Opinion | Laying ‘Succession’ to Rest: Pain Sponges, Heels of Bread and Eldest Boys

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Amazon Music

The New York Times Audio app includes podcasts, narrated articles from the newsroom and other publishers and exclusive new shows — including this one — which we’re making available to readers for a limited time. Download the audio app here.

The power struggle is finally over. Waystar Royco has a new C.E.O.

And his last name isn’t Roy.

On this special episode of “Matter of Opinion,” Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen send off HBO’s “Succession” and its cast of back-stabbing ultrawealthy characters. The hosts break down key moments of the finale (turns out it pays to be a pain sponge) and discuss the real story “Succession” told about America today.

(A full transcript of the episode will be available shortly on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voice mail message at (212) 556-7440. We may use excerpts from your message in a future episode.

By leaving us a message, you are agreeing to be governed by our reader submission terms and agreeing that we may use and allow others to use your name, voice and message.

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Michelle Cottle (@mcottle), Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT), Carlos Lozada (@CarlosNYT) and Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen).

“Matter of Opinion” was produced and fact-checked this week by Phoebe Lett. It was edited by Annie-Rose Strasser. Mixing and original music by Isaac Jones and Pat McCusker. Special thanks to Shannon Busta, Kristina Samulewski and Allison Benedikt.