One More Thought on <em>Succession</em>’s Ridiculous Banter

This article contains spoilers throughout Season 2 of Succession.

All he had to do was say yes. But when a congressional hearing opened with a softball question to Gregory Hirsch (Nicholas Braun)—asking whether he is the executive assistant to Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen)—he went beyond “yes,” adding, “if it is to be said. If it is to be said, so it is.” Senator Gil Eavis (Eric Bogosian), concerned by the strange answer, asked if he was all right. Greg: “I merely wish to answer in the affirmative fashion.”

Greg’s wordiness on the stand made for a comedic appetizer before the of ’s second season finale. But it also pointed at what makes the show such brilliant satire. Greg, the awkward cousin attached to, or , or —Greg realizes that the powerful mark themselves apart not only with what they wear and where they vacation, but also with how they talk.