SUCCESSION Season 4 ENDING EXPLAINED - The Hints Were There In Season 1!

Succession Season 4 ending explained! Succession ended with a much blow out between the kids...and this explosive ended has been foreshadowed since the show's very first scene. We explain all of the hidden symbolism buried in the subtext and answer the question: Why did Shiv do that?
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Written and Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
Edited by Colton Ogburn and Brianna McLarty
#Succession #EndingsExplained #Finale
This episode opened just like the first episode of the series, with Kendall walking into Wayster, certain that he is going to imminently take his father’s place as CEO-only to learn that his life’s ambition is about to be thwarted. Episode 5 this season gave us a similar nod. That episode-just like the pilot-began with kendall on his way to work and listening to hip-hop. Now in season 1, it was the Beastie boys, a kind of salute to the city as it recovered from 9-11.
But in season 4, Kendall was listening to the song takeover by Jay-Z. And it seems appropriate, he is ready to take over. Now this is one of the most famous diss tracks ever in hip hop, when Jay-Z was attracting Nas. And Nas responded with a brutal takedown track called Ether. Ether was so sharp and pointed that it’s become a verb in hip-hop, to “ether” someone. So apply that to succession, when kendall begins by listening to takeover, thinking he’s on top, but by the end of the series his dreams have disappeared into the ether.
You may have also noticed that there is a hidden meaning in the title of this episode, With Open eyes.This is taken from a poem by John Berryman, called Dream 29. And actually every season finale of the show is named for a line from this poem. The work is about a man named Henry who vividly dreams that he has murdered a woman-he wakes up to find out that he hasn;t-but he is haunted by the idea that he has that kind of evil within him.
Now in season 1 that meaning was obvious, with Kendall being complicit in the death of the waiter. But the series is filled with people who tell themselves that they are good, that they are doing things for the right reasons-while actually, they’re all kind of evil idiots-Kendall especially. This episode shows him becoming his father in the worst way possible-but we’ll talk about that a bit later on. The point is, each of the Roy siblings has the potential to cause careless destruction.
Kendall killed a man, Roman burned down democracy, and shiv-well, we’ll get to shiv.
So in the poem, Henry is haunted by the evil lurking inside of him. And the titular line goes “Ghastly, with open eyes, he attends, blind. All the bells say: too late.” In the context of the poem, this is about Henry kind of watching himself be evil and not being able to help himself.
Before the period even aired, a lot of people online were speculating about the title. What’s the meaning of eyes? There are a couple of violent eye references in this episode [clip].
So the references to eyes, and blinding, is obviously indicating how kendall is blind to the truth-that he can never be his father. But the more overt reference is to everyone’s favorite ocular destructionist-oedipus. Oedipus was a Greek tragedy where a man inadvertently kills his father and begins having sex with his mother-and when this shame is revealed to him, he blinds himself. Freud famously talked about the oedipus complex, where every boy wants to grow up to replace his father and poses his mother.
And speaking of oedipus complexes, let’s talk about roman.
Roman does his best to hit for the Oedipus cycle in this series. He has a thing for older women-well, Gerri, more specifically. And he spends this season trying to become his dad. He wears his dad’s sweater. And when he does his cringey speech rehearsal, he even says [does he remind you of Logan Roy].
Roman and Gerri don;t get much time this episode, but these two were Succession real tragic love stories. She’s the only person who seems to unlock something vulnerable in him. Even in this episode when she shows up at Logan's, Roman sits on the floor, like a child, to watch the video of his dad. Just like in Connor's wedding, Roman naturally reverts to a childlike state when he’s feeling vulnerable-it’s his instinct to make himself smaller, in a world where everyone expects you to be big.

[@ScreenCrush]

What did you think of the ending?

[@hfztt]

Loved it!

[@LovelyLJ]

This was amazing now go back and do every season because this video was so good

[@GabrielEvans]

I was initially not as excited about it, but as I've been thinking about throughout the week, I'm really satisfied with how they closed out the series.

[@Binkoboy3]

a top 5 show of all time for me.

[@SoulPatroller]

They stuck the landing. It was perfection!

[@crunchipscrust]

I absolutely hate it when people say that Shiv still has the heir to the throne now because she's pregnant with Tom's child. It is not a Roy company anymore. Matsson can name a new CEO tomorrow if he wanted to.

[@ofatihakdogan]

Tom just a puppet of him. He gave him this role to be good woth president. He can fire him tomorrow.

[@nicolasfurger1032]

I wouldn’t call Tom ‘power hungry’ necessarily

[@lisaschuster686]

😊 But how does she know it’s Toms?

[@shubhamdubey2635]

I believe people like Tom are vicious... They will betray anyone for power... Tom will always choose the winning side...

[@SuperStella1111]

Correct. But she has the billions. And it is just about a moment of gratification/denial.

[@obsidian7644]

To me the main theme was, even when Kendall was the only option for ceo the siblings would rather lose than let Kendall be ceo.

[@mr.pavone9719]

The show made it pretty obvious from the beginning of season 1 that Kendall was in no way a good choice to be CEO. Roman was only the tiniest bit qualified and he didn't even want it.

[@obsidian7644]

See I don't think shiv or Roman ever had a chance, Kendall objectively was the only one with the skills to do it. Not saying he would have been Logan bc none of them were on that level. But the siblings couldn't let Kendall win so they all lost. Shiv back to being controlled by a more powerful man, Roman back to being a playboy, Kendall even tried to get waystar into tech way before Mattson. So you could surmise that waystar would have had alpt of success if the listened to Kendall and leaned into making waystar dabble in tech.

[@jcantonelli1]

Roman back to being a fuckboi - he was never a playboy.

[@mrjdgibbs]

And then Ken immediately makes it look like keeping him from it is the only rational move by acting like a lunatic child

[@HeatherHolt]

Just shiv tho. Roman was going to go along with it. Once shiv said she wouldn’t it didn’t matter what Roman thought at that point anyways. And fck her for telling him she’d support him and then last min deciding she’d rather be the wife of the ceo than the sister. Idk why she wanted it anyways. Roman either. They just wanted it so Kendall couldn’t have it let’s be honest. Their dad was just awful and really screwed them up man. And then hated them for what they became lol Logan is the real pos.

[@WarTheory]

You miss the most important thing… The deal went through which is what Logan wanted before he died… so even in death he Got his way

[@smrgoose364]

The original deal did not include ATN. That was the Roy trademark. Logan would not have gone with this deal

[@WarTheory]

@@smrgoose364 He wanted out

[@mantouism]

@@WarTheory He wanted out from Waystar conglomerate doing all the other bullshit like theme parks and cruises, but he needs ATN to keep influencing politicians.

[@smrgoose364]

@@mantouism that was where the power was

[@mantouism]

​@@smrgoose364 exactly, Logan wanted to do all the news but the cruise scandal fucked his deal with Pierce in season two. Logan was at a point where money is irrelevant, he wants more power so the roys could become old money. It's funny how Kendall kept fucking with what Logan wanted even after his death by fucking the deal up in Sweden.

[@anthonyarroyo3790]

Tom is not inheriting the company, the Roy’s no longer have control of the company. In fact, I don’t envision Tom being in that position for long as Mattson described him as being his “pain sponge”. I could see Tom being the fall guy for all of Mattson’s bad decisions for the company.

[@egdapo]

exactly. terrible move by Shiv. Cut her own nose off to spite her face... ugghhh smfh

[@hmmm2564]

You hope but no. You guys really don't understand this system

[@soloar2007]

A lot of people who watch this show are just dumb people watching because it’s popular.

[@DagnirRen]

@@hmmm2564and you do? Yet you don’t elaborate lol

[@TheBlackestKnight21]

@@hmmm2564you’re the one that doesn’t know how it works. Shiv and Tom don’t get to decide the CEO successor they don’t own the company, Logan was CEO and founded it, they don’t have board control no more.

[@kevinharris3993]

Shiv is the real loser, in my opinion. Roman can finally be his own man. Kendall has the fortune to build his own dynasty and create his own successor. Shiv is in a loveless marriage with a child she does not want and is still looking for approval of men to validate her as opposed to becoming what she already is. She stands to repeat the horrible parenting cycle her parents created and a voice silenced because what she wants, she already possesses, but to blind to see it.

[@LokeshKumar-do7jg]

Damn, I was really disappointed how they ended and thought that shiv "won" but I never saw it from this POV. Thanks man.

[@dthomscappello]

​@@LokeshKumar-do7jgnone of them win, that's the whole point. Kendall isn't gonna build squat. He's stuck in the past and haunted by a dead guy in the water, as the last shot clearly shows. But very funny to me you guys are that insecure about the very notion of a woman winning a fight for control of a fictional company

[@LokeshKumar-do7jg]

@donaltc oh sure, let's make it about gender not about the fact that shiv was not qualified for the job also she went back on what she agreed with her brothers. Gerri as the new ceo would make more sense. For me, winning meant to still be a part of the company in a leadership role, which eventually went to Tom and her. But the first comment made me rethink that.

[@julianfloyd3368]

@@dthomscappelloquite possibly the lamest comment ever

[@shubhamdubey2635]

I agree

[@tobeymalone3436]

Something I just noticed watching this video: in the office fight scene, Kendall not only attacks Roman by choking him to stop him talking, but also shoves his fingers in his eyes, trying to literally and figuratively blind his brother, and himself, to the truth

[@stacyhouser150]

What was up with that??? And the violence between the 2?!! Didn’t understand it, still don’t.

[@stacyhouser150]

And WHY was Kendall purposely gouging his fingers into his brothers wounds/stitches? Ouch

[@CeeLow53]

​@@stacyhouser150it's called metaphors sweety

[@andrewdorie4010]

He opened Roman’s stitches because Roman was worried his face wasn’t banged up enough to be an excuse for him not becoming CEO. He for some reason thought people would think he wasn’t hurt badly so they’d wonder why he didn’t get the promotion. So Kendall did him a favor and reopened them.

[@AlexaRGreen]

There was a surprising amount of violence in the season with this scene and Tom & Greg slapping each other, although that was a bit more comical. Is it weird to say I’m proud of Greg for finally standing up for himself?? He changed a lot from season 3 to 4, well the entire series of course - from doggie bags to saying “I don’t do coffee anymore.” It’s a long way back from the pond!

[@MichaelBoogerd]

The series was a great set of character assassinations, but the thing that stuck with me was how brutally real their version of corporate reacted/played out around their squabbling. The Yes Man "winning" because he is the yes man; the guy who desperately wants it, never getting it becos he wants it too much; the one no-one takes seriously so can never realistically have a shot, and "the woman" who is never going to get a shot anyway. Tom's relationship with Greg, and how he leveraged power against his subordinates was another great reflection of his corporate strategy, he was pandering to all above, but ruling over his kingdom by fear/manipulation. Anyone who has worked in corporate has encountered ALL of these stereotypes.

[@dthomscappello]

100%. The show is really a portrayal of the corporate machine and how it's never really going to change, no matter what new pieces come in

[@gaarakamaru]

Definitely. I only worked briefly in the corporate world and couldn't stand it because of all this. Totally clueless and unpleasant people are in the top jobs because they shout the loudest and know the right people, even though they have no real sense of direction, and no knowledge of how the actual work is done by the people below them.

[@maxmustermann-zx9yq]

ironic that Roman ended up playing the role of the straight man most of the time

[@mosesyens6610]

Conner Roy: I AM THE ELDEST SON OF OUR FATHER.

[@ugoeze7360]

Kendall: But not of our mother.

[@deangulberry1876]

Conner was hilariously brutally ignored throughout the series even in that last climactic moment of the show. 😂

[@Harry_S._Plinkett]

Connor Roy was interested in being the eldest boy from a very young age.

[@gregutz4284]

He says eldest "boy" too lol

[@idalmizlopez2296]

Just wanted to say Thank You Ryan for covering this kind of shows! I know that now with the strike, Marvel, DC, etc. kind of content is getting limited. But know that I am one of the people who will tune in to any other shows like this :)

[@Seanopp7]

Let’s get something straight: their kid is not the successor because Tom is the CEO. The next CEO will be chosen by Matsson and the board, and those are not controlled by the Roy family. Besides, who’s to say Tom lasts that long? He could be fired in 6 months.

[@sanskarvsahu1375]

Yeah nobody wins that's the point but a former ceo makes great resume

[@Seanopp7]

@@sanskarvsahu1375 Exactly. It makes a great resume for Tom and Tom alone. Not for his progeny. This isn’t a monarchy

[@AnnClaire]

i think the important thing was more that it was an heir of the family name not the company.

[@romrich]

I think he meant it in terms of if Logan didn’t pass. Shiv was the only one that could’ve kept it in the bloodline if events played out differently

[@lacountess]

I also thought Shiv’s final decision was driven by a light bulb that she would be much better off giving the company to two men she could potentially control with sex instead of two brothers who had proven to be ok with leaving her in the dust.

[@noiseforthealgorithm4668]

nah she was just jealous. Look at her face when Kendall puts his feet on the desk's father. That's when she knew she just couldnt accept it. what a terrible person

[@lacountess]

@@noiseforthealgorithm4668 yes, that was the moment her light bulb went off. From that moment until her vote, she was probably thinking about how much of an idiotic decision it was to give Kendall the company. Whether or not she considered the advantages of giving the company to the Swede and her husband is unclear, but the truth of it still stands.

[@Nah-wg6dw]

I’m gonna take a wild guess and assume that you all also thought Skyler White was the villain of Breaking Bad 🙄

[@Nah-wg6dw]

@@bennuwa If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, and boils down an entire character’s motivations to “just being a bitch” or “siding with the people she can have sex with” then they’re probably a duck. ✌🏼

[@Nah-wg6dw]

@@bennuwa I did? Uhhhh anyone with eyes can easily see you just made that up but okay 😂

[@micheleazzu]

I've literally watched and read dozens of articles/videos about Succession and this one said things I never noticed, like Logan's thing with water... awesome guys

[@5h4rp13]

This video really cemented for me why you're better at what you do than the other folks doing it. I've been watching recaps and reviews of this whole last season and not a single one comes anywhere close to the level of depth and analysis that you do, thanks Ryan!!

[@chineseamericanrestaurants5247]

I agree and did the same as you but Ryan’s analysis is SO much better than the rest . He brings both a new religious abs literary angle that the others don’t have.

[@paulscanlon7287]

depth and analysis? there is nothing in the video that you wouldnt have alreay thought about yourself if you had been paying a reasonable amount of attention to the series. There is very little to this show beyond what you actually see. the Wire it is not. And the Shiv nickname thing is the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard. Every Siobhan's nickname is Shiv.

[@5h4rp13]

@Paul Scanlon I mean, you're not wrong, but go watch any other succession recap and they miss half of what Ryan brought up

[@GenghisWanghis]

​@@paulscanlon7287 great point, except for how much happened off screen the last 2 seasons 😂

[@paulscanlon7287]

@@GenghisWanghis yeah but its not rocket science working it out, is it?

[@adrianmontero876]

It’s great to see ScreenCrush making videos of this kind of shows.. Loved it!!

[@shanelledavis8466]

As always, I enjoyed your analysis. I don't think Connor necessarily won, but he was the most at peace with the fact that Logan loved the business & the daily grind of it more than his own children. He accepted that it would always come first. Remember when they finally told him that Logan was dead (mind you Logan's work family knew before he did) it was Connor who had the most honest reactions, that his dad never liked him & that he never got a chance to make him proud. I also think Connor's presidential run was his way of garnering attention & love from his father. I realized something by following a 1st time viewer's reaction to the series. In the second episode of the 1st season, Kendall is talking to his siblings about the fate of the company while Logan is hospitalized he says to Roman, 'I love you, man, but you are not a serious person.' They MUST have purposely brought that dialogue into the final season as a full circle moment, right, or is it just me? We really knew the outcome from the beginning.

[@kimimott]

The luckiest person is willa, i think 😅

[@TwentySeventhLetter]

I thought I heard that line before when Logan says it near the end!

[@DKamui06]

I read someone (can’t remember who but on Twitter) refer that it’s a reference to King Lear as well. Edgar becomes king at the end and Edgar would disguise himself as Poor Tom. Hence how Tom got his first name.

[@smrgoose364]

I like the name referenced in the show: Romulus, Wams.,Shiv, etc…And the series digests who will live up to their name

[@waitronunit41]

@@smrgoose364 Yeah, Roy/Rex/King!

[@mrinalrohilla2654]

10:30 Nope. It was not when he sat in the chair. It was when he put his feet on the table. Shiv's eyes changed a bit. And it was solidified when borad meeting began. Cocky Kendall killed himself.

[@fulcrum005]

as always

[@watcherzero5256]

I dont think it ultimately was her brother, my interpretation was she put her husband first for once and didnt want to be the person that stole it from Tom.

[@smrgoose364]

I agree and I don’t understand Ken’s actions. At 1st he looks to his siblings for “permission” to sit in his dads chair… then he puts his feet up and gets way too comfortable

[@smrgoose364]

@@watcherzero5256 I am horribly disappointed if this is indeed the case. I don’t think the writers exposed WHY Shiv chose what she did.

[@mrinalrohilla2654]

@@smrgoose364 "You don't like to lose, do you Shiv" - Tom in finale. Shiv saw Kendall becoming Logan plus she was selfish and couldn't let anyone win. Mark Mylod and Jesse Armstrong even said this.

[@nelson_yong]

This was easily the best breakdown of the last episode of Succession on KZbin so far. Thanks for doing this on this channel!

[@lunarsolstice83]

Logan fed on his children’s aspiration to be like him, to be seen and validated. He broke their wings, and shaped them into these wanting things, much like he was, but he was more forceful because he had the story of being “self made”, where as they were made by him. To never amount to anything other than his playthings. All the Roy children now have the opportunity to shape themselves as something outside the freezing shadow of Logan. It’s up to us to decide if we think they ever will.

[@calebcarter4560]

My perception of the Ken/Rome hug. I think Roman was easily the most affected by Logan and the most impacted by his death. I think Roman was feeling a mixture of anger and love towards Kendall. I also think Kendall was in that moment….the new king…the new Logan….Roman was letting out his frustration, anger, and conflicting emotions towards not only Ken but ultimately Logan in that moment as a proxy . “Why couldn’t it be me”?. It’s as if he was asking Logan that question from the grave. I think Roman was crushing his face against Kendall and “reopening his wound”. His one big wound, “why can’t it be me”?

[@rig-zag]

I seriously thought after the final vote when Kendall jump in the elevator, he was going up to the roof to take a literal and metaphorical swan dive from the top.

[@dthomscappello]

I feel like the only reason they put another person in that elevator to push the button was to show that if it weren't for that he might have

[@joebob2311productions]

I like that they cut it when he watches the ocean. For all we know he could've jumped in after

[@miggom8748]

Ive been watching your videos for years and this is definately one of the best you have done, congrats!!

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Succession finale in a nut shell is what ant man said to Kang in quantumania: I don't have to win we both just have to lose.

[@andreisuko]

Dude thank you for this, I’ve been watching different KZbinrs but your take is the most complete

[@qcrew2938]

Incredible show.... best acting and writing I've seen in a long time

[@OkLetsPlayFilms]

An underrated scene is when they have dinner with their mother and Peter. When don’t quite hear the details of their business plan and they get distracted by other matters. Relates to what you said about how it’s not about the CEO position but more a look at their family dynamics.

[@LastXwitness]

Damn Ryan. Always nailing it this might be the best vid I’ve seen on this show let alone the ending

[@jayhemp00]

The kids are all absolutely horrible people, but Logan is the real villian of this show.

[@michaelolague6045]

Loved the Wambsganns connection, but Jesse Armstrong confirmed it was coincidence. The main writers are british and follow cricket, they werent aware of the triple play wambsganns. I think they picked a last name that was a little difficult to pronounce.

[@JSinuYasha]

I believe Tom was apart of the GoJo photo bit; he was the one who removed himself from the photo and told the photographer to take a photo with only the GoJo people.

[@PhuccjooMann]

I’m so glad you did a breakdown video for this show!

[@bherrin67]

Shiv’s child is not the heir, Tom is only the temporary CEO. Matsson owns everything along with the stock holders. 🙄

[@smrgoose364]

Tom is the puppet. The company is lost to the family

[@bherrin67]

@@smrgoose364 absolutely

[@fletchdiggitydawg]

I was skeptical of shiv and her genius, but after that ending I loathe her entirely

[@breezus3928]

Eyes also are significant as an allusion to King Lear: someone gets their eye ripped out.

[@smrgoose364]

💯💯💯

[@gg_kinz]

Her child is not heir to anything since they sold the company

[@MJW98101]

‘Your busted down to Greg tonight!’ ‘Noooo…’ - greg

[@terryh1451]

Truly the best succession analyst ever. That finale keeps getting better and better.

[@smrgoose364]

Definitely the deepest and most educated

[@TheBlackestKnight21]

@@smrgoose364not at all

[@madamedelite]

My favorites were Kendell and Tom. You felt pity for Kendell as the spoiled brat that just didn't get it. He will never be Logan. Logan wanted his company sold. Kendell's ego got bruised with Luckas called him the tribute band to Logan (L to the OG). Moreover Frank gave him the floor to explain his plan to the board, but like brat instead of sitting down and explaining why they shouldn't vote for the deal, he just said no let's just vote. I'm a Roy....Tom on the other won because, yes he will be the puppet, but he's a rich puppet that now will have his wife under him (unlike in other seasons), and Logan's biological grandchild. Even if he gets fired down the line all CEOs have these amazing lavish parachute deals. They could be the worst boss in the world, but they walk away with millions. Its a win/win. Tom will be fine. And Kendelll will get over himself eventually and move on with his life. The barriers at the end scene with the river facing Kendell to me symbolizes - suck it up buttercup. Deal with the defeat and move on.

[@awoscv2864]

Can I just say - well produced video. Insane research and crazy connection of the dots. 10/10

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

This is the best analysis I've seen so far love review as always Ryan so in depth ,and exceptional keep up the great work👏🏽.

[@nicolasfurger1032]

Tom needs Greg. Greg crossed him once and he won’t do it again. Tom was the “Greg” for Logan.

[@zengamer21]

If you want to make a Tom-elette you gotta break some Gregs. Gotta keep some Gregs around.

[@amazinglea13]

I am so happy you did a review of this show! Great job! Did you notice that Roman is the only child that Logan told he was proud of… In “Tern Haven”. Of course it was quickly followed up with a slam on being in business kindergarten… however, I thought that was something of note.

[@christymclaughlin618]

Also when they wer arguing the camera cut to the boards point of view and showed they could hear everything, so the talk of Kendal killing someone might have trouble for him down the line.

[@keelahrose]

I saw the hug between Kendall and Roman as a tender moment, not an act of violence.

[@PursedLipsofFull]

This ending highlights the importance of working through your childhood trauma or it can ruin your life.

[@Efinem3787]

So glad that screencrush did an explained video for this series!!!!! very well done compared to the others i watched. amazing show THANK YOU

[@Innerversal]

This was absolutely excellently done. Great job!

[@amandaberofsky]

Shiv was another Greg. Tom's manipulation of her was more subtle. At first, I couldn't figure out why Shiv would give the company to Mattsen after he used her and screwed her over, but I think it was more about the phone call with Tom. She saw a way to reverse that rejection by letting him become CEO. Shiv and Greg are thirsty for Tom's approval.

[@mylalicoco]

I highly disagree. She only did it because she refused to loose it to Kendall

[@AmyKaylasVegas]

I think Tom always loved Shiv and wanted a real relationship with her, but she never respected him. Now she does. I agree with you.

[@triptepper]

The hints were there with the name of the character - Shiv. A shiv is the common name for a home made weapon in prison used to stab someone in the back. Oh the irony.

[@can72287]

Shank *

[@JeffintheD]

We now know that Kendall tried to jump into the water at Battery Park, but they edited that take out and went with the park bench ending.

[@nms7872]

Jeremy strong went so method that he literally tried to kill himself because it made sense dramaturgically

[@davesisti7083]

We know that Jeremy Strong tried to do that, not Kendall lmao

[@memib4736]

Love the ending! Logan told them they were not ready to run the business. They were so busy fighting each other and being ‘brilliant’ they didn’t count on Tom playing the long game.

[@manicdan481]

Can we talk about the little teapot? Best impersonation ever.

[@toneriggz]

I was hoping Matsson would play “Ether” after taking over the company. Maybe he could’ve played “Supa Ugly” by Jay after he met with Tom.

[@smrgoose364]

Perfect

[@karenbeaulieu6776]

I’ve watched lots of analysis of the finale, but this is definitely the best.

[@YouWinTheAward]

I'm just happy if this brings back "ether" as a verb, massively underrated phrase imo

[@willyg2016]

Can we all be convinced now that AI will never be able to do this? Great analysis, thank you for this

[@jennyhwang3260]

Thank you for pointing out the things they say, the background scenery all have meanings🎉 Even the songs they sing😂 Logan pointed out “You are not serious-people”. He paused after serious. Bravo to Brian Cox🫶 His four children’s dreams, sadly, were already crushed😮‍💨 I needed your commentary to understand this series deeper🎉

[@EddyTheMartian]

Awesome you’re making videos on succession! I honestly kinda lost interest in most comic book stuff so haven’t watched your videos recently even though I used to always loved them so awesome to come back.

[@lyndarobbins7190]

I read somewhere that Colin lurking in the background when Ken was sitting by the river represents Ken’s past and that he’ll be haunted forever bc of what happened with the waiter. Also the camera moves down showing bars in front of the water. Ken will never be able to get to the water, if you think the water represents Waystar or his desire to be CEO.

[@TimManuelMiranda]

Mark Mylod on the official podcast was not so hopeful for Roman and foresees him burying those emotions in drugs and alcohol. But he is hopeful for the relationship of shiv and Tom and them being able to work something out of their transactional relationship. He also confesses that they didn't know what the end would be so any foreshadowing was probably not consciously planted, but maybe retroactively acknowledged.

[@BobK73]

From the beginning, I thought Greg would end up with everything.

[@jenniferwheatley899]

Same!!!!

[@adriennephilips5434]

This series was truly legendary. I’m so happy to see this covered!

[@GoldTurds]

It was a supreme bore.

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

Roman was my favorite character the entire series and I'm happy to see him be the one that truly succeeds. Edit: You've been killing it lately with these quality videos! Thank you!!

[@zipalooie]

He got no catharsis. His smile faded away quickly. He'll always be a failure and a loser to the father who haunts his subconscious.

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

@@zipalooie "he got no.." 🤔 I disagree, but that's the great thing about freedom of opinions 😁 He was the one and only Roy who finally understood and was able to admit that everything they are is bullshit. That is exactly an example of catharsis.

[@zipalooie]

@@Adrian-zd4cs he's always known that, it was more so a message for Kendall. He's about to go on a downward spiral into alcoholism and self destruction. He's even drinking a martini, which is what Geri drinks. We know because Roman had previously made fun of her for drinking them. Now they represent something and that something isn't exactly uplifting. His smile faded quickly.

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

@@zipalooie oh? You've seen the non-existent season 5? 🙄😆

[@smrgoose364]

Roman’s story is such a tragedy. None of the children win in this series. He is back to the little boy cowering in the corner waiting… heck begging for abuse. All the business management growth he achieved was lost. It’s like we picked up with him at the beginning of the series when he is jaxking off over the city from his big “daddy make work” office. So sad. Great acting for this character 👍🏼

[@jackbarry7155]

That was a FANTASTIC take on this series! It’s been raining a lot here in L.A., and over the past week or so, I marathoned the whole series at once, for the first time. LOVED it. So your video here was very enjoyable. Love the insights. Cheers.

[@Thecoolguy463]

I feel like a prequel to this show would be perfect. Showing a young Logan and his uncle along with the rest of the family would be interesting.

[@Sonoembee]

Wonderful video as always - I read Roman’s final scene more sadly. His face shifts from a rue smile to something more sad and empty. He has no one left, same as Kendall. To me he is the most tragic character of all.

[@emilys4281]

You don't think he and Siobhan will be able to have a relationship. She said in Barbados her child needs it's uncles around. And she and Roman seemed on the same wavelength during the sibling blowup. I don't know, I'm a person who likes programming with catharsis, and it doesn't have to be a happy ending. But this tragedy all around is almost breaking me. I hope for a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's small and dimly lit.

[@Sonoembee]

@@emilys4281 Thank you for commenting -- I don't want to crush that hope! Shiv and Roman didn't do anything unforgivable to each other, that's true. Not sure how quickly Roman had an epiphany following that catastrophic Kendall confrontation. It's absolutely open to interpretation. For me, the entire thesis of the show does not afford Roman to have hope so soon, when everyone else has been so devastated. Except maybe Willa :)

[@emilys4281]

@@Sonoembee IDK about devastated, but at Logan's when people were claiming his belongings, she looked quite worried that Connor may not get the job in Slovenia. With the court battle over burned ballots looming, and Mencken's possible, not so solid slide into the presidency. As Connor said, "a slight hiccup".

[@timothyprice3670]

Also - Mark Mylod said Shiv started to think Ken wasn’t fit for CEO when he put his feet up on the desk. But I also understand your point - it’s a good catch.

[@Erox006]

CEO can be replaced , CEO don't own waystar royco ; gojo does , skarsgard is the king

[@TheBerylknight]

Shiv and Tom definitely won. They accomplished together in the end what they had set out to do in the beginning. There was just a lot of drama in-between. lol

[@youngveteran6368]

TOM WON!! and TOM ALONE, shiv is a selfish brat that sold her family legacy just so her brothers wouldn’t rule their empire. She fed her family to the wolves just so she wouldn’t have to “submit” to her brother

[@jamesbranch23]

Maybe it was me but I very much expected Kendall to "Unalive" himself at some point after the Vote. I felt like the series was foreshadowing that end for him throughout the series.

[@TheLadyHBomb]

I am sad to see this series go. But credit to all involved for a brilliant run and wrap up. There are so many layers to this wonderfully crafted work of art. I'm sure I'll watch it again sometime to see what I missed the first time around.

[@iONFluxX]

I love that you made this video, kinda which you had covered the entire season at least, it was an insane ride

[@reneetmp]

Excellent analysis! Thank you for those tidbits of connection. I had no idea about Tom's last name!

[@paulyname]

I think Shiv can develop an interesting career. She is smart and agile in politics. She was doing just fine outside of the company until dad manipulated her into coming back because she worked for someone who didn't suit Logan. She may as well return to the deal with "Pearce". She's starting to understand the patriarchy game. About being a mother, it's interesting. In Barbados she is rubbing her belly and she is also aware of the damage her parents did to them. In part, that's why she also wanted to return to Tom so the baby wouldn't grow up with separate parents. A spin off of that family would be a great thing to see. 😂

[@smrgoose364]

All hopes of Shiv standing on her own were shattered when she went back with Tom. Its scary. She knew better and called it…Tom married her DNA. He would turn a blind eye to any harm for her if he stood to gain. Shiv wasn’t thinking about her baby… she had no problem raising that child on her own…why she waited to tell Tom. This is her tragedy and my major contention with the family… Shiv isn’t the “stand by your man” type

[@hmmm2564]

The only thing wrong is that Tom will be a simple lackey

[@pamelabassi]

great video! one of the most interesting analysis that I’ve seen so far about the ending

[@BLHz8blah1]

This entire show is like a case study of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (Gibson, 2015). The cycle will continue.

[@jcbetancourt1214]

Shiv’s betrayal was the worst because of how many things happened to get them together and keep the company in the family. Roman saying what he said was just Roman being himself amazing acting by the entire cast

[@frankievalentine6112]

I mean her name was Shiv THE WHOLE TIME.

[@pippyle2]

Love love love that we get an ending explained for Succession

[@EricDavidRocks]

from the NY Post 4 days ago: While Wambsgans did indeed emerge as head of Waystar Royco in the series’ final episode, “Succession” executive producer Frank Rich threw water on the idea that there was a long-plotted baseball Easter egg. “I hate to spoil the internet’s fun, but it’s false,” Rich told Slate. “Tom’s family name was picked before we had shot a first season, let alone mapped out precise story twists that would culminate 39 episodes later! Not to mention that many of the key writers on the show, starting with its creator, Jesse [Armstrong], are British, live in London, and are devoted to British football.”

[@Boutthattime2024]

Are we sure that Kendall was the one “ trying” to reopen the cut above the eye? I felt Roman was giving Kendall the death squeeze as if Kendall in that moment was the last thing maybe ever for Rome to physically hold and possibly hurt due to his childhood abuse that was always looked at as a “ nah not today “ topic. Ken knew this and that’s why he didn’t pull away.

[@Binkoboy3]

Yeah i did not see that scene as Kendall abusing Roman, but rather the last moment of brotherly love between them before it all blew up. They were usually on pretty good terms throughout the series despite the tension, and I feel Kendall was truly trying to force Roman to embrace him not as a power play but because Kendall knew Roman could never accept that embrace on his own. I think roman was saying "i hate you" and trying to get away because he did not want to be vulnerable.

[@smrgoose364]

Roman went for the jugular. I think Ken, in his own way, was trying to take a fatherly role with Roman… in some patriarchal way. Roman just pissed on that and it spiraled from there

[@camouflaging6090]

literally this. my only disagreement with this video

[@robertfrost8264]

The hug, pull in and gesture was both of them.. if that’s what you wanna see.

[@ecurb10]

Yes I agree. I thought that Roman was like burying himself into Kendall.

[@joeyzze]

Bravo!! Amazing recap and review. Best one I’ve seen so far.

[@TheVisitors44]

Shiv also looked disgusted when Kendall bragged to the board how he and Roman made the great deal with Mattson. Shiv suggested to Mattson he offer so much money the board would want the deal and the brothers would have to go along. Kendall was fake and posing AGAIN, right in front of her. I think Shiv genuinely felt Kendall doesn’t deserve the job, Logan didn’t want him to have it, she’s honoring his wishes and protecting the family legacy.

[@smrgoose364]

But would Shiv chose Lukas (zero respect for her, but used her and her name to close the deal) and Tom (the man who married her DNA and would harm her if it benefited him)? Would she choose those two over her own family? Even while their issues, they tried to have one another’s back. Don’t buy it.

[@smrgoose364]

If any child deserved the job, it would be Kendall. His major issue is addiction, a disease, but he definitely put the time in at the company

[@thecivilianseries3267]

She might have simultaneously felt that as well. People sometimes have multiple reasons. But IMO, her PRIMARY reason was spite, jealousy, envy of her brother gaining the crown. That was the driver.

[@smrgoose364]

@@thecivilianseries3267 you’re right. And to throw away an inheritance for such deep seeded feelings is no joke. Great dialogue about this series 👍🏼

[@ericperu1542]

In the first scene Roman appear in he literally says “this is bullshit” when looking around the room.

[@heartion]

@17:00 I like this theory, especially given on of the best Wambsgans' lines: “She looks like she caught a fly ball at Yankee stadium."

[@josefk7437]

Earlier in the show, Kendall acquired Vaulter and its leader, the Asian Finance bro from The Menu. Then he fired all of them. I think that was foreshadowing for what was most likely to happen to Tom and everyone from Waystar Royco under Matsson.

[@henrikwinther6621]

I think the parallels btw Kendall and Michael Corleone - especially in Godfather II - are astounding: both tragic figures crushed by an empire they were born into. But while Michael goes into the family business voluntarily, albeit for loyalty to his father, and actually fills out the old Don's shoes quite quickly, Kendall cannot. He is only his father's son (as are all the Roy siblings) not a man in his own right. I noted the way Kendall's formal clothes don't really fit him; they rest stiffly on his hunched body - he doesn't fill them out. Whereas Michael in Godfather II wears his clothes with a menacing presence. And a noteable difference: the blessing/anoiting: Vito announces Michael as the new Don, Michael sits in his father's chair and does a baby-like head swivel as his father goes around him. He is a child in a big chair looking to his father. Kendall reveals himself as a spoiled, entitled brat in his father's chair, also a child, but a petulent one. What evades him is his father's blessing. Logan has held his children in a state of immaturity inasmuch as he has dangled his final blessing in front of each of them, only to take it away. The Kendall/Michael parallel is obvious in the end scene where Kendall sits as a scrawny manchild in his stiff coat looking into the Hudson, and Michael sits wearing the full regalia of a Don who has killed his brother, overlooking Lake Tahoe, remebering the days of his father and his brothers at the table.

[@pawacoteng]

OMG - Kendall was the Fredo all along. "I was the older brother, Mike! Did you think of that!"

[@can72287]

You mean Connor. I believe Fred was a half brother as well. Not taken serious, not in the business etc.

[@annewrenn5014]

Red Head sis going off in loveless marriage with bafoon, sexually ambiguous hubby was the only solace in this disappointing finale,'for me. Sib's 180 turn w/in 12 hours made no sense. She knew that she was nothing, (almost even used by), ...she knew that she meant nada to the Swede.

[@shilpaprakash7736]

Hated the ending! The siblings would fight for it and lose but not let go and win. My god! Why have such siblings and put trust in them. Betrayal in every angle & that’s all they know

[@richierugs6544]

i made an unassisted triple play, but it was not in the world series---great video!

[@johnrodonis4186]

An excellent synopsis and analysis.

[@yasc4447]

A masterclass in acting and writing from the Succession cast and writing team as alway. Perfect ending with the closure we and the characters needed! Succession has been perfect right until the end.

[@smrgoose364]

I think the end slightly missed it when it comes to Shiv. And it makes a scary powerful statement about women (esp in the corporate world). Choosing abusive and/or subversive positions… the lesser of two evils

[@pavanman6632]

far from a masterclass

[@mattkominsky9476]

The writers came out and said that the Wambsgan baseball reference was not true. The name is derived from a childhood family friend

[@yavnevanderraaf7456]

That water metaphor is amazing, I never thought of that. Really need to watch this show again.

[@toneslice989]

Best breakdown I've ever seen. And I watch a lot of KZbin. Subbed 👍!

[@josefk7437]

When Kendall said his murder did not happen, there was something else that did not happen. The other siblings did not show him support or sympathy when he confessed to them. They were only pretending to sympathize and support him and say it was not his fault, they were only gathering ammunition to use against him later.

[@patoeme]

Screen crush you explain so well, now explain my life to me 😂😂