The eighth episode of the fourth season of HBO's critically acclaimed series, "Succession," aired on October 26th, taking viewers into the heart of a tense and high-stakes election night. The episode, titled “America Decides,” features fictional political candidates Jeryd Mencken (Justin Kirk), an alt-right figure reminiscent of Donald Trump, and his Democratic opponent.
As Connor Roy (Alan Ruck) drops out of the race for a government post in Oman, he returns to Roman with an unusual request expressed through a rhyming game. Meanwhile, other characters like Shiv (Sarah Snook), Greg (Nicholas Braun), and Tom navigate their roles within Waystar Royco as they attempt to sway the election outcome.
Director Andrij Parekh recounts filming this intense episode at CNBC's New Jersey studio while drawing inspiration from real-life events such as voter suppression controversies in Florida. He also highlights how challenging it was to create a believable atmosphere that captured the essence of election night.
Shiv expresses her concerns over Mencken’s potential victory while Greg and Nicholas Braun find themselves entangled in election drama. Amidst these unfolding events are powerful performances by Sarah Snook as Shiv and Alan Ruck as Connor Roy.
"America Decides" raises questions about media influence on elections. Although ATN cannot directly manipulate vote counts, it can present information selectively to suggest all ballots have been counted when they haven't—an issue that resonates with today’s polarized political landscape.
"The show's creators lay out their genuine beliefs about who the Roys and their ilk actually are," said one viewer reflecting on how Succession portrays its cast navigating complex power dynamics within corporate America during crucial moments like this fictionalized election night.
This gripping episode ultimately serves as both commentary on current politics—particularly regarding alleged voter suppression—and poignant character development for the Roy family. As the season nears its end, audiences are left to contemplate how each member will continue their father's legacy and handle the responsibility of Waystar Royco's influence on society.
Sarah Johnson, a dedicated Succession fan, expressed her thoughts on "America Decides": "The episode was incredibly tense and captured the feeling of watching an election unfold in real-time. It was both thrilling and terrifying."
As viewers await the final two episodes of HBO's fourth season of "Succession," anticipation builds for how these characters' lives will be shaped by this consequential night—and what direction the show may take as it continues to explore themes that resonate with today's political climate.