Ever wondered why Tom Wambsgans, in a moment of pure audacity, reached over and helped himself to Logan Roy’s dinner in that unforgettable Succession finale? That small but powerful moment became one of the show’s most iconic and meme-worthy scenes. As a fan who’s watched that episode probably too many times I’m diving deep into the chicken incident that had everyone talking.
The Chicken Moment: What Actually Happened
In the Season 2 finale of HBO’s Succession, Tom Wambsgans (played brilliantly by Matthew Macfadyen) does something shocking – he casually takes a piece of chicken off Logan Roy’s plate, bites it, and then simply says, “Thank you for the chicken.”
This might seem like nothing to normal families, but in the Roy household? That’s practically an act of war
Why Tom Did It: The Breaking Point
1. He’d Finally Had Enough
By the finale, Tom was at his absolute breaking point. He’d been treated poorly by virtually every member of the Roy family throughout the season:
- Shiv (his wife) had been manipulating and controlling him
- Logan had consistently ignored him professionally
- The Roy siblings viewed him as little more than a joke
Tom stealing the chicken wasn’t just about being hungry – it was him finally saying “F**k it” to the family’s power dynamics,
2. A Symbol of Defiance
The chicken theft represented Tom’s small rebellion against Logan’s authority. After being trodden upon for so long, taking Logan’s food was Tom’s way of:
- Asserting some small measure of dominance
- Showing he wasn’t afraid anymore
- Taking something from the man who had denied him respect
3. The Marriage Breaking Point
Just before the chicken incident, Tom had a devastating fight with Shiv on the beach. He finally stood up for himself, telling her:
“I think I would be happier without you. I don’t think we’re good together.”
This confrontation gave him the courage to defy Logan as well. The chicken stealing was Tom embracing his newly defiant attitude.
The Actor’s Perspective: Matthew Macfadyen on The Chicken Scene
According to Macfadyen himself, filming the chicken scene was as memorable as watching it. In an interview with Vulture, he shared:
“The first time I did it, I grabbed a really big bit of breast of the chicken off Brian’s plate and I almost choked. We managed for about two and a half seconds and then we just cracked up. He rarely giggles, so if he goes, that’s it. Game’s over.”
Macfadyen had to really concentrate on the retake, and ended up with a drumstick instead, though he admits he “had quite a lot of chicken” throughout filming.
He describes the moment as “so batty and odd and so Succession,” explaining that Tom was at “a really low ebb” and essentially thinking “F**k it.”
The Psychological Breakdown of Tom’s Chicken Theft
Childish Rebellion
The chicken scene doesn’t just show Tom’s anger – it also reveals his immaturity. Stealing food off someone else’s plate (especially your intimidating father-in-law’s) is not typical adult behavior. It’s more like a spoiled child acting out.
Throughout Succession, Tom often behaves childishly when upset or threatened:
- Bullying Greg
- Throwing tantrums about his prenup
- Making inappropriate jokes
The chicken scene perfectly captures this duality – Tom attempting to assert himself while simultaneously acting like a petulant 10-year-old.
Desperate for Connection
Interestingly, before the chicken incident, Tom had been trying to bond with Logan. After Shiv forced him into an awkward threesome that left him feeling emasculated, Tom was seeking validation from a father figure.
When his attempts at bonding failed, Tom resorted to provoking Logan by stealing his food – a desperate bid for some kind of reaction or connection.
Why This Scene Resonated So Much With Viewers
1. The Perfect Blend of Drama and Comedy
The chicken scene perfectly encapsulates what makes Succession so brilliant – it’s both deeply sad and laugh-out-loud funny simultaneously. Tom’s actions are:
- Inappropriate and slightly disturbing
- Yet absurdly hilarious in their pettiness
Macfadyen’s deadpan delivery of “Thank you for the chicken” elevates the moment to perfection.
2. The Meme-worthiness
The scene instantly became an iconic meme. Images of Tom grabbing Logan’s chicken flooded social media after the finale aired.
People used the meme to joke about:
- Taking things without permission
- Acting politely while doing something outrageous
- Passive-aggressive behavior in uncomfortable situations
The scene’s blend of defiance and absurdity made it perfect meme material.
3. The Relatable Power Dynamics
While most of us don’t live in billion-dollar dynasties, many viewers related to the power dynamics on display:
- Feeling undervalued and disrespected
- The small rebellions we stage when we’ve had enough
- The awkward family dynamics around food and sharing
What This Moment Meant For Tom’s Character
The chicken incident marked a turning point for Tom. After spending nearly two seasons as the family doormat, this was the beginning of his journey toward:
- Standing up for himself more consistently
- Developing a backbone in his relationship with Shiv
- Eventually making major moves to advance his own interests
While a small moment, it signaled that Tom was no longer willing to be the obedient, grateful outsider desperate for approval.
Behind the Scenes of the Iconic Moment
The chicken scene wasn’t just memorable for viewers – it was memorable for the cast and crew too. Filming took place on a luxury yacht off the coast of Croatia, which Macfadyen described as “an enormous floating palace.”
The actors would take a 20-minute speedboat ride to the yacht each day for filming. As Macfadyen joked in his Vulture interview, “The next time I’m filming in the rain, or in a city environment, or in the filthy gray back countryside, I’ll remember that.”
The setting contrasted perfectly with the ugly family dynamics playing out – beautiful Mediterranean scenery as the backdrop to Tom’s meltdown.
FAQs About Tom Eating Logan’s Chicken
Was Tom genuinely hungry or was it purely symbolic?
While hunger might have played a small role, Tom’s actions were primarily symbolic. The chicken represented him taking something from Logan after feeling that Logan had taken so much from him.
Did Tom and Logan’s relationship change after the chicken incident?
The chicken incident itself didn’t dramatically alter their relationship, but it was part of Tom’s overall evolution toward becoming more assertive within the Roy family dynamics.
What did other characters think about Tom eating Logan’s chicken?
The scene focuses mainly on Tom and Logan, so we don’t see explicit reactions from other characters. However, it likely confirmed what many of them already thought – that Tom was beginning to unravel under the pressure of Roy family life.
Has Matthew Macfadyen talked about this scene in other interviews?
Yes! The chicken scene has become one of the most discussed moments from the show, and Macfadyen has mentioned it in several interviews, always noting how much he enjoyed filming it despite the technical challenges.
Why This Moment Matters in TV History
Small moments often define great television, and Tom eating Logan’s chicken is precisely that kind of moment. It’s:
- Memorable and instantly recognizable
- Character-defining
- Both dramatically significant and darkly comedic
In just a few seconds of screen time, Succession managed to convey volumes about power dynamics, rebellion, and the peculiar ways we assert ourselves when pushed too far.
My Take on Tom’s Chicken Theft
I think what makes this scene so fascinating is how such a small action carries so much weight. In any normal family, taking food from someone’s plate might cause a minor squabble. In the Roy family? It’s practically revolutionary.
Tom’s chicken theft reminds me of those small acts of defiance we’ve all committed when we’ve reached our limit – taking the last cookie, “forgetting” to do a favor, or speaking out of turn. It’s the little rebellions that sometimes mean the most.
And honestly, who hasn’t wanted to grab something off someone else’s plate when they’re feeling particularly bold? Tom lived out a tiny fantasy we’ve all had, just with much higher stakes.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just Chicken
In the end, Tom eating Logan’s chicken wasn’t really about the chicken at all. It was about a man who had been beaten down finally finding a small, ridiculous way to say “no more.” The fact that it involved stealing food made it all the more human and relatable.
Next time you’re watching Succession, pay attention to these small but pivotal moments – they often tell us more about the characters than the big, dramatic showdowns. And maybe think twice before leaving your plate unattended around someone who’s reaching their breaking point!
What do you think was going through Tom’s mind when he grabbed that chicken? I’d love to hear your theories in the comments!
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