Lifeboats

"**Lifeboats**" is the third episode of the first season of *Succession* and third of the series overall. It premiered on June 17, 2018 on HBO. It was written by Jonathan Glatzer and directed by Mark Mylod.

## Premise

With Waystar's stock plunging to dangerous lows, Kendall is confronted with a major crisis involving a secret bank debt. Upset with Marcia for pulling rank in the Roy apartment, Shiv decides to enlist an old paramour to conduct a background check on Logan's third wife. Kendall and Roman attend their first big meeting in their new roles, as do Tom and Greg.

## Plot synopsis

Kendall is informed that the company's stock is plunging to dangerous lows. He calls Rava for advice, but she refuses to engage.

Shiv decides to visit Logan, who has recently returned home from the hospital, with Tom by her side. On their way in, they see two of his caregivers leaving, one of which is crying. Marcia refuses to allow Shiv to see Logan, arguing that he needs his rest. Kendall attempts to convince the bank to reconsider, but loses his temper and berates the manager, causing the bank to decline further negotiating.

Greg arrives at Waystar Royco for his first day on the job. Kendall, aware that the stock continues to fall, meets with Lawrence Yee and other division heads to discuss the stock situation. He proposes the strategy of having connections to as many other media businesses ("lifeboats") as possible. In his new office, Roman closes the blinds to the outside office space, walks over to the window, and masturbates as he looks over the city.

Shiv meets with her ex-boyfriend, a fellow political advisor, Nate Soffreli. Having grown increasingly suspicious of Marcia, she asks Nate to acquire some background information on her. Kendall meets with Sandy Furness, the CEO of a competing media business, who offers any advice if needed and congratulates him on his recent acquisition. Roman then informs Kendall that the stock has fallen below 130. He contacts his old friend from college who is a private-equity investor, Stewy Hosseini. He agrees to take a minority stake in the company for voting stock in return, as well as keep word of the debt out of the news. Because of this new deal, the repercussions of the stock fall are much less extreme.

Shiv arrives at her father's apartment once more, this time alongside Connor. Determined to see him, she pushes past Marcia and heads upstairs, where Logan is lying in bed. She reveals to him that she and Tom are engaged and plan to live in New York permanently. Logan, seemingly pleased with the news, tells Shiv that he loves her, before grabbing her hand and moving it towards his crotch. Shiv, shocked, pulls her hand back and rushes out. As she exits the apartment, Marcia stops her and implies that she's aware of the background check, claiming to be receptive to any questions so long as Shiv personally reach out.

Kendall has dinner with Rava; after which, the two go back to his apartment and have sex. Despite this, Rava wishes to proceed with the divorce, advising that Kendall get in touch with a divorce lawyer. Marcia then informs Kendall that Logan wishes to see him. He arrives to see Logan sitting out of his bed, watching the news. Kendall informs him of the stock situation but insists that he has it under control. Logan, unimpressed, insults his son by calling him an idiot. Kendall exits the room visibly hurt. Greg spots Stewy, who he'd seen with Kendall a few days prior, speaking to Sandy.

### Notes

1. ↑ As mentioned in "Celebration".
2. ↑ Nate's background check reveals that Marcia first appeared in Paris at 31 years old, working as a publishing assistant. She married a Lebanese businessman and has two children. She threw many parties with her husband, attended by artists and politicians, as well as a lot of "shitbags and slimeballs." However, nothing shows of her history before Paris. Shiv implies that it must have been intentionally erased.

## Cast

* Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy
* Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch
* Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
* Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon (credit only)
* Natalie Gold as Rava Roy
* Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
* Alan Ruck as Connor Roy
* Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy
* Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy
* Rob Yang as Lawrence Yee
* Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini
* Ashley Zukerman as Nate Sofrelli
* Dagmara Dominczyk as Karolina Novotney
* David Rasche as Karl
* Scott Nicholson as Colin
* Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan

## References

1. ↑ Succession Ep 3: Lifeboats | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com