Utódlás

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes intrigue despite the calmer pace this time. When you find yourself in hostile territory, it's wise to watch your back. But what to do when you're surrounded by a crowd of people and there's nothing but open space with not a single wall to lean against? I imagine it's akin to an Australian surfer taking a spill, realizing he's bleeding, the shore still a distance away, and those eerie shadows passing beneath the surface... / Lesson learned: Always attend family gatherings armed. Just to be safe. (2022.05.05)

I love American Senate hearings. They're so wonderfully transparent, all about democracy and justice with no ulterior motives. The episode was entertaining, even though it didn't reach the heights... well, more like depths, of some of the more intense episodes. / Lesson learned: In trouble? Sacrifice someone. (2022.05.05)

In the finale of the second season, the creators went all out. The boat trip was quite a blast. A luxury yacht, the sea, and an excursion into the dark corners of the human mind, what more could I ask for? At times, I felt like a fan at the World Championships in backstabbing; Brutus could learn a thing or two. A great ending to an awesome season. / Lesson learned: Before setting sail, realize there's nowhere to run. (2022.05.05)

I anticipated a well-crafted spectacle with that familiar, somewhat depressing atmosphere that tends to leave me feeling a bit repulsed, if not downright disgusted. And let me tell you, that's precisely what I got. Sure, halfway through the season, I found myself grumbling about a few shortcomings in the atmosphere. However, the last three episodes shut me up. Yes, even the third return to the Roy family was thoroughly enjoyable. It's quite the mystery to me how a series filled with not a single remotely positive character manages to captivate me so completely. / Lesson learned: If you've got a weak stomach, take some motion sickness pills before watching. (2022.05.19)

What an awesome kick-off to the fourth season. Barely had it begun, and I was once again immersed in an atmosphere that gave me the feeling of being completely covered in disgusting, sticky slime while breathing in the stench of a slaughterhouse during a hot summer in the midst of a foot-and-mouth epidemic. If the creators can still evoke such strong impressions in me by the third season, they must be doing something right. / Lesson learned: Life is full of paradoxes. Sometimes, the higher you climb, the deeper you're in it. (2022.05.14)

The second episode delivered a hefty dose of intrigue and manipulation, so I can't fault it, even though it didn't quite hit me with the same intensity as the previous one. With each new episode, I find myself amazed at how engrossed I can get in a story where there isn't really a truly likable character. Well, whatever the creators are aiming for, they've got me hooked, and I'm enjoying the ride. (2022.05.15)

Yes, they've done it again, but that's no longer a surprise with this series since I've come to expect this level of quality. I didn't give it five stars simply because I wasn't drenched in a sufficient amount of disgusting fluids. The episode had a very intriguing plot, but once it ended, I didn't feel disgusted enough to get that usual urge to throw up. / Lesson learned: There is a dark side to fame. (2022.05.16)

The fourth episode had me hooked because the intricate dance between political ambitions, corporate greed, and the thirst for personal power was simply perfection. However, I'm starting to miss that toxic atmosphere in the family dynamics from the last couple of episodes. I'm hoping the show swings back to that vibe. / Lesson learned: If you're going to corrupt a politician, make sure they're really working hard for you. (2022.05.16)

In my last review, I was complaining about the absence of the toxic family dynamics. And while this still persists, this time around, the internal company scheming ramped up to such an extent that it more than made up for the Roy family dysfunction. Watching the negotiations play out was a real treat, especially given the states of the main opponents. I'm already itching to see how this situation unfolds further. No chance of boredom creeping in here! / Lesson learned: Always read the package leaflet before you start popping any new meds. (2022.05.17)

The episode didn't quite hit the mark for me; I was left with this feeling like I was waiting for something that never quite materialized. I get that choosing one of the most powerful men on the planet is an important issue, but being non-American, it didn't quite resonate as strongly with me. The plot didn't grip me as much this time, and I missed that uncomfortable (yet top-notch) atmosphere that seemed to have faded away from the third season. / Lesson learned: Don't count on politicians to stay true to their principles. 4*- (2022.05.18)

Who would've thought? It seems my constant grumbling was finally heard, and I was treated to some truly unpleasant family time after what felt like ages. The atmosphere was so thick, it felt like being in an unventilated room packed with thirty people. It was yet again a thoroughly unpleasant experience that I somehow thoroughly enjoyed. / Lesson learned: Birthday parties are overrated. I mean, even John Wayne Gacy liked them... (2022.05.18)

I mean, here I was, complaining about how the creators seemed to dial back on the disgust-inducing atmosphere in the third season. And then, BAM! This episode hits like a bulldozer, smothering everything in a thick, putrid layer of the worst, rotting biological waste. This family... whew. It's quite the experience - uncomfortable yet absolutely riveting. / Lesson learned: Watch what you photograph. And if you absolutely have to, be careful who you send it to. (2022.05.19)

Each season's finale has consistently delivered a brilliantly crafted experience, and this one was no different. It was another depressing glimpse into the hopelessly dysfunctional Roy family, complete with corporate intrigue that stirred up a lot of disgust. / Lesson learned: Watch your back. In this world, there will always be someone ready to stab you in it. (2022.05.19)

It was clear that I would give a five-star rating to this season after the third episode, although I wasn't fully aware of it at the time. I was worried that the creators had peaked too soon with that episode, setting up a potential decline for the rest of the season. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had underestimated them. The entire series maintained high quality, culminating in a satisfying finale. While there may be flaws if I were to nitpick, I am so satisfied overall that I don't feel the need to dwell on them. / Lesson learned: The worst person you can encounter in life is not an idiot; it is an ambitious coward. (2023.10.06)

I gave the first episode of this season a solid four stars, which isn't a bad start. However, considering my warm relationship with the dysfunctional Roy family, one might have expected an even better result. That said, the family was just getting warmed up during this episode, so my gag reflex hasn't kicked in yet. But I have a feeling the creators have a lot in store for me. (2023.09.01)

As I had hoped, a bit of patience paid off and we're finally getting into the right vibe. The creators took a mild approach to the opening episode, allowing the more sensitive viewer to ease in, and while they didn't exactly come out swinging with the second episode, they still lifted the lid on a pot that doesn't exactly emit the most pleasant aroma. And you know what? It suits me just fine; the more Roy's family members reveal their true selves, the more repulsive it gets, and the more twistedly I enjoy it. Tom, played by Matthew Macfadyen, is perhaps the most loathsome; I find even unscrupulous jerks more sympathetic than this caricature of a man. Well played, I must say. / Lesson learned: If a shark puts on sunglasses, surfers are in for a problem. (2023.09.02)

A solid five stars without a doubt. It felt less like the typical TV episode and more like a high-quality one-hour movie packed with perfect atmosphere and genuine emotions, all without the usual American melodrama to which I've become allergic. I've been pleased with this series for a while now, but with this episode, the creators have truly stepped up their game. Now I'm a bit worried whether the remaining episodes will live up to this standard. I'm hoping the creators won't disappoint, and I must say, my trust in their work is quite high. The performances were flawless. / Lesson learned: Believe it or not, there are moments in life when the billions you've accumulated are essentially worthless. (2023.09.03)

In my last episode review, I was worried that the creators might have set the bar too high, but it turns out those concerns were completely unfounded. The fourth episode delivered a plot that completely absorbed me, pulling me away from the outside world as I was engrossed in watching the vultures descend on their fresh prey, never letting their beaks rest. There's truly nothing quite like enjoying a lovely Saturday morning, immersed in a pool of stinky mud and corrosive substances. / Lesson learned: Sometimes, three is just too many. (2023.09.30)

Granted, the fifth episode didn't dwell as much on the siblings' sadness, but the creators made up for it with a veritable feast for the vultures by taking us on a nutritionally-disgusting journey into the secrets of big business in Norway. / Lesson learned: Every true American seems to have a clear yet often mistaken opinion about Europe. (2023.10.01)

After some critical reflection, I realized my reviews for individual episodes of this season were starting to sound a bit repetitive. So, I decided to give this episode just four stars to mix things up. Not just because of that, though; what I missed was something that would genuinely give me the creeps. That's all there is to it. The previous episodes were simply a tad better, and I wanted to highlight that. Overall, it was still a very solid episode. / Lesson learned: Power is addictive. (2023.10.02)