Season 4, Episode 10: ‘Eyes Open’
Five years ago — on June 3, 2018 — HBO aired the first episode of “Succession,” introducing the world to 80-year-old Logan Roy: the cantankerous billionaire, founder and CEO of Waystar Royco, a media conglomerate that controls a movie. . studio, a cruise line, an amusement park chain, multiple newspapers and magazines, and the influential right-wing cable news channel ATN. We’ve also met Logan’s adult children: troubled heir to the throne Kendall, lefty gadfly Shiv, conceited Roman, and sweet but unimportant eldest half-brother Connor.
At the end of the series premiere, Logan suffered a debilitating stroke, setting in motion the plot that would lead to four “Succession” seasons. Heading into the series finale, most of the big questions raised by that first episode remained unsettled. Who – if anyone – will take over from Logan as CEO? Does one of the scheming, egocentric Roy kids really deserve the job?
We’ll have a full review of the latest “Succession” episode soon. In the meantime, here’s a quick recap of how some of those questions were answered by the finale.
Who is ultimately in charge?
In a stunning upset, Shiv’s husband, Tom Wambsgans, claims the prize. Swedish tech brother Lukas Matsson – on the eve of finalizing his purchase of Waystar – is questioning his plan to appoint Shiv as CEO, to placate America-first political leader Jeryd Mencken. Instead, Matsson becomes convinced that the sycophantic Tom will do whatever dirty deed the new bosses need to do after the takeover. To secure that position, Tom is more than willing to betray Shiv, knowing she would do the same to him.
Has Waystar’s board approved the sale to GoJo?
In a thrilling 7-6 vote, the board ultimately backs Matsson’s company, GoJo, approving the Waystar sale. Shiv ends up being the casting vote – not out of loyalty to Tom, but because she realizes at the last minute that she can’t bear the thought of Kendall running the family business. As she puts it – fair and somewhat cruel – she just doesn’t think Kendall will be good at the job.
Has Kendall’s biggest secret come out?
As tensions have built between Roy’s siblings throughout the season, many viewers wondered if Roman and/or Shiv knew what they knew about Kendall’s role in the death of a caterer in a drunk driving incident. would use against him. Instead, Kendall uses it against herself in a roundabout way. When Shiv explains why she can’t vote for her brother, she brings up the incident and Kendall lies to her and Roman, saying he exaggerated the whole thing to gain their sympathy. This seemed to make Shiv even more determined to vote against him.
Who will win the presidential election?
The election remains unsolved through the credits, though we learn that the Daniel Jiménez team has gone to court in Wisconsin. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter to the “Succession” resolution whether a Republican or Democrat becomes the next president. Presumably Matsson and Tom can work with any administration.
Are Roy’s siblings still talking to each other?
If there’s one thing this entire series has made clear, it’s that as horrible as the Roys are to each other, they keep getting back together. At the end of this episode, Shiv and Roman are furious with Kendall and he doesn’t like them very much either. But if there were a fifth “Succession” season, these three would no doubt reunite and bury the hatchet – perhaps in each other’s backs.
Will Cousin Greg be okay?
Greg eventually becomes a key player in this episode, giving information to Kendall about Matsson’s move plans, who then relays the news to Shiv. When Tom finds out what Greg has been up to, the two get into a short, awkward fight. But after Tom officially lands his new job, he reclaims Greg as his overpaid lackey.
Are Shiv and Tom back together?
This season started with Shiv and Tom at odds with each other but still holding hands. It ends with the two driving off together in a car and she lays her hand palms up on his limply. They don’t even really grab each other anymore. But they still have physical contact.
Did someone die?
Does spiritual death count? Kendall ends this episode staring blankly at the water, expanding an ongoing visual motif in this show where water consumes or captivates him. Here it does neither; instead, it stubbornly remains in the distance.