Why THIS Scene Was so Important in Succession s04e08

#succession #successionseason4
I was left a little confused after watching this scene between Jess and Greg the first time through, so I went back and rewatched Season 4 Episode 8 of Succession. Here's my thoughts, let me know what you thought?

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[tshepomolibeli]

gotta say its amazing to hear Jess talk for once

[katherinecruz]

To me it stuck out. When have we ever heard Jess get to speak on anything other than as a functionary of Kendall?

[duckerke]

I think it's worth mentioning that Tom didn't specifically tell Greg to announce it; all he said on the phone in the previous scene was "We're gonna call it. Yeah, we're calling for Mencken... Tell 'em I'm coming". He didn't say "Tell them to call it". I read this scene as Greg being delighted with the responsibilty, eager to get to do it but nervous as he always is when given a task. He even ignored Jess' suggestion to wait a couple of minutes (not that it would have mattered anyway, seeing as Tom broke the news seconds later). I really liked this scene, your breakdown of it is great.

[DoubleA]

I like that you rightly pointed out that Greg is distancing himself from personal responsibility here. He knows that he literally just swayed the election toward this man he knows is bad, and he did it for totally selfish reasons of self promotion and revenge/spite. But he doesn't want to take responsibility so he acts like this decision he gets to deliver, "isn't really his fault" and portrays himself as the messenger. Keep in mind that Jess doesn't know what Greg has done to put himself in this position. She doesn't know that he literally just told Kendall about Shiv and threw her under a bus in order to cement Mencken as the choice and spite her.

[shaunfury]

Definitely a great, subtle scene with a lot of subtext. Greg’s arc in this show might actually have the most range out of all of the characters.

[hunterbatten]

this has a little more meaning now that we know she's quitting

[barfymann]

Good content man, keep it up. I read on Reddit that Jeremy Strong wanted Jess to be a more involved character - and she really provides a great deal of contrast. In the episode where Kendall wants to screen the movie to try and ruin the deal, and Jess just agrees to take care of the task; even though she's tired and she'd have to probably stay up all night to get the job done.

[p.g.]

Some writer in the room definitely knew about the Milgram Experiment. ‘I’m not pressing the button - just doing what the guy in the white lab-coat told me to do.’

[sxt]

I’m so glad you focused on this scene because it immediately struck me as a pivotal moment. This episode triggered me in so many ways because it was (intentionally) reminiscent of New York the night of the 2016 election. I was a freshman in college at NYU and it was my first time voting. The entire city was in shock. I shook uncontrollably for days and could barely speak, but my white male friends and classmates just shrugged it off or tried to make jokes about it. They knew that no matter who was president, their lives would not be affected in any direct way. But my life, as a Black Latina woman, was shattered almost instantly. This dynamic between Greg and Jess is so perfect and I’m glad the writers put it in.

[space_]

I'm pretty sure this is the conclusive beat in Greg's character arch in the context of the entire show, it's crazy how he went from the stoner nephew to the guy pushing the nuclear button, I keep thinking about his self astonishment at his own situation when he says: "Wild!"

[seam]

And then she resigns it’s really amazing how this show tells such layered stories within the narrative I need a rewatch of this show to track stuff better

[cerealkiillar]

Watching Greg's machinations is like watching a young Iago. This is how true evil becomes itself because, no, the Devil doesn't necessarily introduce himself and ask permission. I really love this conversation and you're articulation of the gathering disaster. I believe it will be Greg who does the most damage and gets the biggest payoff. He is the most insidious character--and that's really saying something!

[MUSQUIZanimation]

You call it a short scene, but it was so tense, it felt at least an hour long.

[philipgroves]

Excellent observation. I was also fascinated by this little scene. The follow-up is in episode #9 when Jess tells Ken that she is moving on in her career. It is unsaid, but anybody paying attention to this scene understands why she is moving away from Ken and Waystar and maybe has a little more respect from this person who has been little more than a obedient "gal-Friday" up to this point.

[thisbreadneedsmorejam]

Great analysis. This scene stuck out to me as well as most likely having some deeper meanings/implications. Thanks for breaking it down!

[XYZ_Vu]

Thank you so much for pointing that scene out, I’ve watched this episode many times, and I’ve realized each time I saw this how much it really stuck out to me with these characters saying so much through so little words in so little time

[NeonTrapperKeeper]

This scene did something else. It broke fast paced rhythm and escalating suspense. It allowed us to stop, take a pause and think about the situation. And yes, the banality of it all. It was a great scene and it even made me feel guilty just watching the scene seeing that there was, in fact, a moment for us all to reflect. I wish Greg decided to go rogue and tell the newsmakers not to call it. But, I suppose that would be too simple for the plot.

[raydartt]

When I saw this scene I questioned the reason for Jess's reaction. I now think it was to express the horrible decision made and to show the perspective from a POC. I think her reaction was confirmed in Ep 9 when she told Kendall she was moving on. This whole interaction with Jess was very important because her reaction represented what was probably the only opposing views to the conservative movement that this show is about. When she tells Kendall about her intentions, it was a big slap in the face to Waystar and their policies. Very big moment.

[axl]

thats also a perfect exemple of how far Greg has come since the first episode in terms of not being a normal person anymore but a Roy

[oluiolua]

"The banality of evil" should've been the title of the episode.