Lion in the Meadow

"**Lion in the Meadow**" is the fourth episode of the third season of *Succession* and twenty-fourth of the series overall. It premiered on November 7, 2021 on HBO and HBO Max. It was written by Jon Brown, and directed by Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman.

## Premise

Logan and Kendall have their first meeting together with Josh, a major investor worried about their family feud.

## Plot synopsis

Four days before the annual shareholder meeting, Kendall is informed that investor Josh Aaronson, who owns 4% of the company's shares, is beginning to lose faith in the company following the family feud and DOJ investigation and may join the side of Sandy and Stewy. Josh requests that Kendall and Logan meet with him, to which Kendall initially refuses but Frank convinces him to go.

Logan has Shiv direct ATN to be more critical in their presidential administration, hoping it will pressure the White House into giving him legal and political favors. Shiv then passes the order onto Tom, who feels emasculated taking orders from his wife, still mourning the possibility of being sent to prison. Connor has decided to push his presidential campaign back four years, and is now seeking a role at the company to have more credits to his name.

Logan, meanwhile, presents Greg with a joint defense agreement with Waystar. Tom visits Greg at his office to pressure him into siding with the company, but learns that Greg has already agreed to sign the papers and is seeking an executive position at the parks department.

In attempt to deface Kendall, Roman tracks down a formerly homeless man that he and Kendall convinced to have Kendall's initials tattooed on his forehead years prior, although he has since had it removed. Roman and Hugo offer the man $1 million for photos of the tattoo. Gerri convinces Roman not to publish the photos, given that he too was involved in the incident.

Kendall and Logan separately fly out to Josh's private residence. Both are seemingly pensive and standoffish with each other, and Josh suggests that the three of them take a walk. Josh informs them that their family fued has already cost him $350 million, roughly 10% of his holdings. He tries to talk Kendall into backing away from his campaign, arguing that his reuniting with Logan would restore the company's stability, but Kendall becomes paranoid that he and Logan may be working together in attempt to sabotage Kendall.

At the end of their walk, Logan calls Shiv to warn her not to overstep, after hearing from Karl that she has become too assertive in her position at work. Shiv, afraid of being undermined, decides to personally confront ATN's controversial anchor Mark Ravenhead and forces him into complying with the orders Logan had given earlier.

   Kendall and Logan sit to have lunch with Josh, who demands to know if the family feud can be solved in time. Logan assures him that it can, adding that Kendall is a worthy successor while praising him. However, on their way back to the house, the two share harsh words with each other and Logan admits that Kendall will never truly lead Waystar. Logan also shares Greg's recent shift in alliance with Kendall. Logan begins to feel exhausted by the heat, but persists, as he doesn't want Josh to see him ill. Kendall neglects Logan, who then collapses, leaving Kendall and Josh to assist him. Kendall attempts to negotiate with Josh, but Josh asks him to focus on his father's health instead.

Logan receives a call from the President, furious about ATN's recent critical coverage, which Logan promises to temper if the DOJ's investigation of Waystar is relaxed. Kendall then receives a call from Roman, informing him that Josh has lost confidence in Waystar after seeing the way Kendall reacted to his father's collapse. Moments later, Kendall sees Stewy arriving by helicopter to greet Josh.

## Cast

* Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch
* Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
* Dagmara Domińczyk as Karolina Novotney
* Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon
* Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra (credit only)
* Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
* David Rasche as Karl
* Alan Ruck as Connor Roy
* J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri Kellman
* Fisher Stevens as Hugo Baker
* Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy
* Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy
* Adrien Brody as Josh Aaronson
* Scott Nicholson as Colin
* Zoë Winters as Kerry
* Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan
* Jihae as Berry Schneider
* Dasha Nekrasova as Comfry
* Zack Robidas as Mark Ravenhead
* Quentin Morales as Iverson Roy
* Swayam Bhatia as Sophie Roy
* KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Remi

## Trivia

* The episode is likely named after the children's book of the same title, which focuses on the imagination of young children and what happens when adults attempt to stifle it.
* The episode was nominated at the Directors Guild of America Awards for its direction.
* Adrien Brody was nominated at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his guest appearance.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Succession Ep 4: Lion in the Meadow | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com
2. ↑ Shows A-Z - succession on hbo | TheFutonCritic.com
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *Succession*: Season 3, Episode 4: "**Lion in the Meadow**"
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Succession | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com
5. ↑ Shows A-Z - succession on hbo | TheFutonCritic.com
6. ↑ A Lion in the Meadow (Literature) - TV Tropes
7. ↑ DGA Awards 2022 Winners List: Jane Campion Gets Top Prize For ‘Power of The Dog’ – Deadline
8. ↑ Adrien Brody - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins | Television Academy (emmys.com)