Tailgate Party

This could be one of the most interesting episodes yet, because it almost entirely takes place during a party. And because it is a party it gives us an excuse to have all the characters in the same spot at the same time. What is the worst that could happen?

What is immediately great is the unfolding of many plot threads that have been building since the beginning of the season. The whole Gojo acquisition is the main story arc that gets a twist. The deal and how it was presented was something that always felt fake and artificial, at least to me. However the show could always hide behind the excuse of its biting social commentary; see Musk or Zuckerberg, they're far from being business geniuses. They're basically winging it, yet they have enough goodwill and money that their failures are forgotten while their successes are amplified. Matsson is clearly of the same type, and until now the show was presenting him as the eccentric business genius that is always right, everybody wanted to agree with him. Yet I suspect the show will make him look even closer to Elisabeth Holmes and Sam Bankman-Fried. But in-universe you can see that characters are turning against him. Of course mainly for their own selfish reasons, but it replaces the Roy's not as victims waiting to be bought out, but as predators on the hunt. It is a change of dynamic and it will be interesting to see how it plays out, given Logan's absence.

All the other interpersonal relationships get redefined this episode; Roman vis-à-vis Gerri, Connor and the brothers, Shiv and Matsson and of course Shiv and Tom.

Tom Wambsgans has always been a favorite of mine. He might not be the most relatable, but he kinda worked as the moral orthogonal center of the show. He would essentially function as the straight man, the one who would be the audience surrogate. To react to the family's extravagant antics. Yet, the show never misses an opportunity to remind us that he is generally a goofball. He is not good at his job, nor charismatic, he is not particularly smart or cunning. He is just there. In addition, he seems to be more vain and status obsessed than the rest of them. Which makes him truly a pathetic character.

It was tension that was building up a while that got released in the conversation between them. Shiv's problem is that she could not manipulate herself out of her predicament; Tom's problem is that the thing that got him in power was betraying Shiv, it was the only thing he done competently and it went nowhere.

What is funny is that they both were the artisans of their own demise yet they started blaming each other.

It an episode that re-dealt everyone's hand. Yet, it could leas some of our beloved characters into some interesting unexpected journeys. Even this late in the series.

"Tailgate Party" shifts the focus to Shiv and Tom's relationship, which has been crumbling for some time. The episode is set during the annual political fundraising event hosted by the Roy family, where tensions between the siblings, political figures, and the board escalate to new heights. The episode begins with a veneer of festive frivolity, but as the night progresses, it becomes clear that Tom and Shiv's marriage is in tatters. Their relationship has always been transactional, but this episode strips away the last of the pretense, leading to an explosive confrontation that serves as one of the series' most devastating moments.

The writing in this episode is top-notch, as it carefully balances the broader political and business concerns with the intimate drama between Tom and Shiv. Their argument, which begins as a passive-aggressive exchange, escalates into a brutal, emotionally raw fight where the gloves come off. Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook deliver powerhouse performances, with Macfadyen portraying Tom's quiet resentment and bitterness while Snook embodies Shiv's cold detachment and latent vulnerability. The dialogue is cutting, with each verbal jab landing with the weight of years of emotional neglect and betrayal.

Meanwhile, Kendall continues his aggressive push to take control of the company, this time trying to align political forces with his vision for Waystar Royco. His calculated moves at the tailgate party highlight his growing ruthlessness, a stark contrast to his earlier indecision. The political angle adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the Roy family's influence over media and politics becomes more overt. The way the episode seamlessly weaves together personal betrayals and political maneuvering is a testament to the show's sharp narrative structure.

Visually, the episode captures the opulence of the event, with the lavish setting of the Roys' Manhattan apartment serving as a backdrop to the ugliness of the power struggles within. The cinematography contrasts the polished, glamorous exterior with the underlying rot of the Roy family's relationships, emphasizing the central theme of appearances versus reality.

I'll start by saying my sleep isn't always as good as most but damn I love how unfiltered this series is and thoroughly entertaining always! Great how each season has a party episode they are superb and impactful with great drama. More company demotes, great truths poured out, deals made, and amazing vibes! Crazy how there's only 3 more episodes left of Succession this is one of few shows I'll miss a lot most I don't mind but this is packed with more intelligence than most series out there originally felt similar to Billions yet this is much better both have top notch writing that's for sure. Everything with Shiv and Tom was bound to happen too mashed in very well.

Something hit for me this episode, it was strange because I never understood what Lukas Matsson does and how he got so rich? Well after I heard the description of what Gojo IS I now believe Lukas is a parody of the CEO of Spotify Daniel Ek. His girlfriend and lady Lukas abuses looks a lot like Daniel's Ek's wife Sofia.

I could see this show IF they were going for a positive Kendall wins the "Game of Thrones" ending like this: in real life Spotify has two big weaknesses. One would be the pay artists receive from the service, often reaches hilariously awful levels like pennies a month. The second is that Spotify COULD be vulnerable to another content creator IF people are given reasons to hate Spotify.

Therefore, Kendall gathers troops and begins rounding up propagandists against Gojo saying how Gojo exploits artists. Kendall uses Tom who runs News who is just wanting to join Kendall's team and divorce Shiv but come out ahead to create a 24 hour news cycle about how corporations like Gojo exploit art. This allows liberal causes to support "The New Progressive Vision Of Waystar News" and gives a small window of opportunity for leftists to support Connor Roy's presidency when Connor brings up a new Social Capitalism.

The next step is to make a competing streaming service which pays its artists a lot more probably too much but this is briefly to just destroy Gojo stock value.

Next, attack Lukas for his bigotry, how can Greg steal the security footage from Shivs apartment (all rich people have security systems). Show the homophobia. People then begin saying Vote of No Confidence in Lukas and then Waystar moves to acquire Gojo for 69 dollars per share.

Roman's reward is getting to look right into the face of the completely broken Lukas as he fires him, saying talk trash on my father now you fake eurotrash loser. Or something. He has security take Lukas off the premises and then Roman is sent to be CEO of Gojo.

So there is an episode of a fast forward finale episode about what is every Roy doing five years later. Connor won the POTUS. Tom runs Waystar News. Shiv sleeps with powerful men and is basically lost in her own cage. SEC doesn't allow Waystar to buy Gojo and Roman is still CEO so just goes against Kendall in a affable rivalry.

Greg ends up finding his father and getting him a job, running Parks division and kinda is that Bob Chapek arc. Everyone else does their thing I can't tell every character.

I just think my weird fanfic is best here if you think this will happen like my post. I will use this as a prediction.

But specifically. Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook. If you watched the episode, you know. If you haven't, you will know. Both actors, along with the rest of the cast, are phenomenal actors but this episode and the "scene" near the end, should, I predict will, clinch Emmy's for both. The writers deserve an Emmy, directors deserve an Emmy. The best show on TV and in the conversation of best of all time. In my opinion. I watched the first episode of the first season a few years ago and shut it off halfway through. Maybe I was in a weird mood that night, who knows. A friend kept encouraging me to give it another chance and Succession became my #1.