The presidential election might swing both means this week on Succession… and so might the Roy household, truthfully.
It’s election evening, and Tom is feeling strain to ship massive scores for ATN. (He’s additionally getting no sleep, he tells Greg, because of “marital strife.”) Greg reveals he partied with Matsson and Oskar late into the evening and asks Tom if he knew about Shiv and Matsson’s “business alliance.” Uh no, Tom didn’t find out about that. ATN’s resident elections analyst Darwin tells the employees that Mencken is overperforming in exit polls, nevertheless it appears to be like like Jimenez will edge him out. Shiv is nervous concerning the state of the nation, however Roman tells her to loosen up: “My team is playing your team. It’s only spicy because if my team wins, they’re gonna shoot your team.” Shiv calls Matsson and spills that Jimenez is the possible winner, advising him to launch his funky India numbers tomorrow to get forward of the story. But Matsson says he talked it over with Oskar and Greg (?!), and “maybe we keep my terrible secret a secret.” He additionally stirs his cocktail along with his naked finger, which… ew.
Roman is anxious that if Jimenez wins, he’ll simply wave the GoJo deal by way of. So Kendall calls Nate and tries to fix fences, promising Jimenez that ATN can be “fair as f—k” tonight. (He additionally will get a name from Rava who’s fearful about an SUV following them, however Kendall admits “it’s probably mine,” since he needs to guard Sophie after that ugly incident on the road.) Roman heads to Mencken’s watch get together, the place the candidate tells him even when he loses, he needs to form the narrative that he overperformed and he’ll be again subsequent time — and he needs ATN’s assist pushing that narrative. Meanwhile, Tom is working on fumes, so Greg provides him just a little powdered pick-me-up. What might go incorrect? Tom bullies Greg into becoming a member of him for a bump (“It’s medically good for your brain!”) earlier than taking a name from Connor, who complains that ATN isn’t mentioning him in any respect: “Maybe everyone voted for me. We don’t know.” Well, we do know, as a result of as quickly because the polls shut, ATN calls Kentucky for Mencken, eradicating that final sliver of hope for Connor. “F–k Kentucky,” Willa decides.
A coked-up Tom freaks out when an ATN anchor’s touchscreen malfunctions on air, sprinting right down to the management room to berate the director. Shiv is extra involved, although, about studies of a fireplace bombing at a Milwaukee vote heart which may have torched absentee ballots in an important swing state. Roman shrugs it off as a false flag, however Shiv marches right down to the ATN studio, adopted by Roman and Kendall, with a nervous Greg making an attempt to herd them away. Shiv pulls Tom apart and tries to apologize for his or her struggle final evening, however Tom simply fires again: “You scared that I’m going to blab about you and Matsson?” She reminds him that her father simply died, however he reminds her that she hated Logan, “and you also sort of killed him.” A shocked Shiv then blurts out that she’s pregnant, “by you.” (!!) Tom wonders if that’s even true, “or is that a new position or a tactic?” A devastated Shiv walks away with tears in her eyes, leaving Tom standing there dumbfounded. She tells her brothers that they only can’t belief Tom anymore. Hmmm.
A humbled Connor asks Roman if Mencken’s ambassadorship provide continues to be on the desk, however Roman says that ship has sailed. It’s wanting good for Mencken, although: He has sufficient votes to win Wisconsin… should you don’t depend the hundred thousand votes lacking because of that fireside. Roman needs to name the state for Mencken, however Shiv insists each final vote ought to be counted. (Roman’s response: “Meh.”) Roman mentions that if Jimenez wins, he’ll let the GoJo deal undergo… and Shiv realizes that’s why he and Kendall are pulling for Mencken. (Ken sheepishly admits, “I’m a realist.”) They name in Darwin, who concedes Mencken’s lead in Wisconsin is insurmountable with out the burned votes. Shiv floats the concept of a re-vote, however Darwin says that’s exceedingly uncommon. She calls all of this “bulls—t,” and when Mark Ravenhead goes on ATN blaming Jimenez supporters for the hearth, she pushes Roman to place an opposing viewpoint on the air. “I don’t necessarily feel good about this, Rome,” Kendall confesses, however all Roman can provide him is “Shucks.”
Shiv pulls Greg right into a aspect room to grill him about his evening out with Matsson, instantly pivoting to ask: “Do you find me attractive, Gregory?” (Greg stammers: “I don’t think of things such as that.”) Shiv warns him that “if you try to f–k me, I’ll kill you” — and when Greg wonders what’s in it for him, she tells him she gained’t pull out his inside organs by power. Roman lays it out for Kendall: If Mencken wins, he’ll block the GoJo deal. So Roman pushes Darwin to name Wisconsin for Mencken, pulling rank as Waystar’s co-CEO. The pollster is hesitant, so Roman suggests they may say the decision is “pending” and put Darwin on the air to elucidate the nuance. They get sidetracked, although, when Darwin is blinded after getting wasabi in his eyes, because of Greg’s bodega sushi. (Greg does attempt to assist by pouring lemon La Croix in his eyes.) Plus, Connor involves the ATN studio and provides to concede in Mencken’s route, so Roman places him on the air to say it’s wanting like Mencken will win and the Con-heads ought to help him… earlier than he goes off on a rant highlighted by him saying, “I’m a billionaire. Sorry.” Gee, we surprise why he didn’t win.
The ATN anchors name Wisconsin for Mencken, and with Jimenez taking Michigan, he and Mencken are tied with 262 electoral votes. Only Arizona and Alaska are nonetheless excellent, and Darwin says the information reveals Arizona goes pink. That’d be sufficient to present the presidency to Mencken, Roman says, and he’s able to make the decision — however a shellshocked Kendall says no, questioning if they need to revisit Wisconsin. Roman laughs that Kendall is “going to big brother it” like he at all times does, and cautions that if Mencken wins with out their assist, “we’re like the most d–kless eunuchs in cucktown.” Kendall fears that in the event that they name it, they’ll throw the election to Mencken, including that “one of those guys pushed my daughter.” But Roman isn’t sympathetic: “We’ll be in the West Wing. Nothing matters.” Kendall turns to Shiv, telling her he’s unsure what to do. He admits he needs to ditch the GoJo deal as a result of he thinks he can run Waystar himself, and he’s threatened by Roman’s cozy bond with Mencken. He additionally shares he doesn’t really feel like a superb father, however Shiv assures him, “You’re a good guy,” pushing him to do what he can to cease Mencken. He asks her to see if Jimenez’s camp can even pledge to dam the GoJo deal, and Shiv says she’s going to — however she simply pretends to name Nate whereas dialing a disconnected quantity.
She tells Kendall and Roman that Jimenez is keen to contemplate nixing the deal, however Roman contends Mencken is a positive factor. Shiv insists their dad Logan would let the electoral course of play out, which pulls a hearty chortle from Roman: “He did whatever the f–k he wanted.” Kendall decides to name Nate himself, and Shiv tries to cease him, however he calls anyway… and we see his face fall as he turns to Shiv in confusion. (He additionally pulls Greg in for a fast seek the advice of.) He confronts Shiv, asserting, “You lied,” and telling Roman that she’s working with Matsson, too. She denies it, nevertheless it’s sufficient to persuade Roman and Kendall to name the election for Mencken. Shiv pleads with them: “This is about the future of the country.” But Roman counters: “No, I think this is because you broke up with your boyfriend.” Though Shiv says it’s an enormous mistake, Roman tells Tom to name the election for Mencken. ATN makes the announcement on air, and a triumphant Mencken provides a victory speech vowing to offer “something clean in this polluted land.” He additionally calls Roman to thank him for placing him excessive — as rival information networks blame Tom for calling the race prematurely.
Matsson calls Shiv, bewildered by Mencken’s win (“This is cray-zee!”), and she or he guarantees to repair this… however we’re not so positive she will be able to. On his means residence, Kendall calls Rava and asks if he can see the youngsters, however she tells him they’re sleeping. He’ll see her tomorrow, although, at Logan’s funeral. After hanging up, he mutters to his driver: “Some people just can’t cut a deal.”
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