Since the premiere of Duck Dynasty: The Revival on June 1, 2025, the question remains: who is going to take over Phil Robertson’s multi-million-dollar legacy? There’s no denying that the reboot of the iconic A&E show has managed to capture the fun, family-friendly energy of the original.
Despite Willie Robertson announcing that he is semi-retiring from his role as the CEO of Duck Commander, none of his children are actually stepping up to prove themselves as worthy successors. With every episode, it’s evident that the revival isn’t living up to its promise of passing the baton to the younger generation.
‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’s Latest Episode Seems To Forget About the Family Business
One of the reasons why the original Duck Dynasty worked so well was the show’s balance of the Robertson family’s over-the-top personalities with the everyday operations of their duck call empire. Sure, the humor and heart were always there, but at its core, the show had a sense of purpose. Each of Phil’s kids had a direct or indirect role in Duck Commander, which reflected how family businesses usually work. In contrast to all that, the revival hasn’t exactly fared well, and the latest episode just drives this point home.
With Willie and his wife, Korie Robertson, off to Puerto Rico, the kids are back home doing their own thing. The episode leans into the arc of the couple’s travels, which should have been the fun bit. However, Willie’s talk at the GDU Summit might as well have been the most important part of the episode, because the subplots just come across as filler. While the CEO’s gone, none of his kids are seen checking in on the business, and it feels like the company only exists when Willie is physically present in Louisiana. Without him to follow around, the cameras never even reach Duck Commander, and that is genuinely upsetting.
Even if the show didn’t want to show the younger generation fully taking control of operations, this episode was the perfect opportunity for any one of them to take some initiative. In true Robertson family fashion, Willie could have left a to-do list for his children or given them small challenges to test whether they are ready to take over the business. Unfortunately, though, the episode ends up being light-hearted yet completely directionless. That’s enough to make anyone wonder whether Willie even intends to involve his kids in Duck Commander’s future, or if the show is just planning on riding the wave of nostalgia.
Is Christian Huff the Next Family Member To Join Buck Commander?
The only family member remotely interested in the business is Sadie Robertson’s husband, Christian Huff, who is determined to prove himself to Willie. It turns out that Huff wants to join Willie’s deer hunting company, Buck Commander. That sets up an interesting premise right at the start of the episode. However, as things progress, Huff takes up baseball, badminton, and several other sports to impress Willie. As fun as that is to watch, especially with Uncle Si shaking his head in disapproval every time Huff gets things wrong, the viewers are confused about where all of this is actually heading.
Furthermore, Huff wants to put on a grand show for his father-in-law during his and Sadie’s baby shower instead of taking the traditional route. Huff could have chosen to shadow Willie for a day to prove that he’s determined to learn the ropes and take on work responsibilities. He does ultimately practice hitting a target with a bow and arrow to show his commitment to entering the hunting business, but his lack of skill just proves the family’s seemingly casual approach to succession. As far as Willie’s children are concerned, they were spotted hanging out in the sauna or wreaking havoc in their parents’ home in their absence. While those moments were great in terms of entertainment value, they just reinforce the issue at hand.
Sadie Robertson’s Career Has Taken a Backseat on ‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’
Now, Sadie stood out in the revival’s earlier episodes, thanks to her confidence and sharp business instincts. The podcaster and author founded the faith-based ministry and lifestyle brand Live Original, and has carved out her own platform as a motivational speaker. In many ways, Sadie felt like the obvious bridge between the old and new eras of Duck Dynasty. Unfortunately, the show has moved away from showcasing her potential, and in the latest episode, she spent most of her time planning the baby shower. It’s almost like Sadie is slowly being reduced to a domestic subplot that has largely revolved around her pregnancy, and that feels like a disservice to her genuine grit and talent. Especially after Duck Dynasty: The Revival‘s latest episode, fans are left wondering who, if anyone, will be taking over this iconic family business.
