Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Succession season 3, episode 1.
A seemingly lighthearted moment in Succession season 3 actually makes Kendall Roy’s darkest moment much worse. Returning to HBO in 2021 after a long hiatus, Jesse Armstrong’s satirical dramedy picks up right where it left off. In the wake of the shocking press conference by Kendall (Jeremy Strong), in which Kendall abandoned his prepared remarks and connects his father, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) directly to the cruise ship scandal at Waystar RoyCo. At the press conference, Kendall is calm and precise, and unflinching. For the moment at least, he even seems to earn the begrudging respect of Logan. The Roy patriarch cracks what looks like a smile as he watches the conference on television.
Succession season 3, episode 1 makes it clear that both Kendall’s poise and his father’s respect were fleeting. In the premiere episode, appropriately titled “Secession”, as Logan promises to go to war with his son, Kendall has locked himself in the bathroom. It’s enough to worry Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun), Kendall’s bumbling co-conspirator in the attempt to oust Logan from the control of Waystar, as he knocks on the door to make sure that Kendall isn’t spiraling. When he emerges, Kendall is all business. But there are signs that something is not quite right. One of the biggest occurs when Kendall is in a car, sharing a ride with Greg and his assistant Jess Jordan (Juliana Canfield).
Surprisingly, although perhaps tellingly, it doesn’t occur to Kendall that he wouldn’t be allowed access to his office at Waystar after calling out Logan on live TV. And as the trio are driving around, looking for somewhere else to plan their next moves, with a dozen or so reporters hoping to get a statement, Greg remarks that their situation is similar to O.J. Simpson’s famous Bronco car chase which was watched by a captivated audience. Except, Greg adds, Kendall hasn’t killed anyone. Upon hearing this, in a brilliant bit of acting by Strong, Kendall cracks a nervous and excited smile to retort: “Who says I never killed anyone?” It’s phrased as a joke. A bit of dark humor. But, heading into Succession season 3, fans know that Kendall’s actions have led to someone’s death.
In the Succession season 1 finale, Kendall drives while high in search of cocaine. With another person in the car, Andrew Dodds (Tom Morley), Kendall causes an accident and the car falls into the water. Unable to save Andrew, Kendall is consumed by guilt throughout season 2 and is essentially under the thumb of Logan. But more than simply ensuring that his father keeps his secret, Kendall does seem genuinely shaken by what happened. At one point, in Succession season 2, Kendall desperately tries to leave some money for Andrew’s parents in a feeble effort to help their situation and lessen his burden.
It’s telling, then, that Kendall is now using Andrew’s death as a punchline to amuse himself. On some level, of course, it does speak to fact that Kendall can be just as callous as any member of the Roy clan. The family’s obscene wealth and tumultuous upbringings fundamentally alter the way they perceive individuals like Andrew, who are just passing through their lives. Still, in his best moments, Kendall has made efforts to be empathetic and he does seem sincerely torn up about Andrew’s drowning.
It’s likely a sign that, after his game-changing press conference, Kendall is both abusing substances and having a manic episode. This could also be gleaned from his similarly callous interactions with his ex-wife Rava (Natalie Gold) later in the Succession season 3 premiere, all of which indicate that Kendall will continue to be his own worst enemy when it comes to taking down Logan. And more devastatingly still, if he continues down this path, Kendall could find himself reaching rock-bottom once again.
New episodes of Succession season 3 release on HBO & HBO Max every Sunday.