Succession Season 4 Episode 2: Tensions rise between Tom and Shiv

Tensions keep rising between Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) and Shiv (Sarah Snook) in the second episode of Succession Season 4.

Tom and Shiv ultimately agreed to end their marriage, after Tom decided to side with her father Logan Roy (Brian Cox) in the Season 3 finale.

Finally working together for once, all of Logan’s children – Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv and Roman (Kieran Culkin) – worked together and pulled off a $10 billion acquisition of Pierce Global Media, snaking the company out from under their father.

Sunday night’s new episode – entitled Rehearsal – follows the Roy siblings considering backing Sandy Furness (Larry Pine) and Stewy Hosseini (Arian Moayed) in their hostile takeover bid for Waystar Royco.

The episode’s title is taken from the wedding rehearsal dinner for Connor Roy (Alan Ruck), which is significantly complicated when his fiancee Willa (Justine Lupe) goes AWOL. 

The episode begins with Logan heading to ATN, getting in his car and saying, ‘Happy Christmas you clock-watching f***s.’

Meanwhile, the kids are all together at their business retreat home, as Connor texts and asks if they are on the way.

Kendall tries to hone their pitch while Shiv gets a call and says many are ‘conflicted out’ of the deal, as she says she’ll call her back though she’s clearly worried as the title sequence begins. 

Tom gets a call from Greg (Nicholas Braun), telling him that Logan is at ATN and he’s walking around the office, ‘terrifyingly moseying.’

Shiv calls Tom, revealing that the ‘conflicted’ people were divorce lawyers, revealing he got all the top divorce lawyers are not going to work with them.

Tom gets to the office, joking that maybe Logan wants to put Greg’s sex tape on ATN.

Tom walks up to Logan, who is looking at a worker, complaining that he only wrote one email, asking what the air conditioning bill is.

Cyd (Jeannie Berlin) walks up, saying she didn’t know he’d be in, as Logan asks what they think of his assistant Kerry’s (Zoe Winters) audition tape.

Tom tries to deflect and asks what he thinks but Logan needs to hear what Tom thinks.

‘I think I liked it. I mean, she’s got something,’ Tom says, as Cyd asks, ‘Oh, she really does.’

‘You thinking of giving her a slot? Because I– I personally think that– that could be a very interesting idea,’ Tom says.

Logan says, ‘She’s my assistant. It would be very unprofessional of me to get involved. Whatever you two geniuses think.’

He adds, ‘Now, I want to talk to them, a little speech. Somewhere down here in the middle. Man of the people’

The kids all watch Kerry try her hand at the news, and bombing quite badly, as Connor keeps texting to see if they left. 

Meanwhile, Shiv calls Sandi (Hope Davis), stating, ‘It’s, uh, just about our chat and your pitch. You know, I was just, well, thinking maybe I was a little hasty.’

Sandi asks, ‘Yeah. And do your siblings feel the same or still no?’ as Shiv says, ‘Well, no, I haven’t had a chance to talk to them about it yet, but I’m gonna bounce it around, see if I can’t persuade them, because, you know, I agree there’s a– there’s a lot of upside there to get a little more money. Well, I mean, obviously, I agree, but, uh, the board meeting is tomorrow, Shiv.’

Shiv adds, ‘Uh, well, look, can I just– can I put you on alert.’

Back at ATN, Tom gives Logan an intro, stating, ‘Hey. Hi. Just want to say hi. Um, come on over. Yeah, it’s been a tough few weeks. Election coming into view, um… Yeah, I appreciate you all and Cyd, my partner in crime. And, uh, from my Pov, you know, keep cranking ’cause we’re doing great.’

‘Up three percent in the demo week over week. Woo-hoo. But, you know, we can do more, uh, up 15 percent, uh, year over year.Just– It’s great work. And, uh, Just W– Real pleasure to have the big man here to give us some, uh, some support. So, sir. Up you come,’ Tom says.

‘Good afternoon, everybody. Good afternoon. Uh, 15 percent up year on year? Well, it’s a shame we’re up 40 on costs, but I guess– I guess it evens itself out in the end. I mean, does it?,’ Logan begins, before turning to an employee.

‘Is 15 equal to 40, pal? -Uh– -Is 15 equal to 40, pal?’ Logan asks, and the man says, ‘No.’

‘You’re good folks. You’re the best or you wouldn’t be in here. But you’ve got to knuckle down for me. Waystar, I can’t say too much as yet, but I’m going to be spending a lot more time in here with you lot, because I love it in here. I f***ing love it! I wanna know that we’re killing the opposition!’ Logan says.

‘I don’t wanna know about three percent week on week, I wanna know that we’re killing the opposition! I wanna be cutting their throats! Our rivals should be checking in, out the back of their chauffeured cars because they can’t believe what we did. So f***ing spicy, so true,’ she says.

‘Something everyone knows but nobody says because… They’re too fucking lily-livered. Huh? They cannot believe what we said, and the fact that we f***ing said it! They’re fucking jam smears on the highway!’ he adds.

‘Anyone, anyone who believes that I’m getting out, please shove the bunting up your ass. This is not the end. I’m gonna build something better. Something faster, lighter, leaner, wilder. And I’m gonna do it from in here with you lot! You’re f***ing pirates!’ Logan concludes, as the employees all cheer wildly.

The kids all get to their helicopter to go to Connor’s wedding rehearsal, though they’re told they can’t take off.

Kendall realizes it’s their dad that won’t let them take off, adding, ‘It’s Dad. He’s f***ing with us. Right, he knows -we’re out here making moves. –

Roman says, ‘Connor’s gonna s**t that they’re late.

Logan goes to see Hugo (Fisher Stevens) and realizes they’ve been laughing at Kerry’s audition tape. 

The kids find Sandi and Stewy who say they are going to vote no on the Mattson acquisition.

She says that her dad is definitely going to vote no at the board meeting tomorrow and they want the kids on board.

‘Us, plus you guys, that’s it. He’s outvoted. This doesn’t get through the board. Send it back to the table,’ Sandi says, adding they need to know in the next few hours.

‘So, it’s either we vote yes tomorrow and we all make billions of dollars, or we sign up for your cool shit and then Dad disinherits us entirely. That sounds like a toughie. We’ll think about it. Thanks. Bye,’ Roman says as they all leave, as Stewy says he’ll keep working on Kendall.

The kids finally make it to Connor’s rehearsal, as they run into Willa, who seems tipsy and is acting very strange.

They finally see Connor and ask if they’re OK and Connor says Willa did her speech and says she can’t do this, and went to the bathroom with her friends for 40 minutes.

Shiv wants to discuss where they stand again, as Connor says Willa is still ‘incommunicado’ and Connor suggests they do karaoke.

They agree to go get some drinks at a ‘real bar with chicks’ and men who work with hands and such.

Logan complains about all the pizza boxes as Greg tries to explain why microwaved pizza isn’t OK and he is told to, ‘f**k off.’

Greg leaves and Logan says she wants to talk about Kerry, as Logan asks if she is, ‘the finished article.’

Tom says she’s not but she shouldn’t be expected to be and Tom thinks she needs some time and she has a lot to learn.

‘I think it can be damaging to put talent out there too early,’ Tom says, as Logan says that’s ‘smart,’ and insists he’s, ‘nowhere near this’ and he ‘knows nothing.

The kids head into a blue-collar bar, as Connor says he’s tracking her phone as Roman jokes that she’s screwing another guy. 

He says her ‘dot’ is at an aquarium retail place and then a dry cleaner as Kendal heads out and calls Lukas Mattson (Alexander Skarsgard).

Lukas says, ‘Well, I’ve been I’ve been hearing that, uh, the activists hustling on the price are trying to get you to join their little, uh, scheisseparty. Is that true?’

Kendall says he can’t talk about it but Lukas says, ‘I know that you tried to screw this deal with your dad and I know your dad hates you now. -So…you’re out of options, huh? And I’ve also been hearing that you’ve been going around offering old ladies suitcases full of money. Well, if you want to have a full suitcase anytime soon, -you– you don’t push me, okay?’ 

‘He’s gonna sell.  But if he pushes me again, it won’t be to me. This isn’t aggressive. Like, uh, I’ve been told that sometimes when I’m direct, it can code aggressive, but it’s not, it’s just… Look, I like you, I like you. I do. I thought clarity, you know, before any nukes get launched. Okay? So, either back off, or I’m gonna walk. -I got you, loud and clear,’ Logan says.

Meanwhile, Tom and Greg are talking, after watching Kerry’s tape, adding, ‘This is an incredibly delicate piece of diplomacy, Greg. Okay? It’s like Israel-Palestine, except harder and much more important.’

‘She’s not gonna be happy,’ Greg says, as Tom says he wants Greg to tell her she can’t be on air.

‘You wanted next-level tasks, right?’ Tom says, as Greg adds, ‘Yeah, but not like telling our boss’ girlfriend she can’t be on TV.’

Tom says if Kerry blows up at the suggestion he will come in and clean it up. 

Back at the bar, Kendall shows the siblings the ‘comparables’ as Shiv says, ‘Well, it makes you think. Maybe Dad isn’t on it like he used to be. You know, he’s been pushed around by Matsson and fucking being pushed around by Kerry.’

Connor sees his phone and says Willa is in the East River but he realizes she’s on a bridge.

Shiv suggests to pull Connor into their deal, with Roman saying, ‘So, Shiv wants to get us mixed up in some sort of drug deal that will f**k the vote tomorrow.’ 

Their talk is broken up when Roman gets a text from Logan, as Roman reveals he texted dad for his birthday, though the siblings think it’s a betrayal. 

Kendall thinks going with Sandy and Stewy is the best thing to do, adding dad would do it in his prime, as they all agree to it.

Connor says he wanted to get married and get his money out and Connor says he wants to sing karaoke because he’s seen it in the movies and no one wants to go.

Back at ATN, Greg pulls Kerry aside, saying he wants to talk about the tape, saying the ‘murmurs’ about her performance.

‘Are you rushing things a bit?’ Greg asks, as Kerry asks if Tom thinks she stinks and sent him.

Greg says they did a focus group on her and said she’s not,’ fully there,’ with some criticisms.

‘The arms aren’t right,’ Greg says as Kerry asks who was in the focus group, saying it was, ‘a bunch of grandpas and little twerps.’

Kerry wants to see the focus group but Greg says she can’t see it because it’s confidential and says if the focus group isn’t real she’s going to ‘tear you apart like human string cheese.’

Kerry comes back to Logan as they learn the kids are teaming with Stewy and Sandi and they could force them back.

Kerry asks if she should ‘ream them out’ but he says to let them be, adding, ‘they have some juice.’

They get into a karaoke room as Connor realizes that Willa has, ‘gone dark.’ Connor reveals that they invited Logan and he’s going to meet them now.

Logan arrives while Connor finishes singing his song in their private karaoke room, as Logan says, ‘this is Guantanamo level s**t.’

Roman gets a call from Logan and they say not to answer it as Shiv cancels the call.

Logan and Kerry go into the karaoke room, asking to go somewhere else because the lights could give him a seizure, but Shiv says they aren’t going anywhere.

Logan says he wanted them all there at his birthday party and he thought it might be nice, as Kendall makes fun of him.

‘Look, you knew I wanted Pierce from way back, and when I lost out, that was not a good feeling,’ Logan says. 

‘Look, you’re smart to ask about the money, you are. But Matsson won’t go there. You haven’t been around this, but I’ve got done a good deal, and you’ll get enough to do whatever you want. I do ATN, you do Pierce. It’ll be a fresh start for all of us. It’ll make things better, and it starts there. All you have to do is vote yes and support the deal,’ Logan says sincerely.

Kerry asks, ‘Do you know what he’s offering? You can separate the personal and the business, you can…’

Kerry says, ‘Do you know what he’s offering? You can separate the personal and the business, you can… reset your dynamic -as a family.’

Shiv says, ‘Oh, super. We gonna be just how we, like, we used to be and– and– and go on summer vacay together and drive down Route One in an rv singing show tunes?’

‘I thought you’d be interested in an apology, -but that,’ as Shiv says, ‘Wait, I’m sorry. An apology? We– we missed that.’

‘Look, I don’t do apologies… But if it means so much to you… Then sorry,’ Logan says.

Shiv adds, ‘There’s nothing you could say to me now that I would ever believe,’ as Kendall says, ‘This deal push could be worth 100 mil to us, Dad. How many sorrys do we get for that?’

They asks what he’s sorry for and he says, ‘Well, I’m sorry for the helicopter for a start.’  

Shiv adds, ‘Oh! You guys, he’s sorry about the helicopter from today. Well, that’s the big one, I guess.’

Roman says, ‘Are we actually doing this, Dad? Cause I think, you know…  Seriously, what f***ed all this was when… With Mom and Italy…’

‘Yeah, okay. I’ve had certain thoughts about that. Look, with the best of intentions, I, uh, I got the structure of the holding company, the ownership structure of the, um, family trust,’ he adds.

Kendall asks, ‘Come on, Dad. What are you sorry for? Sorry for f***ing ignoring Connor -his whole life? Hitting Rome when he was a kid? For having Connor’s mother locked up?’ 

Shiv adds, ‘What about advising Tom on my divorce?’

Logan adds, ‘Yeah? I mean, that one… That took effort. That was above and beyond. Tom asked me for advice. I recommended someone he could speak to. You weren’t around. If you’d been around, I would’ve offered you the same advice. But I can’t help you if you won’t see me.’

Logan insists, ‘Look, the bottom line is if we ask for more money, Matsson walks. I know that.’

Shiv adds, ‘No! You don’t know that! You don’t know him! You don’t f***ing know everything! Just ’cause you say it doesn’t make it true. Everyone just f***ing agrees with you and believes you, so it becomes true and then you can turn around and say like, “Oh, you see? See? I was right.” But that is not how it is. You’re a human f***ing gaslight!’

Logan sighs and says, ‘Look, I– I just want to get us all together. What you kids don’t realize, this is a good deal. The world likes it. It makes sense. But deals have a habit of disappearing because pricks like Matsson get pissed off or snap. This… This is f***ing real.’

‘Okay, well, I think I can speak for everyone, can I? When I say, “Go ask him for more money,”‘ Logan says.

Logan asks, ‘But why?’ and Kendall says, ‘Just good business sense. Gotta make our own pile. Right, Dad?’

Logan sighs and says, ‘Jesus. You’re such f***ing dopes. You’re not serious figures. I love you… But you are not… Serious people,’ before leaving with Kerry.

(door opens, shuts) (Indistinct chatter) (Sirens wailing in distance) Look at this prick. They should get out here.

Logan walks to the car with Kerry and tells her, ‘the meeting’s off. I need to see Matsson. It’ll be you, me, Tom, Karl, Frank. But no Gerri.’

After Logan leaves, Shiv jokes, ‘So, how was it for you? F***ing Dad,’ as Kendall says, ‘Amazing, just over too soon. I could’ve kept going.’

Connor says he’s going home, adding, ‘The good thing about having a family that doesn’t love you is you learn to live without it.’

‘You’re all chasing after Dad, saying, “Love me, please love me. I need love. -I need attention.” You’re needy love sponges. And I’m a plant that grows on rocks and lives off insects that die inside of me,’ Connor adds.

‘If Willa doesn’t come back, that’s fine. Because I don’t need love. It’s like a superpower. And if she comes back and doesn’t love me, that’s okay, too, ’cause I don’t need it. Thanks for the party,’ he says before leaving.

Connor gets home and finds Willa waiting in their bed as he smiles and get in with her. 

Roman goes to see Logan and Kerry, with Logan telling him, ‘I’ve pushed the board meeting, I want you to come with me and see Matsson tomorrow. I could use your help.’ 

Roman adds, ‘Uh, I mean, it’s the wedding. Con’s wedding. Uh, but that feels… Yeah, let’s see. 

Logan adds, ‘There’s a Night of the Long Knives coming. Cyd’s toast. I’m reinventing ATN. I need a fire-breather. A ruthless f**k who’ll do whatever it takes. You’re not Pierce. Smart people know what they are.’

A sincere Roman asks, ‘I mean, you really want me at ATN?’

‘More, Romulus. More. I need you,’ he says as the episode comes to an end.

While, for a majority of the series, the Roy children have been at odds with each other, the last few episodes of Season 3 found them finally joining forces to stop their father Logan from selling off the family’s media conglomerate.

Little did they know that family black sheep Tom Wambsgans (Matthew McFadyen) betrayed his own wife Shiv and gave Logan a heads up on what they were doing, giving him enough to remove their power to block the impending sale.

The final shots of Season 3 seemed to indicate that Shiv realized her husband betrayed her, though it’s unclear how that will play out in Season 4.

Succession 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 it debuted.

‘One, we could have said it as soon as I sort of decided, almost when we were writing it, which I think would be weird and perverse,’ Armstrong began.

‘We could have said it at the end of the season. I quite like that idea, creatively, because then the audience is just able to enjoy everything as it comes, without trying to figure things out, or perceiving things in a certain way once they know it’s the final season,’ he added.

‘But, also, the countervailing thought is that we don’t hide the ball very much on the show. I feel a responsibility to the viewership, and I personally wouldn’t like the feeling of, “Oh, that’s it, guys. That was the end.” I wouldn’t like that in a show. I think I would like to know it is coming to an end,’ he clarified.

He added, ‘And, also, there’s a bunch of prosaic things, like it might be weird for me and the cast as we do interviews. It’s pretty definitively the end, so then it just might be uncomfortable having to sort of dissemble like a politician for ages about it. Hopefully, the show is against bullshit, and I wouldn’t like to be bulls****ing anyone when I was talking about it.’