History Recap / SuccessionS04E10

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Shiv finally ends up being in a more affluent position than all of her brothers…at the cost of being in an unhappy marriage with Tom, the new Waystar CEO, with a child she’s unsure she wants, [[HereWeGoAgain doomed to the same fate as her own mother.]] Worse still, she is still little more than underling for Matsson, who even previously backstabbed her.

* AmbiguousSituation: Why did Shiv vote for the merger? Because she figured that being the CEO's wife would be a more influential position than being the CEO's sister? Or because she recognized that Kendall wasn't fit for the job and was trying to do the right thing?

* CallBack: When the family meets at the apartment to clear out Logan's possessions, Greg claims the bell he accidentally used to summon Logan's maid in the 2nd episode of Season 1.

** Despite backing the wrong horse, Greg remains at Waystar — albeit with a pay cut and knowing full well that the man who owns the company holds him in contempt.
** Although he's not seen in this episode, Mencken has one of these too -- yes, he is the President-elect, but it's stated that there's a judicial challenge to the result in Wisconsin (which proved to be crucial in terms of electoral college votes), and even if he overcomes that, he'll have a public order nightmare to deal with as those who oppose him have taken to the streets in protest.

** This extends to the three siblings -- the sale of Waystar-[=GoJo=] ultimately nets each of them around a billion in the buyout, but functionally shatters the dreams of all three in various fashions.

*** Shiv ends up in a situation where she has no real power and is following her husband's lead on a permanent basis. The fact that she does not appear to want the baby she's carrying means that she's more or less emulating her mother, with whom her relationship is strained at best. She's also unlikely to reconcile with her brothers any time soon.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Mencken's future as President is left in murky territory, with the last mention of him being a reference to a judicial challenge being issued regarding the missing votes in Wisconsin. As noted above, Mencken's status as President-elect being called into question also raises doubts about Connor's potential ambassador role in Europe.

* MamasBabyPapasMaybe: Weaponised. Roman states that the pregnant Shiv is carrying the Roy "bloodline", implying that Sophie and Iverson are not biologically Roys, which proves to be something of a BerserkButton for Kendall. This trope applies more to Iverson (by describing Sophie as "buy-in", Roman more or less confirms that she was adopted); whether he was Rava's child by was of infidelity, sperm donation or a previous relationship [[AmbiguousSituation is unclear]]. Given that Roman claims to be repeating what Logan said, though, it could be that Logan was just making that up in order to undermine Kendall and/or distance himself from his grandson who has learning difficulties of some sort.

** As for Matsson, his bid to buy Waystar goes through, and he gets to control it via Tom as his puppet CEO. However, he paid more than he wanted to pay for it, and he's got a company riddled with problems (the film division is losing money, the cruise ship brand is toast thanks to the scandal, and ATN -- the bit he didn't actually want -- has become more controversial than ever thanks to what happened on election night). In addition to that, his own company ([=GoJo=]) is grossly over-valued, and will only come under further scrutiny now that it's the parent company of a major American media conglomerate.

* AmbiguousSituation: A couple.
** Why did Shiv vote for the merger? Because she figured that being the CEO's wife would be a more influential position than being the CEO's sister? Or because she recognized that Kendall wasn't fit for the job and was trying to do the right thing?
** Also, Roman's statement about Kendall's kids. Sophie is seemingly confirmed to have been adopted, while Iverson would appear to not be Kendall's biological child — an issue not previously addressed on the show. Of course, given that Roman states that that is what Logan said, it could be that Logan was merely making it up in an attempt to deny that Iverson, who has learning difficulties of some sort, was biologically related to him — a spectacular piece of jerkassery that would not have been out of character for Logan, who insulted and mentally abused his own children as a matter of routine.

** As for Matsson, his bid to buy Waystar goes through, and he gets to control it via Tom as his puppet CEO. However, he he paid more than he wanted for it, and he's got a company riddled with problems (the film division is losing money, the cruise ship brand is toast thanks to the scandal, and ATN -- the bit he didn't actually want -- has become more controversial than ever thank thanks to what happened on election night). In addition to that, his own company ([=GoJo=]) is grossly over-valued, and will only come under further scrutiny now that it's the parent company of a major American media conglomerate.

*** Shiv ends up in a situation where she has no real power and is following her husband's lead on a permanent basis. She's also unlikely to reconcile with her brothers any time soon.

* LongDistanceRelationship: Willa and Connor, never the happiest of newlyweds, are planning to live apart: Willa will stay in New York while Connor becomes an ambassador as Mencken had indicated. She says that long distance might add some "spice" to their marriage. Shiv teases her sister-in-law with the fact that Mencken's status as POTUS-elect is being challenged in the courts, notably dimming Willa's smile.

* MamasBabyPapasMaybe: Weaponised. Roman stating that the pregnant Shiv is carrying the Roy "bloodline", implying that Sophie and Iverson are not biologically Roys, proves to be something of a BerserkButton for Kendall. This trope applies more to Iverson (by describing Sophie as "buy-in", Roman more or less confirms that she was adopted); whether he was Rava's child by was of infidelity, sperm donation or a previous relationship [[AmbiguousSituation is unclear]]. Given that Roman claims to be repeating what Logan said, though, it could be that Logan was just making that up in order to undermine Kendall.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Mencken's future as President is left in murky territory, with the last mention of him being a reference to a judicial challenge being issued regarding the missing votes in Wisconsin. As noted above, Mencken's status as president-elect being called into question also raises doubts about Connor's potential ambassador role in Europe.]]

* HistoryRepeats: Despite her fears of turning out like her mother, Shiv ends the show in a similar position as Lady Caroline was a few decades ago: unhappily married to the Waystar CEO, with a child she's not even sure she wants.

** Tom gets the top spot at Waystar-[=GoJo=] -- with the salary and benefits to match -- but at the cost of ultimately being a corporate lapdog to Mattson, who only kept him on because he's completely subservient and willing to cut costs to the bone. He is also still stuck in an unhappy marriage to a woman who is at the very least unsure if she wants the baby she's carrying.

*** Shiv was glossed over for the CEO role immediately, and ends up in a situation where she has no real power and is following her husband's lead on a permanent basis.

** As for Matsson, his bid to buy Waystar goes through, and he gets to control it via Tom as his puppet CEO. However, he he paid more than he wanted for it, and he's got a company riven with problems (the film division is losing money, the cruise ship brand is toast thanks to the scandal, and ATN -- the bit he didn't actually want -- has become more controversial than ever thank thanks to what happened on election night), in addition to which, his own company ([=GoJo=]) is itself grossly over-valued, and will only come under further scrutiny now that it's the parent company of a major American media conglomerate.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: With Tom installed as Mattson's puppet CEO, Frank and Karl both decide to activate their "golden parachute" retirement plans.

* SlowAndSteadyWinsTheRace: Tom emerges victorious mainly because he's seen as less problematic than the alternatives. And the other candidates fuck it up for themselves.

* BewareTheSillyOnes: Mattson underestimates Greg, failing to realise that he's not playing with his phone but using a translator app to understand Mattson's Swedish conversation. In the event, though, it proves to be of no consequence as the Roy siblings backstab each other at the crucial board meeting, allowing Mattson to take over Roystar anyway.

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: The Roy siblings ultimately give into their penchant for this, destroying their chances of running the company. Mattson has shades of this too, as he 's perfectly happy to ditch Shiv after promising her the top job — and when Greg finds out about that, he's more than willing to use that information to betray him.

* HidingBehindTheLanguageBarrier: Subverted. While getting drinks with the American Greg, Lukas and Oskar converse in Swedish about potentially dropping Shiv as CEO. However, Greg is able to covertly use a translator app to understand them and quickly informs Kendall.

* AmbiguousSituation: Why did Shiv vote for the merger? Because she would rather be the CEO's wife than the CEO's sister? Or because she recognized that Kendall wasn't fit for the job and was trying to do the right thing?
** Also, Roman's statement about Kendall's kids. Sophie is seemingly confirmed to have been adopted, while Iverson would appear to not be Kendall's biological child — an issue not previously addressed on the show. Of course, given that Roman states that that is what Logan said, it could be that Logan was merely muddying the waters in an attempt to deny that Iverson, who has learning difficulties of some sort, was biologically related to him — a spectacular piece of jerkassery that would not have been out of character for Logan.

* MamasBabyPapasMaybe: Weaponised. Roman stating that the pregnant Shiv is carrying the Roy "bloodline", implying that Sophie and Iverson are not biologically Roys, proves to be something of a BerserkButton for Kendall. This trope applies more to Iverson (by describing Sophie as "buy-in", Roman more or less confirms that she was adopted); whether he was Rava's child by was of infidelity, sperm donation or a previous relationship [[AmbiguousSituation is unclear]]. Given that Roman claims to be repeating what Logan said, though, it could be that Logan was just being an asshole by making such a claim behind Kendall's back.

* DownerEnding: As far as the Roy kids' chances of trying to being the heir apparent to their father's company goes, this episode marks the end of that and seemingly their relationships with each other for good. Shiv and Roman both turn on Kendall in the climactic board vote, resulting in an incredibly ugly public spat laying bare how none of them are truly ready for the CEO position. Waystar is subsequently bought out by [=GoJo=], with Tom installed as a lapdog CEO for Mattson.
* DrivenToSuicide: Kendall tells Shiv that he's been groomed for CEO since he was seven, and he needs this or he'll kill himself.
* EveryoneHasStandards:
** Roman is visibly and vocally disgusted when Kendall claims to have no memory of killing the waiter, immediately switching to Shiv's position.
** After the siblings' fight devolves into a physical brawl Roman yells at Kendall for hitting Shiv, because she's pregnant.

** Shiv's untrustworthiness and willingness to stab others in the back; she has second thoughts about voting for Kendall and betrays him at the last second;
** Kendall's inability to cope with real pressure; he increasingly falls apart when trying to convince Shiv to vote for him. Also his hypocrisy, since the way he instantly tries to claim he didn't actually have anything to do with the waiter's death when it's brought up sickens both Shiv and Roman;

** Tom gets the top spot at Waystar-[=GoJo=] -- with the salary and benefits to match -- but at the cost of ultimately being a corporate lapdog to Mattson, who only kept him on because he's completely subservient and willing to cut costs to the bone. And if his future with Shiv is any indication, she's stuck in a situation (just like her mother) where she's carrying the CEO's child while being unsure if she wants it.
** This extends to the three siblings -- the sale of Waystar-[=GoJo=] ultimately nets each of them around a billion in the buyout, but functionally shatters the dreams of all three in various fashions. Roman is right back to where he was at the start of the series -- a lost kid spending time in bars. Shiv was glossed over for the CEO role immediately, and ends up in a situation where she has no real power and is following her husband's lead on a permanent basis. Kendall's impulsiveness leads to him losing the last opportunity he might have had to run Waystar, and he's left dejected and with everyone (save for his bodyguard, Colin) having abandoned him; he's hinted to be contemplating suicide as he sits overlooking the Hudson River at the end.

* AdoptionDiss: During their final argument, Roman points out that Shiv is carrying the Roy bloodline, since Kendall's kids aren't his: Sophie is "a buy-in" and Iverson is Rava's child by another man [[note]] whether via infidelity, sperm donation or from a previous relationship is not clear [[/note]].
* AlasPoorVillain: Even after everything they have said and done, it’s weirdly difficult not to feel a little sorry for the fate of the main Roy siblings, since everything they have struggled for was all for nothing, and don’t even end up in good positions to go out on. Shiv is forced to continue the cycle of her mother by being in an unhappy marriage with a Waystar CEO (and with a child she’s unsure if she wants); Roman is more or less back to being a carefree guy hanging out in bars, but it is still clearly broken by the entire ordeal; Kendall arguably gets hit the hardest, being left alone and in disbelief, having lost everything and destroying every relationship he possibly still had left, with the strong implications of contemplating suicide.

** Also, Roman's statement about Kendall's kids. Sophie is seemingly confirmed to have been adopted, while Iverson would appear to not be Kendall's biological child — an issue not previously addressed on the show. Of course, given that Roman states that that is what Logan said, it could be that Logan was merely denying that Iverson, who has [[AmbiguousDisorder learning difficulties of some sort]], was related to him — a piece if assholery that would not have been out of character for Logan.

* MamasBabyPapasMaybe: Weaponised. Roman stating that the pregnant Shiv is carrying the Roy "bloodline", implying that Sophie and Iverson are not biologically Roys, proves to be something of a BerserkButton for Kendall. This trope applies more to Iverson (by describing Sophie as "buy-in", Roman hints that she was adopted); whether he was Rava's child by was of infidelity, sperm donation or a previous relationship [[AmbiguousSituation is unclear]].

** Also, Roman's statement about Kendall's kids. Sophie is seemingly adopted, while Iverson would appear to be not Kendall's biological child — an issue not previously addressed on the show.

* AuthorityInNameOnly: Tom sells himself as potential CEO to Matsson by promising following and asskissing. Matsson apparently agrees with this, and the show ends with Tom CEO of the merged Waystar-[=GoJo=] company, with Matsson calling the shots behind the scenes implied.

** In the pilot, Tom reassured Greg that he "has him" (as a loyal subordinate, who he'll keep around) during discussions about the potential succession plan at Waystar. In this episode, when Tom is given the CEO role at Waystar, and despite his anger towards Greg for the leak, he ultimately sticks to his word and tells Greg he's "got him", giving him a subordinate role despite Mattson's thinly-veiled contempt for the Judas in his midst.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: With Tom installed as Mattson's puppet CEO, Frank and Karl both decide to activate their retirement plans.

** This extends to the three siblings -- the sale of Waystar-[=GoJo=] ultimately nets each of them around a billion in the buyout, but functionally shatters the dreams of all three in various fashions. Roman is right back to where he was at the start of the series -- a lost kid spending time in bars. Shiv was glossed over for the CEO role immediately, and ends up in a situation where she has no real power and is following her husband's lead on a permanent basis. Kendall's impulsiveness leads to him losing the last opportunity he might have had to run Waystar, and he's left dejected and with everyone (save for his bodyguard, Colin) having abandoned him; he's hinted to be contemplating suicide as he sits near the Hudson River,