Succession Review: Tern Haven (Season 2 Episode 5)
The dinner to end all dinners becomes a major gamble for the Roy family on Succession Season 2 Episode 5, “Tern Haven.”
It’s all so simple, really: everyone keeps on their best behavior for a weekend, and the merger deal with the Pierce family will pass. But for each and every person on Succession, that is next to impossible: this is their best behavior, and this is the best they can ever be.
photo: Peter Kramer/HBO
The dinner scene is an amalgamation of every fault on full display. From Shiv pushing Roman on making up a book, to Tom taking hit after hit on a job he hasn’t really been part of for long, to the little slights and jabs that start to peek out as their eccentricities are prodded out, it all becomes a show for the Pierce clan. The Roys are an expensive dinner and a show. Even Connor’s deep state talk is no good.
But it’s from Shiv where the most unfortunate turn comes. Her impatience and lack of input causes her to lash out by naming herself the successor, ripping apart Logan’s shadow game of playing everyone off each other. Brian Cox’s quiet fury gives the scene so much tension, where the deal is the only thing keeping him from exploding. When Logan isn’t throwing profanity your way, something is wrong.
There’s a level of calculation, where just blurting it out puts it out into the world and puts things to rest. But that’s in the normal world; in the Roy world, it’s essentially a death sentence. Logan’s complete disregard for her after, even turning down the initial offer with Shiv as the head of the company, is more than bluster and stubbornness.
It’s Logan showing he is still in control and refusing to let anyone force his hand. This move likely eliminates Shiv completely from the conversation, at least for some time. Logan’s glances throughout the dinner is like he’s disappointed in her methods, as though every word is an audition he’s not buying.
photo: Peter Kramer/HBO
The other players find themselves at complete odds because of the suddenness. Marcia, a normally quiet participant, lets her disdain show more publicly; Roman returns to the habit of leaning on Gerri (and her bathroom door as they continue their strange relationship); and Kendall again accepting it won’t be him to take the company forward.
Kendall’s downward spiral finds a kindred spirit of sorts through Naomi Pierce (Annabelle Dexter-Jones). Both have battle their demons, and so their time together may seem full of empty promises of a better future and moving from the pain of the past, but there is something there. Both have the emotional scars of their families buried not as deep as hoped, but still find some influence despite that.
Their time together may show a certain resentment from Naomi for the tabloids of her rock bottom, but Kendall’s words, of everyone having their issues and how the merger can be a way out, a freedom from it all, speaks volumes of both of their headspaces. Is Kendall anticipating a way out, knowing he will be passed over for Shiv after all? It offers a possibility and a strategy for his reasons to see this through.
Total freedom and the money to be his own man is probably too big of a dream for Kendall, when Logan will never truly let go of him. But it’s nice to see there’s a small glimmer of hope still left in him, as deep as it may be.
photo: Peter Kramer/HBO
The big victory, in the end, is so completely diminished by the literal diminishing power of each potential successor. No one wins, except Logan Roy. Everyone comes away with a piece of them gone, unsure of their place anymore. It’s a palette cleanser, really: everyone is on even ground again, with no one with any advantage to speak of.
One of the best aspects of the season comes through the casting of the Pierce clan and employees. Holly Hunter continues to be a great addition as Rhea, playing sides and setting up word traps like nobody’s business. Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce is both idealistic and shows a kind facade, but she does enjoy watching the Roys bicker, so hopefully there will be more digging to see more of her other side.
Succession Season 2 Episode 5, “Tern Haven,” succeeds through taking gestating pieces and hatching a victory mired in personal damage. It’s a brilliant knocking over of a house of cards that leaves the hostile takeover less of an issue, but leaves so many more issues with where personal relationships go from here. It’s another hollow reminder that no one has anyone else’s back, even their own father.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- Cousin Greg watch continues as he goes by Gregory now. Is this a demand from Ewan (Logan’s brother and Greg’s grandfather) in an attempt to be taken seriously now that a merger is ahead, or just a phase?
What did you think of this episode of Succession? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Succession airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.
One thought on “Succession Review: Tern Haven (Season 2 Episode 5)”
I really love this show and look forward to it every week. The acting is fantastic. I was hoping to get an explanation as to what was up with the sheets in Kendall’s bed. I’m assuming he and Naomi slept together, but I wondered if something really embarrassing happened since he was stoned. Maybe he urinated or worse? Any suggestions?
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