Succession Review: Argestes (Season 2 Episode 6)

The altitude sets tempers high on Succession Season 2 Episode 6, “Argestes,” as Logan looks to close a deal before a harmful story sets his plans ablaze.

Season two finds the Roys on the defensive from the hostile takeover and fixing the mistakes of the past, but this episode especially finds them stumbling. There’s a level of panic to their actions now, minimizing a scandal that could easily tarnish their brand for life while trying to close a deal before the scandal threatens to blow it all up.

They are so used to being the top dog no matter the game; now, they are playing a game where there are no rules, and they don’t know what comes next. It’s an interesting position to put a family who essentially has everything, that they finally aren’t allowed something they want. Logan’s clearly not used to hearing “no,” and it’s eating him up inside.

The signs of Logan’s descent are like reminders of the first season of Succession, when Logan started acting strange and doing peculiar things after his stroke. His acts lately are small hints of something similar, like throwing up during a meal and the muttering at the end of Succession Season 2 Episode 5, “Tern Haven,” like new signs of him being unwell again starting to rear its head.

There are plenty of hints throughout of Logan’s time winding down, Shin even saying as much on stage with her “time of the dinosaurs are coming to a close” routine. There’s this weight over the proceedings, as though something terrible could happen at any moment; the retreat’s comedian being the catalyst for the loss of the Pierce deal comes as surprising, but perhaps not in the grand scheme of things.

It’s an inevitable outcome, really, with the Pierces being so ideologically different, not to mention temperament. Logan’s roars for Nan to stop the car are the first time we see him at a disadvantage, a blow that will likely trickle down on his family and subordinates as though it’s their fault and not the atmosphere the company creates in its entirety.

The only thing Kendall is willing to bend on against his father is Logan smacking Roman across the face. It’s a crossed line for Kendall, and only one of two times his voice raises on the season (the other being earlier on the episode, on the jet). There are limits for him still, surprisingly, coming to his brother’s defense being one of them, despite the personal jabs only moments before.

The retreat is an eye-opener for everyone, as more defined roles start to emerge. Shiv swooping in makes her rise to the occasion, but once more she finds herself at a disadvantage of saying the wrong thing and displeasing Logan. With Roman smacked and Kendall not being heard, it’s a wonder if Logan will ever choose a single one of them, as his disappointment on the episode knows no bounds.

The Tom and Greg side of things, with the listening devices ruining the new ATN slogan, is a fun little side story, as slight as it is. It lacks impact with the heavier topic enveloping it, but does find some great lines for Matthew Macfadyen and Nicholas Braun, who still continue to be the best pairing the show has to offer.

With Rhea undercut by her moves to make the deal happen, there’s hopefully a move to bring Rhea on to the Roy side. Holly Hunter has been a fantastic addition to the show, a positive but mysterious force who does not engage in the pleasantries of profanity, but still finds a way to stand out and be an assertive part of the team.

Succession Season 2 Episode 6, “Argestes,” is like a coming-down-to-earth moment for the Roys, their well-orchestrated influence finding a limit for the very first time on the show. For that, the episode finds a strange atmosphere about it, this impending doom settling into its bones as though the end of their empire may be near.

The cruise line scandal may not sink the company, but it may humble them. Considering who it may humble, the action may cause more lashing out than anything else. Logan will not be looked down on, and what comes next will likely be painful for anyone in his path.

 

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Succession airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

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