Succession’s Shocking Episode 3 Gets Perfect Audience Scores, Record Viewing

Well, to talk about really anything regarding Succession episode 3, which was so secretive before it aired they didn’t even give out advance screeners to critics, I’m going to have to put up a big spoiler warning. Although if you’ve been on the internet at all the past 60 hours or so, you probably have already seen it.

Episode 3 of Succession brings us the end of Logan Roy, who dies on a plane far away from his children, off-screen, and we’re witnessing the horrific aftermath of the family and his co-workers dealing with the reality of the situation.

It may not be a surprise to learn that the episode has already set viewership records for the series. It hit a series high of 2.5 million viewers on Sunday night, which I suppose is not terribly high when compared to HBO’s other blockbusters like The Last of Us and House of the Dragon, but for Succession? Yes, a record.

But what I’ve noticed is a stat that I’d probably consider even more impressive. Connor’s Wedding, the somewhat deceptive episode title, currently has a perfect 10 out of 10 average on IMDB. And this isn’t just because it’s early and as the show catches up with other episodes, it will sink. Rather, episode 3 already has more reviews in from fans that any other episode outside of the season 3 finale. Double most of the others, in fact, with 10,000 reviews in.

Of those 10,000 reviews, it looks like only 200 or so are even below a 10/10 at all, hence the average currently showing up as a perfect 10. The only rivals to that are the 9.8/10 of All the Bells Say, the season 3 finale, and This is Not for Tears also at a 9.8/10, the season 2 finale. In fact I’ve rarely seen any episode of any series get this many reviews and maintain a 10/10 average. It takes some all-time greats to hit that mark, like Breaking Bad’s Ozymandias episode remains at a 10/10 with 194,000 reviews in. Wildly impressive. Game of Thrones doesn’t have any at a perfect 10, but a 9.9 for The Battle of the Bastards and The Winds of Winter.

In short, it is entirely possible to say that we may have just witnessed one of the best episodes of TV ever, at least if we’re trying to use math and ratings to calculate that out. It really was an incredible night, and I would highly suggest you watch this post-air behind the scenes documentary of how it was made and the effect it had on the actors:

Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my free weekly content round-up newsletter, God Rolls.

Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.