No TV show quite compares to HBO’s Succession. With its unique blend of comedy and drama, the series has dominated award ceremonies and earned top spots on critics’ rankings in recent years. Succession revolves around the tumultuous lives of the Roy family members as they compete for control within their media empire, Waystar RoyCo.
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The ensemble cast excels in their roles, and Nicholas Britell’s score masterfully sets the emotional backdrop, but it’s the show’s exceptional writing that truly elevates the best episodes of Succession.
you are watching: The 13 Best Episodes of ‘Succession’, Ranked
13. “Hunting”
Season 2, Episode 3 (2019)
Experience the most uncomfortable moment in Succession as Logan puts Tom, Karl, and Greg through a degrading game of “boar on the floor.” Crawling and oinking like animals, they fight over bits of sausage, revealing Logan’s cruel nature. As Greg questions the absurdity of the game, Logan’s response is chilling: “There are no f**king rules.”
The power of this scene is intensified by the lack of context surrounding “boar on the floor.” Is it a real game? Has Logan used it as a display of dominance before? Is it a joke or a serious test of loyalty? Tom captures the confusion perfectly with his exasperated question: “How the f**k would I know, Greg? You think I can explain this madness?”
12. “Retired Janitors of Idaho”
Season 3, Episode 5 (2021)
Without a doubt, this episode of Succession ranks among the funniest in the series, and considering the show’s track record, that’s quite an achievement. The storyline centers around the high-stakes Waystar shareholder meeting, a pivotal event where the very future of the company teeters on a precipice. However, just moments before Logan was scheduled to deliver a reassuring address to the shareholders, assuring them that everything is under control, he unexpectedly falls ill, descending into a feverish and bewildering state. Amid Logan’s bewildering rants about deceased felines and his vocal confrontations with nonexistent individuals, a frantic effort unfolds, led by Tom, Shiv (played by Sarah Snook), and Roman (portrayed by Kieran Culkin), all working tirelessly to avert impending disaster.
What makes this episode truly shine is its ingenious decision to bring together all of the series’ characters in a single location, setting the stage for a collision of their distinct personalities and a cascade of cutting insults. With time ticking away, the show takes on an almost thriller-like intensity, which paradoxically enhances the comedic hilarity.
11. “The Disruption”
Season 3, Episode 3 (2021)
Within the Succession series, “The Disruption” stands out as one of the most brutally impactful episodes to date. The episode centers around Kendall (played by Jeremy Strong), who orchestrates a jarring and controversial move by setting up speakers to blare Nirvana’s “Rape Me” during a pivotal moment when Shiv is attempting to address the issue of sexual assault within Waystar. In response, Shiv chooses to publish a letter that ruthlessly criticizes Kendall, focusing on his struggles with mental health and addiction.
Succession has often been praised for its portrayal of the misery that accompanies immense wealth, and this particular episode takes that theme to its darkest depths. As the hour unfolds, each of the Roy siblings is left emotionally wounded and isolated. Notably, Kendall and Shiv’s relationship appears to be irreparably damaged, making their eventual reconciliation in the season finale all the more poignant.
10. “Which Side Are You On?”
Season 1, Episode 6 (2018)
Season 1 of the series delivers its first taste of the backstabbing and high-stakes power plays that have become synonymous with Succession. In this particular episode, Kendall takes a bold step by attempting to orchestrate a vote of no confidence to remove his own father, Logan, from the company’s helm. However, Kendall’s grand plan unravels in a spectacular fashion. His helicopter becomes grounded, forcing him into a car, and then he gets trapped in traffic, ultimately resorting to running on foot. To make matters worse, Roman, at the eleventh hour, aligns himself with Logan, sealing Kendall’s fate and crushing his hopes of a successful vote.
What makes this episode truly intriguing is how it momentarily strips Kendall of his wealth and the immense power that accompanies it. Kendall, who has often come across as detached from the everyday struggles of ordinary people, finds himself sprinting through crowded streets in a desperate bid to salvage his plan. In these moments, he almost appears relatable, shedding light on the complexities of his character.
9. “Nobody Is Ever Missing”
Season 1, Episode 10 (2018)
This episode is a wild rollercoaster ride, and Kendall finds himself at a low point in more ways than one. It’s a classic TV character arc where he seems to outsmart his father, only to spiral into a drunken car crash, ultimately ending up in a vulnerable moment, crying in his father’s embrace.
What makes this episode truly stand out is its ability to encapsulate the show’s central themes around power and its corrosive effects. While the Roys engage in their relentless power struggles, their actions have far-reaching consequences, wreaking havoc in the lives of ordinary people – from the victims of sexual assault on the cruises to the waiter caught up in Kendall’s car crash. As Logan callously puts it: ‘No real person involved.’
8. “DC”
Season 2, Episode 9 (2019)
In this whirlwind of an episode, Kendall takes a nosedive, hitting rock bottom in more ways than one. It’s a classic television character journey where he initially seems to outwit his father, only to find himself careening drunkenly into a lake, culminating in a vulnerable moment where he breaks down in his father’s embrace.
What makes this episode truly remarkable is its ability to encapsulate the show’s core themes revolving around power and its corrosive impact. While the Roys are consumed by their relentless power struggles, the consequences of their actions ripple outward, wreaking havoc in the lives of ordinary individuals – from the victims of sexual assault on the cruises to the unsuspecting waiter caught up in Kendall’s car crash. As Logan callously remarks: ‘No real person involved.’
7. “Honeymoon States”
Season 4, Episode 4 (2023)
Coming off the heels of Logan’s unexpected demise in the show, “Honeymoon States” throws another curveball – Shiv’s pregnancy. The audience hardly has time to absorb this revelation before they’re thrust into Logan’s wake. For those expecting a solemn occasion, it quickly becomes apparent that the power struggle is far from over. A contentious document bearing Kendall’s name surfaces, and both Ken and Roman are anointed as co-CEOs, at least until the GoJo deal is sealed.
The episode serves as a stark reminder that there’s no respite for the ruthless in this world. Even before Logan is laid to rest, the vultures are circling, ready to seize their opportunities. The Roy siblings find themselves caught between grief and the cutthroat pursuit of their positions in this new reality. Meanwhile, Kerry faces an abrupt exit, unceremoniously dispatched “to her little apartment.
6. “Tern Haven”
Season 2, Episode 5 (2019)
In this episode, the spotlight falls on Logan’s ambitious bid to acquire PGM, a company belonging to the Pierce family. Despite their stark political differences, the Roys and the Pierces share an uncanny level of dysfunctionality, not to mention a penchant for obscene wealth. The tension escalates when Shiv is publicly denied the CEO role, leading to her humiliation. Meanwhile, Kendall and Naomi Pierce (played by Annabelle Dexter-Jones) find common ground in their shared backgrounds and addictive tendencies.
What makes this episode stand out is its keen exploration of the characters’ quirks and complexities. It delves into Shiv’s unwavering ambition, Roman’s unconventional sexual inclinations, and Kendall’s deep-seated need for human connection. All of these revelations unfold amidst a single, high-stakes, and uproarious dinner scene, making it a truly remarkable episode.
5. “Chiantishire”
Season 3, Episode 8 (2021)
The penultimate episode of Season 3 delivers a series of harsh blows to the Roy children. Connor’s marriage proposal to Willa goes unanswered, leaving a cloud of uncertainty. Shiv engages in a bruising conversation with their mother, revealing the deep-seated family tensions. Kendall, in a face-to-face encounter with Logan, comes to the sobering realization that he’s been outmaneuvered. Meanwhile, Roman unwittingly sends his dad a compromising photo in a moment that could only be described as quintessentially Roman.
“Chiantishire” showcases Succession’s remarkable ability to navigate the spectrum from comedy to tragedy and back again. Viewers find themselves chuckling at the Roy siblings’ misadventures, yet the show also invites empathy for these flawed characters. Despite their privilege and seemingly heartless demeanor, they remain, at their core, vulnerable individuals shaped by their tumultuous family dynamics.
4. “Kill List”
Season 4, Episode 5 (2023)
Just a few days after the passing of their father, the Roy siblings embarked on a journey to Norway for GoJo’s annual retreat, courtesy of a somewhat coerced invitation from its CEO, Lukas Matsson, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård. While audiences have encountered Matsson and heard about his company before, this episode offers a closer look at the ruthlessness of the CEO.
The episode features a memorable moment that has significant implications for the future of Waystar. Roman, in a moment of emotional outburst (with Kendall by his side), makes a costly mistake that inadvertently plays into Matsson’s hands, accelerating his acquisition of the company. Meanwhile, Shiv strategically positions herself alongside this new threat, potentially forging a powerful alliance. The pieces of the puzzle are rapidly falling into place shortly after Logan’s demise, setting the stage for more explosive final episodes in the series.
3. “This Is Not for Tears”
Season 2, Episode 10 (2019)
“What could you possibly kill, that you loved so much, would it make the sun rise again?” The news of the sexual assault allegations has made headlines, and the shareholders are demanding accountability. In this gripping episode, the Roy family engages in heated discussions about who they should sacrifice to appease the public. Logan ultimately decides that Kendall will take the fall. However, in a jaw-dropping twist typical of TV dramas, Kendall surprises everyone by holding a press conference and revealing that his father was fully aware of Waystar’s wrongdoing all along.
What elevates this episode is Logan’s initial intention to exploit Kendall’s guilt over the waiter’s death from Season 1. Instead, in a last-minute revelation, Kendall sees the undeniable truth about his father: Logan is merciless and driven by greed, indifferent to the pain his actions inflict on others. Rather than being the end for Kendall, this episode marks the beginning of his transformation and newfound determination.
2. “All the Bells Say”
Season 3, Episode 9 (2021)
Season 3 delivered yet another explosive finale. It kicks off with Kendall sharing details of the car crash with Shiv and Roman. In what might be the most heartfelt moment of the series, the Roy siblings attempt to support each other and temporarily put aside their differences to confront their father. However, their plan backfires when Tom reveals their intentions to Logan.
Tom’s betrayal has been brewing for seasons, hinted at through various interactions. During their diner meeting, Tom mentioned he’d never seen Logan “get f**ked” once. And who can forget his anecdote to Greg about the Roman emperor Nero, who murdered his wife and married his slave? Consequently, the episode concludes with a complete upheaval of the power dynamics. The children are out, and Tom has risen to the top. This underscores another crucial theme of the show: power not only corrupts but also proves to be capricious. Your position in the hierarchy is never guaranteed. All of this sets the stage for an enthralling Season 4.
1. “Connor’s Wedding”
Season 4, Episode 3 (2023)
Three episodes into the final season, Succession delivers a shocking twist by killing off Logan Roy. His unexpected demise occurs on the same day as Connor and Willa’s wedding (which they decide to go through with), and it coincides with Logan’s trip to Sweden alongside his top team to meet Mattson.
This episode features some of the finest performances by Succession’s main characters, with Sarah Snook, in particular, delivering a powerful portrayal of Shiv’s reaction to her father’s death, capturing the emotions that everyone in the series is experiencing. “Connor’s Wedding” has become a hot topic of discussion among fans online, sparking debates about the bold decision to write Logan out of the show. It’s an audacious, unforgettable, and intensely dramatic episode that left viewers astonished and underscored just how deeply they are invested in the events of this HBO series.
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Category: TV