Logan Roy is a monster. We know this. But in Succession Season 2 Episode 8, we finally see the hole where his heart should be, and it's located in the middle of a cold, gray Scottish city called Dundee.
Most people watch this episode for "L to the OG." You know the one. Kendall Roy, played with a terrifying level of earnestness by Jeremy Strong, gets up on stage in a custom baseball jersey and raps. It’s a cultural reset. It’s painful. It’s honestly hard to watch without looking through your fingers. But if you think that rap is the only thing happening in this episode, you're missing the actual tragedy. This is the episode where the Roy children realize that no matter how much they give, their father will never, ever love them.
The Brutal Reality of Succession Season 2 Episode 8
The episode, titled "Dundee," takes the circus to Logan's birthplace. It’s a celebration of his 50 years in the business. But Logan doesn't want to be there. Brian Cox plays Logan with this simmering, low-level agitation that feels like a ticking bomb. He hates the nostalgia. He hates the "sentimental" plaque at his old school.
Why? Because the past is where the scars are.
This isn't just a fun travelogue. It's a deep look into the trauma that built Waystar Royco. We see the house where he grew up. It’s small. It’s unremarkable. It stands in such stark contrast to the glass towers of Manhattan that it makes Logan’s current power feel like an act of revenge against his own childhood.
Kendall’s Rap and the "Cringe" Factor
Let's talk about the rap. Kendall’s performance of "L to the OG" wasn't just a meme. It was a desperate plea for approval. In the world of Succession Season 2 Episode 8, every action is a transaction. Kendall thinks that by "honoring" his father with a high-budget, incredibly public display of loyalty, he’s securing his spot as the heir.
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The reaction shots are the best part of the show. Roman’s face is a mix of horror and delight. Shiv looks like she wants to dissolve into the floor. And Logan? Logan looks like he’s watching a car crash. He’s embarrassed, not because the rap is bad (though it is), but because Kendall is showing a "soft" side. In Logan’s world, vulnerability is a death sentence.
It’s interesting to note that Jeremy Strong actually worked with a professional coach to make sure the rap was just good enough to be believable but just bad enough to be agonizing. That’s the nuance that makes this show top-tier.
The Rhea Jarrell Problem
While the kids are busy fighting for scraps of attention, Rhea Jarrell (played by the incredible Holly Hunter) is moving into the inner circle. This is a huge pivot point for the season. Logan is actually listening to her. He’s charmed. He’s... maybe even a little bit vulnerable?
The siblings, for once, have a common enemy.
They see Rhea as an interloper. An outsider. Someone who actually understands the business in a way they don't. In Succession Season 2 Episode 8, the tension between the "blood" and the "professionals" reaches a boiling point. Shiv tries to play the long game, but she’s being outmaneuvered. It’s a masterclass in corporate backstabbing.
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That Ending at the V&A Museum
The episode culminates at the V&A Museum in Dundee. It’s a gala. It’s formal. It’s cold.
The most telling moment isn't a loud argument. It's the quiet conversation about the "gift." Marcia, Logan's wife, is sidelined. Rhea is the one organizing things. The power shift is palpable. When Logan’s brother, Ewan, shows up, the air leaves the room. James Cromwell plays Ewan with a righteous fury that makes Logan look like a small, scared boy again.
Ewan tells Greg that Logan is "morally bankrupt." He’s not wrong. But Greg, ever the survivor, is stuck between his grandfather’s morals and the Roy family’s money.
Why This Episode Still Matters
We talk about this episode years later because it perfectly encapsulates the theme of the whole series: the pursuit of something that doesn't exist. The kids want Logan’s love. Logan wants a legacy that will live forever. Both are chasing ghosts.
Dundee is a gray, rainy backdrop for a family that has everything but is fundamentally empty.
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If you're rewatching Succession Season 2 Episode 8, look past the memes. Look at the way Logan reacts to the surprise. He hates surprises. He hates being handled. He wants control, and the moment he feels the "celebration" is out of his control, he shuts down.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
To truly appreciate the depth of this episode, you have to look at the subtext of the power dynamics.
- Watch the background characters: The Waystar executives (Gerri, Karl, Frank) are constantly gauging the wind. Their reactions to Rhea Jarrell tell you more about the company's future than the dialogue does.
- Analyze the setting: The choice of Dundee wasn't accidental. It’s a city that has struggled, much like Logan’s early life. The contrast between the billionaire lifestyle and the local environment highlights the "us vs. them" mentality of the 1%.
- Notice the silence: Some of the most important moments in this episode have no dialogue. It’s in the glares, the sighs, and the way the siblings stand apart from each other even when they're in the same room.
- Track the "Succession" tally: By the end of this episode, Kendall thinks he’s up, Shiv knows she’s down, and Roman is just trying to stay relevant. The leaderboard changes every ten minutes.
If you want to understand the corporate psychology of the show, pay attention to the PGM deal discussions happening in the corners of the gala. The "Dundee" episode isn't just a trip home; it's a war room disguised as a birthday party.
The next step for any serious fan is to re-examine the Season 2 finale. Everything that happens in Dundee—the betrayals, the rap, the Rhea situation—is the fuel that leads to Kendall's "killer" moment in the press conference. Without the humiliation of Dundee, Kendall might never have found the strength to strike back.