Almost a year and a half after the explosive third season finale, Succession finally returns for its fourth and final season.
HBO confirmed earlier this month that the show’s fourth season would be its last, with that season likely to reveal the fate of the Waystar Royco conglomerate that Logan Roy (Brian Cox) built with his family.
Logan’s kids — Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Connor (Alan Ruck) — all tried to veto the sale of the company to Lukas Mattson (Alexander Skarsgard) … but their plans went through foiled at the last minute when Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) informed Logan of their plans…essentially throwing his own wife under the bus.
While the kids all had the power to veto an upcoming sale, with clues from Tom, Logan was able to override her veto power with a last-minute deal with his ex, Caroline Collingwood (Harriet Walter).
This season will focus on the completion of the Waystar Royco sale and how it “casts existential anxieties and family divisions among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will be like once the deal is finalized.”
Finale: HBO confirmed earlier this month that the show’s fourth season would be its last, with that season likely to reveal the fate of the Waystar Royco conglomerate that Logan Roy (Brian Cox) built with his family
Lukas: Logan’s kids – Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Connor (Alan Ruck) all tried to veto the sale of the company to Lukas Mattson (Alexander Skarsgard)… but their plans were thwarted at the last minute when Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) informed Logan of their plans…essentially throwing his own wife under the bus
The season 4 premiere begins with Logan greeting various guests at his birthday party.
Meanwhile, Kendall visits Roman, who is on a business video call about her new venture, The Hundred, which Kendall describes as “Substack meets Masterclass, meets The Economist, meets The New Yorker.”
Shiv arrives when Roman asks where she’s been, adding, “We understand you spoke to the Jimenez transition team.”
She confirms: “Well, I’ve spoken to them, but that’s because I’m helping them, as you already know. Okay, so are you talking?’
Shiv adds: “No. I called back. They want, you know, to talk about talking. They didn’t win the election and they couldn’t, and Dad couldn’t sell and you both could go out on bail.”
Kendall adds that Logan is “two days away from selling,” but Shiv isn’t sure Logan will sell.
They all revealed that they have already drafted their letters of resignation from Waystar, although Shiv wants to keep some options.
Back at the birthday party, Greg (Nicholas Braun) arrives with a date, Bridget, though he’s badly hit by Kerry (Zoe Winters).
“You know, I’m not– I’m not sure that’s appropriate,” Greg says, though Kerry says, “We don’t screw up Shake Shack, Greg. This isn’t a pre f**k party. It’s a birthday party.
Greg insists, ‘And… I’m a cousin. I get a bonus. I’m like a child of honour,” although Kerry adds, “You know that – that we’re in the middle of a very hotly contested election, your uncle is on hiatus from a very big sale and is spying on a very sensitive acquisition?’
“Are you sure she won’t be giving details right before the board meeting? Do you know she’s not a hostile corporate asset?” Kerry asks.
Meanwhile, Tom calls Shiv and tells her he just had a drink with Naomi Pierce (Annabelle Dexter-Jones).
“Yeah, I just called, just to warn you and just to say hi, and, um, just to let you know that I had a drink with Naomi Pierce last night,” he says, though Shiv is confused.
Shiv asks, “You are asking me, or are you informing me?” And Tom says, ‘Shiv, that’s not a thing. It’s not a thing.’
Shiv adds: “You know what? That’s good. That’s good. You’re dating my brother’s ex. That’s good.’
Tom emphasizes: “It’s social. It’s not a sexual thing. You know? So there’s nothing I need to tell you.’
Shiv walks away and says, “You know what? That’s good. Damn it, nail her in the dressing room. I do not care. The boy from St. Paul really nailed it.”
Adds Tom: “I just thought this would be worth discussing under the terms we agreed.
Shiv asks where he has been with her and he hangs up and tells her siblings that Tom is with Naomi, which confuses Kendall.
Roman wonders if it could be a brainfuck. Dad twists our turnips and plays the old damn trombone.
Connor and Willa (Justine Lupe) talk to Greg at Logan’s party as the couple worries their one percent may be “squashed down.”
‘Of a? Because that’s the smallest possible number. Oh no. There are, you know, decimals,” says Greg.
“You know, they say I might have to get aggressive in certain media markets because both sides are trying to squeeze out my percentage,” he said.
Connor adds that he would get $100 million, but that wouldn’t be enough to win the election.
“The hope is that that would keep my percentages,” says Connor.
Tom talks to Logan and asks if they would still be “good” if he and Shiv divorced amid this “trial separation.”
‘We’ll always be good, right?’ Tom asks and Logan replies, “If we’re good, we’re good.”
‘OK. Well that’s encouraging. That’s – that’s encouraging. That encourages me. That’s great,” says Tom, while Logan asks Kerry, “Where’s the food, huh? Tom is freaking out here.
The kids talk about The Hundred and if they can start another business too.
‘Yes. Let’s launch a high-visibility, execution-dependent, disruptive news brand while doing CPR on a fucking corpse of an old media conglomerate,” she says.
Tom walks over to Greg and says, “Well, I hear you made a huge faux pas and everyone is laughing up their sleeves – at your date.”
When Greg asks why, Tom says, “Because she brought a ridiculously large bag. What’s in it anyway? huh? Flat shoes for the subway? your packed lunch? I mean, Greg, it’s monstrous. It’s gigantic. You could take it with you when camping. You could push it across the floor – after a bank job.”
Greg adds: “Well, whatever. She is another tick in the table. The disgusting brothers!’ although Tom says, “Don’t call us that.
Greg’s date arrives saying she thinks they should go, adding: “Nothing. I just asked Logan for a selfie.
‘ Yeah, I said, ‘Congratulations on the big thing.’ And I said, “Ka-ching. Am I right?’ I was– I was funny.’
The kids say Nan thinks she’s “tied to another buyer,” and they’re on the verge of agreeing to the outlines of a deal.
Kerry calls Roman and asks if they would consider calling Dad when they asked if Dad actually asked.
Kerry says she can request a text message for a call, but Roman says, “I’m afraid we need to hear that voice, Kerry, okay?”
Connor goes to Willa and asks if she thinks their upcoming wedding is “special” enough, but she thinks he sounds “crazy”.
Connor tells Willa that he’s scared and if he goes below 1% he’ll be a laughing stock.
Greg goes back to Tom and tells him he had sex with his date in the guest room.
“You actually did it? Oh Greg, you’re screwed. you’re screwed Logan’s taped on the Wazoo, CCTV,” Tom says, but Greg says he didn’t know.
Logan returns when Tom tells him that he watches the footage every night to see if anyone has stolen a butter knife.
Tom asks what happened and says he accidentally sextaped Logan as Logan tells everyone the party is over and his team is gathering upstairs.
The kids all come and Naomi tells Kendall that Nan has a little headache and they want them to hold back and see her headache come.
Team Logan has learned that the kids are the other bidders and they consider whether or not to tell Logan… which they ultimately do.
Logan is told he’s the “solid option” and Tom says, “Call your f***ing wife and tell them to get their own f***ing idea. It’s pathetic. And tell her she’s never had a damn idea in her whole damn life!’
Greg tells Logan that he had sex at his house and Greg says that Logan kind of smiled, but Greg is told by Logan’s security Colin (Scott Nicholson) that she has to go.
He tells her she’s gone to social media and they need to go through her phone and Greg tells him to go it alone.
The kids finally meet Nan (Cherry Jones), who has recovered from her headache and asks how they are doing with their father.
Shiv says, “Uh, we’re fine. It’s just a complicated private situation. Though we all hate him.”
Nan says, “Well, I wanted to thank you for coming, but I think it’s a little late. We have a preferred bidder. So I hope I didn’t cause you any inconvenience
‘Not really. I’m very sorry. May I offer you some bottles?’ although Kendall says they should hear the offer.
Nan says the trip was in vain because the other offer was too good.
“Listen, long story short, Nan. They called that just before. Yes? Logan wants to take over your company and screw it up. He hates you and he wants to take your things and roll them in the dirt. And we wouldn’t do that,” says Kendall.
Shiv says, “Look, I think we could all be in a very bad place as a country after this election. And I could – we would preserve your values.”
Nan says, “That’s all well and good, but of course we have a responsibility in one thing or another to achieve the best possible deal for my family and the other shareholders.”
“I’m confident we can be price competitive,” says Kendall when Nan asks, “And this place. What about your financing? Not that I understand it at all.”
Kendall says, “It’s sturdy. Tellis and our team can talk to your people,” Nan asks. “And in relation to your future?”
Shiv adds, “Well, we’ve written our resignation letters and the Gojo deal will be signed in 48 hours.”
Nan adds, “Even so, you’d still be married to the boss of ATN. It’s a bit messy,” but she insists, “I’m getting a divorce, so…”
Nan admits, “It’s very confusing. And I don’t want to talk about numbers. It’s not about the numbers.”
They go out onto the patio to talk some more while at Logan’s he thinks it’s “too dry” and asks his team to crack some jokes.
Frank begins, adding, “Uh, the thing about Logan Roy is… The thing about Logan is that he’s a tough old nutcase.”
‘Oh, Christ. Sid f***ing Caesar,” Logan says as he turns to Greg, who says, “You’re being mean. You’re a mean old man. You’re a mean old bastard. Uh, and you scare people to death. That’s your thing. you’re scaring me right now And – and that’s why I don’t even know how – what to do.
Logan jokes: “Who wants to smell Greg’s fingers. Hey? Guess the smell, win a dollar.’ (Laughs softly)
Greg adds: “Where are all your kids Uncle Logan? On your milestone birthday?’ as Logan says, “Well, where’s your old man, huh? where is your age Are you still sucking at the carnival?’
He turns to Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron) and asks, “Gerri, has anything funny been sent lately?”
“It’s all a bit awful for me. Thanks, Logan,” she says, but Logan insists, “I’m not terrible. I am kidding. Damn Munster.
Tom says to Logan, “Well, she’d like to find out. In theory, at least tonight. The uncertainty is not good. And they want us to do our best.’
Logan says, “Okay, ok, ok. Uh, Kerry, I might need some input,” while the kids talk to Tellis, who says, “Hey, yeah, uh, I think we can get this together.
They agree to start at $8 billion while Logan says they should start at $6 billion but Tom says they “soft floated” $7 billion.
The kids tell Nan they’re “relaxed” with an $8 billion landing spot, while Nan says, “That’s gross, but thanks.”
Tom calls Shiv and the others and says he thinks they’re “played a little” here, although they don’t reveal what actual numbers they’re bidding on.
Shiv asks what their father’s upper limit is, but they won’t reveal… although Shiv ultimately says it’s $12 billion, but Tom says, “Fuck off.”
The kids discuss their bid and finally settle on $10 billion.
The kids walk back to Nan as Shiv tells her, “So Nan, look, we love the company and the heritage and we want to make an offer that we think the company values and end the conversation and close.” it off. With an indicative handshake, we’d like to take Pierce to the next stage in his development with a $10 billion bid.
Nan says, “That gives us something to think about,” while Tom gets a call back at Logan’s and Logan says, “So you’re not taking another bidder. They said they received a call termination offer.”
Logan says, “Tell them I’m going upstairs,” but Tom tells him, “She says they’re happy.” He adds that he gets the impression the bid is “over 95.”
The kids head back to their car and Shiv says, “Somehow it feels like we should f*ck open champagne,” while Roman adds, “Well, I’m going back to La to retire to my bedroom and pretty much.” pull off aggressively. Thanks very much.’
Tom calls Shiv and asks her to put the phone on speakerphone. He says he wants to put her on speakers and he has a message from her father.
“Congratulations on saying the biggest number, you bloody idiot,” Logan says before walking away, making them all laugh.
Shiv comes home to find Tom, who says, “I thought you were a hotelier,” but Shiv says, “I actually needed cloakroom access, so.”
Tom asks if she wants to talk and she says, “I understand you and Greg now call each other ‘Nasty Brothers’. To the right. Pretty cool. Do you have a logo and do you follow the rules? Is Greg your wingman?’
Tom says, “We go get a drink sometimes, Shiv,” although she goes on to say, “Well, it’s pretty cool. I understand you’ve been dating models now.”
‘Well, we agreed we could look around while we think, right?’ he says, while Shiv adds, “You look good. Torn. Did you get buff for the models, Tom? Do you bring them back here and do the positions? Are you doing all the positions with your models now, Tom? Do you take turns with Greg? Do they sit on your face to shut you up?’
Tom adds: “Do you really want to fully enumerate all the pain in our marriage? Because if you do it, I can do it.’
Tom asks again if she wants to talk, and she says, “I think it’s about time you and I move on, while Tom says, ‘This makes me sad.’
“And you don’t want to talk about what happened?” Tom asks, as Shiv says, “Tom, I think we could talk things to death. But actually we both just made a few mistakes and… I guess a whole lot of crying and bulling** isn’t going to help this, so if you’re good we can just walk away with our heads held high and… Say good luck , Yes?’
Tom asks if he could sleep with her and she declines but says he can still stay if he wants.
“We tried,” says Shiv, and Tom says, “Yes, we tried.”
Logan goes through his network ATN and he is not happy with the on-air reporter and calls Cyd (Jeannie Berlin).
‘Who is this damn prat anyway? He looks like a scrotum in a toupee. Are you losing it, Cyd?’ he says while she insists, “I’m done, Loge.
‘Are you fucking losing it?’ Logan asks again, but Cyd says “I’m in” as the episode ends.
Deal: This season will focus on the closing of the Waystar Royco sale and how it “casts existential anxieties and family cleavages among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will be like once the deal is closed.”
While the Roy kids have been at odds with one another for much of the series, in the final episodes of Season 3, they finally banded together to stop their father, Logan, from selling the family’s media conglomerate.
Little did they know that black sheep of the family, Tom Wambsgans (Matthew McFadyen), had betrayed his own wife, Shiv, and informed Logan of what they were doing, which gave him enough power to take away their power to block the upcoming sale.
The final footage of Season 3 seemed to indicate that Shiv realized her husband had been cheating on her, although how that will play out in Season 4 is unclear.
The sequel’s creator, Jesse Armstrong, first confirmed that Season 4 will be the end of the show in a wide-ranging interview with The New Yorker, where he was asked why he decided to confirm the final season before its debut.
“Firstly, we could have said it as soon as I made up my mind, almost as we wrote it, which I think would be weird and perverse,” Armstrong began.
“We could have said it at the end of the season. I really like this creative idea because then the audience can just enjoy whatever comes as it comes without trying to figure things out or perceiving things a certain way once they know it’s the final season,” he added.
“But the counter thought is also that we don’t hide the ball very much on the show. I feel a responsibility to the viewers, and personally I wouldn’t like the feeling of, ‘Oh, that’s it, folks. That was the end of it.” I wouldn’t like that in a show. I think I’d like to know it’s coming to an end,” he clarified.
He added, “And also there’s a couple of prosaic things, like it might be weird for me and the cast when we’re doing interviews. It’s pretty definitely the ending, so it might be awkward having to pretend like a politician forever about it. Hopefully the show is against bullshit and I don’t want to kid anyone by talking about it.
Children: While the Roy children were at odds for much of the series, in the final episodes of Season 3, they finally got their strength together to stop their father, Logan, from selling the family’s media conglomerate