These episodes have made Succession the most prominent drama series of the last decade.
Succession tells the story of Logan Roy’s family and how money and power affect their relationships. In its fourth and final season, the intensity of the drama seemed to exceed all expectations and standards set before.
Let’s look back at some of the most powerful moments in the history of Roy family that left fans in awe.
1. Nobody Is Ever Missing
In season 1, Succession faces a difficult task — introducing viewers to some of the most unsympathetic characters and making them likeable. Kendall, the middle son, immediately became the audience’s favorite. At Shiv and Tom’s wedding, Kendall goes with the waiter to buy drugs, and the latter ends up dead.
Kendall goes to his father for help. Logan covers for his son, but in return asks him to forget about his ambitious plans. Kendall’s life collapses, and throughout the next season he struggles with his guilt connected to the waiter’s death.
2. Too Much Birthday
In season 3 episode 7, Kendall turns 40. In honor of the anniversary, he throws a big party. Roman and Shiv arrive at the party just to seal the deal. This is very frustrating for the birthday boy, who later has a nervous breakdown.
Kendall is completely broken — he is angry with his siblings, does not know what to do next, and cannot find a present from his children in a pile of boxes with expensive gifts. It is impossible not to sympathize with the loneliest billionaire on the planet.
3. Connor’s Wedding
Connor’s Wedding deserves the title of the most breathtaking episode. The children receive the news that Logan has lost consciousness on a plane.
Throughout the episode, the characters try to understand if their father is dead and then come to terms with the realization that Logan is actually gone. Kendall, Shiv, and Roman say goodbye to their father on the phone, hoping that he can still hear their voices. Watching this episode without tears is an almost impossible task.
4. Church and State
The funeral where Logan’s loved ones try to describe the scope of his personality turns into a parade of gaping wounds and grievances, which finally show the father as the main antagonist.
And it’s simply impossible to watch Roman, who more than any of his other relatives values family ties above money and power, sobbing over his father’s coffin.
5. With Open Eyes
During the vote on the merger, everyone votes as planned, with Shiv’s vote being the deciding one in the end. She emotionally leaves the room — the only daughter basically has to decide between her husband and her brother.
Kendall and Roman catch up with her, and the former makes his final plea. New lines are crossed: Kendall refuses to confess to the crime he committed in last season’s finale and appeals to his status as a “big boy”; Roman, staying true to his title of Master Troll, calls Kendall’s adopted children a dead end to the bloodline.
Shiv, of course, has already made up her mind. And that decision proves to be a most logical, but still shocking, end for the Roy family.
