Episode 8 – ‘America Decides’
This anxiety-inducing hour of television revolves around the intersection of political and personal interests. Jesse Armstrong wanted to explore the primary way that the Roys wield their influence over culture and the political world. Armstrong was heavily inspired by the Murdochs and Fox News, who called Arizona for Joe Biden during the 2020 election.
Succession always uses political consultants to perfect the realism of the world the writers created, and this episode is no exception. Ben Ginsburg, a lawyer and political advisor, along with Jon Klein, a political analyst and former CNN president, played pivotal roles in advising on this episode. Ginsburg praised the accuracy of the campaign headquarters for Mencken and Jimenez, while Klein confirmed that in a close-call election, the president of the network (in this case, Tom) would make the final call. This episode stands out as a highly credible portrayal of a close-call election, providing a suspenseful viewing experience.
