Succession 4x10 'With Open Eyes' | First Time Reaction

[@Diegesis]

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with us. This is my favorite show of all time and its been a genuine pleasure sharing it with you. Succession fanbase is GOATed :)

[@John_Locke_108]

Been a fun journey. Thanks for the memories. My Monday won't be a funday anymore.

[@Quzga]

Yo can you please have them react to "if succession was a rom com". Im sure they would love it lol

[@jaqondnorris8889]

This has been quite the journey watching Maple and Ariana react to one of the best tv shows of all time

[@indiefairy09]

Please do a full episode recapping your experience watching the entire series!

[@Diegesis]

yeah we plan to. maybe live stream it @@indiefairy09

[@d.eliiii]

Shiv did not choose Tom because she loves him. She barely tolerated him the entire series. She chose Tom because of power, and she couldn't STAND to see Kendall win. This is not a happy ending for her. Roman was the true winner in my opinion. He's finally released from the shackles of his father. Such a top tier show and finale. One of the best shows of all time.

[@sparkleclover]

Yeah I'm surprised how many people don't get that. I remember people even saying Shiv did it to save Kendall lol. Jesse Armstrong said in the end it was really just because she couldn't stand seeing her brother win, that's all it was.

[@d.eliiii]

@sparkleclover exactly!

[@DiegoLombardPao]

I actually think shiv chose to vote for the deal because she realized Kendall would be a terrible ceo and just like Logan, but also realized that this was a natural evolution for the company, and that either of them would be terrible. I think the episodes title, “with open eyes”, refers to shiobhan and how she decided then it would be better for everyone if the Roy’s left the picture. At first I thought she voted yes because being with Tom would at least allow her a bit of power, but earlier on it showed how she also despised the prospect of him as ceo, and also doesn’t like being second rate and out of the loop. I feel in the end her decision was her way of leaving on her terms and nobody else’s, knowing it was best, and her being with Tom was for the good of their child and a little bit for wanting someone in her life that kind of loved her.

[@stevem2323]

Exactly, she lost.

[@JenLight]

Exactly. She even says, "I love you but I can't fucking stomach you."

[@dafoftheendless]

The line Kendall has in the room with Shiv and Roman near the end of him feeling he might die if he doesn't get to be CEO for me at least never came off as a threat of "I'm gonna commit suicide if i don't get to be CEO" it felt more like anxiety at the fact that he has nothing else. Kendall since age 7 has believed the company was going to him so he never bothered to develop any alternative paths. All 3 other children have/had their own things going on outside of the company besides Kendall because they were never promised at a young age the top job so they found other careers or hobbies. He's believed this job is/was his purpose and that without it he has no other things to fall back on he's dedicated his life to this job.

[@JACuervo_]

Totally agree

[@lewystyles]

Yeah wild they completely missed this

[@ilovegeenadavis]

It’s both, he’s totally threatening suicide as a last ditch effort, and he also truly believes that without it he’s gonna shrivel up and die

[@ribeyro2506]

The last scene shows what he has become…someone whitout a purpose in life, he might be alive but he knows that he is dead inside

[@-notwavingbutdrowning-]

Totally agree…Logan told Kendall he’s going to have his job since 7 and then Kendall just spent the next 33 years molding his entire life around that fact, this cannot be more fucked up😢really thought he was going to jump while matsson and Roman were signing the papers🤧Kendall’s breakdown in S1E1 really hits different after realizing that he’s been expecting the crown since 2nd Grade

[@truedardii]

I feel like Shiv and Tom getting back together is actually kind of tragic I don't understand why these guys are happy about it lol

[@Michaelmbh]

They are more miserable than ever and shiv is stuck in this marriage just like her mother😭 that’s like the worst outcome for her

[@l4973c]

right, how can someone think Shiv chose him to save their marriage because she loves him. The final scene with them in the car just says it all.

[@AREA-jp8vb]

@@l4973c hear me out, shiv respects power. That’s why she never respected Tom, but as soon as Tom was 1. Maybe not interested in getting back together, and 2. going to be in a power position… shiv found her a new “daddy” to gain approval from. It wasn’t that she loved Tom, it was the thought of Tom, not loving her.

[@neonoires]

@@Michaelmbh Mehhh saying Shiv will be just like Caroline is kind of a stretch because unlike Caroline, this is her birthright and she's the kingmaker. Tom is not Logan despite what his position says. He's going to be Matsson's little pain sponge. Even Tom said in episode 7 of this season, no matter what comes Shiv's way she will be alright. She was sad in this moment but knowing who Shiv is as a person she is not going to be like Kendall or Caroline and fade away into obscurity, especially when it comes to Tom.

[@jordancharles8598]

@@Michaelmbh She isn't "stuck" with anything but the baby... she's now independently a liquid multi-billionaire.

[@choccy9852]

The “he promised it to me at seven years old” destroys me and puts so much of Kendall into perspective. I cannot watch the first episode again without crying. Imagine your entire life you’ve been groomed to work for this company, you dedicate your entire life to it, put in all the work, even though it isn’t good for your mental health, then literally right as you’re about to be named CEO your father rips it from right under you over bullshit reasons like going to his fucking birthday party, and then he mocks you for crying over it. I hate Logan so much

[@connorb5658]

I read the ending scene with Tom and Shiv WAY differently than you guys. I see Tom's gesture as: this is the hand that feeds you now. I give you my permission to place your hand in mine. Boyo's putting the leash on. He doesn't even look her in the eye! Like what she does affects him not. And in a weird fucked up way Shiv might actually be more attracted to Tom now with their power balance shifting though I doubt this translates into actual love.

[@memento81]

yes. I think Ariana and Maple got sidetracked with the idea that Shiv wanted to sell the company because that would secure her husband as CEO. At this point she f*cking hates him. Just remember her face when she got the news that it is Tom. She was livid, because she never saw him as an equal and now he is getting the very thing she felt entitled to in her very narcissistic way. There was no rationale, no opportunism in her decision to kill Kendalls vote. She only acted out of narcissistic impulse. If it isn't her, nobody can have it, least of all people she is looking down on. She is the most like their father: she has inherited the most of that destructive pettiness and meagerness their uncle was talking about at the funeral. The last scene in the car is her being defeated and Tom is taking her in favor of his unborn child, not so much because of her. She is reduced to being a first lady. She sits next to power but never gets to wield it, since Matsen and Tom had already agreed that they don't need another ideas person, which totally sidelines her, because she doesn't even have real business competence. It is a devastating self-destructive move of her, because she REALLY just could not stomach Kendall getting the grand prize over her.

[@neonoires]

You think Shiv is scared of Tom?

[@memento81]

@@neonoiresShiv isn't scared, but at the end she is neutered and declawed and still she wants to stay close to the company that was the middle point of her family's whole life because she never really formed an own identity beyond actions of spite. She now trapped herself in proximity to something she wanted for herself but once again will always be kept away from at arms lenght, but she won't leave because she doesn't know what else to do with herself. While Roman almost feels unburdened after the sale and Ken will eventualle get back on his foot after another rock bottom moment, she is stagnating and failing to evolve. It is a truly shakespearean tragic ending.

[@neonoires]

@@memento81 Lmao are we talking about the same Succession? What universe would Shiv be stuck in a situation in that way? She's not Caroline and Tom is not Logan. Nobody respects Tom at all. They might kiss his ass but at the end of the day he does not garner the same respect as Logan. Shiv is the one who is capable of shaking back, she had a very successful career in politics and it's not the 1950s... she doesn't have to stay with Tom just because she has his baby. What a reductive and misogynistic view on her character that removes all of her agency. Even the creators said that Kendall is the one who will possibly never recover from this. Shiv is not staying in a bad situation if her desires aren't met especially because of who Tom is at his core. Anything that suggests Tom and Shiv will have a marriage remotely like Logan and Caroline would require a complete overhaul of who Tom and Shiv are.

[@Slayer8957]

@@neonoires Nah, you are completely projecting. Nothing to do with misogyny. Memento had it right. Shiv sabotaged Kendall out of spite for her brother, not love for Tom. And what little political capital Shiv had leftover was lost when she blew up at the guy playing Bernie Sanders counterpart on the show. She has no influence, not to mention that its Republicans in the White House now. She has no business sense or political sense. All Shiv has now is being married to the guy who runs things, and living vicariously through him. Thats whats keeping her with Tom.

[@John_Locke_108]

That scene in the kitchen crowning Ken was the very last scene that they filmed. It truly was a celebration for those three which is why the scene is so fun and genuine.

[@Arberin]

Tom is probably at the very bottom of Shiv's priority list, she did it simply because she couldn't let her brother win. This isn't a love story.

[@rini6]

Exactly

[@the_crypter]

I think it's a bit of both. She thought to herself that, she wouldn not let her brother get the company and at the same time be able to have a relationship as well as family with the baby on the way.

[@blueyeshadow2738]

Exactly. Tom and Shiv have destroyed each other emotionally so much there is no going back to whatever they once had

[@sitaro1207]

Bottom? That's crazy. Her being pregnant was a huge factor in her decision. She weighed the pros and cons of being with Tom when deciding. Ken and Tom both were in her mind and it's easy to see why she chose Tom

[@jmurdock8303]

Yeah Tom had nothing to do with it..

[@shahriachowdhury9552]

Shout out to Kieran Culkin for winning Best Actor at the Golden Globes! (Dejected for baby Ken he's the eldest boy come on).

[@John_Locke_108]

Just saw this news as well. So we'll deserved. I thought he absolutely killed it this season.

[@John_Locke_108]

Connor is the eldest son. The one who was interested in politics from an early age.

[@izzonj]

Roman finally bested his big brother - but did he impress or piss-off his Dad?

[@ianp5367]

Yes, I was so happy for him, I definitely thought he deserved it! Dude, the people that won too was literally so poetic, given the finale. It's actually incredible, ahaha. Tom for CEO Roman for being free of the company Shiv because at least she's still married to Tom

[@shahriachowdhury9552]

Shiv definitely did not win, but she didnt concede to Kendall either; Shiv is now like her mum or Marcia even... close to power but essentially disposable to Tom@@ianp5367

[@skylarjeselnik]

Sarah Snook won the golden globe last night, she totally deserved it. I wish Jeremy Strong had won particularly for the “I’m the eldest boy!!!! “ scene that was awesome 👏🏻

[@jmurdock8303]

She fucking deserves it

[@monkeysaur4305]

When I watched this the first time I didn't see it as Shiv wanting to save her relationship with Tom. It was that she would have more power and influence as Tom's wife than she would as Kendall's sister. She is making the play that will win her the most, like she always does when push comes to shove.

[@schmuck.on.wheels]

Nah I don't think that's true at all either. I think Shiv will have literally no power at the company based on the dynamic in the car at the end, she's basically a trophy wife now. I saw this as her picking the degradation of that over crowning Kendall, which since episode 1 has been the thought that bothered her most.

[@kmc4816]

She just couldn’t stand to see Kendall win that’s really all it is

[@schmuck.on.wheels]

@@kmc4816 Exactly. You could call it immature and it is, but so is Kendall's motivation. They're all stunted children who unfortunately, from childhood, built their entire sense of self around their dad and this company.

[@priscillabirungi2181]

Although Tom has shown his ambition knows no allegiance towards whatever he shares with Shiv, so, she f'd herself but she would've been f'd with Kendall either way.

[@jordancharles8598]

She said it herself... she simply cannot stomach Kendall. But not only that, she truly doesn't believe Kendall would be a good CEO. She has questioned his general competency and wellbeing the entire show, so asking her to put her entire financial future in his hands instead of guaranteeing herself billions of dollars was probably a bridge too far.

[@DrSpicyChickenPanini]

I actually felt like Shiv's ending was maybe the most depressing of the three. What did her character want the most throughout the show? The approval of her father, control of the company, and to be in a relationship with someone she didn't have to worry about. None of the children got their father's approval, control of the company, and now Shiv is stuck with a guy who was with her purely for what she could give him in terms of upward mobility and she has nothing left to give. Tom was willing to let Madsen sleep with her to get this job. He doesn't care about her, or at least not enough to make a marriage work. Kendall is at least delusional enough to convince himself he can do something like build his own company, even though he probably can't. Roman is cynical enough not care after a while. Tom betrayed Shiv whenever it benefitted him, and he works for a guy who treated her like a joke. Daughter of the CEO and primary shareholder to wife of the figurehead CEO seems like a sad lateral move.

[@therealkendallroy]

if anything, kendall is the only guy who could actually run his own company. he has the money and the connections, and the pertinent knowledge as well.

[@RoyKoopaling]

It’s so method for Brian Cox to not be there when Kieran Culkin won his Golden Globe.

[@aya_5791]

No way you thought the hand scene between Shiv and Tom was anything other than sad. Shiv is going to be miserable. Kendall too. When he said “Like I might die” it wasn’t a manipulation, he genuinely feels like that. The only one whose sort of okay is Roman. If you watch the first episode he said “this place was essentially a cage for me”, so yeah he got out

[@John_Locke_108]

That's what I thought about Roman, too. Plus he finally admitted to himself the truth that he is nothing. I think this will push him towards better things like the 100. Which he was completly on board with until his siblings talked him into the Pierce debacle. So he'll be relatively fine.

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

Rome’s moments were absolutely haunting these last couple episodes

[@buhlenzimande9303]

To Maple and Arianna, you guys have been the best channel to watch Succession recaps with. Watching the show on this channel has been an incredible ride, and it was a great pleasure sharing your journey with this show along with you guys. You guys rock!👊🏾

[@ejr87r]

Remember what Logan said the episode before he died to his kids, "I love you, but you're not serious people", it sums up the show and his kids perfectly.

[@jossecoupe446]

I disagree with the 'they don't have it in them to do the job' sentiment, yea they're damaged, scarred, & disfunctional individuals, but Kendall/Shiv could easily have done a perfectly decent job as CEO (if dipshit Elon can do it, anyone can) even Roman could've done well. They were only 'not serious' or 'failures' in the eyes of Logan when they did not act as he desired them to, and Logan himself was on multiple instances incompetently caught with his pants down and on two of such he almost lost the company (maybe three even idr). I think Roman's 'we are bullshit' line can be read in multiple different ways, and it important to realise that the exact thinking underlying his own uttering of the words is likely either a way to verbalise/summate his own feelings of emptiness/incompetence/self-loathing or a way to get Kendall to stop believing that he has any reason to feel he deserves the company his father built. I think the show went a long way to dispell the illusion of late-stage capitalism's supposedly 'meritocratic' nature (honestly a latge majority of the richest people the show presents us did not show me anything to meaningfully warrant their riches, and at meast half of them were kinda dipshits (i.e. the majority of the main cast)).

[@sadisticwinter8354]

"A buy-in and half Rava half a filing cabinet guy" was INSANE for Roman to say. Referring to a child conceived from a sperm donor like that is crazy, but calling adoption a buy-in is even crazier.

[@John_Locke_108]

I loved that scene. Like wtf Ken. You're so lazy that you buy kids instead of making your own? Rich people are crazy.

[@jordancharles8598]

@@John_Locke_108 ...are you being serious?

[@MCalla-jw8vh]

I have a question: if kendall was impotent, why use a sperm donor instead of connor or roman? i'm sure roman would've given some.

[@John_Locke_108]

@@jordancharles8598 😂 Of course not.

[@John_Locke_108]

@@MCalla-jw8vh 😂. They would need a nurse outside the door to yell insults at Roman in order to get his sample.

[@Davon85J]

Absolutely loved these reactions! Thanks so much! I just have to say though, Shiv got a pretty miserable ending in my eyes. You guys seemed fairly happy for her at the end but she’s basically under Toms thumb now and he basically has all the power in the relationship.

[@neonoires]

The biggest difference is that Tom will never be Logan and Shiv will never be Caroline. It seems like that on the surface but given everything we know about these characters.... it's just not happening.

[@manuelrecabarren6612]

Do you really feel that way? She still is a multi-billionaire (now even more) with the Roy name. It's not the outcome she wished for, of course, but she still has a lot of power. I think, for the first time, they are pretty equal in the relationship.

[@Davon85J]

@@manuelrecabarren6612 Shiv on her own has power and unlimited resources. But her and Tom have basically switched positions. Which is evident by the hand scene in the limo imo.

[@667RSR]

I realized it was going to be Tom when he skipped the funeral

[@nickmenn5443]

Idk about yall but when I saw Succession winning all those awards at the Emmys I felt like I was cheering on my home team

[@Saigeee333]

Haha same here. I have no interest in sports so when I watch awards shows it’s how I imagine people feel about the Super Bowl

[@Gecko....]

I can't believe anyone gives a crap about award shows 😂

[@husseinrose4883]

Nobody really wins in this show except for Connor. Kendall is denied forever the one thing his whole existence revolves around, shiv has ended up exactly like her mother in a loveless marriage, roman is left all alone with no one to bring him the pain he wants, tom is still just eating shit pie but from someone else, greg sold his soul and ethics or metaphorically castrated like sporus. it really is a Shakespearian tragedy.

[@husseinrose4883]

Also Matsson much like his inspiration, Elon Musk, seems to be a hidng a lot of shit that will blow up in his face later.

[@choccy9852]

“How do I move forward knowing this is the end?” “With less tension headaches” Right after showing that you’ve starting The Bear, which has me holding my breath most episodes in stress. Oh y’all are not getting a break.

[@neonoires]

I'm also wondering why people think Shiv will have a better life with Kendall as CEO as if her brothers don't try to shut her out at every turn. At least with Tom there's a chance to actually be a part of things. Her brothers would not include her ever and I think Shiv realized this throughout this whole season.

[@John_Locke_108]

I definitely think she made the better choice. She'll still be miserable but at least she'll be have Tom to kick around.

[@vbb2076]

yeah i think it was the best choice for her: tom's character is still to be somewhat obedient, shiv has many contacts on the political field, and she remains the sole bilionaire in her marriage, the power balance is pretty even now that tom gets ATN

[@reverse1899]

Armstrong similarly describes their final gesture as a “chilly” one that showed the “terrifying equality, but equality, which has never been the case in that relationship before.” He goes on to explain, “Tom has always been subservient. Now he has this status, but his status is contingent. That’s kind of what the whole episode has been about. Shiv’s status is as all the kids are - secure. It’s secure in a financial sense. She has billions of dollars. She has wealth that could never diminish, whatever happened to the world. And she also has a name, which will sort of haunt her and make her interesting, to a certain degree, for the rest of her life, and that can’t be taken away from her. Whereas Tom’s position could be taken away in the click of her fingers.” He continued, “So for me, there’s a very terrifying equality in that, a remarkable dry hand on hand. It’s not really even human contact. It’s a sort of two pieces of porcelain or something.

[@blueyeshadow2738]

@@reverse1899there’s one thing for the creators to think that but literally everyone else working on the show doesn’t believe this is equality. This is shiv submitting to a role she never wanted

[@jmurdock8303]

She could have leveraged power with Kendall if she wanted. That's not why she couldn't see her brother happy.

[@smichelle65]

I'm going to miss "Succession Mondays" with you guys. That this reaction came a day after the show's biggest award night so far (3/4 acting awards and best tv drama) makes this even more bittersweet 😢

[@tomasbiela5860]

Tom knew how to play the game and won in the end

[@januarybaby1063]

Love you guys’ reactions SO MUCH, also can’t believe you talked over the last 10 minutes of the entire series 😭 I was sat stone faced

[@danielmiller9012]

The irony is, their dad wanted to sell the company and the sibs ended up getting MORE than their dad got for the company.. If Logan just knew that detail he'd be very proud.. The sibs in their own messed up way, managed to 1-up Logan.

[@jcnom6606]

It’s hilarious and method that both Jeremy and Brian didn’t show up for Kieran’s, Sarah’s, and Mathew’s golden globe wins

[@John_Locke_108]

That is ice cold. Damn.

[@ericho6063]

I read somewhere that Jeremy couldn't come because of a scheduling conflict, Brian probably has the same reason too. I mean, even Alexander wasn't there

[@John_Locke_108]

@@ericho6063 Really? Was his PJ was being repaired?

[@neonoires]

Jeremy is about to be on Broadway for 16 weeks. He’s probably preparing for that and will come to the Emmys since that’s more important anyway.

[@sparkleclover]

@@neonoires He's in Toronto right now filming a movie, that's why he couldn't be there.

[@Kira1Lawliet]

You know, one of the big challenges of shows like this and Breaking Bad and The Sopranos etc. is that the characters are so complexly written and so relatable in certain aspects of their struggles that most viewers end up rooting for them only to be reminded at the end that they've been rooting for literal human garbage. So congratulations to you two for not falling into that trap. So many people who watched this show ended up disappointed that Kendall didn't win in the end, and they got hypnotized by the nuance of his character into disregarding how much they should have still despised him and his siblings. At the end of the day, it didn't matter who won, because everyone in this show was trash and deserved to lose, even if not all of them did.

[@jcnom6606]

Personally I was dissatisfied with how Kendall lost, I wouldn’t say I was rooting for him but on rewatch you cannot convince me his sudden trust in his siblings or how he acted in the finale is consistent with the last episode or what they have been doing with his character for the last season in general. As for him alone and broken on a bench at the end, that’s fine.

[@the_crypter]

I think it makes perfect sense. Why would he not trust the siblings in the end when they fought it out and then gave it to him. He knows shiv is fucked, he knows rome doesn't want it, why would he doubt them. Him being on the high whenever he thinks he is gonna win is 100% in line with his character@@jcnom6606

[@sitaro1207]

​@@jcnom6606 the facade just broke. In season 2's finale, he made a good move but then regressed back in Season 3. Kendal falls into child state when faced with difficulty, which is what happened when Logan confronted him about the waiter in S1, when Waystar cooperated with the DOJ and his case became weak, and finally when Shiv says no at the board meeting. The show has shown that multiple times now.

[@broncoscountryl3tsrid3]

People can root for characters who are terrible people. It’s fiction, it doesn’t matter. And complex characters like these are fun to root for.

[@kaylinworthy]

shiv did not think about tom once while make the decision to go against her brothers. i don’t understand how ppl can watch this entire show and still only reduce shiv to tom’s wife

[@RandomGuyWhoComments.]

U guys are mis reading the shiv and tom thing, it’s supposed to be a non win for her… she didn’t win but she didn’t lose either and now will have to live with a broken relationship thats what the directors/writers said in some interview

[@mypradasatthecleaners]

talking over the final scene with the brittell score 🥲

[@yt.byliam]

genuinely pained me

[@JACuervo_]

In my opinion Shiv got the worst part, she went from being "the daughter of" for half her life to being "the wife of" for the rest of (The roles were completely reversed from what they had been for the entire series up to this point with Tom being the "husbad of") She is Marcia 2.0. Stuck in a toxic relationship that will never work out, of convenience. Roman is completely free. And as for Kendall, obviously his situation could go either way, but I choose to believe that Colin will send him to the therapy that he desperately needs and get over it, it's nothing he hasn't been through before(?) haha

[@taracurrie9094]

She can divorce Tom anytime and she’s a billionaire. She’s not exactly Marcia.

[@JACuervo_]

@@taracurrie9094 If she didn't divorce Tom all this time, much less is she going to do it now

[@taracurrie9094]

She’s still a billionaire…and not stuck anywhere.

[@JACuervo_]

@@taracurrie9094 Money does not resolves all of your problems. I thought we had already established that. And sure, she'll be okay. She'll survive. As Tom said. But I don't see the same light of hope for change in her ending as I do in Roman's, for example. Is surviving enough?

[@jordancharles8598]

@@JACuervo_ All this time? In their world they've been married for less than a year...

[@rah-mown6392]

The ending was anything but a reconciliation of love lol

[@sugarfruit33]

Shiv's final decision wasn't one out of love but out of spite. Seeing Kendall win was bad enough, but she knew that even if they kept the company in the family, the misogynistic business culture was never going to let her get near the top. Letting Tom be CEO while still being his wife and the mother of his child lets her get as close to the power she desires as she possibly can. It's more of a tragedy than a love story.

[@smichelle65]

💯💯💯

[@space_1073]

I feel like they got a little too Kendal hate train in that climactic scene. He’s just clawing to keep the deal and his world is crumbling, you’re meant to feel bad for Kendall 😂

[@kurtwagner350]

The “Roman is missing” leak made this episode lead up so much more fun

[@theashdey9383]

At least Kendall and Roman can do something else after this. Shiv on the other hand is stuck in a loveless marriage while being reminded of her father's company. She's the biggest loser of them all.

[@jasminda2401]

Ugh, the end of this show was so good. I'm so glad I didn't miss it. I only got to see the last seven episodes live but they were the best ones.

[@RobertPromos]

I don't think you guys got it, Shiv became what she always criticize and hated the most, her mother.

[@blueyeshadow2738]

No, Tom and Shiv getting back together is not a happy ending for either of them. Tom is with someone who doesn’t love him anymore and Shiv is now stuck in the same position her mother was in, always near what she wants the most but never being able to get. The patriarchy won

[@l4973c]

exactly. I don't know how people think this was a "happily ever after" ending for them and Shiv switched in the end because she somehow loves him lol

[@Mibbitmaker]

Especially given the most misogynist reason Matson gave for choosing Tom over Shiv.

[@williammccormick984]

22:09 - Kendall loses everything when he puts his feet on the desk with Stewie in the room. IMMEDIATELY acting like a douche bro and offering Stewie huge positions without even a mention to Shiv or Roman. Let alone the fact that the entire season has proven that her brothers WILL cut her out at every turn. You can even see Shiv's sour reaction. Every detail in this show mattered. That's a level of acting, writing and filmmaking that is VERY rare. Succession was something else. It was special. It was really fucking special.

[@88Featured]

Not even just the brothers cutting out Shiv, Kendall was already making moves previously to block out Roman with Frank

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Also, Kendalm has an audicity to come back to Board Meeting after the chaos and pretending to act nothing happened! Even though the people saw him yelling and screaming to his siblings even said "I'M THE ELDEST BOY!" Kendall has a habit to not read his environment because he was blinded by his ego also he wouldn't let anyone speak and wouldn't hear their criticism. Also, his pitch in Board Meeting is just bad, he didn't tell why Gojo Deal is bad, why Lukas Mattson isn't the right person to lead Waystar or even choosing Tom as the new CEO, he didn't even honor his late father to get their sympathies. He just said "Look, Gojo Deal is bad, just vote for me to be the new CEO. I'm ready."

[@reanne820]

Sarah Snook herself said that Shiv ending wasn't a happy one, lol. Tbh I think every Roy sibling lost at the ending.

[@paulo843]

The scene of them watching that video of their father having fun and realizing that they never lived with that side of Logan, then they realize that they were the real outsiders...

[@Guy_LastName]

it's not about the money. "already rich" kendall said to mattson when he tried to use that chip. they want to accomplish and conquer, it's human nature.

[@EliBrigante]

Tom Wamsgams- The only player in World Series history to record an Unassisted Triple Play.

[@cam.era.sounds]

This was by far my fave show to watch with you both! When I watched the first episode I kept thinking how there was so much dark British humour and then realised who the writers were and knew it would be amazing! I’m not sure if you have any open polls on what to watch next but if you love really smart writing and incredible acting that keeps you just as engaged, I would recommend a10ep series, The Old Man (even better going in blind)

[@iamasurgeon0000]

Team Ken for life. From an objective pov, Ken did what he thought was needed to be done. Shiv is nothing but a fake person who acts she is independent but she is nothing without the people she hates. Roman was the only one with good motive. Kendall did nothing wrong from his pov because he had nothing without the company. People who hates Kendall always thinks of him like the dude he was in the first episode and don't even bother to see anything else.

[@joshsucksatgolf]

Can’t believe we’re finally at the end. Was a blast rewatching this series with you guys 😊

[@MaMvidS45]

Lol no baby daddy strategy in her decision, she couldn't allow Kendall to win, Period.

[@moondom]

It's been so wonderful to revisit this show with you, I just love how much you understand these characters and how visceral your reactions are! I totally feel the same way, it's really something you can sink into like it's real. Thanks for a great binge!

[@toddkonrad2407]

What a ride. And knowing that Maple and Arianna are meeting Richie now? Even better.

[@twilliams7264]

I was hoping The Bear would be next!!

[@Olivia_Neumann]

It’s 3 am here and i’ve just binged all of your succession reactions after stumbling upon your channel. LOVE the way you do your videos, love the way you voice all the thoughts and feelings you have, and the way you edit the videos and literally everything, instant subscribe.

[@thepimp31]

My favorite character made a billion dollars on his worst day

[@John_Locke_108]

Loved the ending. Screw the Roys. Shiv ended up being stuck with her new Daddy who's now Ceo and Ken is still clueless. I think Roman came away from this with a win. He's finally realized what the audience has been saying forever. They are bullshit. And now that he knows it maybe he'll actually do something about it.

[@Madagon367]

Exactly, they are all pos. They each got billions from the sale also. Basically Elon Musk's kids 40 years from now. Lol.

[@Spaced92]

Honestly Roman didn't win shit, he's just self aware but he always has been, didn't make him less broken. He has literally nothing. Shiv compromised because she didn't want to lose like her mum did and prove her right (don't really agree with people saying she became her mum, has less power in her relationship but billions of dollars which Tom doesn't). Tom unambiguously won, he chose money and got as much as possible.

[@jmurdock8303]

They got the money.. There's a difference..

[@88Featured]

@@Spaced92I would say Roman won freedom by way of not being tied to Waystar anymore. And from what I remember (correct me if I’m wrong) but he always seemed to be genuine in his endeavours outside of the company (The 100, Pierce, etc.) if it weren’t for his siblings meddling. Between Roman and Ken, I would say Roman is gonna move in the fastest which is a win for him imo

[@cammy11]

Watching them stay with the hug for so long drove me !!! ken literally breaking roman's stitches and hurting him to get him under control and roman knowing that and grinding his stitches in further was crazy to watch. i'm sad there are no more succession from you guys but i had so much fun watching you both!

[@checkmate5338]

It took 4 seasons for Shiv to realize she would be happier as a stay at home mom

[@huntercoxpersonal]

😂😂😂

[@zelie9393]

Why are you guys cheering for Shiv and Tom? they are a terrible couple

[@John_Locke_108]

I thought they were happy because Shiv and Tom were getting what they deserved. That was my take on their reaction. Tom gets to be a puppet CEO and Shiv gets to be a miserable trophy wife.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Tom wouldn't mind to be a Puppet, he even said that he's ready to be Pain Sponge because how much Shiv and her brothers treat him so badly. Especially how Shiv treats him like a lapdog to make sure he won't go anywhere. The problem with Shiv is she doesn't know how to appreciate men as she has a workaholic father and a mother who doesn't care about her children and she mostly being outcast for being the only girl in the family. You notice for the entire season, Shiv doesn't have a girl friend, what about her bridesmaids on her wedding? We never see them again. Even her lawyer friend from Season 3 sided with Kendall and the closest thing she has a relationship with girls are either Willa but then again, she doesn't respect her either and also Girl Sandi but the latter is also busy taking care of her sick father and also mostly care just being in business term.

[@zelie9393]

@@margarethmichelina5146 Yeah all of that basically supports the fact that they're a terrible couple

[@margarethmichelina5146]

@@zelie9393 Even Connor and Willa who have platonic relationship and Tom and Greg are better couples than Tom and Shiv.

[@zelie9393]

@@margarethmichelina5146 ok I don't see your point

[@calumnorth]

Maple speaking through the best moment of acting in the entire series noooooo

[@MapleDivine]

If you want to watch the show fully then buy a subscription to the platforms it’s on!

[@calumnorth]

@@MapleDivine wat, I’ve seen it numerous times - was just saying you were distracted during Roman’s final scene :(

[@MapleDivine]

@@calumnorth it’s all edited down though and I 100% can watch listen and speak. It’s a reaction video ❤️

[@calumnorth]

@@MapleDivine fair enough, I’m just a sucker for that scene - ridiculous acting from Culkin

[@philbox3productions]

Im sorry but Shiv does not give two fucks about Tom she made that choice because she can't stand seeing Kendall being the one to win and would rather give up the company then see him wind up as the victor. Essentially if she can't win then none of her siblings can win either.

[@sparkleclover]

Yeah Jesse Armstrong has confirmed this is the reason she did what she did in post series interviews.

[@Etticos.]

I’m so glad this show was consistent throughout and stuck the landing. Great job ladies, this was fun.

[@himurahaibara1459]

It's not a family company anymore, right? Even if Shiv and Tom get their money the company is going to be whatever Matsson decides. Kendall i think genuinely belive that taking over the company is his only purpose. He was basically raised like an heir; learn the business since he was young, tried to meet daddy's unrealistic expectations. BUT since Logan was a control freak he couldn't just step down and let his kids step up. He's set them to fail and completely dependent on him. And then he mocks them ti their faces. Connor has accepted the fact that he doesn't count in the family. He's way older than his 3 siblings and he's experienced the abandonment very early on. Logan probably hated him for whatever perceived sin Connor's mother made. So instead of wasting his energy seeking daddy's apporval Connor made his own bubble. Roman seemed like he's gonna go back to his asshole ways and maybe add in some self destructive behavior after he realised that he's nothing. So Tom and Shiv gonna stay married to keep their piece of the pie and it'll be full of drama. Besides, after seeing how twisted they can be together in this season they will probably enjoy this 'fight-fuck' relationship.

[@samuelklingele2930]

I liked your thoughtful reactions to Succession but i must say I really think you missed some points in the finale. The ending was devastating in my opinion. Kendall obviously lost the oppurtunity to get the job his whole identity revolves around. That‘s why he said he might kill himself. Roman lost his siblings and especially his older brother who caused him pain (with the stitches) just to get the top job. Shiv didn‘t just go for love. I mean the relationship has been a wreck this season. She basically accepted the position of her mum - trapped in an unloving marriage where the man has the power. Most importantly the siblings will probably not have a relationship with each other after what happened. None of the main characters won. Even Tom is just a puppet. And I think that is the point of the show: Only striving for power and money destroys your relationships and your chances for love. The finale hurt but I wouldn‘t have wanted it to end any differently.

[@darshin95]

yeah so much shit went by them, they just liked Shiv lol

[@88Featured]

I think saying Tom didn’t “win” because he’s a puppet is a bit reductive. If his motivation is money and climbing the corporate ladder, then by all accounts he’s made it. He has the top job. Regardless of if he’s a puppet or not. And from what was depicted, it seems he’s fine being a puppet. Mattson flat out said that’s what he wanted and Tom said cool sign me up

[@Quzga]

I really like the "twist" that Mattsson is actually really smart and not just a dumb coder. I really thought that he would lose until the finale. But the siblings losing is kind of a perfect ending and probably the best thing that could happen to them. Without the company maybe they can focus on their own lives for a change.

[@shahriachowdhury9552]

I dont see where thats been established, its been really well discussed that Mattson has been propped up by the people around him but that in itself is a strength; really good network and leveraging people for their strengths.

[@Quzga]

@@shahriachowdhury9552 Idk I thought it kinda set him up in a way to make you believe he's just a sham with money. Like Abba saying he's not even a real coder, the India numbers, his crazy tweets and weird behavior. I kinda expected him to turn out to just be a complete bullshitter who lucked out but then was pleasantly surprised when he actually seemed to be good at what he does. Maybe was just me 🤷

[@toddkonrad2407]

It’s probably part of the reason Logan would agree to sell to him in the first place. He doesn’t fuck around in business when push comes to shove, leverages the talent around him for maximum benefit, and despite his eccentricities is, unlike the kids, “serious people”.

[@John_Locke_108]

Didn't seem like a twist to me. I always assumed he was a smart guy and they way he acted with the Roy's was just a tactic.

[@Spaced92]

I don't think he's smart, everyone did everything for him or just followed the money. He does have a terrifying charisma like Logan did, but just like Logan, he never won because he was smart or cunning. Like he talked about something that could sink him right in front of fucking greg, for no reason, I dislike Kendall but I honestly think he's more cunning than Matsson.

[@choccy9852]

Fun fact: after cut on Kendall’s final scene at the river, Jeremy Strong still in character got up and almost went over the railings into the water but was stopped by Colin’s actor.

[@hannahabbot4250]

And Succession just rightfully took a Golden Globe last night!

[@fojemo1661]

You misinterpreted the last scene between Tom and Shiv. Way wayyy off. They didn’t even hold hands, they just touched. It was obvious that their relationship has already died. And she did not want to give Kendall the win, not because she wants Tom to win. “Die in your millions???” No, Kendall doesn’t care about the money. He wants the power because business is his life. Imagine being promised the company at 7 years old.

[@celine4065]

i just finished watching succession a little after you guys started it so it was so nice to rewatch it with y’all! i always looked forward to mondays so thank you so much for a great time!❤

[@Elephant2024]

One of the greatest, if not the greatest television series of all time. Outstanding acting, writing, direction, etc. Thank you Arianna and Maple for your amazing reaction videos. You made me feel as if I was watching these episodes for the very first time. With the added bonus of how perceptive and incisive your analysis always is. The episode that will forever resonate most powerfully with me is Season 4 Episode 3 because I lost both of my parents within the last few years. Everything Logan's kids experienced from an emotional standpoint was heartfelt, genuine, and relatable. No matter how psychologically equipped one might think they are, when the moment happens it just tears you up inside because death is so final. In terms of how it ended, ironically perhaps it is for the best because now the Roys will be able to forge their own paths and create their own identities separate from their father's legacy, which they were always inextricably linked to for the duration of the series.

[@nickmenn5443]

It also speaks to this show where I almost thought shiv and Roman might actually kill Kendall lmao either drown him which would be a tie back into his watered fait, or poison him there in the kitchen lol, I know that’s insanely dark and left field but this show has always had that layer of darkness in the humor where you felt like death was around the corner

[@smichelle65]

Remember, Shiv very new on the board; she got one of the 4(?) extra seats she herself successfully negotiated with Sandi during Logan's UTI episode. And in her first major board vote she ends up doing this.

[@gingetomassi8153]

Someone was a little desperate to pass this off as a Shiv win

[@williammccormick984]

The Succession writers revealing that Kendall's kids weren't his own in a moment like this is SOOOOO crazy. Goes right back to the pilot and the intiial reason why Logan takes away the CEO position in the first place.

[@88Featured]

I think its kinda genius because I remember when I watched the first episode and I wondered why Sophie was darker skinned compared to her parents. They never addressed it for so long that I kind of just accepted maybe it was a casting choice. And then they just casually bring it up in the climax and I was like ohhhh now that all makes sense.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

I always suspected that Sophie must be adopted as her skin looks browner than Rava who is half Indian. But, looking back again, Iverson doesn't look like Kendall and Rava either. So, Kendall maybe fertile and Rava sacrificed her sperm to sperm donor and that's how Iverson was born either by sperm donor or by baby tube.

[@jennifer5512]

Aww, I'm sad you're finished as I loved re-watching with you but all your reactions are equally brilliant!

[@therealkendallroy]

It's not a bargaining chip. Kendall genuinely means it because he doesn't know anything else and this is his life, and he knows that shiv knows that. also, why would he not deny the accident in the middle of a board room where there's people all around?

[@jcnom6606]

Honestly I still don’t like ending, or rather the events that lead to each character’s endings (the end points for the characters themselves I’m fine with) but man the acting is godly. Shiv’s spite, Kendall’s obsession, Roman’s apathy, Tom’s complacency. No one wins, Rome falls.

[@broncoscountryl3tsrid3]

Tom wins. He gets all he’s ever wanted lol

[@germandavid2520]

6:26 He is almost always in the right places at the right times for information that may be important to one or more characters, this has happened since the first season.

[@Jang9851]

First off you two are single handedly with show alone became my favourite reactors. Brilliant. Thank you for this ride again. I think you guys misread Shiv's ending shockingly. Shiv didn't necessary want to save her relationship with Tom. Shiv decision at the end was the epitome of her character but also the biggest irony. She stays proxy to power with child she doesn't want and in a broken marriage where she believes shes too good for her husband but he holds all the power.....remind you of someone..... SHIV has ironically become her OWN MOTHER! She has the worst ending. Not in audience pov but characer pov.

[@jerseyfky]

**I think in the post show they said something about, they had a scene or had plans for Kendall to go darting for the River and being saved by the bodyguard ..

[@lefromthecity]

I always knew it was Tom, he just always got so much screen time and the only one that came from the bottom up. Plus is character arc through to the funeral…I just knew. 😊

[@Clairembify]

You guy's interpretation of Shiv's decision is interesting, I personally didn't feel like fixing her marriage with Tom was ever a deciding factor, it was more of an afterthought and a means to an end to me. The final breakdown was entirely about the siblings' relationship (much like the entire finale was) and how she ultimately couldn't ever surrender and give the win to Kendall, that's the tragedy Logan trapped them in that they're never going to escape from. Falling back onto the safe option of her marriage with Tom gets her as close to the top as possible and feels like less of a failure because she still has the high ground of giving him his access to power, but I don't see them ever making it work.

[@vbb2076]

yeah i feel like her decision was more about kendall than it was about tom: had they kept the company, she still could've made it work with tom. But you can see her shift when she sees kendall on logan's chair

[@midnightfield]

Karl (and the others) singing made me cry, too! What an unexpectedly moving little moment. Thank you for sharing these fun and wonderful Succession reactions :)

[@Mibbitmaker]

You're the most fun of Succession reactors. The scene of Shiv and Tom in the limo was a moment that's the one image speaks a gazillion words variety. Loosest hand-holding in TV history: loveless marriage going forward. Amazing moment. Roman's "bullshit" speech. The core moment of the entire series. He's been somewhat the "idiot" truth-teller trope all along, but this is his shining moment in that role. Sums up EVERYTHING! First among my favorite Succession moments - even including the one when Tom takes a bite of Logan's chicken! I'll also continue to suggest "Fleabag" as a new show to react too. Another brilliant show.

[@moniruzzamanrasel8825]

Lmao y'all did not just watch that show for 4 freaking season and made the tom and shiv story line in this episode a love story...were y'all even paying attention??

[@JohanSven42069]

The scorpion always stings

[@akashpatil12333]

The girls didn't understand the slightest meaning of episode They are giving reaction but didn't know on what ! These reactors are taking the episode meaning to the totally different direction 😑😑

[@barlow2346]

King Tom, backed him winning from the start. They called me crazy, but I fucking win lol good show

[@morganmoore2121]

i loved rewatching this with yall

[@neesonnaidoo4745]

Shiv is in the worst possible scenario for her. Logan's curse of them constantly at each other's neck made her vote for Tom. She didn't vote Tom for Tom, she voted Tom because it can't be Kendall. Now, she's stuck in a loveless marriage to a man who has all the power (like her mother who she tried so hard not to become). And the guy she's with is the same guy she married because she had all the power over once before. I never saw that final scene between them as a happy one. Also in an interview, Jeremy Strong said that he improvised a take of the final shot where Kendall runs towards the rails to jump into the water and the actor who played Collin rushed to stop him.

[@demo2080]

Y'all were so wrong about the end it's hilarious 🤣🤣 y'all think Shiv ending up with Tom was a good thing? lol

[@MapleDivine]

Better for her if she wants to remain in a closer position to the company. Business.

[@terrycullen3302]

@@MapleDivine But that's not why she did it. It was purely out of spite to Kendall. Once she saw him put his feet up on Logan's desk, and be smug during the vote, she realized she could't let him win.

[@MapleDivine]

@@terrycullen3302 yes I feel like that’s obvious but you’re saying her ending up with Tom good or bad I feel like staying with Tom keeps her closest to power

[@menelikiii5004]

@@MapleDivine Tom doesn't have power though, Matteson already said that Tom would just be a puppet/empty suit to appease the president's need for an American CEO, he's basically a CEO in name only.

[@MapleDivine]

Yes and he's still a CEO??? lol@@menelikiii5004

[@sirjohnmara]

Greg is the BEST at Gregging! You two should watch "The Bear". That will make a great reaction.

[@Serryy]

Following sentences is just my interpretation of Tom&Shiv in the end. Dont want to say that other interpretations are 100% wrong. Just putting this disclaimer here if I got carried away in the comment itself :D Shiv and Kendall and Roman were all about ego and power plays (and their fathers love) and spite for 4 seasons. Shiv sees Mattson dropping her for Tom as a final betrayal, not only by Mattson, but by Tom. Seeing Tom in that car holding his hand out, and Shiv taking his hand without any kind of positive expression reminds me a lot of the season 3 finale when she allows Tom to comfort her after he stabbed her in the back. He has the power now. Shiv has always seen herself as this incredibly smart and cunning woman. She wanted the CEO role, she always thought she would be better than any of her brothers. She always thought her father snubbed her because of her gender. Ending up as the wife of the Waystar CEO and nothing more than that is probably the most tragic ending for her character.

[@johnnygoods1232]

It’s been a great journey with you guys 😢

[@rohansharma555]

What a season of TV! For all things tragedian, we sorta knew it had to end this way. Shiv took the cowards way out and will likely be stuck in an unhappy marriage to a CEO with a kid (not too dissimilar to Logan and his wife), Roman finally gets out of the cycle of abuse, and Kendall falls at the last hurdle like he so often does. Thanks for the reactions guys :)

[@beemoney19]

My theory after this episode has always been Tom is a sacrificial lamb and will be kicked to the curb after a year. Mattson is hiding something worse in GoJo than just bad sub numbers in India. That's why he needed the deal to happen fast. So he's going to strip the company for parts, bury his bad news with the sales, and then Tom takes any flak, gets fired, and Mattson gets his own guy to run the show afterwards.

[@John_Locke_108]

Oh defintely. Tom will have a golden parachute in his contract but he's just warming the seat for a Swede to take over. But he probably knows it and will still end up on his feet because he's smart.

[@jennb3112]

really gonna miss you guys reacting to this! one of my fave reactions from anyone it was so fun to see you both talk through this show so well

[@Diegesis]

yeah i'mma miss it too

[@DToomer]

It’s been a Hell of a journey. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your reactions to this show (it’s led me to watch your other reactions). I will miss your commentary on this show. You’ve gotten me to rewatch Succession again. Thank You. May your best days be ahead! SIDENOTE: I had to rewatch the last 10 minutes of this episode 4 times when it aired. CRAZY! Give Emmys to EVERYONE involved in this show.

[@spooony2714]

It was never about the money for them. They were born rich and they will die rich. Logan is the only character that understood it ws about money, because he grew up poor.