Succession: Crafting a Satisfying Finale

[@whatfruit7965]

I love that Kendall is literally followed by his fathers shadow at the end.

[@happyclappy1805]

so poignant and truly awful

[@dammitmom]

holy shit

[@youarehere.]

Kendall must inherit his father’s shadow, who we recall covered up the death of the cater waiter.

[@phillylady]

Succession is a lesson in the psychological trauma overbearing parents can have on their children. The children are a reflection of Logan’s ambitions, and his own, dear I say, “envy” of his children. He never prepared them because deep down he was afraid one of them, if not all of them, would outshine him. He taught his kids to fight amongst themselves and never trust each other, because this was how he controlled them. In the end the kids did exactly what they were taught, “if it’s not going to be me it won’t be you either”. None of them really was ready for the job, but that’s squarely on Logan’s shoulders. Congratulations HBO on another great hit.

[@adrianamastromatteo2675]

Well said as the uncle said at the funeral as 4 and 5 year olds travelling by ship in wartime don't make a sound because the enemy will hear you and you'll die. Then as boy blaming himself for the death of this sister which of course his family didn't even try help a child understand it wasn'his fault. Trauma = trauma = trauma I'm 63 young and lucky enough to have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. And proud to say I stopped childhood trauma passing me. They have the millions but that's about it. Loved the basic human ending.

[@asliketheson]

Succession is a vapid festering pile of rubbish

[@asliketheson]

Nice leftist victimhood . Poor rich narcissists please

[@uhkingdom]

A small but important detail for Roman. The drink he’s nursing at the very end is a martini, Gerri’s go-to. In true Roman fashion, it’s sweet in a fucked up way.

[@failureoncommand]

Damn. I did not remember that. The amount of detail and love put into this show truly amazes me.

[@CharlesRBiggs]

A true Shakespearean tragedy. The kingdom is lost and the clown takes the throne.

[@trinaq]

This finale was such an emotional roller-coaster, I wasn't expecting all the twists and turns. It was sadly tragically realistic, and you can't help but feel sorry for the Roy siblings, even after everything they've been through. Shiv is basically in the same position with Tom as Caroline was with Logan, trapped in a loveless marriage with a child that she isn't sure that she really wants, Roman goes back to hanging out in bars, but is clearly a broken man, and Kendall has been betrayed by his siblings, having lost everything and fractured most of his relationships.

[@failureoncommand]

Hadn't even considered that Caroline/Logan angle. History repeats itself in even more ways, it seems!

[@DaveyFish1]

Fuck Shiv I have no sympathy! Never feel sorry for her

[@ryanhume2608]

L

[@uvma]

That shot of Roman’ bruised face, smiling at his margarita, looks like someone who survived a war, happy he’s out but traumatized

[@ThecrazyJH96]

Kendall finally realizing that he can’t become his father bc he’s simply not his father, he’s his own person, now stuck in that realization

[@JamieBarrington]

This show is all killer, no filler and the series finale was no exception. Sadly, my pre-grieving didn't take. I'm going to miss this show so much!

[@failureoncommand]

Me too. Me too...

[@mohawkan423023]

I have chosen to be deeply in denial, and am expecting the next episode on Sunday 😂

[@grantwilson4506]

"Tacitus, classic Tacitus, all killer, no filler with him...Did he ever have a bad quote?"

[@JamieBarrington]

@@mohawkan423023 Roman style breakdown, coming this Sunday 🥺😆

[@raymondsims7042]

@@robyee3325 go get therapy 🤡

[@jimraynor4383]

Very important detail was for me the scene where right before voting Roman has a mental breakdown about his scar at his face. Kendal at first comforts him but then squeezes the scar to the point it was opened again. It showed that he just wanted to manifest how inferior his brother is to him. Very fitting ending, how the final twist was hurtful to everyone, nobody wins ,everyone loses a true tragedy.

[@mohawkan423023]

His dad's figurative shadow just lingering in the background of that last shot of Kendall is horror movie levels of chilling... I think the finale might be a masterpiece.

[@Spacejuno]

@@robyee3325elaborate

[@Tsuka-bn8hq]

Shiv spitting in that meal fit for a king was so important… she wasn’t going to let him get off ‘easily’.

[@failureoncommand]

Damn...

[@maryblah7885]

she also spat on some of papers in his office when he accused his dad that he was aware of the ongoing SA in their company.

[@jimraynor4383]

@@maryblah7885 yeah it was right after he played "Rape me" on the speakers during Shiv's speach

[@Samwell-L]

I think it was a tell that Shiv might just be the worst of them. She's consistently been the most bitter, spiteful and nasty to both Tom and her brothers

[@michaelhall2709]

Watching the finale last night I was utterly riveted, but it was only the following morning that I began to come to the conclusion that it was a masterpiece. As with any great story that manages to stay true to its themes and characters through to its ending, in retrospect the conclusion of “Succession” feels inevitable, and for all the internet speculation over Gerri or Connor or even Greg wearing the crown, it all ended the way it had to end. Everyone loses, including Tom, who will spend his days and nights and weekends catering to the whims of a man who has made it clear to him that he got the job not for his business acumen, but for his value as a human shield. (Also, too, he’d like to screw his wife, which might be awkward if she worked for him.) They lose not because they deserve to, but because the manner of their losing was inherent in the way they had lived their lives; in the kind of people they had chosen to be. And it was sheer poetry to have Roman, the most damaged Roy who spent four years deflecting everything with biting sarcasm, be the one to voice the final, awful, simple truth: “We’re all bullshit.”

[@relaxletgo7105]

dare I say that the WRITING of this show is perhaps the best there´s been. I think it COMFORTABLY sits in top 3 shows ever, in terms of writing, delivery, and consistency.

[@phillylady]

I rewatched the premier episode after watching the finale… wow the finale is a mirror of the premiere for the siblings. Kendall made the same plea to his siblings with the same result. 😢

[@phillylady]

@@robyee3325 Life is more “circular” than we realize; we have engrained characteristics that govern our eternity. ☺️

[@juliecrowe8130]

This really is a tragedy in the Aristotlean/Shakespearean mould. More than anything, after the finale I have been left with a feeling of profound pity for Kendall and his two siblings who are deeply flawed and inescapably captives of their character flaws.

[@christophergarrett7082]

I love how succession final message is about how the search for power is an empty search cause you'll never be happy living your life like that. Also business what they really want is a yes man a guy to.keep the wheels spinning and make sure they stay rich

[@carloscastaneda7886]

Something overlooked... Ken earned the vote from his uncle Ewan. From all the snakes on the board of directors, this vote means a lot on what the ideal outcome should have been...

[@veronicao4643]

What do you mean? One thing about Ewan is that he’s loyal to family, even if he dislikes them.

[@carloscastaneda7886]

@@veronicao4643 , before the funeral, maybe Ewan would have gone OK on the GoJo deal. I think Ken's eulogy changed this decision. At least that's my PoV. Cheers

[@johnricercato740]

There was no ideal outcome. They were all deeply flawed characters and incapable of performing the CEO role consistently. Kendall was certainly the best option of the siblings, but he could never sustain a happy equilibrium for long - any success drove him into narcissistic grandiosity; and any failure led to despair.

[@jejsunsedicka7504]

Agree 100%. From Season 1, Ken was destined to become CEO. Cyclical loops make for redundant content.

[@YungM.D.]

@@jejsunsedicka7504 see I don’t mind because I see it as a Sopranos thing. In almost any gangster narrative we have the rise and fall. Somehow the gangster pays for his crimes: prison, loss of family, death. But Sopranos denies us that, leaving it up to interpretation instead. Tony loses a lot but doesn’t really seem to pay for it, instead his potential death/imprisonment/etc left up to the viewer and left ambiguous. Succession is the same. Instead of the typical Shakespearean tragedy of a man ascending to power while losing his humanity, we instead see a man lose his humanity and not ascend to power. It’s a subversion that communicates the themes of the work more clearly and denies the typical, and more predictable, narrative catharsis we expect when watching TV or film. But it still works. Sopranos and Succession earned these subversions and even foreshadowed them from early on.

[@ellicel]

Because of his charm and his role as the audience surrogate, the Internet narrative almost from the beginning was that Greg was the clever dark horse who would end up winning it all. But Greg's strategy of aligning himself with whoever was most powerful is clear from the earliest episodes. When he's given different directions by Shiv and Roman, his mom tells him to figure out who's strongest. And he does that throughout. Also, we see him selling information to Gerri in hope of future favors at the gala in season 1. Yes, he schemed and played the game into what is apparently a highly paid assistant position. But by not listening to his conscience (and remaining with ATN and the Roys), he lost a 250 million dollar inheritance. Now, yes, Tom has kept him, but he's already announced a paycut in order to look good to Mattsen. I don't believe Mattsen will ever forget he was a traitor, so he'll never rise beyond whatever Tom can give him. He sold whatever bit of integrity he had and won't get the huge payout he gambled for. His story was not a success, even if he's got a better job now than when he first joined the show. The moral of the story? Be a Jess, not a Greg.

[@jackj.pelletier1666]

He made a mistake when he told Kendall about the Mattssen convo in the bar. With Shiv, he was smart enough to snitch on her because she had no offer to compensate him for his silence. You could argue it was because Kendall is the "real" CEO and that was sucking up to power too but he gave away his wine glass instead of smashing someone's face in with it. God, I adore this show. I can't believe they stuck the landing.

[@MrKazeKaze]

If Mattson can forgive Ebba, or have at least have a working relationship with her, then Greg has nothing to worry about. Betrayal is all part of the game - Mattson understands that.

[@johnricercato740]

Greg was never going to win: had he done so the show would have turned into a farce, and Armstrong has kept the tone oscillating between tragedy and comedy throughout (although mostly towards the former). Greg as CEO would have made no sense: no experience, not a dominant personality, too conspicuously devious. The share price would have plummeted.

[@rachelblake2350]

Again, glad you enjoyed it. But can we talk about that genius final shot? Colin knew. He used that to keep Kendal in line when Logan was around. But once Logan is gone, and Kendal is top dog, Kendal turns round and threatens Colin, basically saying you know so I need to keep you in line. But now Kendal is powerless, and he and Colin are more equal than they've ever been. And that final shot... Kendal is wandering in parks just like Logan, and he sits down, with Colin hovering over his shoulder. And that's what Kendal has to live with: the literal threat of Colin, but also the spectre of guilt always following him, always there, and no matter whar Kendal does, how much money and power he accrues, tbat guilt will always follow him. His compulsive addict psyche pushes him to fill the void that guilt has dug in his soul. "If I don't do this, I might die," he says. It isn't about redemption. He told himself and others that it was, but in the end, it was just a quest to fill that yawning void inside him. And I'm not sure Kendal can deal with the realisation that all of his decisions are narcissistic and self-serving efforts to make himself feel better about the terrible things he has done. He has told himself that atonement and redemption are things you can *do*, failing to understand that guilt is a person struggle, not an external threat to be dealt with. All he has is that guilt, hovering over his shoulder, just out of sight, but never gone. What a perfect shot. Also, have you seen Barry? It aired an incredible finale immediately after Succession, and once again, it definitely seems like something you'd appreciate. It's become one of my favourite shows of all time since it started, but not many people are talking about it. God-tier performances, Bill Hader is insanely talented both in front of and behind the camera.

[@cruxlamar9681]

What is Colin's significance again?

[@benp4529]

I noticed that final shot also. Another thing I thought was the irony of how when Ken visited Colin it was to confront him about the psychologist initially. Now the tables are turned psychologically and Ken is the one who needs to see a head shrink, with Colin and watching over him.

[@rachelblake2350]

@@cruxlamar9681 Colin was Logan's security chief and helped cover up the death Ken was involved in. He was the only one besides Logan who knew until the end of season three when Ken told his brother and sister.

[@widowswail888]

Kendall’s ending made me think of a Logan quote; “What could you possibly kill that you love so much it would make the sun rise again?” I think it fits perfectly with Kendall’s ending and there might be hope for him yet.

[@Belisaur]

BASED COLIN POSTER

[@ThecrazyJH96]

Idk if it seems like Kendall had the worst outcome, or I think that because he seemed to be the main focus the whole time. It’s bittersweet, he’s forced to think about his true purpose at the end of it all. He’s not his dad and never can be, he has to find his own path

[@Luneytoon]

The finale is Kendall’s origin story. He can become a serious person now and build his own empire. You can see Colin as the fathers shadow or you can see him as Kendall’s protector

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

Succession has the most brutal finale in TV history

[@dco1487]

please Tony Soprano went black

[@rishipersaud7313]

Six Feet Under

[@dco1487]

@@rishipersaud7313 True detective

[@JordanSlash]

Kendall's ending really overshadowed anything satisfying for me. Shiv getting that last one over Kendall felt like the villain won, even though the power dynamic between her and Tom shifted. Everything else I loved, but that left an overly sour taste in my mouth.

[@faustsiftar7683]

Yeah I wanted Kendall to win... it makes sense to me why he didn’t but I still felt sad and empty at his ending. Though if you think about it, Shiv is just doing what Kendall would have done in her place. Despite saying that he wants to stick with his siblings, he immediately betrays Roman upon becoming co-CEO, and both brothers betray Shiv by keeping her on the outside in “Kill List”, prompting her to side with Matsson. Not saying that you’re wrong, it didn’t feel great. But both Kendall and Shiv were essentially serving their own interests

[@wtevwwe11]

​@@faustsiftar7683 I doubt Kendall would have betrayed Shiv in the same way. Kendall always had a chance of becoming CEO, and for him it is CEO or nothing. He clearly wanted to be on top of his siblings, and did whatever he could do to achieve that, but besides that, he did not want to screw them more than necessary. If he was in the same position as Shiv (no chance of getting the spot) he would have probably gone into a self-destruction spiral. I actually doubt he would have cared about the voting at all.

[@failureoncommand]

I'm as sad for Kendall as the next guy, but regardless, with the circular themes being portrayed, it only made sense. Hurt people hurt people and so on and so forth. It pains me to see a man so wholly dedicate himself to something only for it to be taken from him, but I have to admit that it is realistic, and it's a fitting conclusion that makes sense for what the show has been trying to tell us from the start.

[@JordanSlash]

@@failureoncommand oh I agree it made sense, and I'm less sad for Kendall than I am upset that Shiv was the one to do it to him.

[@robertr798]

It’s definitely tragic and upsetting, Kendall is certainly the character whose underbelly the viewer becomes more empathetic towards. But I also feel like it’s not the end for him. This CEO position was a drug for him, and a prison. Kendall knew that, he had already intellectualized it throughout the series, and now he’s in withdrawal. It will be painful, and his life has crumbled, but he now has the opportunity to craft a future for himself, and not be tethered to one that he badly wants but could never have.

[@Broco1L]

I appreciate your emphasis on true character traits surfacing when tensions are highest and also the circular nature of characters returning to old motivations with the exception of Roman’s moment of clarity and Kendall’s “exit” from the loop🤔

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you, Colin. Always appreciate your insightful, well-articulated comments here. You're the man.

[@StefKa02]

I find it funny that just like the show, you forgot to talk about Connor in this video! Sure, his role in the final episode wasn’t exactly consequential but throughout this last season he has proven that he was the first and most successful to leave his father’s shadow and because of that, things have been going relatively well for him, marked by his surprisingly honest and intimate relationship with Willa. I’m glad that the show has a character like that to show what the other siblings could have been under different circumstances and by changing their outlook and motivation. If anything, since Kendall has broken the loop, there is a chance for him to reclaim some of his lost humanity and strive for a better and more fulfilling future. At the same time though, knowing him, I wouldn’t count on it hahah

[@Ask01496]

Intimate and honest relationship? Willa was hoping she'd be left alone in NYC in their new appartment so she could be free of Connor.

[@StefKa02]

@@Ask01496 that’s certainly a moment that stood out, yeah. But aside from that, they have been honest and supportive of each other in Season 4

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Although he didn't play much of a role in the finale. Basically he was trying to give away all his family s*** because his wife wanted to build a life without him while he was ambassador. It's funny though that they hinted that he might never get the gig because of a... The wife realized that she was probably not going to get this liberating ability to build her own million dollar apartment in Manhattan while her husband was off as an ambassador. She looked sick

[@failureoncommand]

I am sorry about Connor; I had a lot more to say about the show overall, including a little section on Connor, but I had to summarize so I don't go on speaking forever. I knew it'd upset the Conheads, though, which I didn't intend! Knew I'd hear the "forgot about Connor" jokes lol While I do agree on some of the points you've mentioned in regards to Connor, I would NOT call that relationship intimate. Honest, yes, maybe. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@StefKa02]

@@failureoncommand Yeah I’m also reconsidering some of the things I said lmao Cool video though!

[@dorianwright3649]

Genius finale. Maybe the best finale of a series of all time.

[@razzle-dazzle]

Succession? You mean “The divine comedy of Tom and Greg”

[@KadayiPolokov]

I think you miss out on the fact that Shiv only sided with Ken & Roman because she knew she wasn't going to be Matssons pick and assumed it was going to be an outsider. However, when she finds out it's Tom, albeit initially angry, I think she realises what's happening. She unknowingly sold Tom to Matsson, in terms of what he wanted, a competent manager who is good at his job and does what he is told. Exactly what Matsson wanted. Despite everything, Matsson respects Shiv's opinions on matters, listens to her, and you see that manifest in Tom marking both Gerri & Carolina when talking to Greg as keepers, which aligns with what Shiv recommended to Matsson in Norway. Shiv is a kingmaker, and will likely still have a role in things given she has stock, and Matssons ear. From her perspective, who is the better bet? Ken with his crazy ideas and blind ambition or Tom who despite everything is a safe pair of hands, not afraid to eat the sins & happy to be a pain sponge.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

Except that the power balance has changed and I'm not sure how influential she'll be right now.

[@JONAS75134447]

@@rejectionisprotection4448 exactly, she will have zero influence, Lukas just put Tom there as a Dog, nothing more… Shiv just gave the company by fear and regret.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

Nah man its not a happy ending for anyone. Its Succession afterall. She has turned into her mother, "the wife of the CEO", in a loveless marriage.

[@hitthefries]

@@BoogieDownProduction Tom’s power will be short lived as unlike Logan, Tom doesn’t have that sort of power. He will be easily replaced or the company would flop eventually. Shiv is not dependent on Tom in that sense Imo. Her ending is more about her being resentful he got what she wanted, but she did want to stay married to him at the start of the ep! In the end she did this for Tom after Tom pushed back in her, just like how she threw Kendall to the wolves for Tom at the end of season 2

[@Hedgingmastermind]

why does everyone keep forgetting her childs father will be the ceo. Everyone keeps forgetting she is carrying toms child.

[@gostovahs8121]

I loved Succession, it wasn't until Season 2 that I started following my episodes with trips online to reddit and such to read others' take and that's where I started really seeing 'who won?' and 'who will win'. That thought never really occurred to me, a 'victor' per se... and with the final episode I kinda feel vindicated. (SPOILER) I hardly feel Tom 'won'... in fact, I feel the show is implying there is going to be a massive case about that early call, and either Tom will take the fall or he will throw the fall at Greg only to take another in the future. But yeah, it's weird -- no one will end up in a situation where they will be left wanting (they are all rich and powerful af) but they are all left in situations they find miserable. It is an amazing tragedy and an amazing show!

[@tekakifukato1492]

WHY THE ENDING IS HOPEFUL FOR KENDALL: Whatever is thrown at Kendall. Even if he cannot take it, he does take it and that just kills every weak part of him. The more he is burned, the hardened he becomes. So whatever happens. He took the sharpest stab to the back, he got cut deep and he's dead internally now. Kenny is no longer human anymore. The minute hint of mercy that he had for his siblings are also gone. So he's fully free in a sense. He lost all the parts of him that makes him a good person but now what he has left in him has made him a beast. He is emotionally nuked, fatally cut and shaken when the show ends. But I think that Kenny is gonna be back. He always bounces back. That is his only consistent character trait. In a way he always keeps coming back to land a few more punches even if it is apparent that he'll lose the fight. And this time, Kendall is a killer. He's even more hardened. He is ready to haul on his gear, get on the field and go to war again. Maybe he will enjoy it. Because its become a game for him. He can't die. He can only lose. And he has lost a lot. The odds are in his favour now. Furthermore, KENDALL IS FREE. From Waystar, from the kingdom of his father. With new money from the sale and his killer instincts, coupled with his new age knowledge of the new world and amazing crisis management skills, I think Kendall being banished from his father's kingdom will force him to start his own empire. By the time he is of Logan's age, Kendall might have his own new Waystar. It will be tragic, but Kendall will get what he wants. Where the show ended is not tragic, here Kendall is actually free from the fight and a new sun is shining on him, a glimmer of hope for a new life. The ending shows us mercy by not showing us what Kendall will eventually do; start his own empire, end up like logan, stack up billions but lose all blood-bonds. At the end, Kendall will die alone. Now that is tragic

[@gwynnethcoan761]

Good point but he was really only riding on coattails. Don’t think he has it in him to start something anew and successful. To me, that’s the sadness.

[@failureoncommand]

That's one intriguing way to look at it!

[@uhuhuh1966]

What’s so weird for me personally is…I don’t like this finale, I don’t find it satisfying…but I’m also totally happy with the final outcome 😂 it’s such a a strange feeling to like where it lands but not what it did to stick the landing

[@dingus2k]

i think that just speaks to the power the show had in making you both care about these three children, as well as understanding that what is best for them may not be what they want. they will live happier lives by just investing their money and focusing on their families but that hunger for power made them make decisions over the course of the show that hurt that same ability to create a happier life. getting out of this business is really what would be best for the three but you get so wrapped up in what they desire that you miss that.

[@ndsmith7119]

Another of the great ironies in these cycles is Logan's death. The final block to a succession was gone. And while for many it was a shock as to when he left the show, it was a brilliant move as it made the series hone in on the cycles. He wasn't the thing stopping the siblings getting the succession. They were. By letting him ho so early in the final series it allowed the writers to explore the actual obstacles of their children's flaws and trauma which can't just die. They just bring them to the fore with no obvious patriarchy or power figure to blame, but one that stays and becomes, if anything, more powerful. In some ways this cycle of doomed tragedy through trauma is an interesting reflection to the German Netflix series Dark and the tramatic cycles through time and parallel universes. If you haven't, then solve that immediately and check it out.

[@failureoncommand]

Amazing point. I do hope to watch Dark at one point, but goddamn is my list long at this point.

[@ndsmith7119]

@@failureoncommand So much good stuff to watch. However, Dark deserves to be around the top of the cue. The fact they dropped the third and final series when they did shows how much Netflix themselves loved and believed in the show. And where as Succession is focused on this one family, Dark sprawls through multiple families each during different time lines and sees them intersect and satisfy so brilliantly...in less screen time. Anyway, yeah, go Dark for sure.

[@jcnom6606]

You could’ve skipped from episode 1 of the series to the end and it wouldn’t have made much difference, there was ultimately no point to Kendall Roy as a character. The series is just him being beaten and humiliated and backstabbed the same ways as always. Most of the episode is just him being humiliated, even to the point where the writers revert him back to season 1 Ken so he can lose despite how much growth he had shown throughout the series (especially in season 4). Personally I feel like it was a waste of time. All that growth was for naught, he never had an actual plan or any moves or ever had some killer ruthless move planned for his siblings, no tragic Pyrrhic victory, the parallels between him and Logan were just a tease, i'm ok with Kendall losing (i'm used to it by now, see him sacrifice everything to win only to fall apart would've been very cathartic) but not ok with how it happened or why. Can't even give the man a bit of hope after everything he went through, it's like the show is saying you were a fool to think that this journey could've made a serious person out of him. A bleak nothing ever changes, you cannot change ending where kendall once again is broken.

[@dmacfilm]

Well said.

[@kendallroyclips]

agree. dogshit show

[@failureoncommand]

I understand your frustration, but I do believe that that frustration is exactly what the writers intended. Fucked up people will always be fucked up, and these incredibly traumatized children will always find ways to sabotage one another or themselves. Regardless of if it made a serious person out of him; just because he matured and learned doesn't guarantee that he's going to win, because that's what real life is like. The writers chose tragedy and thus strayed closer to reality.

[@kendallroyclips]

@@failureoncommand "Fucked up people will always be fucked up" wrong, people change, in life or in movies, doesn't matter, we all change, thats why the hero's journey is the most popular today in movies, its because its a mirror on our real lives, we watch characters evolve and we go "that could be me" and it makes us dream and sometimes even take action, that is why cinema is so popular. Kendall suffered and evolved for 4 seasons, was always the most capable but somehow in the last episode he puts his feet on Logan's desk and throws a tantrum like a kid, what was the point of his suffering ? None. Dogshit show.

[@TheDillon8825]

Incredible analysis. Great video. I get chills every time I think about how perfect this show was, truly the epitome of great writing and the ability to empathize with any well written character, no matter how evil or despicable they are.

[@failureoncommand]

Very well said, and thanks a dozen!

[@sb5224]

In the first season, we got the glimpse of what a disaster his kids would be when he was in coma due to a stroke. I am surprised when people wanted his kids to win. They would have invited foxes in their chicken coop. Kingdom survived with a new dynasty as it happens so many times in the real world.

[@emmanuelmondesir]

Tom deserved to win. He’s the only one working and he’s not a threat.

[@johnricercato740]

Not sure he deserved it, but you are right on the working: that was underlined in 4x9 several times, and Mattson obviously noted it. In Tom he had a competent, hard-working, and (according to Shiv) well-liked CEO who would fall in line. Ideal from M’s POV.

[@AA-qb7ni]

None of the siblings winning made sense. The underdog Tom winning made total sense and there were so many hints that he could actually do it. Incredible ending to an incredible series.

[@JeanBakula]

Tom didn't "win." He is a puppet and there to do whatever Mattson wants. Mattson even told Tom he wants to f**k his wife, and he sat there like the dog he is and took it. It's tragic, but was always meant to be. People don't change.

[@maddy7]

My hubby & I believe that Logan Roy won from the grave. He wanted to sell his company to GoJo and that is exactly what happened. As Tom said in Season 3 to Kendall, Logan always wins. Kendall was all alone in the end with Colin (Logan's former driver) watching over him; Roman ended up back where he began; and Shiv wanted Tom and had to suck it up and stand with Tom. We noticed Tom extended his hand as he's now changed & feels about Shiv as she did in the first 3 seasons~~their roles are reversed. As far as Greg, it's a shame he didn't get the boot but we believe Mattson and Tom will be using Greg to take the fall for anything especially bad with the new merger. Also, I'm sure Greg's salary will be clawed back dramatically as Mattson now knows Greg is a traitor. Great writing by Jess Armstrong and ending this show on a high. We thoroughly enjoyed this show.

[@DJKairos88]

Central characters create tension that produces action. Aristotle's Poetics Made Simple

[@khulekanimagubane9153]

I love the inversion of how characters view significant events on the show! *End of Season 2: Logan tells Kendall he needs to take the fall for the cruises scandal.* Kendall: "Maybe I deserve to go down. Cause of the boy..." Logan: "Nah, nah, nah, nah. Not that. You're the best. Don't beat yourself up." *End of Season 3: Kendall and Logan have dinner the night before his mom's wedding.* Kendall: "I hate to say this, 'cause I love you, but you're kind of... evil. Logan: "How long was that kid alive... before he started sucking in water? I did my best... and whenever you f___еd up... I cleaned up your s__t. And I'm a bad person? F__k off, kiddo."

[@rachelmmurray]

So much foreshadowing in this entire series across 4 seasons...

[@danielbarrero2815]

I feel so sorry for Ken 🙁

[@agitatedzone]

Kinda expected Kendall to jump from the roof of the building at the end there

[@bededd39]

Kendall would have had it, he would of had it earlier had he not gone to the wedding. Shiv and Roman knew he could do it, and that's why they couldn't let him. It's pretty tragic and unsatisfying but it keeps you thinking about it.

[@ghostqueen2082]

This show was exquisitely written;acted & produced!! A perfect depiction of a narcissistic family in a narcissistic world 👏

[@no_s3rvic34]

Tom referred to himself and Greg as Nero and Sporous. Following that comparison, I believe Tom won’t be CEO for super long and the company will just switch hands until it falls. As for Greg, he will continue to be used by more powerful people.

[@penbunk]

Meanwhile, Nana Pierce, sitting in the well iluminated and aired living room of her country house: "Hey, yo, you still gonna buy my shit, right? RIGHT?"

[@ellicel]

I know, right?! I would have liked at least a few lines to confirm if that was even possible anymore. There's absolutely no way these three will pool their resources and work together but they made a deal with Pierce. And now that financing isn't a problem, I have to think Nan is going to expect payment or sue them for non performance.

[@mondeonirique8171]

I meannn I know that none of them was actually qualified for the CEO position but I kinda wanted Kendal to get it. But the second I saw them getting along I knew it wasn’t gonna be him. Amazing video, great analysis 👍🏻👍🏻

[@failureoncommand]

I feel you. And thanks!

[@darianamsanchez]

I think Tom has the potential of keeping the CEO position for a long time...he is exactly what Matsson needs

[@rouk2621]

what i also like about the ending is that being on logans bday cost kendall the crown in the first place, tom arguably achieved his position because he didnt visit logans funeral

[@Sairo414]

When you think about it, although i rooted for the siblings and kendall in particular, there’s really no other way the show could’ve ended, logically

[@TonyTheKryptonknightLongshore]

I’m going to get a lot… A LOT of flack for this, but here is my take on the future of the characters. Short version: Caroline has passed away and we see the kids gather for her funeral. Connor pays his condolences and we find out that he’s an Ambassador. Romulus is a Playboy, but now also dabbles in investments which are doing quite well. Shiv is still married to Tom in a loveless marriage with an an only child, but has a political consulting firm. Finally, Kendall has moved from New York and now lives in Silicon Valley. He has changed drastically; silver hair with salt and pepper beard. He has backed and helped develop an app that is hot like TikTok. His presence and demeanor is much different than when last scene by anyone. He’s at peace knowing he can never be Logan Jr. He’s developed a nice business and isn’t hungry for acceptance and rule. Through therapy, he’s realized finally none of them were meant to take over. He explanation and embrace of this seems them all slightly change: Rome makes peace with Geri, Shiv files for divorce from Tom who accepts and puppets away. Kendall says goodbye to mother, and shows everyone that they got what the needed, not what they deserved. It still hurts, but he accepts his station and longs to be forgiven, which happens with apologies made by all the siblings. Closure scenes finds Rome having lunch with Geri- no dialogue. Shiv signs divorce papers with a quiet smile as Tom smiles back signing on the line- he smiling as well. It’s genuine and they look peaceful. Kendall visits Logan’s mausoleum and gives a tearful, but strong, confident talk to Logan. He smiles and walks out. Kendall says goodbye to everyone, stating he’ll be in touch more often, a sense of content in felt, but a feeling of genuine love is seen in hugs and goodbye. As he boards the plane, Rome states he’ll miss his meme of a brother- no more #SadKen. Last shot is Ken looking out of a plane window over The Hudson at sunset. The last image we see is him closing his eyes, with a smile. #SadKen is not #HappyKen. (Kind of short- sorry.)

[@grantwilson4506]

It's probably the only show where I can say that it was an uncomfortable but well-written finale. I would not call it satisfying, but no one can rightly call it poorly written

[@SirClerihew]

Tom and Greg are the ultimate bulwark: Tom takes shit from above, Greg takes shit from below.

[@nektyeofficial]

the best part about the show ending is quality recaps like these

[@failureoncommand]

Appreciate it, man!

[@din6675]

I don't think Shiv's sole motivation was vengeance. Giving CEO to her husband was the closest she could get to staying in power and keeping the company in her family. Why give it to Kendell when she can give it to her husband and kid.

[@JONAS75134447]

Tom does not own the company, Lukas just put him as a CEO because he needed someone, but now as the owner he definitely can change the person in charge (CEO) anytime… I think Shiv just wanted to give Tom a feeling of power or something, what in my mind is a stupid decision, but Logan already told us that all of his kids were stupid, and apparently he was right after all

[@din6675]

@@JONAS75134447 Tom ended up with literally the exact same position Shiv was after in the first place. She gave Tom exactly what she wanted for herself, but couldn't get.

[@hitthefries]

@@JONAS75134447 you’re right. When Shiv chooses anyone but herself, it’s Tom. And that usually happens when Tom reminds her that she’s not a great person to be with. In the finale he was not so willing to work on their marriage, which made me think Shiv will be the one to crown Tom. I don’t think it’s a stupid decision though. She has a baby and doesn’t really want to divorce. She’s going to lose either way so might as well give it to Tom and get her payout

[@JONAS75134447]

@@hitthefries Yeh, that’s probably right… that ending was a perfect tragic ending for the series, a “happy ending” would not fit with the tone of the whole thing

[@infiniteyep]

" she can give it to her husband and kid." No--there's no real power at CEO at all. Any attempt to exert power from either of them is likely to end in losing the position. The idea of Shiv wanting to pass power onto her kid is also in itself dubious.

[@Iinternationalcollegeofseville]

What brilliant commentary. Loved it!!!!

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much!

[@georgehernandez2156]

Season 1 ken fails Season 2 ken fails Season 3 ken fails Season 4 ken fails

[@진주-x2g]

Great Video! 👍👍I will miss watching them, especially Kendall. Forever number one boy ❤

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much!

[@evanmiller7795]

I always found myself rooting for Kendall despite some of his behavior. Out for the three siblings, we was no question the most capable. Shiv is too emotional in her decision making and Roman was just too weak.

[@moonchiId.]

c'mon... i never stopped rooting for kendall but we all know none of them is prepared for this of course i wanted a happier "ending" for him but like he realizing that bring free of this is better for him because this was destrying him and giving power to him was just making him more and more like his father

[@BoogieDownProduction]

​@@moonchiId. I agree none were ready (Logan didnt prepare any of them). I think the opposite regarding Kendall's ending. I think Kendall is forever broken. He gave everything and it would have been worth it to be CEO. Instead he has no relationship with his wife, kids, or siblings. He even mentioned that he "needed" this. Relapse very likely for Kendall if not worse.

[@failureoncommand]

I just liked that he was the only one who displayed some sort of moral center from the start, even if that sense of morality slowly broke down over the seasons.

[@lydiaornot]

Really liked your analysis and I agree with all of your points. You have such a good narrator voice btw. :)

[@gwynnethcoan761]

Yes, that can really make the decision to keep listening or switch off!

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much; that really means a lot. Glad we agree about the show, as well!

[@failureoncommand]

@Gwynneth Coan That's reassuring to hear. Thank you!

[@bobbyaxecsp9600]

Kendall should have played wisely instead of solely believing the siblings will compromise.I feel disappointed of the ending

[@cWjkL8ysxOkrH66]

when has Kendall been wise tho?

[@ThecrazyJH96]

Kendall has big highs, but huge lows, the siblings always saw through his shit, he’s not mentally stable enough to be the head of the company

[@johnricercato740]

As someone wrote ‘character is destiny’. He couldn’t escape either.

[@efesykn1]

The siblings were their real antagonists for themselves... Logan was right, They are not "serious" people. By the way, this is the best video for the final review on youtube.

[@moonchiId.]

logan was right... yeah the man that made them the way they are

[@nont18411]

“The abuser was right. The abused are not serious people.” God, please stop glorifying that monster.

[@efesykn1]

They’ve become what he made. But it doesn’t change the reality. He made them puppets and the siblings couldnt change that unfortunately. On the other hand, the grinding one Tom has earned it .

[@DavidSantos-tt3vi]

@@nont18411 it is a series. if I wanna glorifiy Hitl** is my problem

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words.

[@grantwilson4506]

My favorite detail in the finale was that the board vote went the opposite way that it did in the first season. All the members who stayed the same from 1 -> 4 who didn't vote for Kendall in s1 did in s4. Ultimately, Ken still lost, but in s1 he was the one advocating for change, and in s4 he was advocating for continuity. The characters all grew, but not necessarily in good ways. I liked the detail that Kendall won over people who didn't side with him in s1. Roman matured in the sense that he gave up his chance for the top job, a decision he clearly did not want to make, but he held to it. The learned some deal of integrity in the end. He was the only one of the three to push aside his selfish feelings to do what he felt like was best. Ultimately, Succession is an incredibly cynical show. There was no such thing as a good person in the story. The ending showed that big life changes can come down to marginal results and that it doesn't always matter what makes sense, what's "right" or anything, everything is uncertain and the people who cannot understand their own nature fuck themselves over.

[@failureoncommand]

Very well said!

[@CharlesRBiggs]

"We are nothing." / "You are not serious people."

[@johnricercato740]

Yup. That was the real epitaph for the siblings. The serious people were the older guys and gals, and in a sense Tom whom - from what we learn from Shiv and others - was actually pretty competent. (The fact that he was also sycophantic and devious is immaterial.)

[@jeviosoorishas181]

In retrospect, that last episode where they're altogether for Connor's birthday, is really the source of all the tragedy at the end. The three of them could have ran Pearce, without their father's shadow if they had just let the Gojo deal go through and stopped trying to fight over their father's throne. But as he saw, they weren't serious and they weren't really interested in winning, they just wanted to hurt him, except for Roman, but applicable nevertheless, especially when in the next episode he stupidly follows his dad's orders to fire Gerri (something that made no sense, given their history and was obviously a setup that he could've easily said no too.)

[@miam1074]

Excellent summary. Thank you.

[@failureoncommand]

No, thank YOU!

[@OfficerRFriendly]

Their relationship isn't rekindled. It's empty and emotionally dead. It's a husk. She isn't "in play", she's her mother.

[@failureoncommand]

7:38 I think I made it clear that I mean rekindled in the sense of "just restarted", and not fixed, but it was perhaps the wrong word to use in the context nevertheless. According to Jesse Armstrong in the Inside the Episode (link in the description), she is still in play, but you're entitled to believe otherwise as a viewer.

[@fortynights1513]

Glad to see this channel getting more views of late

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much. Glad you're around to see it!

[@trixiebell25]

At least now Tom has a little more power in his relationship with Shiv and is willing to stand up to her and call her out on her behavior. If nothing else, I'm happy for him in that respect.

[@dingus2k]

tom is a damn sociopath as well my guy. he just plays the game differently than they do.

[@trixiebell25]

@@dingus2k Where did I say he was better than any of them? I said at least now he has more power in his relationship with Shiv, which is the truth. It was damn pathetic the way she dragged him around in their relationship. At least now he calls her out on her bullshit. Also, not a guy.

[@dingus2k]

@@trixiebell25 sorry i say “my guy” a lot. should probably not throw it around like that. also yeah i can see what you’re saying, my b. i’ve seen a bunch of “tom defenders” who think he’s like an angel or something and i misapplied that to you. you’re absolutely right tho as the new power balance weighs them out way more equally.

[@trixiebell25]

@@dingus2k Tom is every bit as horrible as the others. They are all out for themselves. The difference used to be that the siblings held more power over him because they were Logan's kids and he was the outsider, but now he's on a more level playing field, even if he is Matsson's pain sponge LOL

[@Matt-bs8pf]

That Greg and Tom relationship was always jokes

[@alphaperez]

The idea Ken, Roman or Shiv could be CEO of a major media conglomerate is exactly the same as the idea that Conor could be President of the US. Preposterous

[@jordanstephens4178]

Nah Kendall could have done it

[@jensenroyco]

I feel so sorry for Kendall 💔 tbh the position belongs to him but it seems like he was and has always been destined to fail 😭😭 Never regret rooting for him tho

[@melissas7980]

I just found your channel with this essay....you've blown me away. New subscriber, here. Not sure what else you do on your channel, but I'm looking forward to it. Thank you.

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you so much for the incredibly kind words. Glad you enjoyed, and great to have you along for the ride!

[@newyorkersliverentfree]

Kendall did not kill anyone. It was an accident.

[@JeanBakula]

Exactly. I can't believe how many people are still saying this. Did they watch the show? Ken dove three times to save the waiter, but it was dark and he couldn't see. The waiter grabbed the wheel of the car, which made it go off the road. Maybe you and I are the only ones who watched? Kendall has guilt, but never killed anyone.

[@infiniteyep]

Right. Which is Kendall's great irony. When at the end of Season 2 Logan tells him: "You're not a killer" that was actually a condemnation. He's not a killer--which is why in this game he is a loser. When confronted by his siblings his unwillingness to become the killer of that young man he tried to save but in his mind let die--his denial of it was the final test that caused him to lose Shiv's vote. He's not their dad--their dad would have said: "Yeah I f**king killed him. Careful or I'll kill you!"

[@EmanDeMoan]

Yes! It was an accident, and it could've happened even if they weren't intoxicated.

[@SangsungMeansToCome]

Greg has a good job though, and he rubs shoulders with presidents. Not so much at the start. Tom might be a figurehead, but what he wanted was being rich himself, which he has achieved. He also has a new chance with Shiv, and a baby on the way, both things that he dearly wanted. He's not "servile" in a capitalist sense, he's an employee. He can never be truly powerful, because he doesn't own the company, and it's just not realistic that he would have power over the new owner. If he doesn't play ball with Lucas, he would be replaced himself. Shiv might have thought that it's better to rule in hell than to serve in heaven, and acted accordingly. Roman was, in a way, insanely successful. In one of his tantrums, he succeeded in driving the price for Waystar up to astronomical heights. Roman made them all a lot richer, and in doing so gave them more options in their entrepreneurial lives in the future, just not at Waystar itself. Ken included. But at the same time he failed, making the deal so good that he gave the other shareholders huge incentive to sell. And the main point is: Logan could not have had his successes without the other shareholders and their money. Why else would they even be there. The real decision over the succession was always in their hands. Logan was only powerful by their assent. Logan gave the siblings a fighting chance by giving them a large part of the shares, but they would have needed to sort out the succession among themselves, and convince only a few of the other shareholders. The latter they could, the former they couldn't, which itself is, to a degree, Logan's failure. By structuring Waystar and treating his family the way he did, Logan ensured that family control would not outlast him. There could never have been a succession.

[@nebulanigrimleonis3883]

Shiv is jealous. But this is not why she turned on Ken. She has ALWAYS from the very first episode been against Ken running the company. And she felt that way, long before Logan offered her the top spot. She created a place for herself on the board and she used her vote to destroy Ken. The same Ken that she said should not be CEO in episode 1 season 1. You need to do a rewatch. You have Shiv all wrong.

[@phillylady]

I just did a rewatch of S1E1, and you’re absolutely correct about the dynamics between Shiv and Kendall. I believe she would have voted against Kendall whether or not the CEO was Tom or someone else. She just never felt Kendall would be any good. The irony is though, their father never felt any of them were any good.

[@veronicao4643]

Interesting, I’ll do a rewatch.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

Shiv's a powerhungry moron just like the rest of them. Kendall is too self absorbed to seal the deal, sitting in his dad's chair making moronic calls (exchange with Stewie). If he were smart he would have solidified Roman and Shiv's positions, talking to them more about their vision for the company. If he had done that, Shiv would have 100% voted for him. None of them give a shit about the company for the most part, thats second to gaining power (two are linked but not exactly the same thing)

[@hitthefries]

Not the mention in season 1, she wanted Tom to be the ceo, that was the plan because she was not in the running. Now in the finale when she realised it won’t ever be her, she chose Tom!

[@ash-tv3bu]

she has a lot of complex (and typically conflicting) motivations, i dont think your and the videos interpretations exclude each other. personally, i read it as a mix of both, combined with being unable to stomach seeing kendall turn into their tyrannical dad and use roman as a punching bag.

[@darmed1ads]

Yeah, Kendall effectively becoming a killer/monster by setting aside his soul and relationships and still not getting nothing is heartbreaking but beautiful in a way, what ruins it for me is his tantrum/breakdown after Shiv's decision, I still can't see how is realistic that after all this time he just wouldn't be articulate/emotionally strong enough to at least hold his ground, even if he didn't convinced her of changing her mind. He went straight into childish, desperate mode and it felt out of character , not even S1 Kendall would've gone so low.

[@Gilescowdemdem]

I also don't think Kendall's addiction gets enough focus in terms of his obsession with becoming the CEO and taking power. We see that his only addiction free cycles are when he's obsessing over work and ignoring everything else around him. That's driven him from day 1 and now that it's taken away he's an addict without a drug. No family, no siblings, no kids, no friends, he's alone and having his own moment of clarity.

[@ElsadelValleGaster]

Great review! Thanks!

[@failureoncommand]

Thank YOU!

[@dingus2k]

Kendall never should have won it and it’s honestly just the genius of the writers that we even feel sympathetic towards him at all. He’s a narcissist who drove his own family (wife and kids) away for the pursuit of power and to escape his fathers shadow. he still comes out of this with money and power but it’s never enough for him. the honest to god best thing for these three kids is to get out of this business and in a way, they all three did. shiv is the closest to staying in, hence the neutral stance for her, but kendall doesn’t deserve the company just because he threatened to kill himself over it or he shouts the loudest of the three of them. the company shouldn’t exist in the first place, the show goes to great lengths to depict its impact as negative on the world and that only truly vile people are fit to run it. it’s kind of sympathetic to the children that the show doesn’t see them fit, since only snakes like Tom or literal psychos like Mattson are the ones morally corrupt enough to do it.

[@ajudicator]

Best explanation of the ending !

[@failureoncommand]

Damn, thank you so much!

[@rafaeltorres4887]

Great job!

[@PrajwalBodade]

Kendall did everything he can but life is unfair. Kendall and roman characters need spinoff with obviously Gregg in it.

[@huseyin2093]

Maybe the Water symbolism of kendall through the series is actually the "doom loop". He is sometimes drowning or floating and now he is out of the water, out of the loop.

[@failureoncommand]

Beautiful!

[@cd5139]

Very well done video essay

[@failureoncommand]

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

[@MajPickles]

Thanks ❤

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you!

[@officialthomasjames]

Furthest thing from satisfying.

[@failureoncommand]

Do elaborate

[@plo617]

Agreed. The way that ending played out was pretty awful to me. I don't mind the siblings not succeeding, and Tom becoming CEO, but the way it played out was pretty bad.

[@MrRrusiii]

@@failureoncommand First and second acts were beautifully made and carried a ton of momentum in the third act. In the third act, they throw all of that out the window. The reasons why the plot develops in the way it does in the third act are... extremely contrived. Why is Ken hugging Roman so hard that his stitches come loose? Why is Shiv having a nervous breakdown at the final moment? Why is she suddenly concerned with him being involved with that waiter? Why would any of them give it to Mattsen? Why would Shiv - who had just been seen furious with Tom and apparently determined to undermine him - fold to him completely? It was utterly fucking bizarre. "You're a grilled cheese with a sucked dick" utterly beyond parody, and a far, far cry from the dialogue of other seasons.

[@abhijitpadhi625]

Was pretty satisfying to me. Everything that happened made perfect sense and happened in the way it should.

[@Adx___]

That’s the beauty/tragedy of it

[@ThecrazyJH96]

It’s like majority of us saw the ending and were like “I mean..not satisfactory but I guess I can see how the story led to that ending”.

[@patricksantos5599]

Great analysis! May I ask what was the background music you used in the end?

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you! Of course, it's a track from Epidemic Music. Mouvement II, Noir et Blanc by Franz Gordon

[@ROHITBIRJERANE]

Great video!

[@failureoncommand]

Thank you!

[@ericcelestino2170]

Another thing Shiv is still pregnant by the end of the series and Tom still wants a kid so does her considering the relationship she has with her mother they might just stay to together for the sake of the kid and be a better parent than what she grew up with, perhaps play a role in the family where she is more appreciated.

[@daweithisisdavidinmandarin6121]

Was it really satisfying? There was drama, more drama and a final and unnecessary melodrama. In a certain way I left kind of wanting more like if the food at the restaurant to bland and needed a piece of meat as soon as I got home. In a certain way, Succession always played with my need for something to come to fruition only for nothing to really happen. The problem for me is that the emotional climax did not resonate with me because I was already tired, very similar to Logan's death, where I did not feel anything because I did not believe that Logan was death. I know Amstrong is so good at his craft because I am totally excited about season 5 of this show, even though I know is not going to happen. In a certain way, Amstrong always kept me wanting for more.

[@vikingodin1986]

A superb ending 👏 👌

[@ellissmith8160]

Great ENDING..😢BUT SAD ..KENDALL 😥 ROMAN HURT. SHIV 😢SUPRISES TOM WIN 🏆 I AM GOING TO MISS IT ALL 😂😂 ...GRED 😮 I REALLY WANTED KENDALL TO WIN BECAUSE HE REALLY WANTED IT 🎉🎉

[@mrprimeconsigliere]

Great Analysis mate. Keep it up. I wish there was more growth in each character tho. At least some self-awareness of their own flaws that are keeping them in the doom loop.

[@AhmedEtman79]

This is extremely rare for narcissists, which they all are. However Roman still showed a moderate degree of self awareness finally. Probably because he was the one whose character damage was so obvious and out there for most to see, which means it's the easiest to be addressed and somewhat treated. For example I imagine that if there's anyone among the siblings who is likely to go see a therapist and try to get better, it would be Roman.

[@JeanBakula]

Kendall went to a therapist the night Logan died.

[@failureoncommand]

Thanks a ton! I'm sure I heard somewhere that often times, one of the people in the writer's room would try to strive for moments of sweetness or character growth during the writing process, but Jesse would always butt in and remind her that these people are not meant to be nice. The show is nothing if not consistent, and it wasn't going to shift around the result of decades of abuse within the span of a couple of years.

[@mrprimeconsigliere]

@@failureoncommand Yea I can see that. Ultimately this was not a story of how an empire is passed on to the next generation but was of how Trauma is passed on. Logan was abused, he passed that on to his kids. All three kids are broken because of it. Kendal and Shiv will now pass it on to their kids as we've seen. Maybe Rava and Tom will break the cycle to the next generation? We don't know.

[@jordangrids8109]

They better do a prequel series

[@800Ms-k6n]

I don't care what anyone else said about this finale, all i can say is that : *Connor Roy was interested in politics from a very young agw*

[@romanchaikovskyi2537]

I don’t know for sure, but i think Shiv knew that Ken would ruin them all, and they would lose company/money/value

[@diamonddog13]

Obviously the show had to have finality. But in a real situation, the board vote on the Gojo deal did not also have to be a referendum on Kendall. They could have voted not to sell the company while keeping the CEO question open for another day.

[@failureoncommand]

That makes sense.

[@prihollis]

Love!

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

I have always agreed with Logan when he said that his kids were not serious people. He was absolutely correct. None of them were fit to run it so it seems absolutely appropriate that none of them win in the end.

[@failureoncommand]

I agree, for the most part, though I do think that at the end, Kendall had achieved the mental growth (or moral deterioration) necessary to take over. He'd tossed aside all weakness and navigated plenty of political and social treachery, and I think that growth culminated at the funeral. It felt like that was what the show was trying to tell us too, but alas.

[@Mskimmy1417]

@@failureoncommand I was rooting for Kendall until the line "I'm the eldest boy" it reminded me of kids arguing over who gets the biggest piece of chicken from KFC. At that moment I was like damn, he is not serious

[@failureoncommand]

@ProactiveKimmy In that moment, he was pure desperation. I think that made him revert back to his childhood self, citing the core truth of why he believes deserves this.

[@sophieamandaleitontoomey9343]

@@failureoncommand I mean I don't think he did. In that final scene with Shiv, he proved why he can't do it. Instead of showcasing leadership, negotiation and otherwise with her, he resorts back into a temper tantrum, lies about the kid he killed and lashes out violently.

[@turb00o]

Tom wasn't wrong witht that scorpion, Shiv will shank you everytime.