Succession season 4, episode 5 recap: Blood is drawn within the lead-up to the Waystar-GoJo deal

Notice: This text accommodates spoilers for a number of Succession episodes, significantly season 4, episode 5, “Kill Record.”

Firstly of Succession’s fourth season, Logan Roy laments that no person tells jokes anymore. It’s a wierd remark from a person who by no means confirmed an amazing love of comedy; media critics generally muse that horror and humor are extra alike than we predict, however Logan all the time stood firmly on the road of terrifying. In “Kill Record,” the fifth episode of the ultimate season of Succession, whereas Logan is being readied for a burial — not in a kilt if Connor may also help it — we lastly apprehend what he meant.

It’s an episode that toes the road between the comedian and the sinister, set in opposition to the backdrop of the attractive, eerie vistas of Norway. The complete Roy retinue, together with the Waystar C-suite, is embarking on a voyage to the nation to iron out the sale of Waystar to GoJo, Lukas Matsson’s (Alexander Skarsgård) streaming firm, which has been dragging out for months. It’s a relationship that has shapeshifted many occasions; first Waystar needed to amass it, however now it’s Waystar that’s determined to dump the ageing behemoth Logan (Brian Cox) constructed and accumulate a fats payout. The episode opens with Kendall (Jeremy Robust), sporting his sunnies, listening to Jay Z’s ferocious diss observe “Takeover” within the automobile, which can simply be a portent that he’s feeling overconfident and can by some means be introduced down by his hubris quickly.

Kendall and Roman (Kieran Culkin), because the newly minted co-CEOs of their father’s empire, have prepped diligently for the negotiations. They’re journeying to a international land earlier than Logan is even in his grave; sealing the deal he began is a form of send-off. However on Matsson’s turf, our protagonists are by no means fairly positive in the event that they’re being toyed with — is that this severe or is it only a little bit of amusement for the Swedes? Little do they believe the Midsommar-lite thoughts video games that await them.

Boomers versus Zoomers

Issues are notably tenser between the kids and the Waystar executives — Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron), Frank (Peter Friedman), Karl (David Rasche), et al — and Shiv (Sarah Snook), aggravated at their fixed questions and reminders, makes a joke about how previous they’re. They is likely to be many years her senior, however that additionally means they’ve many years extra expertise. Ken and Rome rapidly flash how inexperienced they’re; when Matsson insists that they attend GoJo’s retreat in Norway, he sends an in depth checklist of everybody he needs in attendance, and the youngsters flap round a bit like headless chickens. It’s been all of some days since Logan’s dying. It’s the previous guard that places Matsson’s demand into perspective. “Cultural compatibility test,” Frank surmises. “It’s early however it’s sensible,” Gerri says. What would the youngsters do with out Logan’s internal council nonetheless whispering of their ears?

Although Roman and Kendall have prepped, the nervous power electrifies the brisk Norwegian air. They’re surrounded by serene mountains and waterfalls, however there’s one thing deeply surreal and menacing concerning the environs, and everybody feels slightly like prey being lured right into a lure dressed up as a soothing camp for media and tech executives. You’ll be able to virtually hear Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Track” blaring within the background. The Waystar crew is freaked out about how stacked Matsson’s workforce is — intellectually in addition to bodily. Certainly one of them was an Olympic ski jumper.

Gerri provides a pep speak. “Positive, they’re younger they usually’re match — however they’re European,” she says with disdain. “They might suppose they’re Vikings, however we’ve been raised by wolves. Uncovered to a pathogen that goes by the title of Logan Roy.”

It seems that Matsson is equally malignant. On the way in which as much as meet him by way of cable automobile — he’s set all of it up in order that he’s the warlord sitting atop the mountain, demanding the villagers pay him tribute — Karl offers some last-minute recommendation to Kendall and Roman, saying that Logan typically opened negotiations with a joke. Kendall isn’t listening; he boils the matter all the way down to getting above a quantity, actually scribbling it on a clipboard: above $144 billion, it’s a win. Roman refers to Matsson (who might or might not have been drawn with shades of Swedish Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, amongst others) as a “little Elon bitch.” They suppose that is going to be straightforward.

“Everybody has a plan till they get punched within the mouth,” Shiv says sagely, with only a trace of a sneer. She received’t be within the room along with her brothers, in spite of everything, and possibly there’s part of her that might relish watching them lose just a few enamel within the brawl.

The assembly of the households

The Waystar and GoJo clans have come collectively for the primary time on what may have been lovely, impartial floor — GoJo is a Swedish firm. There’s loads of meals and leisure to get pleasure from, like ax throwing and archery. However the meet-and-greet is contrived, largely as a result of the Waystar faction really feel small and may’t loosen up.

Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) introduces himself to certainly one of Matsson’s internal circle. “Oh, Tom — of Siobhan?” the person asks. “Yeah … and of ATN,” Tom replies uncomfortably, already feeling considerably made enjoyable of. Later, the Swedes announce it’s time for the sauna. The People don’t deal with the warmth very nicely; their rivals stare at them superciliously whereas they sweat.

From the second that Matsson and the Waystar CEOs have their first sit-down, Matsson makes clear that he’s the one in management. They bring about up their father’s current dying, and reasonably than providing condolences, Matsson bizarrely one-ups them with a grisly story about discovering his personal father lifeless in a automobile. It throws off Kendall and Roman, who begin babbling anxiously — which Matsson mocks. The brothers say their practiced strains, however the two aren’t in sync, by accident speaking over each other. Matsson interrupts with a bombshell.

“I want to suggest a suggestion,” he says gravely. “I need to purchase your total operation for the worth of 1 single greenback.” Kendall and Roman reply with full silence.

Then Matsson cackles. He’s the one who begins negotiations with a joke.

He tells the 2 surprised brothers that he needs the corporate’s information community, ATN, again within the deal — no carveout. The Roy siblings had been planning on making a Frankenstein’s monster of a media big by shopping for rival firm Pierce World Media and by some means melding it with ATN. ATN can also be an “emotive” problem, as Kendall describes it, as a result of the right-wing community was Logan’s child, and he had large plans to revamp it. Roman instantly chirps his displeasure on the thought. “I’m unsure that it really works,” he protests.

“It really works,” Matsson says.

“Okay, nicely, we’re unsure that it does work,” Roman replies. The shift from “I” to “we” shouldn’t be unnoticed by anybody within the room, however he doesn’t get the help he needs from his brother. Kendall asks for a value. “You prefer it slightly bit, don’t you?” Matsson says with a creeping smile, realizing he might need discovered his mark.

The CEOs report again to the Waystar govt workforce, which takes a shine to the provide, too. It means more cash — not $144 billion, however out of the blue greater than $180 billion. Shiv is raring, calling the Fox Information-esque ATN a “poisonous asset.” Roman is the one one with a sentimental objection to giving up ATN, understanding that his father needed to maintain it for himself. Much more infuriating, Matsson says outright that he thinks of the corporate as little greater than components to be ruthlessly taken aside.

“We are able to’t navigate by Dad maps,” Kendall says. “He’s not right here.” It’s a great level, but additionally the peak of hypocrisy from somebody who’s attempting to put on Logan’s pants, together with utilizing his patented technique of feeding unfavorable tales to the press, as Logan as soon as did to Kendall.

In the meantime, Shiv suspects that one thing is off concerning the sudden media protection of Logan being a foul father. Kendall tries to distract her by providing her a selection reduce of meat on a silver platter: “We may reduce Tom’s throat,” he suggests. Which means: They might hearth him from ATN, or simply torture him professionally. Shiv appears tempted, but passes on the brotherly kindness. However as she passes Tom later, she will’t assist however smile just like the cat who bought the cream.

Bloodletting

Norway is the primary time that Matsson and Shiv meet, and there’s an instantaneous, bizarre sexual frisson between them. It’s as in the event that they perceive one another on a stage that the brothers couldn’t. Shiv, like Logan, is aware of how you can have slightly enjoyable with enterprise — to relish within the flirtations and tips, blurring the road between teasing and really stepping into for the kill. When Matsson hugs her brothers in greeting, he asks her, “Am I going to get a lawsuit if I hug you?” She doesn’t miss a beat. “Wish to discover out?”

On the primary evening of the Waystar-GoJo conclave, Shiv and Matsson get pleasure from a non-public drink in his quarters. He says he’s unhealthy with boundaries — that that is proof of it proper now. All through the episode, he confesses to loads whereas leaving his true nature and motivations a thriller: To Kendall and Roman, he implies that he discovered his dad lifeless by suicide in his automobile. To Shiv, he tells a narrative about how he despatched his ex half a liter of his frozen blood after they broke up — as a “nasty, pleasant joke.” It’s one factor to maintain a vial of your accomplice’s blood round your neck. However half a liter? Is that this man taking iron dietary supplements? “I simply saved doing it, time and again and once more,” Matsson says, “and it grew to become not a joke, after which a joke once more, and now it’s apparently not a joke.” Then he confesses that the ex to whom he’s been sending his bodily fluids is Ebba (Eili Harboe), his head of comms. The particular person in command of his public picture.

That is horrible information for the pending Waystar sale — if the media came upon that the corporate’s new CEO was some bloodplay freak, to not point out a sexual harasser, they might by no means let it go. However removed from being disturbed by this admission, Shiv, a former political strategist, is savvy sufficient to inform Matsson she can provide him “casual recommendation” on avoiding a PR catastrophe. She, apparently, sees the spark of humor — or one thing else — in Matsson’s mischief.

The subsequent time she spots Tom, she’s unnecessarily aggressive. She mocks his white sneakers and rubs filth on them. “That is why individuals don’t take you severely,” she says with vicious gusto. She might have turned down Kendall’s provide to chop Tom’s throat; however, not not like Matsson, she’s intent on at the least drawing blood. However Tom strikes again for as soon as, flicking her ear exhausting sufficient that she cries out. And he murmurs probably the strangest factor anybody has ever mentioned on the present: “Your earlobes are thick and chewy. Like barnacle meat.”

It is a sport for them, one which possibly they each get pleasure from. Tom mentions Shiv’s chat with Matsson. Is he jealous? “He’s boring — however he’s very conventionally engaging,” Shiv replies. She doesn’t inform her brothers about her dialog with Matsson, both; Matsson’s fetish could possibly be good leverage for them. She retains his secret, like she enjoys that, too.

Are we having enjoyable but?

Tom and Greg (Nicholas Braun) commerce intel (extra like gossip) concerning the GoJo crew. Greg experiences that Matsson wears noise-canceling headphones when having intercourse. They’re standing proper subsequent to a show of pigs being roasted over a spit, and a form of metaphor — they’re on the menu, even when they don’t really feel the warmth but.

The off-kilter undercurrent of the retreat slowly builds because the day goes on. The Waystar clique has supplied agency handshakes and made unwavering eye contact, however they nonetheless can’t assist however really feel outnumbered and cornered. Matsson’s the one with a penchant for mind-altering medication, however it would possibly as nicely be their crew that’s on shrooms. This lurking dread comes into sharp aid when Matsson finds out that Greg is one other of Logan’s blood relations. He and his total crew double over in laughter, talking in Swedish about what an incestuous little household operation Waystar is, most likely. It’s a scene by which Matsson drives residence that he doesn’t respect the Roys in any respect. He needs to save lots of ATN; Logan’s youngsters marvel, put it aside from what? “It’s a variety of yelling. Small males, large veins,” Matsson says imperiously. He needs to make ATN less complicated and cheaper. “IKEA’d to fuck,” he says.

“Gotta say, I simply suppose basically you’re improper,” Kendall tells him.

Matsson goes for the jugular. “I don’t care what you suppose. You’re a tribute band,” he retorts.

It’s the second that he impugns Ken’s honor. It’s one factor to attempt to hardball him on a suggestion, it’s one other to humiliate him. Kendall admits to Roman that he needs to tank the deal, after Roman sighs that it’s exhausting to inform whether or not they’re profitable or shedding. Kendall makes it sound prefer it’s simply not a great deal for them, and is even trustworthy concerning the attract of staying on as CEO. Doesn’t Roman need to hold doing this too?

“What do you suppose he would do?” Roman asks.

“I feel precisely regardless of the fuck he needed,” his brother assures him. They devise a plan to make Matsson suppose it’s his thought to stroll away from the sale, as a result of if it’s clear that it’s their thought, the board will get wind of it and that, nicely, would possibly land them in scorching water with the SEC. However Kendall and Roman’s maneuvering is clunky, too apparent. The subsequent morning, they placed on a three-hour screening of a forthcoming film they’re producing, understanding the movie is a multitude and hoping to freak GoJo out. Ken leaks to the media that the “deal vibes are unhealthy.”

Matsson sees proper by way of it. “Are you fucking Scooby Doo-ing me right here?” he asks them. “Are you tanking the deal?” He tells them Logan was a prick, however he could be embarrassed if he noticed them now. It’s sufficient to make Roman’s blood boil, and he lays into Matsson for the cruelty of forcing them to return to Norway days after their father’s dying. “Do you keep in mind while you requested me when my dad was going to die?” he asks. Matsson tells him that, too, was a joke.

Roman calls him an “inhuman fucking canine man” and closes the door on the sale. Matsson doesn’t look all that fearful. What he is aware of, which Logan’s sons fail to understand all through “Kill Record,” is that when you can’t inform a joke, then you definitely’re the butt of 1.

As they make their method residence, Matsson outmaneuvers them as soon as and for all— he ups his provide to purchase Waystar to a mouth-watering $192 billion, however tells Frank once they’re on the aircraft again to the States so the youngsters can’t hold it a secret. Everybody else celebrates, congratulating the CEOs for wrangling such a tremendous deal. Not less than, till they get Matsson’s checklist of who’s not coming alongside for the experience — the kill checklist. Hugo (Fisher Stevens) is out; Karolina (Dagmara Domińczyk) and Gerri nonetheless in.

The Roy youngsters have all the time identified it’s necessary to win — Logan drilled it into them — however profitable isn’t simply concerning the greatest quantity. That’s lacking the forest for the bushes. It’s about by no means being the humiliated one, the boar on the ground. The trail to energy is climbed by stepping on another person. Perhaps Kendall and Roman are so used to struggling numerous indignities underneath their father that they’re utterly artless at swerving this type of embarrassment.

Shiv, in the meantime, not solely avoids humiliation in Norway, however metes it out. Shiv will get a name from Matsson. He needs her to ship a photograph of her brothers’ mortified faces. It’s not a joke. Or, it’s the last word joke: They insisted on preserving her out of the halls of energy, and now they’ve shot themselves within the foot. Shiv snaps the photograph for posterity and will get the final snicker.