Every Episode of ‘Succession,’ Ranked

“What It Takes” cuts closest to bone in its final sequence, when Shiv, a career Democratic strategist who earlier in the episode urged her dad to jump parties with his endorsement, initially refuses to be in the photo that will signal her family’s alignment with Mencken. When she inevitably caves—clinging to the tiny moral victory that is standing on the opposite side of the photo’s frame—her father feigns defeat. “You win, Pinky,” he says. “You win.” Succession is not often, or at least not directly, about the immorality of Waystar; that’s a given. And while it occasionally grapples with the complicity of lower-level cogs in that machine, “What It Takes” is unsparing in its assessment of Shiv—and, by extension, of all the characters at this echelon who give lip service to more humane worldviews. Their objections are limp, ignored–little more than grasps at vanity. — PT

15. “Honeymoon States” (Season 4, Episode 4)

The One Where: Kendall’s name is either underlined, or crossed out.
Also: Tightrope Tommy rides his subtle cycle over Niagara Falls!

The first episode in the post-Logan Roy world reinforces the towering shadow he cast. Even in death, the impact of his tyranny is reflected in how his underlings and children scramble to settle his affairs, do his bidding, and win his approval. “Honeymoon States” revolves around the most pressing matter in the wake of his passing: naming an interim Waystar CEO to satisfy the board. As expected, the sharpest daggers come out with the crown up for grabs.

Despite being united against Logan just 24 hours prior, the cracks in the Roy siblings’ alliance surface once Frank discovers a piece of paper naming Kendall as his preferred successor. It’s at least four years old and there’s debate about whether Kendall’s name is underlined or crossed out, but the revelation changes the tone of the episode. Kendall is energized upon learning that his father had faith in him at one point, while Shiv and Roman stew in jealousy.

Although they ultimately agree to operate as a trio, with Kendall and Roman officially running Waystar, Shiv knows she’s being pushed to the side. So in an episode filled with the withering dialogue Succession is revered for (i.e., Marcia sending the devastated Kerry home to her “tiny apartment”), Kendall telling his sister that the letter “sure as fuckin’ shit doesn’t say Shiv” cuts deepest. Even with Logan lying on a morgue slab, the younger Roy children will slit each other’s throats for a kiss from daddy. And he wouldn’t want it any other way. — JK

14. “Argestes” (Season 2, Episode 6)

The One Where: The cruise scandal exposé drops
Also: Tom and Greg discover that ATN is, in fact, listening!

A go-to joke from Succession Philistines is that, when reduced to a still image, some of this show’s most lauded scenes are just two people sitting in a conference room, barely indistinguishable from a Getty stock photo. But for one hour, Succession was as thrilling as a nail-biting episode of 24. “Argestes” proves that even a titan like Logan Roy isn’t above the humbling adage that life comes at you fast. Nan Pierce, the nemesis who he’d just debased in the previous episode by proving there’s a price even she isn’t too good for, now has him literally running after her car like a madman begging her to take his cash. The episode is a race against the clock, to close the sale of PGM to Waystar before a New York article about the sleazy cruises scandal damns the deal forever. Alas, Logan is a lot of things, but he’s no Jack Bauer. For the first time, we see him take a very public hit to his armor, one that no PR spin can save for the moment. It’s bad enough to erupt into petty violence, visited upon his youngest son, an example of the childhood abuse we’d only heard not seen until now. — FT

13. “America Decides” (Season 4, Episode 8)

The One Where: Kendall helps a fascist win the presidential election out of spite
Also: Tom and Greg do election night bumps!