he was being just very calm. And it's not an easy thing to be the point of contact when you have to be the one to be like, okay. So this is what happened and your dad's not breathing and they're doing chest compressions on him now. And he like held it together really well. But then when he went into the back room and spoke to Greg and kind of had

his vulnerable moment like I really felt for him as well yeah finally being able to like break for a minute and I'm sure

maybe I'm just projecting that I'm sure like he wanted to be there for for Shiv and they had that moment as well where like he came and then she hugged him but then quickly realized

like actually I don't like you I'll walk away right now no that's that's confusing Yeah, I mean... Yeah, because, yeah, of course. That's so natural, though. It's like even if it was an X or something,

it's like we can put aside a separation or the decision to not be together to like just be there for you on a human to human level right now because you need someone. Yeah. You know? I thought that was really nice as well.

That's rough. God damn. I wonder, I do wonder, how they're going to deal with us in the episodes to, come. Yeah, there's still a lot of show left. Yeah, that's wild. I don't know how to conclude this other than like, you know, if you have just experienced something similar of loss of any kind, it's like you just got to kind of work through those feelings, you know, this is pivoting into weird direction,

but it seems right. Yeah, and also that's why I'm always like, if it's with your family and you've got a disagreement and like, and you're able to just kind of resolve it. or do something to resolve it? Here's the thing. Some things can't be resolved, you know? Sure. It's just like you're coded a particular way, that person's coded a particular way,

and it kind of is just stuck, you know? And that's kind of how life can be sometimes. And it sucks. You know, you do your best to work it out and smooth over the bumpy parts. And hopefully, you know, you guys can hug again and be in the same room and have a good time and smile and whatever.

be family, but sometimes you don't get to have that. So irrespective, though, it's just like, if you experience that loss, you just know that, like, all the feelings you feel are valid and you work through that and you'll get stronger over time, you know, and you learn how to heal. And the best thing you can do is be busy, just be as busy as you can, you know, exercise, get creative, work, whatever, hang out with friends. Don't be afraid to reach out to friends because that's one of the things you end up doing is kind of becoming a recluse

because you're not trying to burden anyone with your emotions. Yeah, I think it's also, yeah, because it's awkward. Yeah. Like, because I never know how to be around for people who are grieving. Do you know what I mean?

Like, I'll be like, I'm here, but also, like, I don't know how often are you supposed to check in? Like. As often as I would say check in. Yeah. You just regularly check in. Yeah. But like, it's tough.

You have to suss it out because you sort of have to let the person you're checking in on guide the conversation a little bit because my mom would get triggered every time someone would call her and like start talking about my dad and then she'd break down in tears it's like that's not what you're trying to do to somebody you know yeah um and so like you kind of have to feel it out and be like maybe talk about something else entirely yeah like that might be the best way to check in and if the person gets angry at you just accept that and then but you stay there in that moment with the person well yeah that's like what tom did exactly yeah exactly So, I mean, I remember feeling angry, you know, when I showed up to, you know, at my parents' house, I was confronted by two cops who verified what happened and they said, I'm sorry for your loss.

And I just wanted to fucking hit them. I was like, you don't know who I am. How can you possibly say that? That's where my mind went. Yeah. You know what I mean? It's like, but they're doing their job and they're saying the best thing they can to me. It's awkward.

But I'm irrational enraged and like, thankfully, I didn't do anything stupid. I was just like, okay, and they walked by me. They moved on, but like a lot played out in my mind, you know, because I was just feeling so many things, you know? But anyway, that's nothing. It doesn't matter, so moving on. All right, you guys, thanks so much. Be well, and if you're able to tell your loved ones that you love them.

And thank you.