Notice: This text incorporates spoilers for a number of Succession episodes, significantly season 4, episode 5, “Kill Record.”
Initially of Succession’s fourth season, Logan Roy laments that no one tells jokes anymore. It’s a wierd statement from a person who by no means confirmed an awesome love of comedy; media critics typically muse that horror and humor are extra alike than we predict, however Logan at all times 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 might help it — we lastly apprehend what he meant.
It’s an episode that toes the road between the comedian and the sinister, set towards the backdrop of the gorgeous, eerie vistas of Norway. Your entire 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 growing older behemoth Logan (Brian Cox) constructed and acquire a fats payout. The episode opens with Kendall (Jeremy Sturdy), carrying his sunnies, listening to Jay Z’s ferocious diss monitor “Takeover” within the automotive, which can simply be a portent that he’s feeling overconfident and can in some way 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 sort 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 critical or is it only a little bit of amusement for the Swedes? Little do they think the Midsommar-lite thoughts video games that await them.
Boomers versus Zoomers
Issues are notably tenser between the youngsters 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Rasche), et al — and Shiv (Sarah Snook), aggravated at their fixed questions and reminders, makes a joke about how outdated they’re. They may be many years her senior, however that additionally means they’ve many years extra expertise. Ken and Rome shortly 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 children flap round a bit like headless chickens. It’s been all of some days since Logan’s demise. It’s the outdated 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 children 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 somewhat like prey being lured right into a lure dressed up as a calming camp for media and tech executives. You’ll be able to virtually hear Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Music” blaring within the background. The Waystar crew is freaked out about how stacked Matsson’s workforce is — intellectually in addition to bodily. One among them was an Olympic ski jumper.
Gerri affords a pep discuss. “Certain, they’re younger and so they’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 identify of Logan Roy.”
It seems that Matsson is equally malignant. On the way in which as much as meet him by way of cable automotive — 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 usually opened negotiations with a joke. Kendall isn’t listening; he boils the matter right down to getting above a quantity, actually scribbling it on a clipboard: above $144 billion, it’s a win. Roman refers to Matsson (who could or could 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 simple.
“Everybody has a plan till they get punched within the mouth,” Shiv says sagely, with only a trace of a sneer. She gained’t be within the room together with her brothers, in spite of everything, and perhaps there’s part of her that will relish watching them lose a couple of enamel within the brawl.
The assembly of the households
The Waystar and GoJo clans have come collectively for the primary time on what might 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, principally as a result of the Waystar faction really feel small and might’t loosen up.
Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) introduces himself to one among 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 properly; 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 create up their father’s latest demise, and somewhat than providing condolences, Matsson bizarrely one-ups them with a grisly story about discovering his personal father lifeless in a automotive. It throws off Kendall and Roman, who begin babbling anxiously — which Matsson mocks. The brothers say their practiced traces, however the two aren’t in sync, unintentionally speaking over each other. Matsson interrupts with a bombshell.
“I wish to suggest a suggestion,” he says gravely. “I need to purchase your total operation for the value 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 shocked 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 in some way melding it with ATN. ATN can also be an “emotive” subject, as Kendall describes it, as a result of the right-wing community was Logan’s child, and he had huge plans to revamp it. Roman instantly chirps his displeasure on the concept. “I’m undecided that it really works,” he protests.
“It really works,” Matsson says.
“Okay, properly, we’re undecided 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 somewhat 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 supply, too. It means extra money — not $144 billion, however all of a sudden 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, realizing 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 elements to be ruthlessly taken aside.
“We are able to’t navigate by Dad maps,” Kendall says. “He’s not right here.” It’s an excellent level, but in addition the peak of hypocrisy from somebody who’s making an attempt to put on Logan’s pants, together with utilizing his patented technique of feeding damaging 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 nasty father. Kendall tries to distract her by providing her a selection lower of meat on a silver platter: “We might lower Tom’s throat,” he suggests. Which means: They may 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 be able to’t assist however smile just like the cat who obtained the cream.
Bloodletting
Norway is the primary time that Matsson and Shiv meet, and there’s a direct, bizarre sexual frisson between them. It’s as in the event that they perceive one another on a degree that the brothers couldn’t. Shiv, like Logan, is aware of how one can have somewhat enjoyable with enterprise — to relish within the flirtations and methods, blurring the road between teasing and truly getting in 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. “Need to discover out?”
On the primary night time of the Waystar-GoJo conclave, Shiv and Matsson get pleasure from a non-public drink in his quarters. He says he’s dangerous 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 automotive. 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 associate’s blood round your neck. However half a liter? Is that this man taking iron dietary supplements? “I simply saved doing it, repeatedly and once more,” Matsson says, “and it turned 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 control 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 may give him “casual recommendation” on avoiding a PR catastrophe. She, apparently, sees the spark of humor — or one thing else — in Matsson’s mischief.
The following time she spots Tom, she’s unnecessarily aggressive. She mocks his white sneakers and rubs grime on them. “That is why individuals don’t take you significantly,” she says with vicious gusto. She could have turned down Kendall’s supply to chop Tom’s throat; however, not not like Matsson, she’s intent on no less than 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 stated on the present: “Your earlobes are thick and chewy. Like barnacle meat.”
It is a sport for them, one which perhaps they each get pleasure from. Tom mentions Shiv’s chat with Matsson. Is he jealous? “He’s boring — however he’s very conventionally enticing,” Shiv replies. She doesn’t inform her brothers about her dialog with Matsson, both; Matsson’s fetish might 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 reviews 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 sort 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 properly be their crew that’s on shrooms. This lurking dread comes into sharp reduction 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, in all probability. It’s a scene through which Matsson drives dwelling that he doesn’t respect the Roys in any respect. He needs to save lots of ATN; Logan’s youngsters surprise, put it aside from what? “It’s plenty of yelling. Small males, huge veins,” Matsson says imperiously. He needs to make ATN easier and cheaper. “IKEA’d to fuck,” he says.
“Gotta say, I simply suppose basically you’re flawed,” 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 an excellent deal for them, and is even trustworthy concerning the attract of staying on as CEO. Doesn’t Roman need to preserve doing this too?
“What do you suppose he would do?” Roman asks.
“I believe precisely regardless of the fuck he needed,” his brother assures him. They devise a plan to make Matsson suppose it’s his concept to stroll away from the sale, as a result of if it’s clear that it’s their concept, the board will get wind of it and that, properly, would possibly land them in scorching water with the SEC. However Kendall and Roman’s maneuvering is clunky, too apparent. The following morning, they placed on a three-hour screening of a forthcoming film they’re producing, realizing the movie is a large number and hoping to freak GoJo out. Ken leaks to the media that the “deal vibes are dangerous.”
Matsson sees proper via 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 can 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 demise. “Do you bear in mind once 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 apprehensive. What he is aware of, which Logan’s sons fail to understand all through “Kill Record,” is that for those who can’t inform a joke, then you definately’re the butt of 1.
As they make their means dwelling, Matsson outmaneuvers them as soon as and for all— he ups his supply to purchase Waystar to a mouth-watering $192 billion, however tells Frank once they’re on the airplane again to the States so the children can’t preserve it a secret. Everybody else celebrates, congratulating the CEOs for wrangling such a tremendous deal. No less than, till they get Matsson’s checklist of who’s not coming alongside for the trip — the kill checklist. Hugo (Fisher Stevens) is out; Karolina (Dagmara Domińczyk) and Gerri nonetheless in.
The Roy youngsters have at all times identified it’s necessary to win — Logan drilled it into them — however profitable isn’t simply concerning the largest 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 fully artless at swerving this sort 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 conserving 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 giggle.
