"Tern Haven"
Logan: And I want an onion to taste like a fucking peach.
The Pierce family invites the Roys for an overnight stay at their estate, Tern Haven, to assess the moral character of the family they are considering selling their media empire to. Logan himself has instructed his family to win over certain Pierce members, but dinner gets increasingly strained. After much uncomfortable bantering among the families, matriarch Nan Pierce asks who will take his place as CEO. Logan refuses to say a name, resulting in Shiv exclaiming that it's going to be her — but Logan doesn't back her up.
Later that night, Kendall does drugs with Naomi Pierce, and the two bond over substance abuse problems and feeling trapped by their families. Kendall convinces Naomi, who had previously hoped to ruin any deal, to sell. Roman and Tabitha also try to have sex, an attempt that leads to Roman masturbating in Gerri's bathroom.
The next day, Nan announces that she will sell — with the caveat that Shiv is named as successor. Logan refuses and the deal is off, but when the family arrives back in New York, he gets a call saying the Pierces changed their mind, and the family regroups in Logan's home.
Tropes in this episode:
- All for Nothing: Subverted. Logan isn't willing to make the final compromise demanded of him and the acquisition appears to be off, despite the Roys' lengthy courtship of the Pierces. But he takes a call at the 98% mark that informs him of his triumph.
- Birds of a Feather: Like Kendall, Naomi is a recovering addict and miserable rich kid who feels trapped by her powerful family and the constant pressure and media attention. The two go on a bender and share a kiss.
- Faux Affably Evil: Enforced by Logan, who demands the entire Roy clan mask their vulgarities and eccentricities with politeness and decorum.
- Foil: The Pierces are the polar opposite of the Roys: old money, cultured, intellectuals, politically liberal, respectful to their house staff and seeking internal cohesion.
- Hypocritical Humour: Tom, on the Pierces: "What a weird family."
- I Love the Dead: Invoked — Roman asks Tabitha to pretend to be a dead woman while they have sex, and protests when she demands sentience and agency of her own. He comments that if they both agree on how to do a wrong thing then it's no longer wrong.
- Internal Reveal: The Pierces and the rest of the Roys learn with Shiv's outburst that Logan offered her the position of CEO, and the camera lingers on every shocked reaction.
- Nice to the Waiter: Nan Pierce tries to convince her server to take a break and drink with the elite — a stark contrast to her Roy opposite's Mean Boss tendencies.
- The Place: The titular Tern Haven is the Pierces' estate, where much of the episode is set.
- Sarcastic Confession: Roman makes a tasteless joke about having a sexual encounter with Gerri the previous night. Gerri, unfazed, rolls her eyes and acts disgusted at the thought. Only the two of them know that Roman wasn't really joking.
