Reaction Review: Succession Season 4 Episode 10: With Open Eyes
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
EPISODE SUMMARY
Warning: major spoilers for Succession season 4 episode 10, “With Open Eyes”, are throughout the entire review. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Kendall Roy is on way to prepare for the boardroom meeting of all boardroom meetings. He listens to the inevitable on the radio: the possibility that GoJo will buy Waystar RoyCo. He gets a message that Stewy Hosseini is likely not on board with Kendall’s plan to sabotage the deal and buy GoJo right out, which is a shock to Kandall. The Roy boy is in denial and is sure that they will have enough board members’ votes to get Kendall’s scheme to work. Siobhan (Shiv) has her own meeting room with Lukas Matsson (remember, she is in cahoots with the GoJo owner with the goal of being the next CEO in mind). Meanwhile, neither Kendall or Shiv know where Roman is, nor do they care about his lone number when it comes to votes: they both believe they don’t need him.
Shiv brings up Tom Wambsgans’ position, and Lukas is indifferent. Shiv begins to protect Tom by stating that he will do what Lukas demands and is an integral part of the ATN experience. While Shiv takes a phone call from birth mom Lady Caroline (who is apparently being visited by Roman after he was attacked by protesters that are upset over the election “results”), Lukas spots a political cartoon in the local magazine of Shiv controlling him like a marionette. Lukas apparently doesn’t care. Tom gets a call from Shiv (the former is with Greg, like always). Tom is aware that he is on the chopping block. Shiv instead wants to discuss their relationship. Tom wants a clean separation. Shiv instead is trying to find some remnants of their love left, but perhaps to save face. Shiv views their large fight not as a fallout but as an opportunity, since they’ve gotten the worst out of the way and are able to move ahead. Tom doesn’t think he can.
Kendall calls Stewy but reaches his voice mail. He then gets in touch with Caroline to talk to Roman. Caroline is being extra protective and won’t offer Roman up. So Kendall decides to head to her house instead. Shiv has the same idea (Kendall actually assumed she was already there, if anything). Roman comes out in a t-shirt, short shorts, and with unkempt hair: despite his immaturity, he’s never looked like this in the entire series. En route to Caroline’s, Kendall finally gets a hold of Stewy who allegedly is on his side after all (we don’t actually hear or see Stewy, so we’re not too sure what is said).
Kendall arrives and is concerned by Roman’s scars: Shiv is instantly defensive of him. Caroline comes by and is also trying to protect Roman from Kendall. Roman has apparently decided to pull out of this scheme, and Kendall is furious. Roman storms off without telling Kendall with certainty how he will vote. Caroline invites Kendall for dinner, and he feels forced to stick around because of Shiv’s position. At an art gallery showing, Tom and Greg are currying favour with Lukas. When Lukas branches off somewhere else, Tom expresses his concern with Greg and then tries to scare Greg by stating that he, too, will be “fucked”. Greg disagrees initially until Tom proceeds to dig his nails into him.
Kendall approaches Shiv later that evening and assures her that he knows that she’s there just to get Roman’s vote. Kendall then spills the beans he heard from Stewy: that Lukas is in talks with one Lawrence Yee (founder and CEO of Vaulter). Roman then comes to join in on the conversation. Shiv uses this opportunity to try and win both brothers over under GoJo’s lead. It doesn’t go well. Shiv them reminds them that both brothers initially backstabbed her and she had to do what she had to do; the accuses them of being salty that she will likely win over them. Elsewhere, Tom is having dinner with Lukas. The former tries to plead his case so he can stay at ATN once GoJo’s takeover happens. After some grovelling, Lukas eventually tells Tom to keep everything on the down low because he is beginning to worry about Shiv’s pushiness: is she the right person to partner with. Lukas then proceeds to admit that he lusts for her, and he has hypothesized that she has feelings for him too. Lukas wonders if Tom would be better to have as his right hand partner instead of Shiv, so this way he can pine after her and not be controlled no problem. Tom could be that “American CEO” Lukas and Jeryd Mencken — who is already fond of Tom given the election night — could back. Once Lukas leaves, Greg comes in to check in. Tom assures Greg that they will be fine.
Greg connects with Lukas at the bar and he starts translating their Swedish conversation on his phone. They are discussing Shiv being turned down. At Caroline’s, the three Roy children not named “Connor” are having dinner together. Caroline thinks that they should sell Waystar RoyCo so they can all start a new chapter of their lives. Caroline and her partner, Peter, start pitching something else: Kendall isn’t interested, and he backs out to talk to answer his phone. It’s Greg. He will spill information if Kendall promises him power. Kendall starts calling other people and asking if this is true: is Lukas talking to other people. With this news, Kendall storms back to the dinner table and asks to talk with Shiv and Roman. He tells Shiv that Lukas is backstabbing her. She doesn’t believe him. She decides to call Lukas instead. He isn’t answering. He tells her to call Carolina instead to look at the announcement draft. He confirms to Roman that this isn’t a move, and that Shiv is actually being dropped.
Shiv gets the bad news confirmed and begins trying to call Lukas to figure out why this is happening. She then tells Roman and Kendall that they need to figure something out together. They call Tellis, a financier. Together, they try to figure out a voting strategy so they can get the proper numbers. When discussing new CEOs, Kendall brings up that it should be him. Roman states that Logan Roy actually said that Roman was going to be the next in line before he passed away, and no one believes him: Shiv also brings up that she was promised CEO too. Kendall states that he’s been told since he was seven years old that he would be the next CEO. Kendall claims that Roman wouldn’t be fit for next CEO, and brings up how he had to back out of his father’s eulogy for getting too emotional: maybe he isn’t equipped to be CEO. Kendall doesn’t think Roman actually wants to be CEO. Kendall then tells Shiv that it can’t be her either if she was kissing Lukas’ ass and is now on the brothers’ side.
Kendall tells Shiv that she can have ATN and the news, and that Roman can run social media. Kendall goes swimming and leaves Roman and Shiv alone with the proposal. Roman wonders if they shouldn’t just sell it to Matsson and finally be done with this. He doesn’t think Shiv or Kendall should be CEO either (he eventually states that it shouldn’t be Kendall but he can see it happening), and Shiv doesn’t think it should be either brother. Roman then wonders who Logan actually wanted to be CEO: he concludes that he doesn’t think any of them were considered. They eventually approach Kendall in the water and state that they’ve come to an agreement that it should be Kendall, after much deliberation.
While all three kids make a crude smoothie to celebrate (that they will vote to block and keep Waystar), Caroline comes downstairs to see what all the hubbub is. They also tell Caroline that they’re going to elect Kendall as sole CEO. She’s just happy that they're all getting along nicely. When she leaves, they continue with their gross smoothie milkshake, made of everything from eggs and cheese to Shiv’s spit. After Kendall has a sip, Roman dumps the blender of grossness on his head to “crown” him. They all leave to get back home and figure out that important board meeting. On the flight over, all three siblings are trying to confirm their numbers. Shiv is being approached by Connor Roy to discuss the auctioning off of Logan’s valuables (or “The Great Reallocation”). At Logan’s, Connor begins his spiel about the auction. Connor admits that he has kept his dad’s medals all for himself. His wife Willa states that Connor is likely going to Slovenia and that they will have a long distance relationship for a little while. Who knows if that relationship is going to last.
Shiv has heard through the grapevine that Mencken may not actually have all the necessary votes (ATN did prematurely announce the win, to be fair). As they head into the other room, it appears that Connor has video footage of their late father running on a television to make it feel as though he is there with them all. The recording is from Logan's last birthday: the one the three other kids missed. Kendall, Shiv, and Roman watch with teary eyes.
Tom connects with Shiv shortly after, and she tells him about Lukas’ betrayal. Of course, Tom already knows this: Shiv tells Tom that it was Greg that told her (something he didn’t know). Tom wonders if he is still the next CEO, but Shiv states that the rumour is that Lawrence will be next in line. Tom ponders if they should just let Lukas takeover, and Shiv begins to put two-and-two together. Tom is convinced that it's him. She is furious. She states that they have the numbers, and storms out of the room directly to her brothers to tell them the bad news. Tom goes to talk with Greg in the bathroom. He claims that Greg destroyed the deal because of Greg’s rumour. He slaps Greg, and for once Greg stands up for himself and hits back. Tom leaves the bathroom dejected.
Tom goes to call Lukas, and the latter begins panicking. He wants his team to guarantee their numbers. All three Roy kids are now at Waystar: it’s meeting time. They meet with Hugo Baker to discuss the plan (Shiv was previously just pulled aside and asked if Hugo can be fired: maybe those rumblings of a Hugo spinoff show are for real). Stewy shows up to ask what the details are, and the Roys begin grilling them about what is in the deal for him. Kendall promises Stewy and his father, Sandi, power: Stewy may even be chairman. Roman panics when he sees Gerri Kellman there. He wants to leave and call in his vote instead. While Roman nervously looks at himself and his scars, Kendall affirms that Roman could have been CEO. Roman then wonders why it isn’t him that is next in line. Kendall hugs him to console him.
The meeting begins at Frank’s command: all board members are present. Kendall begins to address the deal and why GoJo’s proposal doesn’t work. He claims that Lukas and GoJo aren’t as secure as they would lead them to believe: that they are actually floundering. Frank wants the actually go over the information, but the board is prepared to go straight to a vote. Frank disagrees and feels like this is a good deal. They begin going around the room to vote. After a few “yesses”, there are a few “nos” across the board. After hesitation, Roman eventually says “no”. Shiv waits even longer before barging out of the room. Kendall goes to talk with her. When she leaves, it is confirmed a tie: six-to-six. Roman follows behind them. Shiv tells them to leave her alone so she can think in peace. Shiv states that she may have changed her mind. Kendall begins trying to plead his case. She doesn't think Kendall will be a good CEO.
Kendall threatens to commit suicide if he cannot be CEO, and she brings up the fact that Kendall has actually killed someone and so he can’t be CEO. Kendall says “which” and they begin to wonder if he has killed someone else additionally. He begins back peddling the admission and then claims that he didn’t actually kill the kid while driving under the influence (which, we know, isn’t true). Roman starts to back out of the vote. Kendall starts yelling and stating that this company is owed to him. Roman then says that Shiv and her kid are actually blood related, and insinuating that Kendall’s kids aren’t actually his. He begins abusing Roman; Shiv steps in to defend Roman and then leaves once Kendall backs off. Kendall keeps trying, and Roman starts shrugging him off. He states that none of this matters, so why not just sell it all.
Kendall comes back to the meeting and asks if they can adjourn. Frank states that the vote is done and that they have sold to GoJo: the final vote was seven-six. He leaves dejectedly. Tom and his posse head towards the board room to address everyone. Board room members start kissing his ass, starting with Stewy and then Hugo. Hugo asks where Karolina is and shoos him away. Then comes Greg who wants to congratulate him. Tom states that Karl and Frank will be out, and Gerri will be staying. He claims that Lukas hates Greg and wants him out. However, he states that he’s got Greg’s back. Roman and Kendall have to sign the company over, and Roman doesn’t want to be there with Lukas or Kendall. Eventually he agrees, signs, and leaves. Lukas points at Greg and calls him “Judas” whilst calling him and his posse “Jesus and his disciples”. Tom goes outside to tell Shiv that Lukas wants to talk with her. He’s CEO and now he gets to call the shots.
Roman is at the bar drinking alone with a smile on his face: it’s all over. Tom gets in a car with Shiv, and she wishes him congratulations. He offers his hand out to hold hers, and she places hers on top. Kendall is walking alone (well, with security behind him: he can’t let go of that dream of being in power) in a nearby park. He stares into the water nearby and then takes a seat. His future is wide open. He has no family whatsoever: he has pushed everyone away. He seemingly considers jumping in, but security is nearby and that likely won’t happen. We don’t know his fate, but we are certain that he has never been more lost in his life. Like Roman warned him, this is all “bullshit”. There is nothing there. Maybe he finally sees this “with open eyes.”
FIRST REACTION
What. A. Finale. Succession was doing Succession things right until the very end. The open possibilities were swirling around until there were ten minutes or so left in the episode. These are the final ten minutes of the series, and they matter the most. Roman reminds us something we needed to know from the very beginning: none of this actually matters. We’ve been invested in watching shitty people run the country into the ground. It doesn’t matter who is in charge, because almost anyone in this position will be bad and shitty at their job. They won’t care about the wellbeing of others. They’re just names and faces filling “empty suits”: something Shiv called Tom out of anger. She isn’t wrong, but she isn’t right in the way she meant. Tom is vapid in her eyes, sure, but the CEO is just whoever is elected next by a boardroom of yuppies that will flock to whoever is in charge to save their own asses. None. Of. This. Matters. It never did. It only mattered to us watching the series. Are we this invested with real events in the same way? Watching avidly on a weekly basis? Likely not.
Succession isn’t just about who is going to be the next CEO. It’s about what comes next. As soon as we finish the show on such an abrupt note (not The Sopranos abrupt, but pretty close to it), we’re left with reality again. We have terrible people in charge of us on the daily. There are other shows that will succeed this one. This is just the end of Succession. As for the Roy family, let’s see what we have. Roman is finally happy and free of the noise and abuse (Kendall was clearly cut from the same cloth of his father, and Roman doesn’t need to be beaten again; he never should have been beaten at all). Shiv is now officially beneath Tom in the exact same way he was always beneath her for being a Roy; she has to be Tom for the foreseeable future, and he knows this. Kendall has nothing. His wife and children are estranged, especially post election: they have left the state out of concern. His siblings hate him more than ever (also, he’s never been more desperate as to lie about having killed someone: they now think he will lie to do anything, which is still technically true). His best friends are on the board for a company he’s no longer a part of most likely (no way the Roy kids, except for maybe Shiv, will be kept around). He’s got nothing. Not in the way Roman stated, but in his own way. He could have sold everything and lived with peace. He instead burned every bridge out of panic, and he will die alone, either now or at some point.
There is a very thin line between perfect finales and awful ones especially when it comes to the instant reaction: they both leave you with your hands up in the air and wondering “that’s it??”. Awful finales will leave you scratching your head for a while. The best ones will clear themselves up upon some quick reflection. After maybe ten seconds of questioning Succession’s ending, I actually find it brilliant. It’s bold, true to the nature of the series, and it actually functions quite organically. So maybe my prediction that Greg “the egg” would make it didn’t come true (it’s almost poetically better that he remain forever a lackey, because look at Hugo being pathetic his entire life). It doesn’t matter if any of our predictions came true. Succession is a Shakespearen-esque fable about the backstabbing that goes on because of one’s thirst for power. It is a seat at the table with the filthy, grotesque, entitled members of the one percent: not every wealthy person is like this, but enough are that this series rings true. The Roy family is no more. Roman knew it never meant anything. Shiv now has to be a Wambsgans and bear the child of her once-hungry husband. Kendall has gone down with the Roy ship as a nobody, because Roys no longer hold the power they once had.
Will Lukas Matsson succeed? Will Tom be a good CEO? Again. It. Doesn’t. Matter. Restart Succession from the very beginning, change names around, maybe use AI and DeepFake technology to change characters into their new roles, and you’ll get the sequel to Succession. It’s all the same bullshit. It always has been. We needed “With Open Eyes” to tell us this. It’s an important title that marks not just the revelations each Roy child has, but our own realization as well. We can enter back to reality with the stark reminder that greed will always prevail, power doesn’t consider anyone, and sometimes the most powerful people are the most pathetic. We got some pathos that connected us with these Roy kids, so we understand them a little more as real people. That’s the only olive branch we were granted in order for Succession to be less sadistic than it truly always was. I’m convinced that “With Open Eyes” is a finale for the ages, and the final cherry on top of this endless sundae that extends across all corners of the table in typically gluttonous fashion: Succession is an all time great series, and it nailed the landing. Another season or more will only relay the exact same messages and send a near-perfect series plummeting downwards. There’s no point for the series to continue. Let us usher in the next great series and hope it compares.
Final Grade: 5/5
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.