Episode 2 – ‘Rehearsal’
Logan’s powerful speech at ATN, masterfully performed by Brian Cox, draws inspiration from a real-life Rupert Murdoch speech to Fox. Nicholas Britel’s score amplifies the immense force exuded by Logan as he confidently declares, “This is not the end. I’m going to build something better.”
Lucy Prebble, an executive producer of Succession, revealed that the writers were intrigued by the strong bonds between media moguls like Murdoch and Maxwell (referring to Robert Maxwell) and their newspapers. They aimed to delve into the idea of Logan returning to a similar mindset when he was about to sell his company.
Through his speech, Logan conveys his deep affection for Waystar, equating it to a cherished child. The love for his company starkly contrasts with his later mistreatment and belittlement of his actual children in the episode. Brian Cox emphasises that Logan does love his children, causing him great anguish, “but he can’t articulate it because he doesn’t want to.” Despite the impending loss of his children, Logan is willing to sacrifice them in order to emerge victorious.