• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
Arts & EntertainmentSuccession

‘Succession’ Recap, S2E7: Rhinos and Hummingbirds

Rey Mashayekhi
By
Rey Mashayekhi
Rey Mashayekhi
Down Arrow Button Icon
Rey Mashayekhi
By
Rey Mashayekhi
Rey Mashayekhi
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 23, 2019, 10:50 AM ET

Succession is a show about family. But the HBO series is also very much a show about business: money, power, influence, ego, and the machinations of corporate America.

As such, it’s the perfect show for us at Fortune to recap as the saga of the Roy family and their Waystar Royco media empire unfolds. In the seventh episode of the new season: Ulstermen, disappearing sauce, and Thomas Aquinas. (You can read last week’s recap here.)

The first season-and-a-half of Succession has been balanced on a relatively simple, straightforward question: who among Logan Roy’s children will succeed him as head of the company he built?

But for the first time, the inevitability that Logan would select one of his own kids to take over at Waystar Royco appears to be in serious doubt. Rhea Jarrell (Holly Hunter) may have lost her CEO gig at PMG, after trying to facilitate a Waystar takeover of the rival media company, but she’s now spending a lot of time with Logan—accompanying him and the kids to London as they seek to get a couple of shareholders in line with the proxy fight that Waystar’s presently waging.

We’ve previously been led to believe that Logan, a man who claims he did everything for his children, would rather sell off his life’s work than leave someone other than his own kin in charge. But now we see him ask Rhea, his new informal adviser and apparent romantic interest, to look further afield when it comes to Waystar’s succession planning.

That’s quite the development, and it’s clear that Rhea will play an outsize role in proceedings in the weeks to come. She’s surely shot up the myriad Succession “power rankings” lists that populate the internet, and justifiably; in the span of one TV week, she’s gone from losing her job as chief executive of a major media conglomerate, to finding a pretty decent professional and personal rebound in Logan Roy.

Rhea is already ruffling feathers among the Roy clan, unsettling Kendall and Roman with her mere presence and setting up Shiv with a deft piece of politicking. Over lunch, Rhea suggests that she could float Shiv for the vacant CEO gig at PMG—a piece of leverage that she could use against her father in her quest to succeed him at Waystar. 

But Shiv walks into the trap, and when she finally gets the chance to clear the air with Logan over the events at Tern Haven and Argestes, he rebuts with rumors of her designs on the PMG job. That gives Logan the upper hand; he can play the family card, and dispatch Shiv with the understanding that her position as Waystar’s heir apparent is anything but a formality.

The episode ends with Shiv calling Kendall to flag him on Rhea, letting him know that they have a new adversary in the midst. Logan has played his kids against each other time and again as they jostled for his crown, but in Rhea Jarrell, they may have found the common enemy that could bring them—and maybe even their beloved stepmother Marcia—together again. 

That’s family for you.

Juicy Morsels

— Operation Rockstar and the Mole Woman is underway, with Gerri telling Roman that he needs to subject himself to some opposition research if they’re serious about teaming up as Waystar’s future braintrust. That leads to Roman being asked about some hilarious things he may or may not have done—though given what we’ve learned about Roman’s emotional complexities and insecurities, such escapades could very well be mere rumors he spread about himself to burgeon his bad-boy reputation.

— Lady Caroline Collingwood may be bitingly witty and a joy to watch on screen, but she clearly leaves a lot to be desired in the parenting department. Yes, the kids are trying to bribe their own mom—a major Waystar shareholder—into falling in line on the proxy fight. But let’s face it: between Logan and Caroline, it’s no wonder the Roy children have grown up to have their fair share of issues.

— You’ve got to love what The Greg Man has done with his new luxury condo, and he even looks to have made a pretty cool group of new friends. But, of course, Tom can’t let him be happy; amid an escalating internal investigation, he strong-arms Greg into giving up the last vestiges of evidence on the cruises debacle. Greg, for his part, salvages what he can when Tom isn’t looking. Yet it’s becoming increasingly obvious that one of the show’s great “friendships” is doomed for eventual betrayal.

— No Connor Roy for the second successive week? C’mon, guys.

More ‘Succession’ content from Fortune

—Inside Succession with executive producer Adam McKay and actor Kieran Culkin
—Succession’s costume designer shares the inspiration behind the show’s corporate wear

Fortune’s ‘Succession’ Season 2 Recaps

—Succession S2E6: Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
—Succession S2E5: Money Wins
—Succession S2E4: The Gold Rush
—Succession S2E3: Takeover Defense
—Succession S2E2: Media Matters
—Succession S2E1: Blood in the Water
Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis.

About the Author
Rey Mashayekhi
By Rey Mashayekhi
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

pizza
PoliticsRestaurants
‘Earth-shaking event for New York pizza’ looms as flour ban hits 80% of crusts citywide
By Jake Offenhartz and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Stephen Colbert signs off after 11 years tonight. CBS cites finances, but the Late Show host blames Trump
Arts & EntertainmentStephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert signs off after 11 years tonight. CBS cites finances, but the Late Show host blames Trump
By Dave Lozo and Morning BrewMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
murdoch
Big TechMedia
James Murdoch vows ‘ambitious journalism and agenda-setting conversations’ as he takes over New York, Vox brands
By Jocelyn Noveck and The Associated PressMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
target
Retailearnings
Target posts biggest jump in comparable sales in 4 years as turnaround takes shape
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 20, 2026
3 days ago
Photo of Brian Stelter
Arts & EntertainmentWorkplace Innovation Summit
CNN analyst and ‘The Morning Show’ producer says Stephen Colbert is a role model for his ‘positive’ outlook on his show ending
By Emma BurleighMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
‘Change the World’ idealism is dying in Silicon Valley. We’ll miss it when it’s gone
CommentarySilicon Valley
‘Change the World’ idealism is dying in Silicon Valley. We’ll miss it when it’s gone
By Jonathan WeberMay 19, 2026
4 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
Success
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
AI
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
By Jake AngeloMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
Success
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 22, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 22, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 22, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.