For the first episode without Logan, director Lorene Scafaria wanted to keep the claustrophobia alive.
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What does it look like when a familiar world, suddenly shattered, starts reassembling itself?
More important, who will be in charge of that world?
The last episode I did and this one were good for Kendalls arc.
Hes getting in position.
But yeah, this is a real bottle episode.
There are seven spaces on the main floor all kind of one large room.
Then youve got the library upstairs and Logans study downstairs.
Something feels like its amping up this season.
Most of the episodes seem to be happening within a day or 24 hours.
People would want to see what happens after Logan is gone.
In a way, its the first real delivery on the title of the show.
Its the first one where hes truly gone.
What do you do when the person who creates the temperature in the room is no longer there?
When I read the script, I took some inspiration fromClue its got that murder-mystery vibe.
And it kind of feels like a living, breathing Eugene ONeill play.
I thought about the apartment layout how its a bit of a circle with a ring-around-the-rosie quality to it.
Theres all this gravity pulling them in different rooms.
Then everybody gathers together.
I do a lot of research on all the background actors that show up.
Most of these performers are people wed used for background in previous celebrations on the show.
Weve got a couple of women in there from ATN.
Its a surreal atmosphere no matter who your father is or how much larger than life he may be.
Its always a surreal moment.
I dont think this is a storythat can be spoiled, to be honest.
I feel like hes still weirdly on the show.Hes still pulling the strings.
One piece of paper is tearing them apart.
A single sheet of paper, and one line on that sheet of paper, ends it.
Tiny, tiny gestures are so huge.
You feel like the first domino just fell in a Rube Goldberg machine.
Hes already winning, it feels like, just by splitting them apart.
Thats also incredibly true in how grief brings out a lot of different reactions.
Theres something so relatable about siblings fighting over who gets grandmas Stoney Creek collection.
These are Dads things.
This is his legacy.
But its also his love.
The relationship with Dad is over full stop.
The conversations with ghosts continue.
Thats part of why it was such a fun episode to play with.
For the first time, youre getting to see Logans children without him.
When the cats away …
So was it an underline or a strike-through?Well, you know … are you an optimist?
Its really hard to say: Its not this, or it is that?
But that line is done so you could read it either way.
When he sits in the chair after he says, Im done helping old ladies cross the street.Yeah!
I guess thats one of the advantages of working with multiple cameras?
You start with a plan, a complete shot list.
I like to go in with a heavy plan.
All of that needs to be facilitated.
David Rasche is one of those actors the minute he starts talking, you want to laugh out loud.
Tom and Shiv on the stairs is another one I love.
Andgetting to seeKerry in that truly vulnerable moment.
Zoe Winters is so brilliant.
Shes had so many great moments this year.
Mark did a 27-minute take in the one before this, so what does it matter?
But that was just Sarah doing it so well.
You cant cut around a stunt like that.
Of course, we had a stunt coordinator and padding.
She fell and twisted her ankle beautifully without getting hurt.
you’re free to see how distinctive each episode is depending on whos behind the camera.
Each episode calls for something different.
Every episode has different rules that apply to the camera.
In this one, you have a lot of obstructions you have to shoot around.
You cant rest on your laurels.
Directing this show seems like what it would be like shooting the Oscars or the Super Bowl.
Mainly, you want to be in the right place at the right time.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
