Feud: Capote vs. The Swans Episode 4 – Recap and Reflections

This story contains spoilers from the fourth episode of Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, “It’s Impossible.”

For Diane Lane, the entire premise of Feud: Capote vs. the Swans is full of complexity and layers.

As the FX series depicts the fallout from Truman Capote’s “La Côte Basque” — a chapter from his unfinished novel, Answered Prayers, that was excerpted in Esquire’s November 1975 issue that caused a giant rift between the acclaimed writer and his “Swans” — the actress can’t help but notice the irony that she’s playing socialite Slim Keith, one of the Swans that was outraged by Capote’s thinly veiled portrait of the elite milieu in which she was a part. “I imagine them sitting on a sofa, enjoying champagne and popcorn, and having the last laugh on all of us,” says Lane, who laughs at the meta nature of the show’s depictions of the secrets, lies, and gossip shared between Keith’s wealthy cohort.

Plot Summary

Even though Slim Keith rushes to the side of Babe Paley, who is humiliated by Capote’s fictional portrait of her and her marriage to CBS exec William S. Paley, her smear campaign is seen by her social circle — including C.Z. Guest, Joanne Carson, and Lee Radziwill — as too destructive, especially as Capote is in the throes of alcohol dependency. Babe Paley, stricken with cancer, is considering offering her forgiveness.

However, Slim is steadfast in her actions and is eventually revealed to be having an affair with Bill Paley while championing his wife Babe.

Character Insights

According to Lane, Slim Keith was a heavyweight of discernment and represented growth from humble beginnings. She possessed qualities that attracted people to her and valued interesting conversations. Lane appreciates how Slim’s book “Slim: Memories of a Rich and Imperfect Life” captures her appreciation of love, leaving a kind trail behind, and the importance of forgiveness.

Lane admits she did not know much about Slim and the Swans before taking on the role, but she found inspiration from recordings of Slim’s voice and her book’s insights.

Complex Relationships

In Feud, Slim’s relationship with Truman and Babe is complex. While protecting Babe from Truman’s betrayal, Slim herself is betraying Babe by having an affair with her husband. Slim’s affair with Bill is seen as a product of their close friendship during a time of crisis.

Lane addresses Treat Williams, who portrayed Bill Paley, and describes the joy and humanity he brought to the role. Williams’ portrayal is even more poignant as it was his last performance before his passing.

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans is an ongoing series releasing new episodes on FX, with streams available the following day on Hulu.