TV Recap

Succession recap: S3 E7 – “Too Much Birthday”

Dewey Singleton November 28, 2021

In the dynamics of this third season, tonight’s episode certainly gave us much to process and hints about what is forthcoming. Alexander Skarsgård does make his appearance on the show as tech mogul Lukas Matsson who owns a property that Logan has set his eye on purchasing. There’s certainly an interesting dynamic between Lukas and Roman, which we will touch on in our 5 takeaways from this week’s episode of Succession.

5. Daddy wants … Daddy needs … Daddy’s got to have …

We find out relatively early in the episode through one of Gerri’s (J. Cameron-Smith) sources at the Department of Justice that it seems that the government feels they can’t make a case against Waystar. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) may have overpromised and underdelivered. There’s a brief moment of celebration, but it was striking how it appears Logan has become even colder (if that’s possible) to Shiv (Sarah Snook). It’s puzzling as it genuinely was her actions during the Shareholder’s meeting that saved the company. Now it seems Logan has his eyes on Gojo (a tech company run by Lukas Matsson, who Alexander Skarsgård plays), and it seems the deal has gone south… or has it. Shiv and Roman let dad know that he will be at Kendall’s big birthday bash, and he sends them off to try and bring him to the table. It’s a battle for who can win Dad’s affection. Sad really.

4. An all-time great

The scene between Greg (Nicholas Braun) and Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) this week in the office is an all-timer. Let’s say Tom was delighted to learn that he’s not likely to go to jail. You’ll know it when you see it. Trust me!

3. Reality

Reality begins to crash in on Kendall. He started to realize about 1/2 way through this that none of this truly means anything. Everyone who is at his party is just someone looking for something. He has no true friends. He ruined his marriage all by being a raging ego-centric asshole. The only thing he has done right lately is starting to date Naomi (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), but that began in the middle of season 2. She seems to accept him no matter what. Maybe it’s because of how messed she is as well?

2. Lashing out

Kendall begins to lash out when he realizes just what his life has become, especially his birthday party. When he realizes that his siblings are only here to meet with that tech mogul, Lukas, he immediately has him moved to the VIP area and keeps Shiv and Roman from seeing him. He’s upset, and it’s understandable. Not many people get the type of birthday card he received that tells you to fuck off and attempts to buy you out of the company. Now Naomi seeks to turn their offer into a positive. Maybe he should get out? Look at what he’s become. The quest for power and status has led to the destruction of anything that was ever real in his life. He’s just now starting to realize it. At some point, his siblings will begin to realize that as well.

1. Turning point

Eventually, Roman can get into the VIP and track down Lukas, and they bond immediately. He does bring up some odd points. Mr. Matsson seems fixated on the death of Logan. He loathes Waystar’s current web presence so much that he’s more than keen to take Roman up on his offer of peeing on his phone with their web page open. After bonding at the bathroom stall, Lukas seems more open to discussing a sale with Logan. This, of course, makes Roman giddy. He was able to deliver for daddy, which causes him to drink and become even a bigger dick than Roman is typically. Shiv is starting to become clear that he’s on the outside looking in when it comes to running things at Waystar. She found out about the birthday card offer after the fact. Then during a confrontation, she realizes that Kendall’s accusations of Logan hiring people to harass his kids are 100% true. Roman doesn’t see a problem. Shiv realizes how messed up this is. Could this be the moment where Shiv switches sides?

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Dewey Singleton

I'm a member of Critics Choice, Hollywood Critics Association, and The Society of Professional Journalists. I am also on Rotten Tomatoes. My bylines include @awardswatch, @deweysmovies, @awardsradar, @weliveentertainment, @bleedingcool, and @insessionfilm. I am married to @sgitw and have two sons.

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