Perhaps I’m biased as a result of my first election as a voter was the 2016 nightmare, however to me, there’s nothing thrilling about election night time in America. Whereas it as soon as might have been a glittering show of our nation’s democracy—and a peek into our upcoming future—it now feels extra like an anxiety-ridden night the place the result is solely placing the lesser of two evils into workplace. Due to that, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about embarking on “America Decides.” Sure, Jesse Armstrong revealed on the season premiere that he believes episode eight to be probably the most stunning of the season (a loopy declare, contemplating episode three exists). Nonetheless, as I sat all the way down to view “America Decides,” I discovered myself questioning why I’m presupposed to care about this fake election.

Whereas the present has been hinting on the significance of this presidency all season lengthy, I nonetheless discovered myself pretty agnostic to the result. To start out, we barely know these candidates. There’s Jeryd Mencken, the fascist Donald Trump-type, a dangerously right-wing man inciting violence inside his supporters; and his foil, Daniel Jimenez, whom I don’t consider we even met till this very episode. The stakes are laid out plainly—Mencken could be a win for Roman, who has an odd, presumably sexually tinged relationship with the presidential hopeful. And whereas the candidate would assist shut down the GoJo deal, who is aware of what his victory may imply for the way forward for America? Jimenez, in the meantime, looks like your run-of-the-mill democrat, supported by Shiv, however not within the pocket of the CE-Bros. I perceive the context of this election throughout the storyline of this season, however to spend a complete episode specializing in this appeared like a waste when now we have such a short while left with these characters. Fortunately, I used to be very fallacious.

I’m not going to lie, it took me some time to understand this episode for its price, however by the tip of it, I understood that “America Decides” isn’t concerning the election. As an alternative, it’s merely a instrument to as soon as once more dive deeper into the psyches of those characters, and to additional alongside the ability wrestle storyline. Shiv, Roman, and Kendall began this season as a united entrance (albeit a weak and flawed one), however with each episode and impediment thrown at them, their relationship has fractured—with “America Decides” offering what would be the definitive blow.

All three siblings enter this night with vastly completely different mindsets and targets. Shiv, who has been taking part in either side, Survivor-style, needs to proceed this charade, although her actual loyalty is to Matsson. Due to this—in addition to her worry of America reworking right into a fascist hellscape beneath Mencken—she helps Jimenez. Roman, in the meantime, who has turn out to be more and more manic since his appointment because the co-CEO, needs his puppet in workplace, and he’s prepared to do no matter it takes to get him there. They’re the angel and satan on Kendall’s shoulder, because the oldest stays principally silent all through the early portion of the night, transferring forwards and backwards on whom to help. Mencken would shut down the GoJo deal, sure, however Roman’s management over the politician issues Kendall on the subject of his future aspirations inside Waystar. Oh yeah, and a Mencken victory may put his daughter at risk.

In my view, that is one in all Jeremy Robust’s greatest performances of the season. Kendall sits in his swivel chair, listening to his siblings bicker round him, his face contorting in disgrace and unhappiness as he weighs his private aspirations together with his function as a father. When he comes clear to Shiv about his emotions relating to the state of affairs, there’s the belief that, with Logan useless, he has now taken the place because the dangerous dad within the Roy household. And no safety particulars or impassive claims of affection will change that. Ultimately, Kendall doesn’t have an ethical breakthrough, however he makes the sensible determination for the character we’ve come to know over the previous 4 seasons—the one that may permit him to maintain the corporate he hopes to at some point management.

Due to Armstrong’s remark concerning the shock issue on this episode, I used to be anticipating an enormous, jaw-dropping second. However I ought to have recognized higher. Succession has by no means been concerning the grand reveal, however the subtleties supplied by each the writing and appearing that slowly tease out the characters and their motives all through every episode. Shiv’s admission of her being pregnant to Tom, the continuation of Roman’s unravel, the publicity of Shiv’s betrayal. There was no main dying like in episode three, no heart-wrenching screaming match like final week, however “America Decides” is a strong episode nonetheless. Now, as we ponder the legacy Succession will go away on tv, it’s assumed the present will probably be remembered for world-turning episodes like “Connor’s Wedding ceremony” or meme fodder like Kendall’s rap in season one, however it’s episodes like “America Decides” that I, personally, will miss probably the most.