The Disruption (Succession)

"The Disruption" is the third episode of the third season of the American satirical comedy-drama television series Succession, and the 23rd episode overall. It was written by Ted Cohen and Georgia Pritchett and directed by Cathy Yan, and originally aired on HBO on October 31, 2021.

The episode follows Kendall and Logan working to improve their respective public profiles as a Department of Justice investigation looms over Waystar.

Kendall becomes increasingly self-conscious about his public image, giving various interviews to the press and vigilantly monitoring his social media presence. Logan and Waystar plan their own PR strategy, with Hugo and Karolina fielding employee complaints for an upcoming town hall event and Roman giving an interview praising Logan's parenting. Logan refuses to cooperate with the Department of Justice's ongoing investigation into the company, despite Gerri asserting that they should cooperate to prevent damage to Waystar's image.

Kendall gives a speech at a charity dinner, which Shiv (now Waystar's President of Domestic Operations) attends on Logan's behalf. Kendall apologizes to Shiv for his outburst at Rava's apartment, but refuses to back down from his media campaign. At an after-party, Kendall and his associates watch a newly aired segment from The Disruption, a late-night talk show whose host Sophie Iwobi frequently disparages him. Kendall decides to make an appearance on the show.

Shiv meets Logan at his apartment after the gala. Logan unconvincingly claims that nothing in the stolen cruises documents incriminates him for serious wrongdoing and that he was only protecting his children, but Shiv warns that law enforcement has the power to implicate him in the cover-up. She returns home to find a drunken Tom, who informs her that his lawyers believe he will likely spend time in prison. Tom suggests that he volunteer himself to Logan as a candidate for incarceration, which Shiv agrees could have a tactical advantage. Tom broaches the idea to Logan the next day during the taping of an ATN interview with White House aide Michelle-Anne Vanderhoven. Logan assures Tom that he will not face such dire consequences, but is appreciative of the gesture. Tom privately contacts a lawyer.

Logan catches Michelle-Anne after the interview and asks for assurances that his refusal to cooperate with the DOJ investigation will not have political blowback, but Michelle-Anne warns that Logan's close relationship with the President could prove problematic. She agrees to negotiate with the President if Logan moderates ATN's White House coverage. Meanwhile, Kendall defies Lisa's advice and decides to barge into Waystar's offices despite his security privileges being revoked; Logan asks that Kendall be fired and orders his security to keep Kendall away from him, but Gerri warns that firing Kendall would reflect negatively on the company. Tom greets Kendall on the executive floor, and Kendall extends him an offer to join his side.

Logan, Shiv, Roman, and the others decide to ignore Kendall and proceed to Waystar's town hall event, which Shiv is hosting. However, Kendall sabotages the event by having his assistants purchase speakers and blast Nirvana's "Rape Me" at full volume in the middle of Shiv's speech. An irate Shiv drafts an open letter attacking Kendall and asks Roman and Connor to sign it, but they both object out of discomfort with the personal details Shiv chose to include in the statement, such as Kendall's substance abuse and failed relationships. Shiv decides to publish the letter herself.

Kendall prepares to make an appearance on The Disruption, but learns backstage that Shiv's letter has gone online. He unsuccessfully negotiates with the show's producer to omit mention of the letter from his interview, and decides to back out of his appearance 15 minutes before broadcast. Deeply shaken by the letter's contents, Kendall hides out in a server room while Iwobi's segment airs. Meanwhile, Gerri informs Logan that the FBI has arrived to raid Waystar's offices, with his attempts to extract favors from the President through Michelle-Anne likely having tipped off the DOJ; Logan is forced to cooperate. Shiv and Kendall separately watch live broadcasts breaking the news of the FBI's raid.