10 Ruthless Moments in Succession That Will Leave You Speechless!

Summary

Succession blends satire with ruthless drama, showcasing a morally bankrupt billionaire family like a modern-day Game of Thrones.
Family dynamics unravel in power plays, betrayals, and psychological warfare, featuring jaw-dropping moments of manipulation and deceit.
Characters like Kendall, Shiv, and Logan navigate personal crises and corporate sabotage, leading to unexpected twists and shocking developments.

HBO’s Succession was more than just a television program— it was an Emmy-winning epic that left viewers both amused and astounded while challenging them to examine their ethical standards when supporting the Roy family. The series masterfully combines biting satire with relentless drama, resulting in scenes so daring that spectators will laugh despite their jaws dropping.

Under the harsh leadership of Logan Roy, the family maneuvers through corporate deceit and personal treachery as if it were routine, continually pushing boundaries to determine how far they’re prepared to fall. This series is akin to ‘Game of Thrones’, but with private jets instead of dragons, and the most scandalous ‘eat the rich’ television production ever, featuring billionaires who are so morally depraved that they make Wall Street predators seem like harmless pets.

8. Don’t Touch The Doughnuts

Mass In Time Of War (Season 3, Episode 2)

The brothers and sisters convene at Rava’s residence for a discussion about potentially ousting their father. Despite Roman and Shiv professing loyalty towards their father, they secretly collaborate with Kendall to consider this plan. They discuss their father’s deceitful actions and the ‘No real persons were harmed’ policy – an embarrassment for the company that they had previously overlooked until it served their interests.

The situation clearly portrays the suspicion and mistrust within the family, as the siblings seem reluctant to eat the doughnuts given by Logan. Shiv’s cool “I wouldn’t” and Roman’s clever “I’m 99% certain those aren’t laced,” suggest their anxiety that perhaps Logan might go so far as to poison them.

7. Shiv Tries To Strong-arm Gerri

Chiantishire (Season 3, Episode 8)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: Shiv is attempting to manipulate Gerri into accusing Roman of harassment, exposing the lengths she’ll go to deceive. She clings to Roman’s inappropriate and unwanted “gifts” and uses them as a disguise for what’s actually a subtle attack on her shaky position as interim CEO. It’s a clever ploy to undermine her brother in the process.

Shiv is poised to transform a complicated scenario into an opportunity for asserting control, intending to undermine Roman’s position and move him lower in the hierarchy. This subtle yet ruthless maneuver demonstrates that there are no enduring alliances within the Roy clan, emphasizing their competitive nature.

6. Kendall Gets A Birthday Bash

Too Much Birthday (Season 3, Episode 7)

The birthday celebration starts off with Shiv and Roman noticing that none of those who truly care for him have attended – no close friends, family members including parents, or even his kids. This sets off a chain of self-reflection as he grapples with a life seemingly unraveling. Logan makes a shocking announcement: he intends to remove Kendall from the company.

This initial revelation sets off a series of unfortunate events: Kendall calls off his eagerly anticipated performance, turns to drinking to ease his distress, and fruitlessly seeks the unique gift crafted by his children. Ultimately, Roman deals the decisive blow by embarrassing Kendall publicly, making it the cherry on top of his midlife crisis birthday celebration.

5. Tom Tanks His Marriage

All The Bells Say (Season 3, Episode 9)

Tom, who had typically found himself in a supporting role, took a dramatic turn in season 3’s intense finale. Instead of continuing to be manipulated, he chose to outsmart Logan by revealing the siblings’ plot to undermine him. This double blow not only thwarted their attempt at overthrow but also jeopardized his marriage. It was an unexpected move, as Tom had been accustomed to being mistreated within the family, absorbing blows and enduring insults like a family pet.

The painful part is that this happened at such an unfortunate moment: just minutes after Shiv shared their thoughts about the future, and immediately following when they both discovered their mother had deceived them. This betrayal’s harshness comes from its intimacy; it’s not merely a business matter, it’s deeply personal.

4. Kendall’s Nirvana Ambush

The Disruption (Season 3, Episode 3)

Kendall’s choice to play Nirvana’s “Rape Me” loud to counteract Shiv’s speech isn’t just a small act of pettiness—it’s an aggressive psychological tactic. It’s a strategic, although chaotic move, aimed at revealing her hypocrisy and disrupting her aspirations within the company. It’s not about him triumphing but rather ensuring that she fails.

I must admit, by overpowering her defense, he’s effectively airing our family’s private issues in broad daylight, turning her public statement into the butt of jokes within the company. It’s not often that people associate Kendall with success, more like a swing-and-miss kind of guy. Yet, this time, his impulsiveness seems to have scored a hit.

3. Kendall’s Guilt Trip

Return (Season 2, Episode 7)

In another phrase, Logan compels Kendall to encounter the relatives of the waiter who perished in Season 1’s car crash. However, this encounter doesn’t serve to bring closure; rather, it represents Logan’s harsh tactic for reinforcing Kendall’s sense of guilt. By manipulating his son’s guilt, he can effectively control him, using it as a leash to pull him back into line whenever desired.

In this particular moment, the harshness feels deeply personal, a mental game aimed at undermining Kendall, reminding him of his subordinate position. Brian Cox delivers a chilling performance as Logan, seemingly expressing warmth with “You’re my boy,” but in reality, turning endearment into a veiled threat.

2. Logan’s Twisted Game

Hunting (Season 2, Episode 3)

Picture an unconventional team-building event spearheaded by Logan Roy, where mature executives grunt for sausages instead of the usual trust fall. In the wake of a threat to his business, Logan transforms embarrassment into a competitive spectacle. He compels high-ranking officials like Tom and Karl to act humiliatingly, crawling on their hands and knees while Roman captures the scene on his smartphone.

In my critique, I find that the absurdity of the scenes serves as a disguise for their brutal undertones. This character seems more inclined to shatter individuals than succumb to losing his grip on them. As the story unfolds, these once employees metamorphose into pieces on Logan’s gameboard, fueling his power-obsessed delusions. The final scenes are humiliating, degrading, and quintessentially Logan – a ruthless display cloaked in a malevolent, twisted grin that speaks volumes of his villainous nature.

1. Kendall Declares War On Waystar

This Is Not For Tears (Season 2, Episode 10)

As a movie buff putting it in my own words, Kendall’s public confrontation of Logan, where he accused him of hiding scandals, feels like throwing a bombshell of retaliation and ruin. The act of betrayal is mind-blowing, not only due to its audacity, but also because of its timing. After Logan hid my role in the waiter’s death and reinstated me into the family, I became his loyal pawn.

However, upon discovering he was being used as a pawn, he swiftly turned against his father, publicly labeling him as a toxic influence on live television. This decisive moment in the series transcends simple betrayal—it’s a powerful statement, a shocking twist, a clear declaration of conflict, and an exemplary display of dramatic intensity.

2025-03-13 08:34