Succession Season 4 Episode 2 brought back the chaotic world of the Roy family, as they continue their struggles for power and loyalty. In this episode, we see Tom’s loyalty to his wife and to his position in the company being tested, while Shiv tries to make a power play within the family.
Tom’s Loyalty Tested
Tom Wamsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) has always been a character who tries to maintain his loyalty to the Roy family, specifically to his father-in-law Logan Roy (Brian Cox), even if it means betraying his own values and principles. However, in this episode, we see Tom being put in a situation where he has to choose between his loyalty to his wife Shiv (Sarah Snook) or to Logan.
In the opening scene, Tom is seen enjoying his first day as the new CEO of ATN, a news organization owned by the Roy family. However, his happiness is short-lived as he finds out that ATN has published a story about Shiv’s affair with Gil Eavis (Eric Bogosian), a presidential candidate, which was leaked by none other than Logan Roy himself.
This revelation puts Tom in a difficult position as he is torn between his duty to the company and his loyalty to his wife. He confronts Logan, asking him why he would betray his own daughter, but Logan dismisses his concerns and tells him to ignore it and let Shiv take care of it herself.
Tom also has a conversation with Shiv about the affair, where he tries to understand her reasons for being unfaithful. However, Shiv’s response only reveals her self-interest, as she tells Tom that she wanted to have a backup plan in case Logan didn’t choose her to be the next CEO. This revelation only adds to Tom’s confusion.
Later in the episode, Tom receives an offer from Stewy (Arian Moayed), a former partner of the Roy family, to defect and join him in his own media company. Stewy offers Tom a way out of the mess he’s in with the Roy family, but Tom hesitates, realizing that leaving the Roy family would mean losing his power and his connection to Shiv.
In the end, Tom is seen back in his office, quietly contemplating his situation. It is clear that his loyalty to the Roy family is being tested like never before, and it remains to be seen how he will deal with the consequences of his actions.
Shiv’s Power Play
While Tom’s loyalty is being tested in this episode, Shiv is making her own power play within the family. Throughout the episode, she is seen trying to assert her authority and take control of her own destiny, even if it means taking risks and making hard choices.
One of the most significant moments in the episode comes when Shiv confronts her father Logan about her leaked affair. She demands to know why he would do something like that, and Logan responds by challenging her to make a move and prove that she is capable of leading the company.
Shiv takes Logan’s words to heart and decides to make a bold move by meeting with Gil Eavis and proposing a merger between his campaign and the Roy family’s media conglomerate. She presents herself as a savvy businesswoman who is willing to take risks to advance her career, and her proposal is met with enthusiasm by Eavis.
However, Shiv’s decision to pursue the merger puts her at odds with her siblings, who are worried about the potential fallout from such a move. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) warns Shiv that they could be seen as trying to buy the election and that it could damage their reputation, but Shiv remains confident in her gamble.
In the end, Shiv’s plan seems to be paying off, as Eavis agrees to the merger and their family’s power within the media industry seems to be secure. However, the episode ends on a cliffhanger, as Logan Roy appears to be planning his own move against Shiv and her siblings.
Conclusion
Succession Season 4 Episode 2 was a thrilling and fast-paced episode that introduced new conflicts and challenges for the Roy family. Tom’s loyalty to the family is being tested like never before, while Shiv is making her own power moves within the company.
The tension between the characters and their desire for power and control make Succession a captivating and addictive show. With each episode, the stakes get higher, and the characters become more complex and unpredictable. It is clear that this season is going to be full of surprises and twists, and we can’t wait to see where the Roy family’s journey takes them next.
