Slate Money: Succession – S2E10 “Thank You For the Chicken”

Podcast: Slate Money
Host: Felix Salmon (Axios), with Emily Peck (HuffPost), Ed Lee (New York Times), special guest Tamara Adler
Date: October 14, 2019
Episode Focus: Recap and deep analysis of the Season 2 finale of Succession, “This Is Not For Tears”

Episode Overview

The Slate Money panel gathers for a special analysis of the explosive second season finale of HBO’s Succession. They dissect the show’s themes of power, betrayal, family dynamics, and business machinations, while breaking down the key turning points, symbolism, and memorable lines from the episode “This Is Not For Tears.” Special guest Tamara Adler joins to lend insight, particularly into the symbolic foods of the episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season Recap & Finale Reactions

• The team reflects on a season-long build-up to Kendall’s high-stakes betrayal of Logan.
• They marvel at the surprise and inevitability of the final scene, where Kendall publicly denounces his father.

Notable Quotes:

• “That ending. I feel like I saw it coming a little. I got that feeling this week that it was gonna be Logan as the blood sacrifice.” — Emily Peck (01:27)
• “Kendall taking the power back and just knifing his father in that last scene...” — Emily Peck (06:36)

Timestamps:

• 00:18–06:36 – Introductions and initial reactions
• 06:36–09:30 – Breakdown of Kendall’s arc and the “killer” line

2. Symbolism: Food, Yachts, and Power

• Tamara Adler dives deep into the meaning of the chicken drumette on Logan’s plate—a symbol of his idiosyncrasies and dominance.
• The hosts link food choices to character and power dynamics throughout the show and especially this episode.

Notable Quotes:

• “That was obviously a drumette, which means that Logan's plate of food, which was delivered by a server with gloves...” — Tamara Adler (03:19)
• “These people don't actually care about food in any real way.” — Emily Peck (04:59)
• “...all the sort of highfalutin aspect of it is just—they're playing the part.” — Ed Lee (05:26)

Timestamps:

• 02:34–06:16 – Analysis of chicken symbolism, food faux pas, and what it says about the Roys

3. The Blood Sacrifice: Who, How, and Why

• The group debates whether Kendall or Logan is the true “blood sacrifice.”
• Comparing Succession to real-world media families (Murdochs, Kalanick at Uber).
• Discussion of foreshadowing: Did Logan set himself up to be ousted?

Notable Quotes:

• “Does he smile because he's proud of his son?” — Emily Peck (13:48)
• “He sets up camp…which is why he smiles at the end.” — Felix Salmon (13:43)

Timestamps:

• 09:30–14:50 – Blood sacrifice debate; real-world analogues
• 14:50–17:00 – Cases in corporate America and lack of direct parallels

4. Books, Easter Eggs, & Literary Layering

• The team uncovers literary references and meta-cameos:
  • Jerry reading Lullaby of Polish Girls (the real-life actress's novel)
  • Shiv reading Sally Rooney
  • Oedipal and Shakespearean motifs

Notable Quotes:

• “...when they're sitting around in on the deck of the yacht and Roman is sitting next to Jerry ... Jerry is reading a book ... It’s Lullaby of Polish Girls.” — Felix Salmon (10:05)
• “Shiv was reading Sally Rooney…which was pretty rad.” — Tamara Adler (10:31)

Timestamps:

• 09:50–11:00 – Book Easter eggs and thematic resonance

5. Tom, Shiv, and Marital Dynamics

• A thorough look at Tom and Shiv’s confessional moment and the toll of their open marriage.
• Shiv’s ultimate (if begrudging) act of protection for Tom, and what this means for their power dynamic.

Notable Quotes:

• “I think a lot of the time I'm really pretty unhappy... I wonder if the sad I'd be without you would be less than the sad I get from being with you.” — Tom, via panel, (12:01)
• “Shiv is abusing Tom…She is her father in the relationship.” — Emily Peck (26:09)

Timestamps:

• 11:00–14:00 – Tom and Shiv’s cove confessional, and its effect
• 26:09–27:27 – Shiv’s cyclical abuse and its familial roots

6. Roman’s Growth and Sibling Dynamics

• Roman’s personal transformation, signaled by his gravitas and green juice.
• His attempt at sibling connection post-trauma, asking: “Can we talk like real human beings?”

Notable Quotes:

• “He shines in this episode…he is the only one drinking a green juice.” — Tamara Adler (17:29)
• “Can we talk like real human beings?” — Roman, via panel (20:41)

Timestamps:

• 17:29–21:17 – Roman’s new maturity and family dynamics
• 21:17–21:48 – The impossibility of “normalcy” among the Roy siblings

7. Corporate Machinations, Bankers, and the Proxy Vote

• Dissecting the failed Azerbaijani deal, investment banker Jamie/Jimmy Lee references.
• The futility and cyclical nature of the proxy vote as a running plot device.

Notable Quotes:

• “All the non family members, like, pointing at each other. Because the one rule is that if you're not a family member, you can never point at a family member.” — Felix Salmon (25:02)
• “These things do happen every day, and they can get dramatic, but it's largely very abstract.” — Ed Lee (48:41)

Timestamps:

• 22:02–25:02 – Investment banking and Jamie/Jimmy Lee
• 47:56–49:16 – The endless drama of the proxy vote

8. Greg the Egg: From Sidekick to Player

• Exploration of Greg’s shifting allegiances (from Tom to Kendall) and his role in Kendall’s coup.
• The significance of Greg's growth and his increasingly savvy play among titans.

Notable Quotes:

• “Is Greg a killer?” — Tamara Adler (32:14)
• “If it is to be said, so it be, so it is.” — Greg’s memorable nervous congressional testimony, via panel (35:30)

Timestamps:

• 32:03–35:55 – Greg’s manila envelope and partnership with Kendall
• 35:09–36:19 – Greg’s bumbling congressional testimony

9. Layered Motifs & Endgame Speculation

• Religious and classical allusions: Oedipus, the Judas Kiss, Christ imagery.
• Contrasting character self-perceptions (Do they think they’re good people?) and the cyclical grip of power.
• Speculation for season three: Will Logan regain power? Will the car accident resurface? New alliances?

Notable Quotes:

• “...there's a shot of Kendall in the yacht pool with his arms...like, he's gonna be the one that's crucified. But then no—Judas Kiss.” — Emily Peck (43:26)
• “All bad people think they're good people. They all persuade themselves that they're good people.” — Felix Salmon (54:11)

Timestamps:

• 41:21–45:26 – Oedipus and Judas Kiss discussion
• 54:11–56:36 – Character morality, self-image, and why the show is compelling

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Kendall’s betrayal live on air:
  “The truth is that my father is a malignant presence, a bully and a liar. And he was fully, personally, aware of these events for many years and made efforts to hide and cover up.” — (07:29) “This is the day his reign ends.” — Kendall via press conference (62:58)

• Tom’s heartbreak to Shiv:
  “I wonder if the sad I'd be without you would be less than the sad I get from being with you.” — Tom (12:07)

• On Greg’s testimony:
  “Yes. If it is to be said, so it be, so it is.” — Greg in Congress, via panel reenactment (35:34)

• On the cyclical battle for power:
  “He’s done this three times now… Now he’s doing it a third time.” — Felix Salmon on Kendall’s repeated attempts (28:47)

• On cyclical nature and class:
  “Anybody who'd want to run this empire needs to be discounted completely...they're all so bad, and that's why they keep on not being able to succeed.” — Tamara Adler (55:07)

• On the Roy’s inability to connect:
  “Can we just, like, talk like real ... humans?” — Roman, via panel (20:41)

Character & Plot Deep Dives

• Kendall’s Arc:
  Season-long transformation from broken “meat puppet” to public adversary—driven by psychological abuse, culminating in the ultimate act of rebellion and truth-telling.

• Logan’s Manipulation:
  Orchestrates sadistic “blood sacrifice” tests, pushes each child to the brink, and is ultimately (seemingly willingly) set up for a dramatic ouster.

• Sibling Relationships:
  Dynamics between Roman, Shiv, Kendall—cycles of trauma, codependence, and desperate hopes for “normal” relationships—even as business poisons them.

• Tom & Shiv:
  A marriage of power plays and emotional brutality; Tom’s heartbreak is the trigger for Shiv’s minor redemption.

• Greg’s Coming of Age:
  Greg evolves from comic relief to consequential player, allying with Kendall and holding onto key evidence.

Season 3 Speculation

• Will Logan fight back?
  “He's absolutely gonna fight his son to come back.” — Ed Lee (63:47)
• Will the car accident come back into play?
  “Absolutely. It's gonna be something. It's gonna take some form in this next season.” — Ed Lee (63:56)
• Will they ever actually hold the proxy vote?
  Panel consensus: this MacGuffin may never resolve, the tension is the point.
• Will any Roy child “win”?
  Open—Roman’s new seriousness, Shiv’s ambiguity, Kendall’s bravado; the balance of power may keep shifting.

Final Reflections

• Why Do Audiences Relate?
  Despite the Roys’ villainy and privilege, their deeply human flaws—naked ambition, insecurity, desperation for love—anchor the drama. Their struggles are Shakespearean, reflecting the darkest aspects of human nature when all material needs are met.

End Quote:
“…if you’re going to live a full human life, you will live it as a king or a queen, right, and their flaws would ultimately show our flaws as humans…” — Ed Lee (58:27)

This summary covers all essential discussion points, key character analyses, standout moments, and the rich, analytical tone of the Slate Money team’s deep-dive into the Succession S2 finale.