# Succession on HBO

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, hbomax-wb-dc\
**Created:** [June 4, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428 "2018-06-04T19:34:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/81 "2021-11-30T14:17:12Z")

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“Hey, Ken, may we please step inside your mental disorder?”

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/82 "2021-11-30T14:32:10Z")

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I saw an element of Rosebud in Kendall’s frantic search for the gift from his kids. It was the only thing anyone gave him who actually loved him. And I was thinking he probably would have been much happier just to spend a quiet night at home with those kids. The party was so over-the-top and it looked like it would have been torture to be there.

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**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/83 "2021-11-30T14:47:50Z")

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> [@ISiddiqui](#):
>
> Such a sad birthday party. Kendall with the complete lack of self-reflection when he says he doesn’t want this to be an asshole’s birthday party, lol.

I like Tom’s quote from the previous episode where Kendell is trying to recruit him to his team. Something like “My hunch is you’re going to get fucked . Because I’ve seen you get fucked a lot. And I’ve never seen Logan get fucked once.”

I guess my one question is does Logan Roy actually have a plan or is he just an asshole? What I mean to say is none of the Roy children appear particularly capable of leading a multi-billion dollar media empire. Logan is pretty savvy in business and politics, so is the show simply Logan trying to ensure that whoever takes over the family business is actually ruthless and competent enough to run it when he’s gone?

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/84 "2021-11-30T15:09:56Z")

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> [@msmith537](#):
>
> I’ve never seen Logan get fucked once

I do think this was a curious comment now thinking back on it. Because Logan did get fucked by the other shareholders (the Adrian Brody guy especially). Sure, he was out of his mind when Shiv made the deal, but Logan was going to get himself voted out without that deal. And Tom was there the entire time and knew it. But since Logan keeps the high chair, he didn’t get fucked?

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**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/85 "2021-11-30T16:03:35Z")

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Does it seem that we keep having plot lines that dead-end with no consequences?

Remember when Logan had a stroke?  
Kendall had a drug habit and killed a guy (well, covered up his complicity)?  
Kendall tried to take over the company?  
And now…the DOJ investigation into the cruise line sexual abuse and harassment … poof. gone.

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**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/86 "2021-11-30T16:46:24Z")

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I think the writers have left the door open on the DOJ investigation plotline. Logan’s health issues will almost assuredly continue to be an issue as well.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/87 "2021-11-30T17:25:47Z")

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The buyout offer from Logan and Roman to Kendall was for two billion dollars. Now I have no idea if that’s more or less than he thinks his shares are worth but wouldn’t he be far happier if he just took the money and separated from his toxic family? The fact that he didn’t just jump at the offer perhaps indicates that partly what he wants, what they all want is daddy’s love and approval.

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/88 "2021-11-30T17:36:53Z")

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> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> The fact that he didn’t just jump at the offer perhaps indicates that partly what he wants, what they all want is daddy’s love and approval.

Oh I think that’s his motivation, 100%. Kendal has even dumped a girlfriend because daddy didn’t like her. I think there’s been some serious abuse in this family at the hands of their father, and that’s made Kendal largely a non-functioning adult. Whenever he tries to go out on his own against his father, he doesn’t know what to do, so he fucks it up. He needs his dad to function, and when he doesn’t have daddy around, he collapses. Kendal could never run the business after Logan’s gone; he’s too dependent on his father to know how to do anything right.

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/89 "2021-11-30T17:42:41Z")

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> [@Red\_Wiggler](#):
>
> I think the writers have left the door open on the DOJ investigation plotline. Logan’s health issues will almost assuredly continue to be an issue as well.

Yeah, I think that Logan’s health and the DOJ investigation are still lurking. And Kendall is betting on the DOJ investigation to help him eventually take over the company (I think he believes that his role in the ‘deal’ will be remembered by Stewy and Sandy - which lol).

I wouldn’t be surprised if ATN pushing the Raisin out bites them in the ass, re: the DOJ investigation. Perhaps their fascist loses and the winner is more than fine with going after Waystar.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Logan dies or is incapacitated at the end of the season (the UTI thing seemed like a bit of foreshadowing), and then next season is the last one where the kids are in open war for the throne.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/90 "2021-11-30T17:45:07Z")

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I don’t think any of them are capable of running the business. And it’s a weird combination of businesses; they have theme parks, cruise ships, TV networks, possibly cable channels and some other stuff. It’s some weird combination of Disney plus Comcast plus Fox News. In the real world, it might be better to split the company into two or three pieces. That’s the kind of thing that General Electric and Johnson & Johnson recently announced they were doing.

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**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/91 "2021-11-30T19:13:26Z")

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There were some good moments (Tom flipping the desk was epic) but this was a weaker episode IMO. The “Kendall is a loser” arc has been played way beyond the point of diminishing returns and it just doesn’t have the same impact. I have been saying that the story needs new characters and storylines and the last episode seemed to deliver but this one was very much a retread.

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**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/92 "2021-12-01T19:46:31Z")

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> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Now I have no idea if that’s more or less than he thinks his shares are worth but wouldn’t he be far happier if he just took the money and separated from his toxic family?

Happy is not his goal. Acceptance is. And the buyout letter was Logan’s way of kicking Ken Doll out of the family. _You are no longer one of us_ is the message received by Ken, no doubt.

I have a theory about what happens at the end of this season, even the final 10 minutes but I’ll keep quiet for now… 🙃

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/93 "2021-12-06T19:31:31Z")

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Oh Roman. That dick pic, just when things were swinging your way…

Gerri is fucked. Roman is the only reason Gerri is sitting at the big desk, and Shiv has wasted no time in pointing out to Logan how fucked up Roman’s relationship is with her.

Was Kendal passed out with his face in the water at the end? Dead Kendal would make for an interesting twist.

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/94 "2021-12-06T19:36:37Z")

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Funniest dick pic of all time. I was on the fucking floor!

I don’t think Kendall is dead. I think he was seeing how long he could hold his breathe - after Logan’s comment about the waiter.

Also… poor poor Tom.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/95 "2021-12-06T20:02:38Z")

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> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#):
>
> Gerri is fucked. Roman is the only reason Gerri is sitting at the big desk, and Shiv has wasted no time in pointing out to Logan how fucked up Roman’s relationship is with her.

I think Shiv was suggesting that Gerri would have to go and it seemed so unfair; she was the target of the sexting, and she’s the one to be forced out? On the other hand Roman is family and she’s not. I hope she at least gets a fat settlement out of them.

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**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/96 "2021-12-06T21:13:13Z")

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> [@JohnT](#):
>
> I have a theory about what happens at the end of this season, even the final 10 minutes but I’ll keep quiet for now…

!!!

Damn, they may not have waited…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/97 "2021-12-06T21:22:03Z")

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The last ten minutes were funny but show is struggling to find an arc they can stick with. The DOJ investigation has fizzled out, then the show was briefly about the Republican primary and now it’s about GoJo and Mattson who honestly seems like a bore.

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**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/98 "2021-12-06T22:16:31Z")

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I think that these things may come back. All of these are things where Shiv has been kind of sidelined a bit, especially by Roman, and now she’s declaring war on Roman (of course he decided to engage in friendly fire).

I do wonder if the DOJ investigation is actually still in the cards (and Tom doesn’t get a brutal reversal of his partying that he’s free).

And I can see the plots of the Republican primary and the GoJo acquisition intersecting. GoJo apparently owns some social media (at least according to what Shiv said). A Trump like candidate may not be very happy about what the new GoJo Waystar social media platform is saying about him.

I remember that line Tom told Kendall, about I’ve never seen Logan get fucked? I have a feeling Matsson may end up fucking Logan through the ‘merger of equals’.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/99 "2021-12-06T23:25:17Z")

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Incidentally, in case you’re wondering about the absence of masks in the show, I saw something from the showrunner prior to the season premiere that it’s occurring during the pandemic but people like this aren’t touched by such things. (I can try to find the exact quote later.)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/succession-on-hbo/815428/100 "2021-12-06T23:35:39Z")

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Gonna make my stand here:

Unless it purports itself to be an accurate depiction of life on _this_ Earth in the Years of our COVID, 2020-?, I am fine not seeing masks in contemporary fiction.

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