Hunting (Succession)

"Hunting" is the third episode of the second season of the American satirical comedy-drama television series Succession, and the 13th episode overall. It was written by Tony Roche and directed by Andrij Parekh, and originally aired on HBO on August 25, 2019.

In the episode, the Roys go on a hunting trip in Hungary, but conflict erupts over Logan's controversial plan to acquire a rival news corporation. The episode became notable for "Boar on the Floor", a fictional hazing game that is depicted during the climax.

Greg meets with author Michelle Pantsil, who is writing an unauthorized biography on Logan, but abruptly leaves when he realizes he is being recorded. Logan, whose health remains under question, announces to his senior executives that Waystar will be taking over rival media giant Pierce Global Media (PGM), and shuts down the members who disagree with the idea. Logan also decides to bring Frank back to the company, seeing as he is personal friends with PGM owner Nan Pierce.

Roman and Tabitha watch Connor's presidential campaign announcement, which he is running on an anti-tax platform. Roman asks Tabitha to reach out to PGM board member Naomi Pierce, her friend and past sexual fling, to broach the idea of an acquisition. Shiv, who knows of Logan's acquisition plans thanks to Gerri and staunchly opposes it, asks Tom to talk Logan out of it at the family's upcoming hunting retreat in Hungary.

On the plane, Logan is furious to learn that someone within the company spoke to Pantsil; Greg becomes nervous about being found out. They reunite with Frank after arriving at their hunting lodge in Hungary. Back in New York, Shiv tries to convince Connor not to run for president, given that his anti-tax platform jeopardizes Logan's political relationships. She accompanies Willa for drinks and seduces one of the actors in Willa's planned stage play. Connor, against the advice of his family, releases his campaign video to the public.

While hunting, Greg confides to Tom that he spoke to Pantsil and begs Tom to keep his secret. Kendall and Roman discuss having been contacted by Pantsil themselves; Roman discreetly takes a private call from Naomi Pierce. During dinner arrangements, Logan is further infuriated when he learns that the Pierces already know about his acquisition plans, realizing that the information leaks are coming from someone in his inner circle.

As everyone begins to eat, Logan cuts off the dinner and begins individually interrogating various members of the group to find out who talked to the Pierce family and Pantsil. Logan has Karl, Tom and Greg sit in the corner of the room and subjects them to a viciously humiliating game he calls "Boar on the Floor," having the three of them play-act like pigs and fight over a piece of sausage, with the loser being declared the mole. Amidst the chaos, Kendall wrestles Roman's phone away from him and learns that it was in fact Roman who talked to the Pierces. Roman claims he was trying to help his father, but Logan brands him a "moron" in front of everyone, and demands to know who in the room backs him on the acquisition. Kendall observes that everyone present is opposed, but Logan insists that he will nonetheless see his plan through.

During breakfast the next morning, Logan finds out that Mo, a recently deceased member of the board, talked to Pantsil and considers the issue resolved, to Greg's relief. Gerri approaches a despondent Roman, who asks her how he can earn his father's respect; Gerri recommends that he take Waystar's six-week management training course. On the plane back to New York, Frank informs Logan that PGM's CEO is interested in a meeting. That night, Logan calls Shiv telling her it is time to bring her into the company.