With Succession’s fourth and ultimate season premiere simply days away, there’s just one subject on our minds: Who will daddy kiss? That’s to say: When all is claimed and achieved, how will HBO’s celebrated drama reply the conundrum posed by its title—who takes over Waystar Royco after Brian Cox’s formidable Logan Roy steps down, is pushed out, or dies? (Assuming that there even is a Waystar Royco to take over—although one way or the other, we think about Logan’s plan to promote the corporate to Alexander Skarsgård’s Lukas Matsson may wind up hitting a snag.)
Under, 10 Vainness Honest staffers strap on their (knockoff) Patek Philippes and try to predict which member of Succession’s sprawling ensemble will wind up on high. There’s a case to be made for mainly anybody—besides, apparently, Shiv or Roman. Sorry, youngsters!
Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron)
There was some extent the place I might’ve put cash on Shiv working the Roy empire—however I feel she (and her brothers) have misplaced the thread of their Waystar pursuit to their unsinkable daddy points. Now I consider that the opposite feminine Succession powerhouse, Gerri, has been ready within the wings for every Roy to self-destruct in order that she will be able to elegantly seize Waystar. My splendid ultimate scene could be Gerri unfastening her updo, pouring herself a stiff drink, and smugly searching over her new empire. If we are able to’t get Waystar GerrCo, I’d accept Gerri getting a showstopping finale monologue venting many years’ price of pent-up frustrations concerning the f–ked-up household dynamics she’s needed to witness. And ideally a hefty settlement for stomaching all of Roman’s sexual harassment. —Julie Miller
Gerri Kellman and Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen)
Succession’s writers are cheeky buggers who continually pull the rug out from below their characters—and viewers. (How many people have been fooled into considering Kendall Roy is perhaps useless simply because he was floating face down in a pool?) Each time one of many heirs will get near grabbing the throne, they discover themselves humiliatingly foiled. So fairly than touchdown within the arms of considered one of these monstrous youngsters of privilege, I feel Royco will go to outsiders Gerri and Tom, both as a result of Logan thinks they’ve earned it the way in which he did (via exhausting work and deviousness) or as a result of once they be a part of forces, they’ll outwit and outplay the Roy youngsters, who’re fatally distracted by internecine household warfare. —Pleasure Press
Kendall Roy (Jeremy Sturdy)
Logan’s primary boy has been via rather a lot over the previous three seasons, and his tribulations haven’t made him any wiser or extra competent (or higher at having fun with a party). He was already CEO of Waystar as soon as; it didn’t go properly. However via every little thing, Kendall has confirmed himself utterly incapable of severing ties along with his monstrous father—and he additionally clearly nonetheless yearns to run the corporate he as soon as thought-about his birthright. I can see season 4 winding via a collection of twists that lead again to Kendall lastly ascending the throne he was denied means again in Succession’s pilot. Is that this the obvious ending, not least as a result of it’s mainly what occurred within the household that impressed Succession? Positive. But when any present could make Occam’s razor surprisingly satisfying, it’s this one. —Hillary Busis
Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun)
Take into account this query cracked—it’s Greg the Egg who will ascend to energy at Waystar Royco. By the top of season three, Greg finds himself holding all of the chips due to his fastidiously orchestrated alliance with Logan and Tom. For the reason that starting, Greg has used his outsider standing for self-preservation—stashing a few of these shady cruise line paperwork to keep away from jail time with Tom, dropping his grandfather’s lawyer after studying that his inheritance could be donated to Greenpeace. By collection finish, Greg can have greater than sufficient ammunition to usurp his extra clearly linked kin. Solely time will inform whether or not or not Tom will get to return alongside for the trip—or get bested by one final betrayal. What would make a greater hero’s journey than Greg—who first seems within the collection stoned and dressed as a theme park mascot—ultimately working the circus? —Savannah Walsh
All Logan Roy ever wished was a reliable inheritor. Naturally, his want will backfire spectacularly. When Logan dies (alone, in a twisted parallel of the present’s opening), a chaotic ultimate flurry of politicking will create the right energy vacuum for everybody’s favourite non-Roy Roy to say the throne. Kingmaker Tom would be the one to safe Greg’s ascension—however will inadvertently spell doom for himself by doing so. Why shouldn’t the person who prides himself on being Greg’s puppet grasp find yourself his blood sacrifice as a substitute? —Tyler Breitfeller
Frank Vernon (Peter Friedman)
I can’t think about any of the Roy youngsters in the end getting what they need, nor do I feel fan affection for Gerri and even Greg will probably be rewarded ultimately. In the meantime, there’s a cadre of Logan loyalists who at all times handle to vanish into the background till they’re wanted. Assuming that Shiv, Kendall, and Roman are hell-bent on destroying Waystar Royco this season, the right ending is the corporate carrying ahead with the least intriguing particular person in cost. So congratulations, Frank: The Roy youngsters will certainly proceed making your life hell lengthy after the collection has ended. —Katey Wealthy
Blackstone Inc. (or its fictional equal)
For many years, the private-equity arm of this funding agency has been within the information for its investments in main model names and rising share of the nationwide housing market. Wouldn’t we be taught the truest lesson about capitalism if the complete season was a few takeover try that ultimately stripped the Roys of management? The household dropping the corporate however conserving a tidy sum as a payout—rendering all of their factional battles pointless—might be a fittingly tragic finish, as their firm itself lives on as a mere line merchandise in a a lot bigger company. —Erin Vanderhoof
Jess Jordan, Kendall’s Assistant (Juliana Canfield)
Who higher to run Waystar Royco than the lady who has the hardest job on the town? I consider that Jess Jordan, a.ok.a. Kendall’s dutiful assistant, Ken’s sidekick, Ken Doll’s right-hand girl, Kenny’s trip or die, will ascend to the highest of the Waystar Royco meals chain by collection finish. Give it some thought. She has the expertise—actually think about for 5 minutes how difficult it will be to be Kendall’s assistant. (I wouldn’t want it upon my worst enemy.) She additionally has the data; keep in mind, she’s at all times simply on the facet of the body whereas Kendall goes via some manic episode. She additionally in all probability has deep data of the interior workings of Waystar Royco (let’s be actual: Kendall doesn’t learn or ship his personal emails). Jess Jordan’s obtained the talent and the intel, and now all she wants is the chance to make her level. Additionally let’s face it: She’s due for a promotion at this level. Not for nothing, I might additionally see Logan giving her Waystar Royco simply to fuck with Kendall’s head. Mark my phrases: Kendall’s assistant will inherit the earth —Chris Murphy
Connor Roy (Alan Ruck)
If Sport of Thrones taught us something, it’s that the throne in the end goes to whoever’s meekest and least deserving. So I’m going to Connor Roy, the one Roy baby who has no real interest in working his father’s firm. We will safely assume his political profession isn’t going to pan out, and I can consider no greater insult to Logan’s different youngsters than for him to offer it to the one child who doesn’t need it. I’m additionally assuming that Willa Ferreyra (Justine Lupe), Connor’s escort turned girlfriend turned-wife, will truly be working the corporate ultimately. —Rebecca Ford
Logan Roy
Clearly, solely Logan Roy can succeed Logan Roy. He gained’t die. He gained’t decide his primary sweet child. He gained’t marry the Hope Hicks simulacrum that incongruously goth assistant (Zoe Winters). He gained’t be prenupped into ceding shit to Marcia (Hiam Abbass). He gained’t get scorching and heavy with the Pierce household once more. He gained’t favor or disfavor any of his demon spawn. He’ll simply preserve livin’, man, L-I-V-I-N. —Claire Howorth
