( this man always looks either extremely concerned or completely pretentious )
If he has a million fans, I'm among them. If he has one fan, it's me. If he has no fans, I've ceased to exist. š
š Frank š Vernon š CARRIES š
HE IS WAYSTAR ROYCO. That's all I needed to say. I love Peter Friedman, he's astounding in every single thing he's in. Thank you for hearing me out š
He was disappointed and confused but I already know the man vibed to the song
To me, he looked worried that Ken was about to humiliate himself or Logan. Or both lol.
Love this Frank appreciation post! He's been my guy since day oneš„°
Of the Old Guard, he seemed the most sympathetic to the siblings. When Shiv tearfully asked him at the cemetery "My dad wasn't that bad...was he?", Frank kindly told her "He was a salty old dog. But a good egg". Shiv seems somewhat comforted then leaves. Frank and Karl exchange looks like "He really WAS that bad".Ā
āSalty dog-eggā was actually the one time I was truly disappointed with Frank; I think it wouldāve been kinder to be more truthful. Ā But nobody in that realm is perfect, and people of his generation often donāt really see things the way I do; so I still overall love him. Ā
I think he was quite aware of how abused the kids were - probably more than anyone - and he was consistently kind, even to Roman; even though Roman arguably takes out a lot of his anger towards his father on safer-target Frank.Ā
Honestly, I feel like he cares more about the kids than Caroline does. Ā
You see Frankās compassion in how he shrugs off all of Romanās abuse. Ā Itās like watching one of those people who takes care of abandoned newborn kittens dealing with a āspicyā one. Ā Like, OK, little guy, youāre biting me, but Iām not going to even try to discourage it, because youāre scared, and little, and it doesnāt hurt anyway because you only have tiny little milk teeth.
I think itās also telling that Roman asked him to intercede with Gerri after the second firing. Ā Like, on some level, the little shit knows he can trust Frank, even after how incredibly shitty he (Roman) has been to the man.Ā
You also see Frankās kindness towards Least-Eldest Boy in the funeral scene, where Frank asks him if heās really all right before he goes up to speak; Ā if I recall correctly, I think Frank even addresses him as āsonā. Ā Ā
He also shakes his head at Karlās playing the eugoogly breakdown video, even though Frank probably suffered way more slings and arrows from the kid than the 2019 Boar-on-the-Floor champion did.
In the fanfic realm, itās pretty commonly held that Frank is that he is also the godfather to Gerriās daughters; and my personal headcannon is that at least one of the two girl likes him more than she likes Gerri.
I agree the salty dog line was a missed opportunity in more ways than one. Considering Frank is painted as a literary buff, and he speaks often quite eloquently I think this would have been a good time to flex some brilliant and insightful writing. Salty dog and good egg just makes me think of when Logan put him on the spot to roast him, he just spit something out so the attention would move on. It would have been more in character to pull out an obscure but poignant literary reference.
Maybe that's why he's always a lieutenant, an oft fired and rehired lieutenant at that, when it's time to step up he shrinks from the moment.
Good points. Still, I think he was just trying to be as tactful as he could, considering the circumstances. I mean, what was the alternative, tell Shiv how awful her father was in excruciating detail like Ewan did?Ā
"I pre-grieved, I'm not your son"
Frank definitely cared about Kendall and had his best interests in mind throughout the show
Frank in the Gojo vote completely ignored Kendall like "fuck off".
I remember he asked Kendall in the episode after his fatherās death if he even wanted to take over. He said something of the sort āyou look happy now youāre out, do you really want back in?ā
That was clearly framed by the writers as quite a sincere conversation as well.
This. Also when Frank told Kendall that he was proud of him and that he could do the jobāafter he was unceremoniously shitcanned to make Roman the COOāmay have been one of the most human moments in the show. Love Frank!
I find it interesting that in the original scene Friedman/Frank ad-libbed: āYou donāt have it you never had it.ā
I actually think they should have kept it in. Frank is like a father-figure to Kendall and thereās a bond and trust there.
I think it was just partly because they were speaking with other people of status present, and Frank needed to be firm and professional.
But also, he was trying to get him to see, like: āKendall, sorry son but give it up. Itās not good for you to be like this. Iām being very blunt about this because you need to understand youāve lost, to process it, and then maybe youāll grow out of it.ā
They say one of the first stages of recovery from addiction is acceptance that you are an addict. I think thatās what Frank was doing here; getting Kendall to accept that all of this is destructive and a failed Periclean dream.
I think it showed that Frank was finally down with Kendall. Dudeās a child.
Bet he wouldāve changed his mind after Tom fired him
This is WHY he voted against Kendall lol. He gets fired, gets paid a shit ton of money, and retires.
Ideally tho he wouldāve worked there still while getting a ton of money from the sale. It seemed like him and Carl definitely still wanted to be there
As a very old (and retirement age person) would you ratherā¦
Make a high salary or get paid 10ās of millions to quit?
They have lived their career they are over it.
I agree but it seemed like they all still wanted too, Frank Carl and Gerri. Couldnāt he still have made all that money from the sale while continuing to work there? Yes, right
Can't make a breakfast Tomlette without grilling some Franks.
But would've received his golden parachute with the shares soaring, paid out handsomely as a board member.
Frank was smart, knew how to give good advice, loyal to Logan and put up with all the abuse Logan and the kids could throw at him. He often got too close to Karl, who was a definite snake, but Frank generally speaking was a calming influence.
The man was the right player in the wrong game and far too good for his career.
Loyal to Logan?
His hand shot up during the vote of no confidence
Thereās an argument to be made that was done out of genuine concern for Loganās health and the future of the company - frank is one of the people who directly observed Loganās mental lapse/hitting his grandchild at thanksgiving which is what predicated that vote. He could see that Logan was acting erratically and it was putting the company at risk.
There is also some resentment as well. Logan had fired him in the first episode. I agree with you in that Frank was concerned for the former, but it didn't inspire his strong desire for voting against.
Not one of them (the top-minds + sibs) care about Waystar if they don't get to be at the top.
He was just smelling his armpit, no?
I liked how pragmatic he was. Loves Kendall, gives him good advice, urges him to get out so he can go on to have a good life but he doesn't let that interfere with his own paycheck. Many folks tried to counsel Kendall merely to support their own schemes but he gave genuine good advice, truly a godfather.
"And without further ado..."
"And a little further ado..."
š³š "In fact much ado...š"
Kendallās real dad š
Frank was hilarious
Thereās something about him š¤š»
He's like a fine wine or an aged cheese š
There were a series of Succession character āsmash or passā polls on Tumblr.Ā
The Frank poll came to my attention through a re-blog, which was tagged āall of you voting pass are cowardsā. Ā
This is correct.Ā
The cowards ultimately won the day (Iām assuming Roman probably somehow chicaneried this vote, as well), but I noticed this comment on the disappointing final result:
āobsessed with the fact that more people would fuck Frank than Greg (and rightly so)ā
Which. Ā Damn right. Ā Count me among them.Ā
Omg I saw the post you're talking about. I was so surprised that not more people wanted to smash that man. He's so fine bro š
I'm not afraid to say that I'd treat Frank Vernon like a king š
I heard his trophy girlfriend is sucking some waiterās dick in Palermo.
The trophy gf ain't sh't š
I loved Frank. He was the heart of Waystar Royco IMO.
The scene of him talking to Kendall on the phone on the plane was outstanding
Too soon, Frank. Get your hard on out of my soup
Probably the only actual serious person on the show besides Gerri and Logan
Heās aā¦ tough old nut!
I loved Logan's "Sid fucking Caesar š" comment while Frank was just so proud of himself lmaoo
My wife recently saw him perform in the play Job and said he was absolutely amazing. Unsurprisingly. Frank forever.
The man is truly a talent of his time. His performances in 'Safe' and 'Coming Up Roses' are phenomenal and endless.
āI am merely an attendant lord, here to swill a scene or too.ā
Love the detail that he gets the quote sorta right. Heās read his Shakespeare, but not recently.
After Gerri, Frank is my favorite of the Old Guard. He was always shown to be competent, and had a calming presence.
Also, I watched Side Effects last year for the first time, and was pleasantly surprised to see Friedman pop up in a minor role!
Real Succheads know that Frank is the best character.
Frank cared about Kendal, almost as much as he cared about himself
I appreciate Friedman's portrayal, great acting. But Frank - I think he cared for Kendall and to extent for other siblings - we knew he's been there pretty much whole their lives. However, those feelings were not enough to intervene (in my headcanon he was also idle when Logan abused them as kids) or stand up to Logan. His one bold act was, of course, during the "coup" attempt. After that, when he's back in Logan's circle, he almost doesn't talk to Ken anymore. Frank says it himself when Gerri asks him why he's coming back - he needs money. He seems scheming in season 4, when the piece of paper with Kendall's name is found, he doesn't support him. Also, he didn't warn Kendall about the debt issue in season 1. It's like he gave up on Kendall at some point.
BOW BOW BOW BOW BOW
Frank is a real G. Life boat material.
The type of guy I want at the diner the morning after a big night out. The type of guy who youāre not close enough with to invite to your wedding, but you do anyway. And he shows up.
If you find yourself with a job at a big corporation with no allies, find the Frank. Heāll ferry you through the dark waters and see to it you arrive safely at your destination.
Reinventing cable. Itās gonna be huge
If itās anything like he did in the 90s ā¦
If I was to give him a letter grade it would be B plus, for Bad plus Terrible.
The Panic Meister, cooking up his sweaty spaghetti!
The way I'd ride him ong. Like, honestly. He's such a DILF. A VCILF. A vice chairman I'd love to FVCK
I can't even tell you you're wrong because this take is COMPLETELY RIGHT š
Safe (1996)
Great film I got to rewatch the other day. Julianne Moore and Todd Haynes. Great 90ās cinematography.
Frank plays a new age health guru, and is quite menacing.
Imagine my surprise when seeing Frank as a stoner cult member in āThe Pathāā¦ I had to IMDB to make sure I wasnāt high myself, but it was him. Such a radical difference in characters, but he nailed it once again. Great actor. Frank was one of my favorites, his loyalty to Kendall up until the very end was his way of being the father figure Logan could never be. He tried so hard to convince Kendall that it was all over, to give in to Mattson, accept the loss of WayStar Royco and move on with their legacy intact. Ken just couldnāt accept the loss, and I think you could see in Frankās face that he still felt for him. Perfectly written and amazingly acted.
Nicest guy on the show, at least among the main cast.
āI am merely an attendant lord, here to swill a scene or too.ā
Love the detail that he gets the quote sorta right. Heās read his Shakespeare, but not recently.
And when he does read Shakespeare he does it with the utmost attention š
I love the look on his face when Ken does L To The OG