Before you start, yes, Romain Roy dramatically stole the show atop a Norwegian mountain in Succession Season 4, Episode 5 with Kieran Culkin dropping an award-worthy soliloquy and a ton of truth stones on Alexander Skarsgard’s Lukas Matsson mid-broadcast.
But the real MVP of the episode And GoJo retreat? Sarah Snook Chef Roy, you guys. After being benched by “B-roll brothers” Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Culkin), and taking on the roles of interim co-CEOs of Waystar Royco during the “demolition coronation derby” that was Episode 4, Shiv orders it time.
It can be said that A much better choice for the CEOShiv has stepped up her insult game up a notch already in Episode 5 and seems to be looking less than ever, especially in the wake of her father Logan’s (Brian Cox) death. But it also keeps the entire Waystar Royco/GoJo deal from sinking (or being intentionally imploded), despite its relegation to the lower decks.
“Caliphate” Season 4, Episode 5: Why Did Some People Escape the “Kill List”?
Chef Roy was the Machiavellian Maestro and MVP for Succession Season 4, Episode 5 and here’s why.
1. Schiff shows open disdain for Mattson’s remote location.
Arriving at Mattson’s lush retreat in Norway, Schiff pretty much declares that she will no Be a pimp this weekend by setting fire to a hugely secluded billionaire’s place. “Which way to Chief Mattson’s re-education camp?” It’s a joke of Oscar Gudjohnsen (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson) – an inappropriate joke directed directly at GoJo CEO’s inner circle. Whether she knows who Oscar is or not, Shiv doesn’t care.
2. Schiff actually draws a line with ATN and Mencken.
In somewhat unsurprising but deeply problematic news, far-right, white supremacist, and populist Congressman Gerd Mencken (you know, The one I associated with Roman the most… Gulag jokes) Found a “direct line” to ATN. As Schiff tells Kendall and Roman, “They were called into the inaugural morning conference,” which would completely discredit ATN, as exciting and problematic as it really is. “Even my dad had a streak,” Schiff says incredulously when Roman refers to the arrangement as a “mutual back scratching.”
Schiff has disputed Ruiz’s support of Mencken as the presidential candidate since season three, warning Logan, “Menkin is an authentic person who is integral. He’s toxic. He’s ‘Medicare for all, and abortion for nothing.'” Later in the episode, it appears Shiv wants to exercise control at ATN after the huge offer from Matsson to get it with Waystar Royco. Speaking with Tom on the private jet, Schiff appears to suggest that ATN’s head of news, Seed Beach (Jenny Berlin), will soon be without a job, and that Mencken is without a direct line.
3. Shiv gets Mattson despite Kendall and Roman’s moves.
“It may be hard for you but… stop sending people your blood.”
Credit: Graeme Hunter/HBO
Schiff has already established a no-nonsense relationship with Mattson and sees through his tactics — “fuck him and cheat him,” Schiff says after Mattson’s demonstration of gallantry during the meeting lunch, then promptly abandons the event — which means Mattson sees potential for an ally within the Roys.
Schiff also steps in when tensions turn sour during negotiations between Roys and Matsson at a lunch in the garden, when the billionaire calls Kendall and Roman a “tribute band”. Chatting at the mixer later in the evening, she gives Chef Mattson an honest take on the deal and what she calls “majestic elk sparring with memory foam stuff,” while mocking the billionaire by making her a “messenger girl.” However, the pair continue their conversation in Mattson’s private quarters, as he confides in her about harassing his ex-girlfriend and GoJo’s head of communications Ebba (Eili Harboe).
“Three-point PR plan off the top of my head? … stop sending people your blood.”
How Shiv is able to keep a straight face and make some Actual advice As for Mattson, the billionaire who’s been sending frozen bricks of his own blood to Iba, he’s far from me.
“Three-point PR plan off the top of my head? Point one: It might be tough on you but…stop sending people your blood,” Schiff suggests.
Schiff also casually suggests the secret “hunt and kill” technique used by the media to prevent people from revealing damaging information about a typically powerful person – yes, the strategy Ronan Farrow has alleged that NBC was used against him to quash his reporting of Harvey Weinstein abuse.
Essentially, more so than Kendall and Roman, Shiv is the most proficient at “navigating with Daddy’s maps,” and does everything possible to get the deal that Logan is over-straining for – morally or not.
4. Chef saves Jerry and Carolina from the “Kill List”.
Ahhh, Mattson’s “kill list,” the rumored rundown of the billionaire hairdos he’s planning with the Waystar Royco acquisition. Just a whisper throughout the episode, Jerry (J. Smith-Cameron) announces the guess version of the menu to the team at the private jet’s GoJo post-show. Hugo (Fisher Stevens), Karle (David Rasche), and Frank (Peter Friedman) all have their heads on the chopping block.
But as Mashable’s Sam Haysom points outThere’s only one person not on the list — Karolina (Dagmara Dominiczek), Jerry (J. Smith-Cameron), and Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) — to thank. She’s a Shiv, deftly shaking the Waystar Royco boys’ club off the wings and keeping her estranged husband and ATN head safe, too. Here is a full explanation How Schiff managed to get the two women in higher positions at WR out of layoffs, and yes, it all has to do with Schiff’s conversations with Mattson.
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5. “Damn?”
In what may be one of the most perfect closures for Cousin Greg’s (Nicholas Braun) ongoing attempt to make “The Core Four” or “The Quad” happen, Chef utters two words to her relative during an exchange at a resort garden lunch. Greg tries to “brainstorm some ideas” with Schiff, Kendall, and Roman, who he insists on dubbing, “Quartet. Roy Patrol. Old team. Damn… family.”
“the curse?” Shiv responds, and moves to send Greg on an undignified coffee run. This is the only thing for you could I say, really.
6. Chef has a memorable “spelunker” exchange with Tom.
“You’re such a fucking spelunker.”
Credit: Graeme Hunter/HBO
In some of the most unpredictable dialogue of the season so far, Chef’s conversation with Tom the night after the retreat party will make you sick. After Schiff makes a statement full of Tom about people getting off MDMA while kicking dirt on his perfectly white shoes – “Your shoes are like looking into the sun… That’s why people don’t take you seriously, because your shoes are so white.” – Tom Shiv clicks in the ear Like a real kid, then serve this sausage:
“Your earlobes are thick and chewy. Yes, like barnacle meat.” Uh Tom?
Whatever this is, Tom plainly asks Shiv about her private conversation with Mattson, and Shiv sends the verdict straight with some low blows. “He’s boring but he’s very conventionally attractive. He’s broad. I thought you were broad, but compared to him you’re an outsider,” Schiff tells Tom.
“You’re such a fucking spelunker.”
Stone is completely cold and awkward, especially unsettling given her conversation with Tom later on the private plane they both sponsored, and suggests he’ll be promoted by destroying his ATN nemesis, Cyd, and inviting him to dinner?
7. CHEF HAD A SERIOUS CONTACT WITH MATSON AFTER THE SHOW.
In the final moments of the episode, Shiv takes a call in the middle of a conversation with Tom from none other than Matsson, which immediately takes on a somewhat covert tone. Mattson is fully aware of how hard Kendall and Roman are trying to spoil the deal, and he wants a picture of their faces immediately after his high bid. And folks, shiv obliges.
Basically, Kendall and Roman decided to call off the deal without Schiff, even though they told her she would override every decision made. So Shiv’s loyalties will become the main focus for the rest of the season – and based on the trailer for Episode 6, Shiv’s relationships with Mattson and Tom will get messy as hell.
But in this episode? Schiff is the undisputed hidden MVP.
Season four of Succession Streaming now on HBO Max.(Opens in a new tab)