‘Succession’ Season 2, Episode 6 Recap: Damage, Control

Re: the Cruise line sexual harassment scandal. Logan prepares his wife (paraphrasing): They're going to say ugly things about me ... sounds like he victimized women in his employ at some point, no?

In one of the season two episodes, Brian Cox character is warned that while buying Pearce may make themselves too big to take over it could also give them a debt spiral that eats up the company. Brian Cox character himself talks about Kodak going from a hundred dollares a share to three 'bucks'. It has to be tempting to the scriptwriters to lead the company into a logical but ultimately disastrous ending. One of the strengths of the series is the way that the billionaire dollare avarice does not absolutely dent the possibility of acting as a human being as when Kendall immediatley supports his brother in episode six. What would happen if the family lost all the money? At the end of season one we get the impression that what pleases the Brian cox character is that his power and control are re-established. So, wouldn't you just love the company to go completely bankrupt. Brian Cox character to end up in a nursing home, powerless. I think the series could achieve true greatness if it went in such a direction. There's already a tension between the poor man made billionaire compared to his rich sons and daughters. Who woud attack him with all his power gone? Is redemption and love more beautiful and ultimatley redemptive when people could express their love and hate to him when they are not compelled otherwise by money. Interesting times ahead

Where I struggle sometimes with "Succession" is remembering that, at heart, this is a comedy. Unlike, say "Silicon Valley," where the humor is obvious, notwithstanding the spot on, scathing portrayal of venture capitalism, "Succession" often hides its comic sensibilities with a more melodramatic facade that suggests more earnest aspirations. That is why I originally viewed the "Boar on the Floor" scene as a potential "jumping the shark" moment, as opposed to appreciating it as a hilarious send-up of corporate obsequiousness - i.e., just how much will executives permit themselves to be humiliated in order to keep their lucrative jobs: pretty damn much. That is not to say that the series does not have dramatic aspirations, and like others, I find Kendall's series-long effort to find his footing in his father's universe genuinely moving. But to hold "Succession" to the standard of "real" corporate behavior and family dynasty machinations is to miss the point.

Absolutely love this show, and this season has been amazing. Every single line, scene, and gesture crafted to perfection. I only wish more people were watching it, so we could talk about it at work! I do wonder if the actual billionaire class watches this show, and if so, what they think. I can say that the show's portrayal of corporate lawyers and their treatment from clients is pretty spot-on.

This episode flew by so quickly I was stunned by it. Superb television!!!

Poor Kendall has been showing so many signs of having a soul this season. He and Gregory are the only characters for whom I wish a happy ending, and that means emancipation from that despicable family for both of them.

I expect Tom to get some blow back for the racism critics of ATN will see in “”We here for you.”

Shiv is showing herself to be quite a survivor and a viper, and more of a Daddy's girl than I thought (the last couple of weeks) .... not in her affections for him, but she is most definitely cut of the same self preserving, manipulating, quasi viscous, ruthless cloth.

Syphilis may be "the MySpace of STDs," (priceless!) but the Roys are settling into the bosom of the new #MeToo era. "Doesn't this all seem a tiny bit quaint?" is exactly the level of insight I'd expect to see... Too funny. I guess putting the face of Shiv onto this scandal should work about as well as Roman's "the 3 R's" flashcards. Kendall's explosive defense against his tyrannical father was glorious... You can mess with corporate integrity, you can mess with peoples' minds, you can mess with the careers and livelihoods of others, you can even mess with social graces, but you can't mess with my brother. The Roys don't always choose their battles with dignity, splendid moment for him.

Three small moments stood out for me: When he is told that the new slogan for the news division “tested great,” Logan corrects the adjective-as-adverb error to “tested fine.” This moment underscores Logan’s keen attention to detail. He is on top of everything and involved in everything. Second moment: Kendall “swears on the lives of my children” that he is telling the truth, a line lifted almost verbatim from The Godfather. In other words, the Logans run an essentially criminal enterprise. Third moment: Logan shouts and shouts at the departing limo after the deal has been rejected. This recalls King Lear howling on the heath, and Brian Cox, a distinguished Shakespearean actor, played Lear. To understate matters, Lear did not end up well and neither will Logan and his nest of vipers. Great television.

"But in this week’s episode, she brings her brothers closer together, uniting them in their hatred of her." I'm not so sure her brothers 'hate' Shiv as much as they are blindsided by her. Neither Roman nor Kendall seem to have much of an actual understanding of women. And now there's Nan and Rhea to deal with and a newly assertive Marcia. As Roman makes it clear, he's much more comfortable with 'mole woman' and female 'filing cabinet', Gerri.

Is it too complex to suspect a back story that Siobhan and Rhea knew each other prior to all the M&A fights, just as she knows the woman Tom is hitting on in this episode? If Logan recruits Rhea now that Nan has fired her, that would be a great plot twist - whether Siobhan knew Rhea in the past or not. Gerri is so brilliantly droll and blasé with crazy Roman (“...depends on the numbers...” and all the clan, it’s obvious she has seen centuries’ worth of malfeasance by Logan and the other male alphas at the top. Yet, she is a stark contrast to the worn and weary henchmen Logan brings back into his fold, who are working for him just to pay off multiple wives’ alimony. On top of that, Logan seems to regard her as that “useful filing cabinet” (per Roman’s description), yet Gerri could indeed walk away the queen of some remote island with her own army in tow. She is so much more likable than Marcia and I also want to see the truly dark side of Marcia. Her seemingly loving assertion to Logan, “I know who you are” when he asks her plaintively to prepare herself for the worst and “are you with me on this” could also be a warning.

I almost felt sorry for Roman when he was slapped by his father, and I almost viewed Kendall as heroic when he jumped in to defend Roman. Big, sick family.

Holy mackerel, what an ending! I NEVER saw Nan's revelation coming and its consequences to Rhea. And that heart wrenching and embarrassing screaming and pleading of Logan Roy as Nan's car drove away - WOW. But the biggest surprise for me came, once again, from Ken when it stepped up and physically placed himself between his father and younger brother. What the heck? Way to go Kendall!!! For a character which I loathed for most of the series, he has really turned some sharp corners and continues to melt my heart with his deeply buried sense of decency and vulnerability. Another priceless episode. Can't wait to see how the relationship between Logan and his wife unfolds and develops in season three because this season, there have been little hints dropped on the past few episodes. Another brilliant recap - as usual! Thanks much.

I was wondering when/if the Pierce deal would implode, and I got my answer last night. While Nan walks out with a typically High WASP "good riddance to bad rubbish," I don't think we're quite finished with the Pierce family, and I certainly hope we haven't seen the last of Rhea Jarrell. Holly Hunter is always a welcome addition. Plus, I'd like to see more of the symbiosis that seems to be developing between her character and Siobhan. It's almost as if Siobhan is adopting her as a mentor; Rhea is (was?) a CEO, Siobhan wants to be one. Another great episode. Hope next week keeps up the run.

The best news about this show is that the writers can create a lot of drama (and comedy) without requiring a resolution, so it will be possible for it to continue for a long time.

My tired ears are grateful for closed captioning. Like the screwball comedy heyday of film, "Succession" requires the closest attention to rapid-fire dialog. And what's all the drama about? No new ATN News chyrons this week but they're worth freeze-framing when there's a screen in the background: Gender fluid illegals may be entering the country 'twice' Doctor's warning about vaccine dangers Why are so many of our older celebrities dying? Fugitive felons and Social Security benefits

As many readers suggest, this fine show is a comedy. Every character is either either detestable or pathetic, often both. It's Capitalist Grand Guignol.

Watching this show week after week makes you appreciate what good television can be. The writers deserve top honors for making this show work. The actors right behind. I've been a huge Brian Cox fan for years since the 80's and he's absolutely delightful to watch even though he's a monster. Culkin is fab too but the addition of Cherry Jones and Holly Hunter makes this show even more fun to watch. More please. I don't 'want this show to end.

What writing, what acting. Recalling the Clinton era Aspen conclaves before, I think, the term "thought leaders" came into view. Scathing wit, the "75$ cobb salad" and the filthy rich gathered together for the good of all mankind (the rest of us). I don't want this dazzling show to end.

This show is such a perfectly sad comedy. I find myself laughing at the more traditional comic pratfalls around Tom and Gregory and then wincing/laughing at the conversations between Gerri and Roman and then smiling at the rest of this as these supremely rich and sickening people go about their business. The trappings of the retreats and helicopters and locations are mouth-watering until you realize the people inside them are nauseating. But somehow they are not disposable 'bad guys.' There's too much subtlety and inner anguish to dismiss them. Like some character said last week, I love watching them melt down.

At Mo's funeral, we got a glimpse of the 'wolf pack'. How was Logan associated with this crew? Nan's distrust of Rhea and the realization that she met with the Roys without Nan's knowledge sealed her fate. Perhaps Rhea will go to work for the Roys now. Like Gerri and Frank, she has shrewd understanding of the family and, as Nan pointed out, she looks out mainly for herself. Roy totally lost it when Nan walked out, he's obsessed with buying Pierce, now it's personal. Marcia is becoming even more of an enigma. Shouldn't she have gone after Logan when he chased Nan and went into complete meltdown?

I loved Holly Hunter as Rhea working both sides in working to pull off the merger, picking up the pieces, regrouping then getting called out and fired by Nan. Smart acting plus smart script equals great tv.

Shout out to Lake Placid for the beautiful setting. I recognized the resort. Loved the Greg(ory) / Tom exchange on “We listen”. Did someone tell Kendall the deal is “ dead in the water”? Logan seemed desperate and out of character at the end - chasing Nan’s car, smacking Roman and getting sick in public. Things are not looking good for the Roy’s.

I'm telling anybody I talk to that this is the best comedy series I've seen in a long time. I call it "comedy" anyway... Every episode has at least one moment - - and usually more - - where I'm busting a gut with an LOL. Never a waste of time, incredibly watch-worthy and absorbing. This episode rocked...

Best show currently on TV. Especially the writing. I sincerely hope the monkey wrench in the Pierce deal does not mean this is the last we will see of extraordinary Holly Hunter and incandescent Cherry Jones. I could watch these amazing actresses in these roles until the cows come home.

I am both amused and scared by the fragile egos of these characters. The super rich do present themselves as superhuman, but perhaps some therapy would be in order for these folks? The anger in the men is telling and all too familiar as is the bubble of cheer the female characters have; but I would feel more comfortable having these woman rule the world, ( especially as beautifully played by Holly Hunter and Cherry Jones.) None of the Roys are worthy of having a meal with, perhaps that's why everyone was just drinking water so much I know I did.

Wow. What a superb episode. Everything clicked - the acting, the writing. This was on a par with the best of Season One - "Nobody Is Ever Missing." Special shout outs to Brian Cox and Holly Hunter. 4 more episodes this season. It'll be hard to top this one.