Ep 1. The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is the first episode of the second season of Succession, an HBO series that explores the complex power dynamics and familial relationships within a wealthy family that owns a global media and entertainment empire. The show is set in New York City and features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook.

In this episode, viewers are introduced to the after-effects of the explosive events that concluded the first season of the show. Logan Roy, the head of the Roy family and CEO of Waystar Royco, has survived a health scare and is back in control of the company. His children, Kendall, Shiv, Roman, and Connor, are all dealing with the fallout of their actions from the previous season, which saw them betray each other in their attempts to gain more power within the company.

The Summer Palace takes place at a family vacation home in Connecticut, where Logan has invited all his children and their significant others to spend the weekend together. The family reunion quickly becomes a tense affair, as Logan and his children struggle to navigate their complex relationships with each other. As the weekend progresses, viewers are introduced to new characters and subplots that promise to further complicate the dynamics of the show.

The central conflict of the episode revolves around Logan's desire to acquire a new media company that will help expand Waystar Royco's reach. His children and his trusted advisors are split on whether this is a wise move, and they each try to sway Logan to their side. This sets off a chain of events that sees the various family members scheming and plotting against each other in their attempts to gain the upper hand.

The writing and directing in The Summer Palace are both strong, as the show's creators succeed in balancing the various plotlines and characters with a deft touch. The tension between the characters is palpable, and the dialogue crackles with wit and humor. The pacing of the episode is also excellent, as it manages to pack in a lot of information and character development without feeling rushed or overstuffed.

The performances in the episode are uniformly excellent, with each actor bringing their A-game to the table. Brian Cox is particularly impressive as Logan, imbuing the character with a complex mix of charisma and menace. Kieran Culkin is also a standout as Roman, whose biting wit and cynical worldview provide much of the show's humor.

Overall, The Summer Palace is a strong start to the second season of Succession. It does an excellent job of setting up the various conflicts and plotlines for the coming season while also delivering plenty of memorable moments and character beats. Fans of the show will not be disappointed, and newcomers will be quickly drawn into the show's rich world of power, privilege, and familial dysfunction.