Succession season 2, episode 2 recap: The Vaulter

In episode 2 of the second season of HBO’s Succession, Ken remains under Logan’s thumb, but gets used to it as he’s tasked to close down media website, Vaulter.

As we saw in the season 2 premiere of Succession, Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) was blackmailed into obeying his father, Logan (Brian Cox). However, as a tentative reward for his subservience, Logan made him co-Chief Operating Officer with Roman (Kieran Culkin), Ken’s obnoxious brother. We also saw that, rather than sell the family business, Logan decided he wants to become number one. The Roy family definitely thinks it’s special.

As this episode begins, we see they closed down a theme park for a family outing. Ken doesn’t feel very special, though. At this point, he is operating very much like a robot (which Roman even calls him). When his daughter Sophie (Swayam Bhatia) hugs him, he doesn’t really hug her back.

In contrast, Connor Roy (Alan Ruck) seems as chipper as ever, trying to impress people with his intelligence by mentioning the Brusilov offensive — which he likely looked up just to look intelligent as he prepares for a Presidential run. Soon, however, there is some turmoil in the family. Ken’s former business partner, Stewy Hosseini (Arian Moayed), has gone to the press to bash the Roy family business, Waystar Royco. Because Ken and Stewy tried to take over his father’s business, Logan will use Ken to gain strategic advantage against Stewy. As a way to prepare him for the battle ahead, he also tasks Ken (along with Roman) to head over to media website Vaulter to threaten to close their operation. They meet with Lawrence (Rob Yang). While Ken wants to spare the company from closure, Roman seems pretty gung-ho about it. What better way to prepare Ken against Stewy and crew in the upcoming “proxy war”?

Greg, Tom and ATN

Succession also focuses on Greg Hirsch (Nicholas Braun), Logan’s grandnephew, who is apparently now at ATN News to assist Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen). Greg continues being different from the other Roys, saying ATN is against his principles due to their lying and what he considers racism. In any case, they are both getting started over there. While Greg is told to “trim the flab” at the network (likely meaning layoffs), Tom meets with the person in charge, Cyd Peach (Jeannie Berlin). As she insists their news isn’t mind control and is overtly hostile to his presence, it’s obvious that it will be a jarring relationship. Greg tells Tom he can reduce employees at ATN by digitizing, which is like music to Tom’s ears. Later on, Greg is shown looking for a better place to stay. While his first options are pathetic, he’s amazed when Ken gifts him a very spacious apartment. Unfortunately, though, Ken wants to host a party in his place, and Greg doesn’t do well with parties.

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Tom and Shiv’s future

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Tom has his own worries. His recent marriage to Siobhan “Shiv” Roy (Sarah Snook) already seems to be on thin ice, due to her affair with her fellow campaign strategist, Nate Sofrelli (Ashley Zukerman). Nate’s primary concern is preventing his wife from learning about it.

Meanwhile, Gil Eavis (Eric Bogosian), whose Presidential campaign they help run, is bragging about his new private jet and is considering Shiv for his Chief of Staff. Such power could jeopardize Shiv’s marriage even more. In fact, Tom resents her when she makes fun of his bad taste in suits and his robotic, corporate walking style. When they get home he even says he’ll sleep in the guest.

In addition to the Presidential campaign job, Shiv’s other option is to take over Waystar Royco — though Logan initially insults her by suggesting she uses a management training program (whereas Ken and Roman were just given positions). Shiv insists to Tom that her running Waystar is “100% not going to happen.” However, as he warms up to her again, one wonders if this is just a power play on her part.

This is especially true when, by the end of the episode, Shiv leaves Gil’s campaign. Why? He rebukes her for joking that he needs Purell after his shaking hands with a “prole.” She instantly notes his own hypocrisy, including his private jet and his private deal with Logan to mutually curtail critiques of each other. She also mentions that her connections to ATN are a complication, given that they’re right-wing and Gil’s ostensibly a left-wing candidate. She doesn’t seem sad to leave the campaign, but what next?

Ken and Vaulter

Of course, Vaulter is the title of this Succession episode, so you know something has to happen there. Indeed it does. Though Ken initially defends Vaulter, Roman says they’re going to unionize, and it seems like they’re “hiding something.” Ken gives up on his promise to talk Logan out of shutting them down. The times arrives where a coked up Ken fires everyone. When a Vaulter employee spits in his face, Ken only asks, “Is that all you got?”

When Lawrence asked him why they’re being shut down, Ken replies: “Because my dad told me to.” It is the literal truth, and Ken, too afraid to walk away from corporate life, is learning to appreciate the freedom of his situation. He is no longer chiefly responsible for what he does. The loyalty wins his dad’s approval, with Logan even sending a bitter Roman on his way. In fact, Logan doesn’t trust Roman’s impulsive nature. At the very least, Kendall is capable of planning.

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By the episode’s end, Ken buys a pack of cigarettes, stealing a pack of batteries from a merchant watching a game on TV. When he steps outside, he merely throws the batteries in the trash. It’s a weird way of demonstrating a sense of power, as if he can do anything now, thanks to his dad’s protection. So long as he doesn’t step outside Logan’s shadow, he should be fine….or should he? This feeling may be temporary, much like the addition to cocaine. Always implied in Ken’s character is that this life isn’t for him, but it’s the main thing he knows, so that’s what he is.

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