The Most Ruthless Scenes In Succession

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 wasn’t just a TV show— it was an Emmy-sweeping saga that made its fans laugh, gasp, and question their own moral compass when rooting for the Roy family. The series expertly blends razor-sharp satire with ruthless drama, creating moments so audacious that fans will laugh even as their jaw drops.

Led by the fierce and unforgiving Logan Roy, the family navigates corporate sabotage and personal betrayal like second nature, consistently redefining just how low they’re willing to go. It’s Game of Thrones with private jets instead of dragons, and the ultimate ‘eat the rich’ TV show, with billionaires so morally bankrupt they make Wall Street wolves look like puppies.

8

Don’t Touch The Doughnuts

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

The siblings gather at Rava’s house to debate the possibility of overthrowing their father. Even though Roman and Shiv claim to be on their father’s side, they still meet with Kendall to evaluate a coup. They discuss their father’s underhanded tactics and the ‘No real person involved’ policy—a company disgrace they’ve all conveniently ignored until it suited their agendas.

The scene perfectly showcases the paranoia and distrust among the family when the siblings hesitate to eat the doughnuts Logan sent. Shiv’s icy “I wouldn’t” and Roman’s witty “I’m 98 percent sure those aren’t poisoned,” highlight their fear that Logan might actually resort to such extremes.

7

Shiv Tries To Strong-arm Gerri

Chiantishire (Season 3, Episode 8)

Shiv tries to manipulate Gerri into filing a harassment complaint against Roman revealing the depths of her deceit. She latches onto Roman’s sleazy unsolicited “gifts” and dangles a supposed shield—that’s really a veiled jab at Gerri’s shaky interim CEO spot and a cunning attempt to knock her brother down.

Shiv’s ready to spin a messy situation into her own power grab, aiming to shove Roman down the pecking order. It’s a quiet but vicious power play that proves there are no permanent allies in the Roy family.

6

Kendall Gets A Birthday Bash

Too Much Birthday (Season 3, Episode 7)

The birthday bash begins with Shiv and Roman pointing out that nobody who genuinely cares about him has shown up—no close friends, parents, or even his children. From there, it’s a downward spiral of introspection about a life that’s falling apart all around him. Logan drops the bomb: he wants Kendall out of the company.

This revelation is the first domino in a chain of disasters: Kendall cancels his much-hyped performance, drowns his sorrows in alcohol, and searches in vain for the special gift his children made. Finally, Roman delivers the knockout by pushing Kendall and humiliating him in front of everyone, the icing on his mid-life crisis birthday cake.

5

Tom Tanks His Marriage

All The Bells Say (Season 3, Episode 9)

Tom has long played second fiddle but in season 3’s brutal finale, he flipped the script. He tips Logan off about the siblings’ plan to overthrow him, sabotaging both their coup and his marriage. Fans couldn’t have seen it coming—as Tom has long been the family’s chew toy, taking hits and swallowing insults.

What really stings is the timing of it all: minutes after Shiv tentatively opens up about their future, and right after the siblings realize, they’ve been sold out by their own mother. This betrayal’s ruthlessness lies in its intimacy; it’s not just business, it’s personal.

4

Kendall’s Nirvana Ambush

The Disruption (Season 3, Episode 3)

Kendall’s decision to blare Nirvana’s “Rape Me” to drown out Shiv’s speech isn’t just petty—it’s psychological warfare. It’s a chaotic yet calculative attempt at exposing her hypocrisy and derailing her ambitions within the company. It’s not about winning but making sure Shiv loses.

By drowning out her defense, he’s tossing the family’s dirty laundry right into the spotlight, turning her PR statement into the laughingstock of the company. Kendall’s not exactly known for coming out on top. He’s the guy who swings big and usually misses. But this? This is a rare moment where Kendall’s impulsiveness actually lands a blow.

3

Kendall’s Guilt Trip

Return (Season 2, Episode 7)

Logan drags Kendall to meet the family of the waiter who died in Season 1’s car crash. This confrontation isn’t about closure. Instead, it’s Logan’s brutal way of tightening his grip on Kendall’s guilt, treating it like a chain that can yank his son back into place whenever he wants.

This scene’s ruthlessness is personal, a psychological power play that breaks Kendall down and puts him back in his place. Brian Cox’s performance is bone-chilling as Logan mutters, “You’re my boy,” transforming affection into a subtle threat.

2

Logan’s Twisted Game

Hunting (Season 2, Episode 3)

Imagine a corporate retreat where grown men oink for sausages. That’s Logan Roy’s idea of a “trust exercise.” After a leak threatens his empire, Logan turns humiliation into a bloodsport, forcing execs like Tom and Karl to crawl on all fours while Roman records it on his phone.

The scene’s absurdity masks its brutality: this is a man who’d rather break people than lose control over them. Towards the end, they go from employees to pawns in Logan’s power fantasy. The scene is humiliating, degrading, and totally Logan—ruthlessness wrapped in a twisted villainous grin.

1

Kendall Declares War On Waystar

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

Kendall’s televised takedown of Logan—accusing him of covering up scandals is a Molotov cocktail of revenge and destruction. The betrayal is jaw-dropping, not just because of its audacity, but also its timing. After Logan covered up Kendall’s involvement in the waiter’s death and welcomed him back into the family, Kendall became his obedient puppet.

But when he realized he was a scapegoat, he immediately backstabbed his father and called him a “malignant presence” on live TV. This pivotal scene in the show becomes more than just a ruthless betrayal —it’s a mic drop, a cliffhanger, an open declaration of war and drama at its finest.