Feud: Capote vs. The Swans explained

Season Number:2
Bgcolour:
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Network:FX
Num Episodes:8
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Feud: Capote vs. The Swans is the second season of the American anthology television series Feud created by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam for FX. Directed by Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch, it is written by Jon Robin Baitz. The eight-episode season is based on the book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era written by Laurence Leamer.[1] Its first two episodes premiered on January 31, 2024, with episodes available on Hulu the day after broadcast on FX.[2]

Premise

Acclaimed writer Truman Capote ruins his friendships with the Swans, a socialite group of New York City high society, by writing a thinly veiled fictionalized account of their scandalous and hedonistic lives in his (ultimately unfinished) novel, Answered Prayers. When Esquire publishes the chapter "La Côte Basque 1965", after the restaurant of the same name frequented by the Swans and Capote himself,[3] [4] several vow to ruin his life in revenge.[5] [6]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Production

Development

FX renewed the Feud series for a second season in February 2017, with Ryan Murphy and Jon Robin Baitz attached as writers, with an initial focus on the relationship between Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales.[7]

By April 2022, the focus had shifted onto Truman Capote and his tempestuous relationship with New York high society with Gus Van Sant on board to direct and Naomi Watts attached to star.[8]

Baitz adapted the bestselling book Capote's Women by Laurence Leamer for the series. Executive producers on the series include Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Baitz, Van Sant, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Watts, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson.[9]

It was the last project of Treat Williams before his death in 2023.[10]

Casting

In August 2022, Tom Hollander was cast as Truman Capote with the cast also including Diane Lane and Calista Flockhart.[11] In September 2022, Demi Moore joined the cast.[12]

Filming

Filming began in New York in the autumn of 2022.[13]

Release

The first two episodes of the season premiered on January 31, 2024, with episodes available on Hulu the following day.[14] Internationally, the series will be available on Disney+ through Star and on Star+ in Latin America.[15]

Reception

Audience viewership

In February 2024, Ryan Murphy Productions announced Feud: Capote vs. The Swans was the number one television series on Hulu upon its release.[16] [17] According to the streaming aggregator Reelgood, it was the eighth most streamed television series in the United States during the week of February 4,[18] the third during the week of February 14,[19] and the ninth during the week of February 21, 2024.[20] According to the streaming aggregator JustWatch, it was the sixth most streamed television series in the United States during the week of February 5–11, 2024.[21]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans holds an approval rating of 77% based on 64 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "While this Feud might lack the abundance of incident that made its predecessor such a nasty delight, Capote vs. the Swans' luxe milieu and dynamite ensemble will keep spectators entertained."[22] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[23]

David Bianculli of NPR praised the season and concluded that "Capote vs. the Swans deserves our attention. It's a good drama, a compelling story with a powerhouse cast — and in this new installment of Feud, they all do some very powerful work."[24] For IGN, Emma Fraser gave Feud: Capote vs. The Swans a grade of 8 out of 10, praised the performances of the actors, especially Hollander's, complimented the costumes and the production design, and called the show a "delicious cautionary tale of writing."[25] In commending the show's handling of the "complex, enduring, often co-dependent bond between straight women and gay men", Alison Herman describes in Variety that the "series is ultimately a sincere and moving study of a dynamic that’s rarely explored with such empathy and depth, a novelty that makes its flaws more forgivable as the price of ambition."[26]

Other critics were less effusive about the season, particularly for its inadequate depth in plot and character development. Jackson McHenry wrote in his review for Vulture that "Capote vs. the Swans gives us plenty of the surface of Capote, of the public bons mots, but it has trouble getting inside his creative self." He elaborated that the show "delivers on the cattiness and the glamor and the factoids, like that Capote served everyone spaghetti and chicken hash alongside the champagne" in lieu of "a deeper insight into why Capote’s guest list was so revolutionary or how ’60s society was shifting as it happened."[27] In Salon, Melanie McFarland noted that the female characters in Baitz's script lacked depth and observed that he "extensively invests in writing to one layer of these women’s interiority without convincing us that there's more to them than their vindictiveness, prejudice or selfishness." She also examined the comparisons drawn by FX and the show to The Real Housewives franchise, a perception she deems "a disservice" to the cast, and juxtaposed the show's portrayals of the women with those from the franchise: "Bravos housewives may be as shallow as Capote’s, but Cohen is a master at casting problematic people into addictive spectacles. Conversely, Baitz and that cast stuff so much effort into their characters as to make them stiff objects instead of granting them the flexibility to be wickedly real."[28]

Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Treat Williams, and director Gus Van Sant received Primetime Emmy Nominations in recognition of their acclaimed work. The show also received nominations in many of the technical categories.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gallucci . Nicole . January 31, 2024 . When Does 'FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans' Premiere on FX and Hulu? How To Watch Episodes 1 And 2 Decider . 2024-02-09 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203061135/https://decider.com/2024/01/31/when-does-feud-capote-vs-swans-air-fx-hulu-how-to-watch-feud-season-2-episode-1-and-2-premiere-date/ . live .
  2. Web site: Sherlock . Ben . January 31, 2024 . When Feud: Capote Vs. The Swan's Finale Releases & How Many Episodes There Are . 2024-02-09 . . en.
  3. Web site: Taylor . Elise . 2024-02-01 . Inside La Côte Basque, the Ultimate See-and-Be-Seen Restaurant for New York City's Ladies Who Lunched . 2024-02-06 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203221108/https://www.vogue.com/article/inside-la-cote-basque-the-ultimate-see-and-seen-restaurant-for-new-york-citys-ladies-who-lunched . live .
  4. Web site: Nash . David . 2024-01-27 . 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Is Basically a Walking Tour of a Forgotten New York . 2024-02-06 . . en-US . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203221108/https://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/a46445674/feud-capote-vs-swans-cast-locations/ . live .
  5. Web site: Petski . Denise . December 5, 2023 . Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Gets FX Premiere Date; Details of Second Installment of Ryan Murphy's Anthology Series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206150531/https://deadline.com/2023/12/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-fx-premiere-date-ryan-murphy-anthology-series-1235652584/ . December 6, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  6. News: Mangan . Lucy . Feud: Capote vs the Swans review – the starriest TV show in living memory forgets to be fun . 18 April 2024 . The Guardian . 17 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Patten . Dominic . February 28, 2017 . 'Feud' Gets Season 2 Order Ahead Of FX Series Premiere; Charles & Diana In Spotlight . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102228/https://deadline.com/2017/02/feud-season-2-charles-and-diana-fx-ryan-murphy-jon-robin-baitz-1202026567/ . March 27, 2019 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  8. Web site: Anderson . Nellie . April 1, 2022 . Naomi Watts To Star In 'Capote's Women' Season 2 Of FX Series Written By Jon Robin Baitz & Directed By Gus Van Sant . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401161622/https://deadline.com/2022/04/feud-naomi-watts-star-capotes-women-season-2-fx-series-jon-robin-baitz-gus-van-sant-1234992069/ . April 1, 2022 . December 7, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Web site: London . Rob . December 6, 2023 . 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' Sets January Premiere Date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125175354/https://collider.com/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-release-date/ . January 25, 2024 . December 7, 2023 . Collider.
  10. Web site: Rosenbloom . Alli . January 3, 2024 . 'Feud' trailer glimpses the late Treat Williams in his final role . 2024-02-09 . . en . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105121445/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/03/entertainment/feud-treat-williams-final-role/index.html . live .
  11. Web site: Otterson . Joe . August 17, 2022 . 'Feud' Season 2 at FX Casts Tom Hollander as Truman Capote, Adds Calista Flockhart and Diane Lane (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125175342/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/feud-season-2-fx-cast-tom-hollander-calista-flockhart-diane-lane-1235343751/ . January 25, 2024 . December 7, 2023 . Variety.
  12. Web site: Otterson . Joe . September 16, 2022 . Demi Moore Joins 'Feud' Season 2 at FX (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920220827/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/demi-moore-feud-season-2-fx-1235375133/#recipient_hashed=543290449ab748aea2ae096779206179989658c01d22c5f1ea4df3debc27917a . September 20, 2022 . December 7, 2023 . Variety.
  13. Web site: Seth . Radhika . October 12, 2023 . See The Jaw-Dropping First Stills Of Naomi Watts, Chloë Sevigny And Demi Moore In Feud: Capote vs The Swans . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180422/https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/feud-season-2-capotes-women . December 7, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . Vogue.
  14. Web site: Buff . Christina . January 31, 2024 . How to watch 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans' with or without cable . 2024-02-09 . . en . February 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207092732/https://mashable.com/article/how-to-watch-feud-capote-vs-the-swans . live .
  15. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . December 5, 2023 . Capote vs. the Swans', Starring Tom Hollander and Naomi Watts, to Premiere in January . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206150514/https://www.thewrap.com/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-fx-premiere-date/ . December 6, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . TheWrap.
  16. Web site: Moore . Kasey . February 5, 2024 . Ryan Murphy Confirms 'The Watcher' Season 2 Won't Release on Netflix in 2024 . 2024-02-09 . What's on Netflix . en . February 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209014755/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ryan-murphy-confirms-the-watcher-season-2-wont-release-in-2024/ . live .
  17. Web site: Potter . Jordan . February 6, 2024 . Ryan Murphy says 'The Watcher' won't renew on Netflix in 2024 . 2024-02-09 . Best of Netflix . en-US . February 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212161810/https://best-of-netflix.com/first-look-at-drama-prince-andrew-newsnight/ . live .
  18. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . February 9, 2024 . Reelgood: 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Grabs Top Weekly Streaming Spot Through Feb. 7 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212161808/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/reelgood-mr-mrs-smith-grab-top-weekly-streaming-spot-through-feb-7/ . February 12, 2024 . 2024-02-09 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . February 16, 2024 . Reelgood: 'The Holdovers,' 'True Detective' Return Atop Weekly Streaming Charts Through Feb. 14 . 2024-02-19 . . en-US.
  20. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . February 26, 2024 . Reelgood: Oscar-Nominated 'Oppenheimer' Most-Streamed Weekly Content Through Feb. 21 . 2024-03-19 . . en-US.
  21. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . February 12, 2024 . JustWatch: Oscar-Nominated 'Past Lives,' 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Topped Weekly Streaming Through Feb. 11 . 2024-02-19 . . en-US.
  22. Web site: Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (2024) . March 28, 2024 . . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203183245/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/feud/s02 . live .
  23. Web site: Feud: Season 2 . February 4, 2024 . . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204013223/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/feud/season-2/ . live .
  24. Web site: Bianculli . David . David Bianculli . January 30, 2024 . 'Feud: Capote vs. the Swans' review: A compelling story with a powerhouse cast . January 31, 2024 . . January 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131033120/https://www.npr.org/2024/01/30/1227854692/feud-truman-capote-vs-the-swans-review . live .
  25. Web site: Fraser . Emma . January 31, 2024 . Feud: Capote vs. the Swans Review . 2024-02-09 . . en . February 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210101921/https://www.ign.com/articles/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review . live .
  26. Web site: Herman . Alison . January 31, 2024 . Naomi Watts and Chloë Sevigny Lead a Glamorous Flock in the Surprisingly Sad 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans': TV Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240212232931/https://variety.com/2024/tv/tv-reviews/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review-1235876809/ . February 12, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Variety.
  27. Web site: McHenry . Jackson . February 1, 2024 . Feud Sees Capote in Black and White . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209025425/https://www.vulture.com/article/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-review-fx.html . February 9, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Vulture.
  28. Web site: McFarland . Melanie . January 31, 2024 . "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" makes us miss Ryan Murphy's facility for writing difficult women . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240214072247/https://www.salon.com/2024/01/31/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-makes-us-miss-ryan-murphys-facility-for-writing-difficult-women/ . February 14, 2024 . February 14, 2024 . Salon.

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