In Succession season 4 episode 8, Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Kendall (Jeremy Strong) have larger fish to fry than owning multi-billion dollar media behemoth Waystar Royco.
The much-debated GoJo merger is merely a speck on the horizon when the Roy twins intervene and illegally arrange the US presidential elections, gaining the top seat in the White House for dark candidate Mencken (Justin Kirk).
Mencken is about as extremist and far-right as they get. To put it another way, he wants to abolish all welfare programmes and, by extension, all basic human rights. Grim.
Despite millions of ethical problems and the very real possibility of destroying America, Roman is enticed by the opportunity to do business with the President.
And that isn’t the only fire raging among the Roys. Shiv’s friendship with Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgrd) has been revealed by the spineless Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun), forcing her siblings to turn on her.
Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfayden) has also dumped her after she finally revealed she’s pregnant with his child.
Here’s a breakdown of everything that happened in Succession season 4 episode 8.
Tom cruelly reacts to Shiv’s pregnancy
Shiv wants to clear the air with Tom after their epic balcony brawl as emotions in the newsroom rise around the election.
Shiv apologises to Tom, and it’s safe to assume he doesn’t receive one in return.
Instead, Tom begins a blistering assault, informing Shiv that she murdered her father, Logan Roy (Brian Cox).
Shiv responds by telling Tom she’s expecting his kid, prompting him to inquire ‘whether it’s truly genuine or is it a new stance or tactic?’
Shiv is obviously in pain as Tom storms away. Ouch.
Greg does the dirty on Shiv
If you thought Shiv’s day couldn’t get much worse, think again.
Aware Greg is aware of her giving information to Lukas; she approaches him and threatens to murder him if he spills the beans.
But, within minutes of the threat, Greg flees and informs Kendall – in full front of Shiv – about her connection with Lukas.
Which leads us on to…
Kendall and Roman turn their back on Shiv
The flood of hatred poured at Kendall in this episode continues as she learns of Shiv’s treachery.
He fires bullets at her, calling her a “piece of dirt,” and when she becomes angry, Roman employs every misogynist’s favourite word, “hysterical.”
Shiv threatens to go to the press and tell everything about how they called the election early to guarantee Mencken’s presidency, but it falls on deaf ears.
As she exits the ATN newsroom, she calls Matsson and begins scheming the continuation of the merger and, of course, her sibling’s demise.
Roman and Kendall fix the election
You know you’ve done something terrible when even Kendall (Kendall!) has concerns.
Kendall and Roman convince ATN to declare the election in Mencken’s favour early, leaving Shiv and the rest of mankind in shambles.
When Mencken begins his victory speech, which is effectively farewell welfare, welcome hell, Kendall looks terrified as the new dystopian society he has ushered in for his children dawns on him.
What next?
Succession continues on Sunday on HBO in the US and on Monday on and Now in the UK.
