Succession Season 4 Ending Explained: The Fate of the Roys and Waystar Royco

Succession is one of the best TV dramas of the past decade, and after its fourth season, the finale wrapped up with a bang. The final episode witnessed a seesaw battle between the Roys and Lukas Matsson for control of Waystar Royco. For those who missed the finale, here is a complete rundown of what went down.

The Prelude

The final episode began with Kendall, Shiv, and Roman at very different places a day before the GoJo vote. While Shiv was sitting confidently in the Mattson suite tallying their favorable votes, Kendall was scrambling to pull off his upset. Roman was missing, and eventually, Caroline called her daughter to let her know that Roman had traveled to Barbados to recuperate after the funeral. That sends Shiv and later Kendall, thanks to a tip from Greg, straight to the beachfront home to bring Rome onto her side to solidify the GoJo deal. However, things take a turn for Shiv.

The Matsson’s Coffee Table

Shiv’s slot as Mattson’s American CEO isn’t as stable as she thinks. There’s a dark harbinger on the Mattson suite’s coffee table: a political cartoon of the tech mogul as a puppet, with Shiv pulling the strings. Mattson pretends to shake the ego blow off, but it’s clear from the first scene that he’s begun to distance himself from Shiv mentally. He later admits as much to Tom during a night out, saying that he’s over Shiv’s strong ideas.

The Barbados Trip

Kendall hears that Mattson’s meeting with possible CEOs, including Lawrence Yee from Vaulter, in the Caribbean. He tells the news to Roman and Shiv, and Shiv is shattered by the news. Now her allegiance is up in the air, as the siblings fight yet again over the possibility of one of them taking the throne.

The Coronation

Roman choked at the funeral, showing weakness because he was grieving his father, and Shiv is still inexperienced in a leadership role, which made Kendall make a convincing argument for why he should be the CEO. Shiv and Roman do float the humorous play of killing Kendall, but eventually, they agree to go with him.

The Penthouse Visit

Before the board meeting, the siblings visit Logan’s old penthouse to figure out who gets what before Connor and Willa move in. It’s then that the bomb drops: Mattson’s proposal to make Tom CEO was serious, and Tom himself breaks the news to Shiv. Shiv storms out of the apartment with her brothers in tow, both Mattson and the Roys prepare for a showdown.

The Board Meeting

The board casts votes, but the big players fall on their expected sides, and both Kendall and Roman make their votes to kill the GoJo vote and install Kendall as CEO. The last vote, with a six-six tie, comes down to Shiv…and she can’t do it. She recuses herself, and the board meeting pauses for a non-soundproofed office.

The Fight

Kendall tries to berate Shiv into following the plan over and over again, but Shiv says that she can’t see him as CEO, and four seasons of old wounds are resurfaced. Finally, Kendall snaps and attacks Roman, and Shiv casts the deciding vote for GoJo.

The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the shocking scene, Roman makes an admission that’s the final death knell of the trio’s claims: “We are bullshit…We’re nothing.”

The Fate of the Roys

The only impossible way that Kendall, Roman, and Shiv would keep Waystar Royco in the family was to build a united front, and that was never going to happen. Every moment of genuine sibling unity throughout the series was always bound to fall apart under the weight of their personal ambitions, insecurities, and flaws.

The Fate of Waystar Royco

The ending suggests that Waystar Royco’s destiny will be forever tied to powerful billionaires like the Matssons and the Pierces. While the Roys are a dysfunctional family, they were always somehow able to keep their business together. However, the same cannot be said for other billionaires like the Pierces or the Matssons. Only time will tell how Matsson, who seems to have all the aces in his pocket, will wield his newfound power.

The Succession of Showrunners

Creator Jesse Armstrong has mentioned that he hopes to do five to six seasons of the series, and with Jeremy Strong rumored to be leaving, it’s anyone’s guess what the future holds for the show. Succession has always had a revolving door of directors and writers, and Armstrong has always had a specific ending in mind. The question is, which writer will deliver that ending?

The Succession’s Strengths

Succession is a well-written, directed, and acted show. While it can be tough at times to watch, due to the sheer dysfunction and toxicity of the characters, it’s also a compelling drama that keeps the viewers engaged.

The Succession’s Audience

Succession has a loyal audience that has grown with the show through thick and thin. It’s been hailed as one of the best TV dramas in years due to its smart writing, lovable characters, and excellent direction.

The Future of Succession

While it’s uncertain what the future holds for the Roys and their business empire, one thing is certain – Succession has set the bar high for other TV dramas.

The Final Verdict

With the finale of the fourth season, Succession has delivered an epic conclusion to its gripping story. It gave fans an explosive ending that left them hanging, wondering about the future of the Roys and their empire. The showrunners have kept the bar high with the writing, direction, and acting, making it one of the most beloved TV dramas in the past decade.

FAQs

1. Is the Succession TV Series Based on a True Story?

The Succession TV series is fictional, although it’s loosely inspired by the real-life media dynasties.

2. Why Is Succession So Popular?

Succession is popular due to its excellent writing, direction, acting, and the engaging storyline of the Roys and their empire.

3. How Many Seasons of Succession Are There?

There are currently four seasons of Succession. The show’s creator has mentioned he hopes to do five to six seasons.

4. Is Succession a Comedy or a Drama?

Succession is a dark comedy and drama that explores the lives of the Roy family, media moguls, and their empire.

5. Can I Watch Succession on Any Streaming Platform?

Succession is exclusively available on HBO and its streaming platform HBO Max.