Succession Review: Vaulter (Season 2 Episode 2)

Competition sets in on Succession Season 2 Episode 2, “Vaulter,” as difficult choices make Kendall sink even further.

Logan continues to assert his strange plans on Kendall, Shiv, and Roman, where there’s likely method to his madness but he’s punishing his children as he plays it out. He’s forcing Kendall into a tough spot with crushing Vaulter, he’s promising Shiv the world, and Roman… well, he’s giving him attention and then taking it away. It’s all mind games on this episode.

The way both Kendall and Roman work is on full display: Kendall is in deep on the numbers and the nitty-gritty of the financials and analytics of Vaulter; meanwhile, Roman is sitting back and doing nothing, taking some of the staffers out for drinks. Their difference in work ethic shows one takes things far more seriously, but Roman somehow wins the battle with Logan.

It’s where more of Kendall’s soul is taken from him. It’s a surprise there is any left at this point, forcing him to rip apart the company he bought during the first season. His laugh at himself in the mirror right after the meeting with Roman and Logan is such a crushing moment, as the meeting is another sign of any attempt at gaining back power will be dismantled immediately.

It’s the attitude Kendall has after, being spit on, being yelled at, and Logan even trying to distance himself Kendall from the firing, where his spirit is really shown. Kendall wants all of the anger directed at him, like he’s trying to push the darkness onto himself as far as it can go. He’s even stealing from stores and tossing it away, as though he wants to feel something but simply cannot.

It’s why the ending is a strong indicator of what is potentially at play. Is Logan turning Kendall into a heartless, hardened leader, letting him take all of the brunt to mold him into the successor? Or is this all just a cat playing with an already dead mouse? Kendall in his father’s office certainly gives the impression of one of those scenarios; but he is in the office, still and silent, so perhaps it’s a little of both.

Shiv’s offer is a little less certain now, with Logan’s offer of three years training to reach the offer a large hurdle. It’s like he’s dangling the title on a string and keeps yanking it back just as she’s reaching out to grab on. She’s throwing aside a potential chief of staff position in the White House, and so this uncertainty may have just tanked her more promising career.

Sarah Snook’s performance on the episode is this all-knowing, all-seeing type of maneuvering where she holds knowledge over everyone else and plays along with their attempts to sound more powerful than her. The secret is her power over everyone else, but the dark truth may be it’s more nebulous than she thinks.

With Shiv comes an episode of constantly bringing Tom back down to Earth. For someone who can dish out awfulness like the best of them, every slight is felt this hour as his dream life goes to his wife instead. Matthew Macfayden plays Tom like the outsider on the inside, waiting for the shoe to drop while he does his best to exude confidence.

Even at work he’s being dominated, as he finds himself way in over his head with promises he likely can’t keep. Tom is in a constant state of feeling like an imposter, what little power he has used to torture poor Greg, likely the only truly good character (though there’s still plenty of time for him to turn that around).

Succession Season 2 Episode 2, “Vaulter,” is showing some are more cut out for this work than others. Placing too many eggs in one basket is not quite forward thinking, but it does show that Shiv is all in on taking over Waystar. Placed on top of a continuing descent for Kendall, it’s a strong episode that has everyone playing to their strengths, but finding that that may not be enough in the great competition.

Some stray thoughts on the episode:

• Cousin Greg watch: His utter disbelief at something nice being done to him is a reaction only the Roy family can cause. His new home, of course, comes with the catch of being an endless party pad for Kendall. But one trend of the show is that Kendall is the only really nice person to Greg, and it always catches him off guard.
• Speaking of Greg’s new apartment, it’s curious how Kendall is flipping these apartments on the side. Is this a way of drumming up cash for a possible play later on, or simply wanting cash flow for his drug-infused parties?

What did you think of this episode of Succession? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Succession airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!