Austerlitz

"**Austerlitz**" is the seventh episode of the first season of *Succession* and seventh of the series overall. It premiered on July 15, 2018 on HBO. It was written by Lucy Prebble and directed by Miguel Arteta.

## Premise

In an effort to fix his public image, Logan agrees to a family therapy session at Connor's New Mexico ranch that Logan intends to double as a publicity stunt. While lying low, Kendall spends some time with the locals and finds his sobriety tested. Shiv considers putting herself in a precarious situation when Nate pushes her to join the team of a potential presidential candidate, Gil Eavis, who goes against everything her father stands for. As Willa spends more time with his family, Connor makes a hard-to-refuse proposal.

## Plot synopsis

Kendall plans to take legal action against his father following his expulsion from Waystar Royco, as well as against his brother, Roman, for betraying him. Tabloids suggest that Kendall has relapsed, prompting concern from Rava though he insists that he's sober. Meanwhile, in an attempt to fix his public image, Logan agrees to a weekend-long family therapy session at Austerlitz, Connor's ranch in New Mexico. Kendall is invited as well but refuses to attend.

During their first session, the therapist has Logan express his feeling towards his children. He claims that they are his primary source of motivation and that he loves them, but Shiv insists that he's being disingenuous. She begins to grow suspicious of his intentions with the therapy, considering he's asked them to do an interview and photoshoot later. Connor and Roman remain quiet and the therapist suggests that they may be afraid of their father. Logan is offended and insists the therapy is over. Meanwhile, outside, Marcia speaks to Tom and Willa. She opposes the latter's method of making money and shares the story of an old friend of hers, who was an also an escort, that was murdered.

After everyone regroups, Connor pulls Willa aside and confesses his feelings for her. He proposes that she live there with him, provided that she's given an allowance and means of travel, so that she may focus on her writing career. She reluctantly agrees. Shiv leaves Austerlitz to meet with Senator Gil Eavis and Nate, who recently proposed that she work with the two of them. After meeting Eavis, she begins to consider taking the offer. She then has a sexual encounter with Nate in his car.

Kendall arrives in New Mexico, having changed his mind about the therapy. He meets some locals at a pub, who he joins for a cocaine and methamphetamine binge. Back at the ranch, the remainder of the session has also proved ineffectual and the therapist suggests they go for a swim. After diving headfirst into the shallow end, he breaks several teeth and is hospitalized. Logan decides to allow Roman more responsibility, putting him in charge of overseeing an upcoming satellite launch out of Japan. Roman, concerned about his brother, picks him up and heads back to the ranch. Shiv returns and is immediately questioned about her whereabouts. Kendall arrives amid the argument and, obviously intoxicated, begins instigating. Logan insults both Tom and Shiv by calling her a coward, causing her to leave in tears. Kendall then confronts his dad about planting the stories about his drug use and mentions Logan's "evil" uncle, Noah. Logan grows more and more enraged and nearly ignites a physical altercation with Kendall, but Marcia separates them.

The next morning, the rest of the Roy children leave Austerlitz. Logan goes for a swim with only Marcia there to encourage him, revealing deep scars across his back.

## Notes

1. ↑ The name of Connor's ranch is derived from the Battle of Austerlitz, a major event in the Napoleonic Wars. Connor shows interest in Napoleon history several times throughout the show.
2. ↑ The scars on Logan's back are seemingly a result of his uncle Noah's abuse. Logan refuses to swim in front of or show his back to his children.

## Cast

* Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch (credit only)
* Brian Cox as Logan Roy
* Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
* Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon (credit only)
* Natalie Gold as Rava Roy
* Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
* Alan Ruck as Connor Roy
* Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy
* Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy
* Rob Yang as Lawrence Yee (credit only)
* Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra
* Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini
* David Rasche as Karl
* Dagmara Dominczyk as Karolina Novotney
* Ashley Zukerman as Nate Sofrelli

Guest* Eric Bogosian as Gil Eavis
* Griffin Dunne as Dr. Alon Parfit

## Quotes

* **Shiv Roy:** So what happened with the fake therapy? Any pretend breakthroughs? Any good performances?
**Connor Roy:** Nothing. Our therapist died.
**Shiv:** What?
**Connor:** Metaphorically speaking.
**Tom Wambsgans:** He smashed his teeth out in the pool.
**Shiv:** Oh, my god...
**Tom**: Freud would have had a field day.

## References

1. ↑ Succession Ep 7: Austerlitz | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com