LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The stakes couldn’t have been higher in ‘America Decides,’ the latest addition to a near-perfect and ultimate season of HBO’s ‘Succession.’ Kendall, Roman, Connor, Shiv, Tom, and Greg, were all scrambling to protect their best interest on the night when America was choosing a man who would occupy the White House for the next four years. At ATN, the policy of pushing a presidential candidate’s profile for personal benefits is a long-standing tradition. Hence the Roys first play both sides, the Democrats and Republicans, and then settle on one of the candidates that will listen to their whims and fancies.
In the eighth episode, Jeryd Mencken became Kendall and Roman’s final choice to support as he vowed to axe the GoJo deal with the Swede Lukas Matsson. However, Shiv Roy, who had been secretly plotting with Matsson behind her brothers, wants Daniel Jimenez at the Oval Office since he’s an anti-right-winger who will support the GoJo deal, giving Shiv an advantage and a position in the company when Matsson acquires Waystar. But Shiv has been in the same circle of first being ignored by her family, then plotting to get her share, making a mess of her plans, and then resorting back to her family for support. Although, she might find it difficult to find a way back to her family — Kendall and Roman are now aware of Shiv’s dirty little backdoor deal with Matsson. She’s lost their trust and she lost a chance to install Jimenez as the American President for her benefit. Is there a way back for Shiv?
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Nowhere to hide for Shiv
Until now, Shiv had one man she could use at any given time, someone she believed will not betray her. And that was her husband, Tom Wambsgans. But the utter confrontation in the previous episode where Tom and Shiv went at each other with all the accusations and truth bombs did finally sour their relationship. When Tom learns of Shiv’s pregnancy, he doesn’t emote at all. He’s still. Instead, he questions her which completely breaks Shiv. The way back to Tom who now only wants to secure his place at Waystar seems over for Shiv.
Kendall and Roman have seen the betrayal of their sister up close. The double-crossing has broken the symphony of the trio and Shiv’s relationship with her brothers now looks beyond repair. She’s the last woman standing, with no one to back her up. At this hour, even cousin Greg sought his revenge on her after she refused to offer him a position in the company for keeping his mouth shut. For now, there is only one option in sight for Shiv Roy.
Matsson looks like the only haven
Lukas Matsson, the Swedish tech billionaire, wants nothing but to dig his money claws and inject new-age media into Waystar. He has been propositioning Shiv since the former half of season four and given his charm and powerful position, Shiv felt best to align with him after being overlooked for the role of CEO of Waystar which went to her brothers. Her constant communication with Matsson even after being exposed is what’s left for her to explore. At the end of episode 8, she calls Matsson and asks him to release all the numbers to make her brothers suffer.
Revenge is the only option for Shiv Roy for now as she’s lost a president, her husband, her brothers, and most importantly, her father.