15 Best Episodes of ‘Succession’ — Ranked!

During awards season, Succession has had its fair share of buzz and recognition, especially during the Emmys, and rightfully so. 

The series follows the Roy family as the children of media mogul Logan Roy (Brian Cox) scramble for power over the Waystar Royco company.  

Although its run is comparably shorter than many iconic HBO dramas like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, Succession has secured its place in TV history as one of the best dramas. With such an incredible selection of episodes, the show has rewatch potential for years. 

Here are our rankings for the 15 best episodes of the series: 

15. Pre-Nuptial (Season 1 Episode 9) 

Succession Season 1 Episode 9, “Pre-Nuptial,” tees up the following episode perfectly by squeezing tension into every scene. 

This episode illustrates the stakes of Kendall Roy’s (Jeremy Strong) attempt to overthrow his father and introduces Caroline (Harriet Walter), Logan’s ex-wife, and her role in shaping how her children view the world. Additionally, it perfectly addresses the underlying doubts that Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) have about their impending marriage, which seems to be doomed by the Roys’ unfortunate pattern of manipulation. 

The sweetest moment in the episode is when Shiv, Kendall, and Roman (Kieran Culkin) gather at the dock and reminisce about their childhood and the change brewing on the horizon. This scene is a breath of fresh air, a fleeting moment of security before the storm hits. 

14. Chiantishire (Season 3 Episode 8) 

On the theme of weddings, Succession Season 3 Episode 8, “Chiantishire,” is all about Caroline’s wedding. Between the wedding festivities, the siblings struggle to get along with each other and the guests without causing a typical Roy-sized catastrophe associated with weddings. 

A particularly bittersweet scene in this episode is when Caroline confesses to Shiv that she wishes she never had children, thus making Shiv wonder whether she should have children herself. 

The episode ends on an even more heartbreaking note: Kendall passes out face-down in the pool. Viewers are left wondering if he will survive and whether the other siblings will also succumb to the impossible pressure of pleasing their father. 

13. Dundee (Season 2 Episode 8) 

This wouldn’t be a Succession ranking list if it didn’t include one of the series’ most iconic episodes, Succession Season 2 Episode 8, “Dundee.” This episode has the iconic “L to the OG” song performed by Kendall Roy himself. 

This episode also highlights the core of the entire series itself: everyone’s desire to impress Logan Roy. Logan’s birthday party is an extravagant display of wealth that fails to impress him and demonstrates the impossibility of taming a greedy beast like him. 

The surprising twist in this episode is Rhea’s decision not to become CEO of Waystar Royco. Though she had previously seemed excited about the possibility, after the controversy with the cruises, even she no longer wants to be associated with the company or the Roys. 

12. America Decides (Season 4 Episode 8)

Succession Season 4 Episode 8, “America Decides,” hits particularly hard in the context of American politics in recent years. In this episode, the Roy siblings debate whether to back right-wing candidate Jeryd Mencken (Justin Kirk). 

While Shiv begs her brothers to save democracy, Kendall and Roman are more concerned about the future of ATN. Though the conflict is personal for Kendall, whose children could be impacted by the election’s outcome, he ultimately backs Mencken. This is the catalyst for Shiv calling Matsson (Alexander Skargård) and siding with him to take the company down.

This episode is a poignant and cynical representation of how the media influences elections in modern-day politics, and its similarity to the events of recent years is uncanny and an urgent wake-up call. 

11. Summer Palace (Season 2 Episode 1) 

Succession Season 2 Episode 1, “Summer Palace,” is a perfect follow-up to a shell-shocking season 1 finale. It also sets up the rest of the season, specifically, Kendall’s conflict of deciding whether to follow his desires or comply with his father. 

What stands out the most about this episode is Jeremy Strong’s performance.

Throughout the episode, Kendall Roy is a shell of a man and essentially a puppet for his father to manipulate. He seems numb to the world and doesn’t even seem to bat an apologetic eye when he cuts off a deal with his childhood best friend, Stewy Hosseini (Arian Moayed), at his father’s command. 

10. Austerlitz (Season 1 Episode 7) 

Succession Season 1 Episode 7, “Austerlitz,” is another example of Jeremy Strong’s stellar performance as Kendall Roy. He truly portrays how broken Kendall feels inside through his recklessness and his inability to hold back from insulting his family members to their faces. 

While the rest of the Roy family is gathered at Connor’s (Alan Ruck) ranch for a family therapy session, Kendall goes on a bender and gets worryingly high on drugs to cope with his failure to take over the company. 

The family therapy session falls apart when the therapist gets injured jumping in the pool at Roman’s encouragement. An act that perfectly represents how carelessly destructive the family is.

9. Too Much Birthday (Season 3 Episode 7) 

On Season 3, Kendall seems to believe he’s at the top of the world. And in Succession Season 3 Episode 7, “Too Much Birthday,” all comes crashing down as Kendall realizes how utterly lonely he is. 

Just like how Logan is unfazed by the elaborate birthday party thrown for him in Succession Season 2 Episode 8, “Dundee,” Kendall is left feeling empty after he realizes that nobody is impressed with his party. Even more disappointing for him, he realizes they’re only there to appease him.

Nobody actually cares about him. It’s a cruel but effective illustration of just how corrupt and lonely having perceived power has made him. 

8. DC (Season 2 Episode 9) 

Succession Season 2 Episode 9, “DC,” is a perfect example of how the series is able to skillfully toe the line between comedy and drama. This episode addresses the serious topic of allegations of sexual misconduct that occurred on premises owned by Waystar Royco.

The trial is so hilariously unserious that it’s hard to believe the premise is so serious. Especially since Tom gets called out for emailing the subject line: “You can’t make a Tomlette without breaking a few Greggs.”

This episode is another example of how Succession satirically and accurately portrays the mess that is American politics. 

7. Which Side Are You On? (Season 1 Episode 6) 

Succession Season 1 Episode 6, “Which Side Are You On?” is a game-changing episode. The fast pacing and the uncertainty of whether Kendall will succeed or not is truly so well done. 

This episode is quietly explosive in the way that’s so typical of Succession that it arguably sets the tone for the rest of the emotional turbulence the Roys face throughout the series. This is the first instance we root for Kendall, only to see him fail miserably, the first in multiple times throughout the series.

He’s clearly the underdog in this situation. Plus, Kendall seems like he could be a more empathetic leader than Logan. But ultimately, Logan still wins this round.

6. Church and State (Season 4 Episode 9) 

Kieran Culkin’s performance in this episode proves that he deserved that Best Actor Emmy. Though the younger Roys clearly have a strained relationship with Logan, his funeral is an emotionally raw experience of everyone attempting to deal with grief. 

It’s never good to speak ill of the dead. However, Connor’s admittance that his father’s death overshadowed his wedding is a perfect representation of the children’s difficult relationship with Logan.

Roman’s breakdown is painful to watch. Yet, it is cathartic as he finally shows the raw hurt he’s been holding underneath the walls he puts up.

Succession Season 4 Episode 9, “Church and State,” is a fantastic penultimate episode that tees up the finale. 

5. With Open Eyes (Season 4 Episode 10) 

Succession truly went out with a bang. This series finale was every bit nail-bitingly intense, as everyone expected, though most people didn’t expect a certain character to rise to the top once the dust had settled. 

What stands out about this finale is a brief moment when the siblings celebrate their perceived win in the kitchen, laughing and making jokes about a “meal fit for a king.” It’s hard to watch that moment, knowing how torn they soon become at the board meeting to decide the fate of Waystar Royco and the family. 

It’s easy to root for a child of Logan to win the seat of CEO, but the fact that the company is no longer fully within the control of the family is both a blessing and a curse.

On one hand, the generational cycle of trauma that has been prevalent throughout the series has ended with Waystar Royco being passed to Tom Wambsgans. On the other, the Roys have lost the power they’ve sought after throughout the whole series. 

4. All the Bells Say (Season 3 Episode 10) 

Succession Season 3 Episode 10, “All the Bells Say,” is just as emotionally hard-hitting as every other finale in the series. A touching moment is when Kendall’s breakdown brings his siblings together.

Though he’s been at his lowest many times, this is the first time he confesses his mistake and guilt to Roman and Shiv, who agree to help him attempt to take over the company.

Unfortunately, their father shuts down their attempt to overthrow him, this time with the help of their mother, Caroline. The heartbreaking ending to this episode illustrates how, at its core, Succession is about how the lust for wealth and success can tear a family apart. 

3. This is Not For Tears (Season 2 Episode 10) 

Succession Season 2 Episode 10, “This is Not For Tears,” yet again proved that this series will always have a hard-hitting season finale. Kendall’s shocking decision to turn against his father gives the viewers hope that he might finally win.

This is especially unexpected after he had become his father’s puppet at the very beginning of season 2. Kendall even goes so far as to publicly state to the press that Logan is a “bully.” This is the first time he ever speaks out against his father and stands up for himself. 

A standout moment is when Tom grabs Logan’s chicken and takes a bite to assert his dominance. Though it’s a hilarious moment, it also illustrates how desperate these characters have become to grasp any semblance of power at this point. 

2. Nobody is Ever Missing (Season 1 Episode 10) 

Succession Season 1 Episode 10, “Nobody is Ever Missing,” set the precedent for the rest of the shell-shocking season finales. Shiv’s wedding festivities further fester doubts about Shiv and Tom’s marriage, while Kendall attempts to overthrow his father. 

The climax of this episode is when Kendall accidentally ends up in a lake with a drowned kid and defeatedly crawls back to his father to receive help. It’s an agonizing moment, but it’s impossible to watch without feeling bad for Kendall after all he’s been through. 

This moment also sets the tone moving forward and shows viewers just how protected and privileged all the Roys are. We should’ve learned from this wedding to never trust any other Roy family weddings, but alas, we don’t.

1. Connor’s Wedding (Season 4 Episode 3) 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Succession Season 4 Episode 3, “Connor’s Wedding,” will go down in history as one of the most shocking television episodes. Many viewers had been expecting Logan’s death in the series’ final season, but it was unimaginable that the writers would kill him off-screen in the third episode of the season. 

Add to it that Tom was at his side when it happened, not any of his children, which was extra heartbreaking. We all expected it to happen, but the nature of it happening was like a major gut punch.

On top of all that, his death takes place during his eldest son’s wedding. Proving that the Roys have a bad streak of ruining weddings somehow.

Strong, Snook, Culkin, and Ruck all portray the emotions of the Roy children so vividly that it’s impossible to watch this episode without crying. 

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What do you think of our selections? Are there any episodes that you think should be included? Let us know in the comments below! 

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