We may still be hurting over Logan’s (Brian Cox) death and Shiv’s (Sarah Snook) pregnancy news, but this is Succession, and there is business to be done.
It’s been a hot minute since the Waystar Royco founder died, but Roman (Kieran Culkin), Kendall (Jeremy Strong), and Shiv (who is clearly not receiving the memos) have got to brush away their tears, set their sadness aside, and jet to Norway.
The power-hungry trio has been deployed to Europe under the strain of the ‘old guard,’ led by the brilliant Gerri (J Smith Cameron), to finally close the deal with Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgaard) and get the GoJo merger underway.
But, of course, a room – or, in this case, an isolated resort situated in the mountains that appears to have been taken from the pages of Architectural Digest – full with megalomaniac billionaires seeking to dominate the world’s media and, thus, its politics isn’t going to be easy.
We’d anticipate tears, tantrums, and a scenario involving half a litre of blood from Succession season 4 episode 5. Here’s a rundown of everything that happened. Buckle up.
Kendall, Kendall, Kendall
He simply doesn’t seem to learn, does he? He fails to CC his sister in on critical decisions after removing her from Waystar Royco leadership with the assurance that she will be non-official management.
But he forgets that Shiv is astute and is the only one who suspects Kendall of dirty tricks and is behind the negative news about their father.
While he dismisses it coolly and orders his lackey Hugo (Fisher Stevens) to find the source when she brings it up, Shiv is no fool. Kendall, keep an eye on your back.
Lukas outdoes Roman’s creepiness, yes, really
There are no two ways about it: mailing someone your blood – let alone half a litre – is insanity.
However, Lukas appears to believe that this will somehow win the love of his former partner and now communications officer. Yikes.
After downing cocaine and beer, Lukas spills the beans to Shiv, who, admiringly, advises he put a stop to, um, REPEATEDLY SENDING SOMEONE YOUR BLOOD, among other wise PR advice.
Which brings us to…
Lukas hearts Shiv and we’re here for it
After discussing everything from his blood-giving antics to business strategy with Shiv, he informs Logan’s only daughter that he ‘likes her.’
And it doesn’t appear to be a case of drugs and drunken stupor as he follows Shiv’s advise to boost the offer.
He then asks Shiv to take a picture of Roman and Kendal as they fly back to the United States, which she does after he offers an eye-watering sum extra.
Friendship? Romance? Who can say? But there must be something between them. Keep an eye on this place.
Kendall and Roman tank the deal – or do they?
Kendall will not relinquish his authority for any amount of money, and he travels to Norway with the sole aim of cancelling the agreement.
After telling Roman that he wants to retain Waystar Royco, the two ride a cable car up a mountain with Lukas and begin to tell him what a jerk he is.
Roman even breaks down in tears and chastises Lukas for taking them halfway across the world only minutes after Logan died, during which, of course, Lukas is p***ing and vows never to do business with him again.
However, when they return to New York, Lukas provides a large sum of money to the delirious joy of the Waystar Royco clan. Will this statistic, however, be sufficient to persuade Kendall?
Shiv channels her boss b***h energy
Shiv ultimately confronts her estranged husband on the aircraft, after her brothers tell her they would abruptly get rid of Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfayden) in a heartbeat if it aided her divorce.
She discloses another ATN bigwig she wants to let go after tricking Tom into thinking he was in the firing line, but Shiv makes her stance clear: she’s the boss.
She also invites Tom to join her for supper. Maybe, just throwing it out there, a nice opportunity to, umm, declare she’s pregnant?!
Succession continues on Monday on and in the UK and on Sunday on HBO in the US.
