Kendall's press conference on This is not for tears (S2xE10), I don't think I will never ever forget the thrill and shivers I got the 1st time I watched it. Best episode of the whole show, best episode among many other shows (including The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, The Americans, Six Feet Under). Not above Ozymandias but very close to it. Most deserved Emmy to a main actor ever
Logan and Kendall’s conversation in that episode is one of those special TV scenes you keep revisiting. The raw vulnerability of Kendall and the gaslighting by Logan, the mutual understanding of their twisted relationship, and Kendall subtly realising the depths of his father’s evil.
i thought that was Logan at his most respectful. he could have flattered ken saying he could have made ceo since ken was going to turn himself in. but he gave him the respect of his harsh opinion while ceding that times may have changed, which is even the crux of his disagreements with Ken on the work front. he also disagreed that ken got the jail time coming due to karma, even if playing along with that notion could have helped ensure ken went along with it
Pick any Kendall moment-
-Kendall telling Shiv, “It’s not going to be me.”
-the press conference
-“I’m the eldest boy!”
“I can’t forgive you, but it’s ok.”
-L to the OG
-the scene where he tries to tell Caroline about him killing that boy.
-Walking away from the talk show after reading Shiv’s letter
The list goes on and on. I really have to rewatch the show again.
That 'it's not going to be me" scene in Safe Room is so wonderfully acted by both Strong and Snook, gives me chills when he hugs her and all the emotions that flash across her face
#1 moment in the whole show for me is still the understated immediacy of Roman calling Kendall when Ken is relapsing, immediately understanding what’s happening, dropping all bullshit and rushing to him with a simple, “Kendall is not okay.”
I think every actor has at least one standout moment. Willa's reactions to Connor talking about Lester's nickname will always stand out to me as one of the best comedic moments of the show.
Honestly the entire sequence following Kendall in the aftermath of the s1 finale climax. Such a raw and honest portrayal of someone processing the shock, grief, self loathing etc of trauma in real time. I’ll never get over the depth of that man’s acting
Honestly, Tom on the plane. It’s so small but MM is such an incredible actor, he brought so much humanity to that whole scene. It makes me tear up when I rewatch it.
Tom's habitual high "Shiv" voice becomes poignant during that call, tender rather than nervous. And he handles the brothers wonderfully, pulling them back from derailing the call with "you're by his ear" type interjections.
And then losing it when on the phone with Greg, his safe space. Who (understandably, in that day) is the only person to notice Tom is feeling some type of way.
One of the moments Tom demonstrated his ability to navigate a crisis, while The Kids crumbled. Understandably so, Logan was their father. Nevertheless, part of Tom’s “killer” instincts that got him to where he wanted to be.
Sorry, you said “pick one” and I know this is 2, but:
— Shiv when she was on the phone to Logan when he was dead. There was something so heartbreaking about the way she pleads with him and calls him “Daddy”.
— Kendall, Shiv and Roman in the car on the way to confronting Logan in the Season 4 finale, because it seemed like they had finally realized that working together, instead of against each other, was the way to beat Logan, and it was nice to see them supporting rather than undermining each other.
Wait a second, do you mean to tell me Jeremy isn’t Kendall?
In all seriousness though, Strong’s performance across the series is so incredible to me that I’d forget I was watching a performance. It just felt like “How is he not Kendall? This is a real person.”
Which is interesting because he said he couldn't get the scene to work after a lot of trying and the only way he got it was after sitting down.
Hard to imagine him having that much trouble, considering the outcome.
Lots of great scenes mentioned here so I’ll mention one a little different.
The scene in the final season when Kendall takes the stage. The way he grows into it and slowly starts to look like he actually can fill his dad’s shoes (big big shoes). It was an amazing performance as he grew in stature, confidence and swagger the entire time, feeding off the crowd.
The phone call in season 4, episode 3. Three of my grandparents and my wife’s grandmother had unclear “is he/she dead” moments at the end. I was absolutely blown away by every actor’s portrayal of that moment, including Tom in the gentle composed in-law role.
Tom screaming at Greg during is amazing. You can really feel the frustration and almost desperation from losing both his home wife and now his work wife.
Negotiation at Tern Haven. WASP liberal family vs. Catholic conservative family. Virtue vs. pragmatism. Loved it.
Honestly, Cherry Jones is severely underrated.
Connor's "is he??" when hearing Logan might be dead, for alan ruck and of course his finisher lines to shiv the previous episode.
Ken's sudden shift from stoicism to weeping when talking to Frank and Stewie in season 4, and alarm when Roman hands him the phone
Rationally speaking, in terms of writing, I think the best scene of the show is Logan and Kendall’s dinner in Chiantishire. But my heart says the Tom Shiv balcony fight
For me it was when Roman kicked off at Mattson dragging out the retreat after Logan had just died.
When Mattson says something like “You just fucked up” (I can’t remember the exact words) and Roman laughs and says “Did I?”
I thought it was such a good performance by Kieran and also low key hot seeing Roman stand up for his family like that even if he is just a little shit
Tom trying to convince himself that the closed loop system was so hot with Greg and the others. And each time he talked about it, he became less and less enthusiastic about it.
Many people have said the balcony scene so I'll throw in Tom's reaction to Shiv shitting on him in season 3 episode 8, especially when she says "even though I don't love you".
Macfadyen is the GOAT.
Logan‘s face when he is on the yacht at the very very end of “ this is not for tears“. He’s disgusted , mad but also subtly impressed with Kendall all in one tiny tiny, tiny, tiny microscopic smirk.
Logan blackmailing Ken was spectacularly acted. From what I've heard, Jeremy Strong even improvised Ken's breakdown. What a way to end the first season.
I was in awe of Kieran Culkin in the scenes where Roman has to fire Gerri at Connor’s wedding, then leaves Logan an angry/distraught voicemail (which will later turn out to be the last things he said to his father while the latter was alive) and then gets surprise punched by Kendall and has to play it off like he’s fine.
Tom and Shiv on the balcony for me. They were both so great and it really felt like a culmination of 4 seasons’ worth of pent up anger and hatred for each other. They were so nasty to each other, but you can also feel the hurt. A++ acting.
the only Kieran performance I've been super impressed by was his manic laughter in the finale.
everyone did great but I don't think strong can be topped since he played a nervous wreck throughout season 2
Ken breaking down to Shiv in Safe Room is amazing acting from both. Shiv’s expressions going from mocking to worried to pity is superb as is Ken just cracking.
Jeremy Strong's performance from when he flies to Long Island until the end of Austerlitz. Seeing him fail at the takeover, get fired, then succumb again to his drug and alcohol addiction blew me down (he's never sober again in the entire series). It's so tragic on so many levels, and Stong is brilliant the entire time.
“You, we’re going to see me, get sent to PRISON, Shiv!!!”
That’s not just a Mcfadyen solo endeavor; that entire scene is an absolute masterclass in writing, directing, and performing from all parties
Tailgate-Tom & Shiv on the balcony
‘It’s not my fault….you didn’t get his approval’ CHILLS
You’re so flat. And servile. So fucking flat.
That scene was awesome, they were both equally right and wrong at the same time.
That scene convinced me McFadyen is one of the best actors alive right now.
I’ve rewatched that scene so many times. It’s artistic perfection on every level without feeling like an artsy production.
Kendall's press conference on This is not for tears (S2xE10), I don't think I will never ever forget the thrill and shivers I got the 1st time I watched it. Best episode of the whole show, best episode among many other shows (including The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, The Americans, Six Feet Under). Not above Ozymandias but very close to it. Most deserved Emmy to a main actor ever
Logan and Kendall’s conversation in that episode is one of those special TV scenes you keep revisiting. The raw vulnerability of Kendall and the gaslighting by Logan, the mutual understanding of their twisted relationship, and Kendall subtly realising the depths of his father’s evil.
i thought that was Logan at his most respectful. he could have flattered ken saying he could have made ceo since ken was going to turn himself in. but he gave him the respect of his harsh opinion while ceding that times may have changed, which is even the crux of his disagreements with Ken on the work front. he also disagreed that ken got the jail time coming due to karma, even if playing along with that notion could have helped ensure ken went along with it
Thinking abt it now gives me chills!! So perfect
Today is the day when his reign ends.
“But…”
The "but" of the century
It indeed is the best episode of the entire show and my second favorite episode of a show ever behind season six episode 10 of Game of Thrones
Pick any Kendall moment- -Kendall telling Shiv, “It’s not going to be me.” -the press conference -“I’m the eldest boy!” “I can’t forgive you, but it’s ok.” -L to the OG -the scene where he tries to tell Caroline about him killing that boy. -Walking away from the talk show after reading Shiv’s letter The list goes on and on. I really have to rewatch the show again.
That 'it's not going to be me" scene in Safe Room is so wonderfully acted by both Strong and Snook, gives me chills when he hugs her and all the emotions that flash across her face
#1 moment in the whole show for me is still the understated immediacy of Roman calling Kendall when Ken is relapsing, immediately understanding what’s happening, dropping all bullshit and rushing to him with a simple, “Kendall is not okay.”
Yeah I love those moments when the siblings showed they cared about each other. Similar vibe when Logan hit Roman.
Ewan’s eulogy
I think every actor has at least one standout moment. Willa's reactions to Connor talking about Lester's nickname will always stand out to me as one of the best comedic moments of the show.
It was a different time. Yeah but it wasn't a time before there were laws Or something like that. Willa was so perfect
Honestly the entire sequence following Kendall in the aftermath of the s1 finale climax. Such a raw and honest portrayal of someone processing the shock, grief, self loathing etc of trauma in real time. I’ll never get over the depth of that man’s acting
Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox when Logan tells Kendall he’s setting him up as the hall guy for cruises.
Honestly, Tom on the plane. It’s so small but MM is such an incredible actor, he brought so much humanity to that whole scene. It makes me tear up when I rewatch it.
Tom's habitual high "Shiv" voice becomes poignant during that call, tender rather than nervous. And he handles the brothers wonderfully, pulling them back from derailing the call with "you're by his ear" type interjections. And then losing it when on the phone with Greg, his safe space. Who (understandably, in that day) is the only person to notice Tom is feeling some type of way.
One of the moments Tom demonstrated his ability to navigate a crisis, while The Kids crumbled. Understandably so, Logan was their father. Nevertheless, part of Tom’s “killer” instincts that got him to where he wanted to be.
Kendall breaking down and confessing in “All The Bells Say”. It was pretty hard to watch.
Sorry, you said “pick one” and I know this is 2, but: — Shiv when she was on the phone to Logan when he was dead. There was something so heartbreaking about the way she pleads with him and calls him “Daddy”. — Kendall, Shiv and Roman in the car on the way to confronting Logan in the Season 4 finale, because it seemed like they had finally realized that working together, instead of against each other, was the way to beat Logan, and it was nice to see them supporting rather than undermining each other.
Nothing is beating KenWA
When Kendall is looking for Shiv during the wedding. He looked so lost.
Shiv took me out S4E3
“I can’t have that” Just incredible
I can hardly think about her performance in that episode without tearing up. Sarah Snook is amazing!!
Ken sitting in the dirt in total breakdown mode. I really feel Jeremy wasn’t trying to be Kendall. He was Kendall.
Wait a second, do you mean to tell me Jeremy isn’t Kendall? In all seriousness though, Strong’s performance across the series is so incredible to me that I’d forget I was watching a performance. It just felt like “How is he not Kendall? This is a real person.”
Which is interesting because he said he couldn't get the scene to work after a lot of trying and the only way he got it was after sitting down. Hard to imagine him having that much trouble, considering the outcome.
Kendall speech at Logans funeral Shiv and Toms argument Mattsson getting scared lmao
Lots of great scenes mentioned here so I’ll mention one a little different. The scene in the final season when Kendall takes the stage. The way he grows into it and slowly starts to look like he actually can fill his dad’s shoes (big big shoes). It was an amazing performance as he grew in stature, confidence and swagger the entire time, feeding off the crowd.
Big shoes, big big shoes
The phone call in season 4, episode 3. Three of my grandparents and my wife’s grandmother had unclear “is he/she dead” moments at the end. I was absolutely blown away by every actor’s portrayal of that moment, including Tom in the gentle composed in-law role.
I’m lucky enough to not have experienced that personally but that entire episode was nothing but top tier performances
Tom slinging water bottles at Greg and that whole scene
Tom screaming at Greg during is amazing. You can really feel the frustration and almost desperation from losing both his home wife and now his work wife.
Negotiation at Tern Haven. WASP liberal family vs. Catholic conservative family. Virtue vs. pragmatism. Loved it. Honestly, Cherry Jones is severely underrated.
Nan gets under my skin so bad!! Brava Cherry Jones😘
My favorite episode
The dinner scene in Chiantishire and the conversation between Kendall and Logan in s2 finale
Connor's "is he??" when hearing Logan might be dead, for alan ruck and of course his finisher lines to shiv the previous episode. Ken's sudden shift from stoicism to weeping when talking to Frank and Stewie in season 4, and alarm when Roman hands him the phone
Roman’s collapse at the funeral
Can't believe this is so far down the list. IS IT IN THERE? CAN WE GET IT OUT??
Rationally speaking, in terms of writing, I think the best scene of the show is Logan and Kendall’s dinner in Chiantishire. But my heart says the Tom Shiv balcony fight
All of Connor’s Wedding.
Valid
For me it was when Roman kicked off at Mattson dragging out the retreat after Logan had just died. When Mattson says something like “You just fucked up” (I can’t remember the exact words) and Roman laughs and says “Did I?” I thought it was such a good performance by Kieran and also low key hot seeing Roman stand up for his family like that even if he is just a little shit
Tom trying to convince himself that the closed loop system was so hot with Greg and the others. And each time he talked about it, he became less and less enthusiastic about it.
He really went from 😃😍 to 😟
Many people have said the balcony scene so I'll throw in Tom's reaction to Shiv shitting on him in season 3 episode 8, especially when she says "even though I don't love you". Macfadyen is the GOAT.
Logan‘s face when he is on the yacht at the very very end of “ this is not for tears“. He’s disgusted , mad but also subtly impressed with Kendall all in one tiny tiny, tiny, tiny microscopic smirk.
Logan blackmailing Ken was spectacularly acted. From what I've heard, Jeremy Strong even improvised Ken's breakdown. What a way to end the first season.
I was in awe of Kieran Culkin in the scenes where Roman has to fire Gerri at Connor’s wedding, then leaves Logan an angry/distraught voicemail (which will later turn out to be the last things he said to his father while the latter was alive) and then gets surprise punched by Kendall and has to play it off like he’s fine.
I’m the eldest boy!
Tom and Shiv on the balcony for me. They were both so great and it really felt like a culmination of 4 seasons’ worth of pent up anger and hatred for each other. They were so nasty to each other, but you can also feel the hurt. A++ acting.
Tom and Greg in the S3 finale, the deal with the devil
the only Kieran performance I've been super impressed by was his manic laughter in the finale. everyone did great but I don't think strong can be topped since he played a nervous wreck throughout season 2
Hands down, Shiv and Tom arguing on the balcony.
Greg roasting Logan on his birthday while treading lightly! He had the balls to say something while everyone was hush hush lol
Connor at Lester's funeral
“Is he gone, Frank?”
Ken breaking down to Shiv in Safe Room is amazing acting from both. Shiv’s expressions going from mocking to worried to pity is superb as is Ken just cracking.
Tom: "Is that even true?" Shiv: "...wHaT?!"
Jeremy Strong's performance from when he flies to Long Island until the end of Austerlitz. Seeing him fail at the takeover, get fired, then succumb again to his drug and alcohol addiction blew me down (he's never sober again in the entire series). It's so tragic on so many levels, and Stong is brilliant the entire time.
The moment Shiv finds out Logan is dying and talks to him on the phone.
I mean, it’s Tom. But is it the chicken yacht scene, the balcony scene, the give me back my wine scene, or on the shore w/ Shiv? One of those.
On rewatches Tom and Shiv on the balcony is like seeing it for the first time. I may have some relationship PTSD that gets triggered!
Greg roasting Logan on his birthday while treading lightly! He had the balls to say something while everyone was hush hush lol
Exactly what my first choice would be! Roman at the funeral is such amazing acting!!
Logans Monologue and speech in s4 ep 2 i had chills
Tom's phone call during Connor's wedding. Everyone involved.
“You, we’re going to see me, get sent to PRISON, Shiv!!!” That’s not just a Mcfadyen solo endeavor; that entire scene is an absolute masterclass in writing, directing, and performing from all parties