Warning: Contains major SPOILERS for Succession season 4, episode 3.Logan Roy dies in Succession season 4, episode 3, a shocking plot twist that changes everything for the show’s endgame. With it already confirmed that Succession season 4 will be the last, then the question baked into the show’s title has taken on even greater pertinence. That, in turn, suggested Logan’s death was at least a possibility, because that happening was the most likely way of ensuring some kind of transfer of power actually happened (even with the GoJo deal in the works, true succession has looked unlikely). The death happening so early, however, is a major surprise.

There was little heading into it that suggested Logan’s death would happen in Succession season 4, episode 3. Indeed, the fact it was the wedding of Connor Roy indicated the opposite. That itself is a big event that was set to bring together most of Succession season 4’s cast, and so the anticipated drama was set to come from the nuptials themselves and the family tension that’s inevitable with all the Roys together. Logan dying subverts those expectations, overshadowing Connor’s wedding (which itself feels fitting), and meaning just about anything is now possible.

How Logan Roy Died In Succession Season 4, Episode 3

The exact cause of Logan Roy’s death in Succession isn’t explicitly confirmed, but it is almost certainly cardiac arrest. Logan himself seen alive walking into his plane, with the details of his death then coming through conversations between those in his inner circle (such as Tom and Frank) and his kids, Kendall, Roman, and Shiv (Connor, again fittingly, is kept a little more out of the loop). It’s revealed that Logan went to the bathroom on the plane and then collapsed, with flight attendants later doing chest compressions on him, which would all fit with the cause of death being cardiac arrest.

Logan’s health has been in question throughout Succession, from his stroke in season 1 to collapsing on a walk and later going “piss-mad” from a UTI in season 3. All of that, combined with the increased strain placed upon him as he feuds with his family and continues to fight for the future of his company, likely contributed to how Logan died in Succession season 4.

Why Succession Season 4 Killed Off Logan So Early

Logan dying in Succession season 4 isn’t a shock, but it coming in episode 3 definitely is. Succession season 4 still has seven episodes left, and given much of the story was seemingly going to be Logan vs. his kids (with twists and betrayals therein) it means everything has been blown wide open. While he played chess while everyone else played checkers, now the board itself has been destroyed to make way for a whole new game.

That is presumably why Logan was killed off so early; the first two episodes of Succession season 4 were good, but kept to the expected story. Now the status quo has been irrevocably shaken, which affords the remaining episodes a newfound sense of freedom. After all, if Logan was always likely to die, and the real matter of Succession is the battle of the kids, then it makes sense to pivot to that for the conclusion.

Logan has always been a character of extremes, but he’s seemed a little different in Succession season 4. His somewhat bizarre speech in the ATN offices revealed a man desperate to cling to power and relevancy as much of what he’s built prepared to grow beyond him; his apology to his kids (shocking in its own right) that of a man who perhaps felt himself running out of time. With Logan dying in the first half of the season, then the sense of him as a man losing both time and power and doing what he can to address both takes on greater meaning and stronger reasoning.

Another key factor in Logan’s death coming early is that it allows for plenty of time to explore the fallout from it. Seeing how Succession's remaining Roy family members - as well as others within that world - react to the news, and what decisions they make in the wake of it, is one of the most fascinating cards the show has left to play. The siblings already have a fragile alliance, and seeing how this both forces them closer together and tears them apart should allow for great drama and even more twists and turns building to the finale.

What Logan's Death Means For Succession Season 4 & The Show's Ending

The most immediate questions around what happens after Logan’s death are about control of WayStar Royco and the GoJo deal. There will, of course, be some time to address the personal impact of the Roys losing their father, but knowing the family they will presumably quickly move into power grabs and jostling for position. Some of those battle lines have already been drawn - Carl, Frank, Kerry, Tom vs. Kendall, Roman, and Shiv - but, with matters of control so pressing and the GoJo deal on the line, there will likely be many shady dealings and backstabbings on the horizon.

The GoJo deal itself was already in jeopardy, and Logan’s death casts further doubt upon it. He was pushing for it more than anyone else, and with the power of those on his side in question, it’s possible that those looking to push back will get their way. If that happens, then Lukas Matsson may well go through on his threat to simply walk away.

That would further open up the power vacuum, because it would again raise the question of who from within makes the step up to succeed Logan. Keeping it in the family business would make sense for Succession’s ending, and those power struggles and betrayals should see the show through to its finale. Logan may have died, but his legacy - not so much his company, but the kids he has created and how they treat one another - will still definite where everything goes.

Succession season 4 releases new episodes Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO.