DC

DC
Season	2
Episode	9
Overall	19
Release date	October 6, 2019
Length	65 minutes
Director(s)	Mark Mylod
Writer(s)	Jesse Armstrong
Previous	"Dundee"
Next	"This Is Not for Tears"

"DC" is the ninth episode of the second season of Succession and nineteenth of the series overall. It premiered on October 6, 2019 on HBO. It was written by Jesse Armstrong and directed by Mark Mylod.

Premise

With the shareholders meeting imminent and Waystar Royco in a precarious position after a whistleblower makes headlines, Logan, Kendall, Gerri and Tom testify before Congress and face tough questions from a determined Gil Eavis. Shiv speaks candidly to Kira, a victim who is set to be a key witness. In Turkey, Roman's business pitch takes a chilling turn.

Plot synopsis

Logan takes a walk by himself through Central Park as Colin walks behind him. Later, he and some other family sit around and watch television, awaiting whose names will be racked across the coals in the cruise line sex scandal. Moe’s name is brought up, as well as Gerri’s and then Tom’s. They all make comments at the TV, while Gerri, Hugo, Karl, Laird, and Karolina watch in the other room and take notes. Ken is rather relaxed throughout this ordeal, while Tom and Greg periodically look nervous. The interviewer asks about the secret logs for "No Real Person Involved," meaning a sex worker or a migrant worker at a foreign port, rather than a guest or permanent member of staff. Logan takes himself out of the room and is soon joined by Roman in the hallway. Wanting to help his father, he agrees to go on a business trip for him in attempt to make a deal with Eduard Asgarov. Rhea joins the party rather late, and after a quick appearance in a feeble attempt to rally the troops, departs again.

Getting ready to 'Kill Bill'

The Roy family had previously discussed using Bill Lockheart as their scapegoat and were surprised to see him at court the next morning. Bill told them he was only there to offer his support, though it would appear he was ensuring his survival in the corporate fiasco. Their small group soon enters to find Logan already there with Ken, working from a boardroom within the government buildings before and during all the proceedings before Congress. Tom is the first one to be called to the stand and is understandably quite nervous, while Logan, Ken, and Shiv watch from the boardroom. He is confronted by an aggressive Gil, who persistently questions him about Lester’s nickname "Moe". When asked about missing documents and Greg Hirsch, Tom panics and claims he does not know who Greg is. This leaves the boardroom, as well as Greg who will later testify, in a state of distress.

Trying to stay calm

Roman, Karl, and Laird find themselves in Turkey, watching the soccer team Roman had just bought for his father a few days prior. He and Eduard are trying to barter a deal with each other. Things seem to be going well when they're interrupted and confronted by men with guns. It takes a minute for Roman to realize that they are being held up by terrorists, and are soon ushered downstairs to the lobby with all the other rich guests of the hotel. Their group is then soon re-located to the dining area. Although Karl admits to having a bit of a panic attack, everyone is acting rather calm, given the high-stress situation. During their time in holding, which is just over 24 hours, Roman continues to try to broker a deal with Eduard. It appears they come to an agreement, yet not long after this, the men with guns demand to know who are foreigners. After Karl raises his hand, the rest of them follow suit and they are soon led away by the men.

Logan reading a statement to Congress

Tom arrives back into the boardroom in disarray, and rather scared. His wife tries to calm him and tells the rest of the room that she believes there's a way she can get them out of this. Shiv, alone, tries to make a deal with Gil and Nate, but Gil is uninterested. Shiv promises that if they go after Bill it will be an easy win, but she soon discovers that there is a witness. Arriving back at the board room, she learns that Rhea has joined them and is greeted by her. While Logan is being prepped to go before Congress, he sends the two women to speak with the witness. Logan rather calmly reads his statement before Congress, and when he is asked any tough question, pushes Ken in front of the bus. Surprisingly, he pulls through very smoothly.

Shiv talking to the witness

Once Shiv and Rhea arrive to speak with the witness, Kira, Rhea refuses to get out of the car, claiming moral-high ground and that it doesn't feel right. Shiv goes alone and greets Kira. She says that if she tells the world she was raped, she will first be praised for her courage, but then the lies and stories people create about her will follow her forever. She coerces the woman into agreeing to backing out as a witness, with the promise of millions of dollars. More importantly, she claims she will personally stop the men that were involved in the cruise-line scandals and ensure that they're a safe and secure operation from then on. The woman agrees for her child's sake, and Shiv is cheered a hero briefly, with her father giving her a kiss and a nod of acknowledgment for helping them win the case.

During their celebration party, Rhea takes Logan aside and informs him that she no longer wants to be part of a business like his. She gives up her position as CEO and walks away. While Logan and Shiv are watching TV together later that night, he confirms they must have a blood sacrifice in order to please Congress and get rid of wolves at their door.

Cast

Starring Brian Cox as Logan Roy Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy Dagmara Dominczyk as Karolina Novotney Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini (credit only) Alan Ruck as Connor Roy J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri Kellman Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy Rob Yang as Lawrence Yee (credit only)

Recurring Holly Hunter as Rhea Jarrell Eric Bogosian as Gil Eavis Danny Huston as Jamie Laird Fisher Stevens as Hugo Baker Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Naomi Pierce David Rasche as Karl Scott Nicholson as Colin Babak Tafti as Eduard Asgarov Ashley Zukerman as Nate Sofrelli Mark Blum as Bill Lockheart Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan Zoe Winters as Kerry Guest Sally Murphy as Kira Victor Slezak as Senator Roberts Debbye Turner as Susan Vardy

Quotes

• Frank Vernon: I mean, we are unusually subject to the vicissitudes of public opinion.
  Karl: Uh, I can translate. That's Frank for "We're fucked."