‘Succession’ Season 3 Episode 1 Premiere Recap, ‘Secession’ — Who is CEO Now?
The Succession Season 3 Episode 1 premiere on HBO opens with Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), scrambling to catch their bearings. Logan attempts to find somewhere off the grid to hide from the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Kendall needs a place to set up his new headquarters to continue the takedown of his father.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Succession Season 3 Episode 1 Premiere, ‘Secession.’]
‘Succession’ Season 3 Episode 1 Premiere: Logan Roy flees the country
In the Succession Season 3 Episode 1 premiere, Logan Roy’s helicopters land, but he scrambles to decide on a place to fly next. Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) and Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) discuss whether “he’s toast.” Although they don’t mention who “he” is — their father or their brother?
Hugo (Fisher Stevens) asks what to tell the press. Logan yells his name so many times throughout the episode that everyone wants to know the actor that portrays Hugo.
Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron) suggests they cooperate with the government and initiate an investigation. Roman believes they should destroy Kendall and insists Ken lied. Meanwhile, Frank (Peter Friedman) gets a call from Kendall asking him to come to the other side. Gerri finds that the President is supportive but doesn’t want a call on record the same day Kendall accused Logan of the allegations. The person at the White House insists that the Department of Justice can’t sit on the allegations. They will act.
The group contemplates heading to a country that does not have an extradition policy with the United States. Logan decides Sarajevo is the best plan. Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kendall starts the episode in a bathtub but ends up on top
Greg Hirsch (Nicholas Braun) stands outside Ken Logan’s door while he lays in the bathtub in one of the opening scenes of Succession Season 3 Episode 1. He suddenly jumps into action as Greg and Karolina (Dagmara Dominczyk) follow. When Waystar Royco’s PR guru questions his motives, Ken kicks her out of the car, but Greg decides to stay. Jess (Juliana Canfield) also stays on board and gets working on who Ken’s lawyer might be.
Jess answers the phone when Roy calls Kendall, and she acts as a mediator between the two men. They throw jabs at each other. Ken asks him to step down, but (not shockingly) he doesn’t entertain the idea. They both use the same term, “action stations,” when deciding what to do next.
Kendall gets through to Shiv and offers her a spot, to which she hangs up the phone immediately. Greg insists that social media is in Kendall’s favor but ultimately fails at PR. Kendall makes a quick call to her girlfriend, Naomi (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), and she agrees he’s the “best man in the world.”
‘Succession’ Season 3 Episode 1 Premiere: Shiv and Tom business as usual
Logan orders Shiv, Roman, and Gerri to head back to manage New York. Tom and Shiv share an awkward-as-usual goodbye before they part ways. Frank, Tom, and Carl head to Sara Jevo with Logan. Logan offers to step back as CEO temporarily but otherwise plans to fight. Carl and Frank both offer themselves up, to which Logan immediately shoots both men down.
Tom bolts out of the room and calls Shiv while Logan continues the CEO conversation. She tells him to push for her no matter what. Meanwhile, Frank told Gerri about the CEO roulette. Tom votes for Gerri or Roman. Frank believes Roman isn’t ready, and Shiv doesn’t have experience. Meanwhile, Roman calls Logan to plead his case or at least push for Gerri. The conversation indicates to Logan that Roman isn’t ready for the position.
He calls Shiv to tell her to get Lisa Arthur (Sanaa Lathan) — a lawyer. The two women discuss how Lisa is not the right fit for Logan’s lawyer right now. However, Shiv asks Lisa for help for herself. Lisa insists she cannot give her legal advice, and Shiv realizes that Lisa’s already on Kendall’s side.
Roman and Gerri end up in a hotel room alone together again. The sexual tension returns as Roman begs her to sleep with him. Gerri gets a call from Logan that she’s the new CEO because Shiv blew things with Lisa.
Kendall ends up on top
Kendall sets up his headquarters at his ex-wife, Rava’s (Natalie Gold) home early in Succession Season 3 Episode 1. Barry Schneider arrives as the new social media publicity team. Lisa and Naomi both show up at the same time. Lisa decides to officially represent Kendall. Meanwhile, Naomi and Greg open one of Rava’s special bottles of wine.
In the Succession Season 3 promo for next week, things heat up even more and the sides look less clear. According to HBO, Succession airs on HBO and HBO Max on Sundays at 9 p.m. EST.
