HBO’s Succession continues its captivating expedition of the fierce world of business power has a hard time in the appropriately entitled episode “Tailgate Party.” Set versus the background of a politically charged election eve, the Roys discover themselves involved in a web of deceit, control, and personal discoveries.
The episode focuses around Kendall and Roman’s juvenile pursuit of weakening Lukas Matsson’s quote to get Waystar. Recognizing the power of regulative companies, they set out to produce barriers that will prevent the deal – the negative technique highlighting the Roys’ unyielding dedication to business above all else, even when confronted with the traumatic reality that their actions have real-world repercussions.
Kendall’s child’s experience of a racially charged insult acts as a plain tip of the hazardous environment perpetuated by the media empire they belong of. However, the pursuit of revenue outweighs ethical qualms, as Kendall and Roman plan their next relocations without doubt. It’s the closest we’ve seen the lost lamb in the similarity of Papa Roy, perpetuating the very same self-apologetic “for the kids” story while gaslighting Rava for her ineptitude.
The titular “Tailgate Party” acts as a microcosm of the characters’ truest personal selves considering that the episode 3 surprise, with Shiv and Tom hosting a luxurious occasion filled with prominent figures from the worlds of politics and media. Amidst the elegant screens of wealth and power, Shiv and Tom’s collapsing marital relationship ends up being a centerpiece.
Though their relationship remains in chaos, they stand out at hosting, developing a paradoxical contrast in between their public exteriors and personal chaos. The information of the celebration, from American-themed starters to costly champagne, display the luxury and excess that penetrate the world of the uber-wealthy velvety upper layer of participants, who are “not all crypto-fascists and right-wing nutjobs”, rather, a healthy mix of “venture capital Dems and centrist ghouls” too.
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Matsson’s head of communications, Ebba (who we previously remember as the recipient of Matssson’s blood bricks of affection), adds another layer of intrigue to the episode. Like vultures on the prowl, the CE-Bros pounce at the opportunity to exploit their interactions with her to gain leverage against Matsson, ultimately uncovering his fraudulent numbers in India. Or two India’s, to be specific.
The revelation that Matsson’s company has been inflating subscriber numbers casts doubt on his credibility and becomes a weapon that Kendall and Roman can use to halt the acquisition. Shiv, however, finds herself caught between her allegiance to her brothers and her own hidden agenda, risking exposure and the wrath of her siblings. The shifting alliances, explosive confrontations, and Machiavellian maneuverings set the stage for an exhilarating continuation of the power struggle in the series’ final few episodes.
In the midst of the chaos, Connor’s peculiar political journey takes an unexpected turn. With his minuscule polling numbers, he is courted by the right-wing candidate’s team, who propose that he step aside in exchange for diplomatic perks in foreign territories, including “the poor man’s Saudi Arabia” and the prospects of “opening up North Korea like Nixon did China”. The absurdity of the situation is not lost on the viewers, as Connor tries to justify the questionable offer with promises of swanky parking privileges.
However, it seems of all the conniving Roy siblings, climbing over each other in their lust for power, the oldest of the Roys manages to keep his integrity intact and refuses to compromise his values, adding a surprising (albeit comical) glimmer of moral clarity in an otherwise morally cutthroat environment.
A few standouts from the episode also included J Smith Cameron’s Gerri absolutely annihilating Roman’s meak attempts at patching up his previous contract-nullifying lapses in judgement, as well as Nicholas Braun steadily driving the deplorable ‘Cousin Greg for the win’ bandwagon towards plausibility. A simple “I’m the right guy for the job, ’cause it looks like I care but I don’t”, seems just about enough fodder to keep the theory more alive than ever before.
The episode nears its end in a dramatic confrontation between Kendall and Matsson at the celebration. Their heated exchange exposes the “literally unbelievable” numbers the other has been touting, as both corporate man-baby’s culminate the confrontation in an ape hug. If it wasn’t clear already, they clearly “love the deal”.
This pivotal moment pushes Kendall to make a bold decision – rather than allowing GoJo to acquire Waystar, he proposes that Waystar “invades the Vikings” and acquires GoJo instead. The power dynamics shift, and the intricate video game of thrones takes an unexpected turn, leaving us in eager anticipation of the consequences of Kendall’s audacious move.
That brings us to the close. Throughout the episode the complexities of Shiv and Tom’s toxic blend of love, hatred, and codependency are poked and prodded at. Shiv’s ruthlessness and Tom’s desperate need for validation create a combustible dynamic – one that repeatedly cycles through the same destructive patterns.
The episode reaches a climax when Tom, frustrated and hurt, delivers a cutting blow, questioning Shiv’s suitability as a parent. The venomous exchange between the ‘snake’ and the ‘scorpion’ exposes their deep-seated resentment for one another, leaving their reconciliation shattered and their future uncertain, and ostensibly securing that Emmy that Snook and Macfadyen have been working so tirelessly towards all season.
It’s difficult to muster sympathy for Tom’s potential job loss, considering his own complicity in the callous decisions that have plagued Waystar (the episode begins with him delegating the responsibility of mass-layoffs to Greg). The episode confronts the cyclical nature of the corporate power struggle that engulfs the Roys, paralleling it with Shiv and Tom’s stagnant relationship. As they continue to repeat the same patterns of behavior, expecting different results, they find themselves trapped in a never-ending loop of toxicity until it finally implodes unto itself.
As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left contemplating the repercussions of the characters’ choices. Succession continues to captivate with its sharp writing, impeccable performances, and biting social commentary, reminding us of the corrosive nature of unchecked ambition and the collateral damage it leaves in its wake.
Jessie Armstrong excels in his ability to peel back the layers of characters, baring their flaws, vulnerabilities, and insatiable hunger for power. The intricately woven narrative of “Tailgate Party” includes depth to the ongoing saga of the Roy family, highlighting the high stakes and moral compromises that define their lives. “Tailgate Party” stands as a riveting episode that exemplifies the undying brilliance of this last season.
