Summary
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong settles the debate on Kendall's name: Logan intended to underline, not cross out, Kendall as his successor.
The mentioned paper is crucial for discerning Logan's plans for Kendall's future within the Waystar Royco media empire, despite not having legal binding.
Armstrong affirms that Logan's aim was to highlight Kendall's name, debunking the speculation that he intended to completely exclude his son.
At a recent event hosted by The Financial Times, Succession creator Jesse Armstrong finally put an end to the ongoing debate surrounding Kendall's name in the final season. A key question in the Emmy-winning HBO series had been whether Logan Roy had intentionally underlined or crossed out his son's name on a document stored in his safe. While not legally binding, this distinction would determine Logan's intention regarding Kendall's role as his successor in the Waystar Royco media empire. Without hesitation, Armstrong openly confirmed whether Kendall's name was indeed crossed out in Succession.
Succession Was Never A Mystery Box Show
The video above highlights a valid observation made by Cassam, the creator of the series, regarding Logan's intention to cross out Kendall's name. It is important to mention that Armstrong personally drew the line, starting it as an underline.An analysis conducted by a handwriting specialist questioned whether Kendall's name was underlined or crossed out in Succession. Due to the absence of knowledge regarding Logan's motor abilities, the expert found it challenging to reach a definite conclusion. Remarkably, as Kendall's name neared its end, "Roy" seemed to be thoroughly and neatly marked out.
The purpose of the scene in Succession is not about solving a mystery, unlike shows like Lost or other sci-fi series. The scene focuses on the Roy siblings' ongoing pursuit of their father's approval and their unsuitability for leadership roles, despite taking it upon themselves to become leaders.
This theme is beautifully portrayed in the Succession series finale, where the identity of the CEO becomes less important. What truly resonates is the fractured family dynamic that captivated viewers throughout the four seasons. A line, both crossed out and underlined, serves as a symbol of this dynamic.
Source: @cassamlooch/Twitter