There was a tiny tiny tiny little quiver when he said that he grinds because he worries, like he was going to open up, but then pulls back. MacFayden played the vulnerability amazingly over the years. It must be hard to stand out amongst all that talent but he really did.
As much as I admire the acting from much of the cast (Brian cox is really cool and powerful as Logan, but Tom was perhaps the best acted and most realistic character to me. The others were kind of cartoonish, and maybe that was the point, for entertainment purposes. But MacFayden's expertise really shows.
I absolutely love watching his face as he acts, like very few other actors. Even the tiniest of movements and expressions. Acting is so often what happens *in between* the lines, and you really get that with McFadyen. He’s mesmerizing. I’m glad to see others appreciate the detail he brings to his characters.
@@davidguiney1746 I don't think it was hard for him to stand out at all. Even from the first episode I found his scenes to be the most entertaining out of all the actors'.
That's why i think he deserves the chair. Unfortunately, everything that will come to him and the business post-show will be even more painful as hinted throughout.
Wonder if Mattson knew their relationship history or if Mattson was under the impression they were a "normal" marriage and was extra taken aback/impressed by Tom's indifference
nailed the interview. Tom stated himself honestly, which came from experience. The Shiv thing never really bothered him because he was used to her infidelity and backstabbing.
Alexander Skarsgard was brilliant as Matsson. The character felt a bit half-formed and inscrutable when we first met him, but this season he became such a unique and entertaining presence. Great "final boss" for the Roys.
It's interesting that in S3 he's introduced while he's going through an implied manic episode. He's depressed, somewhat aimless, and unhappy with the direction Gojo is going. The Roys made him into what we see in S4 because they gave him a target. Logan presented an opportunity to break into America and really be disruptive. When that didn't go as planned, Shiv offered a new challenge. When he's scheming against the Roys he's really alive and colorful. He knows they're extremely vulnerable and high-maintenance; the perfect challenge for someone as unempathetic and creative as Mattson. He clearly has no respect for them, with the exception of Logan and Shiv, so to scheme his way into an American market and screw over some spoiled brats must be great fun for him. Securing Tom is the biggest FU to the family and the final piece he needs to secure the acquisition. Getting his American CEO, to his point, also lets him continue to screw around with some degree of insulation. It's really a perfect plan for this character.
@@donotletthebeeswinNot gonna lie, the first time I see Mattson back on Season 3, I thought he's an anti social guy as he looks bored during Kendall's birthday party and barely smile. Meanwhile, in Season 4, he's more cheerful, hanging out with his friends and also showing off. Probably because the big guy, Logan Roy died so it's a huge opportunity for him to bully his kids. As he's predicted, Kendall and Roman are intimidated by him, Shiv is trying to be friendly towards him only for him backstabbing her because she shows him how idiot she is to be picked as the CEO without doing the work and also on pregnant state. So, he plays card pretty well. And oh man, Alexander Skarsgard is so hot!
@@margarethmichelina5146 I think people get into all of this too much reading into it. Reality is he was portrayed as the typical internet app billionaire who did it without much effort. Ella told the truth about him that he screwed some guy to get that app he didnt even know how to code. When Logan's company wants to buy him out only by pure chance and coincidence the share of his company rises and he then wants to merge with Royco because why not? They were already negotiating. then the price of his company rices even more so he offers to buy it. He is anti social and like Logan he also keeps sycophants around him and makes Ella miserable because he cant fire her because he is afraid of her suing him. Also he inflated his numbers by lying about the Indian subscribers meaning he is scamming and actually the Roys totally figured him out. He was threading on very thin ice. Shiv discovered he was lying to her the brothers knew his dirty little secrets... He did lots of things wrong and he himself is a huge idiot for letting all of that happen. So my point is- nothing he did actually was responsible for how things turned out. he gambled, put everything on one card. If he didnt buy Royco- he woulc have been toast. He would have been investigated for fraud and would have lost GoJo. Also he has a potential sexual misconduct pending lawsuit and also has Gregg to worry about and his pages. He didnt have the board on his side despite all his work- his destiny was hanging on a single vote that had nothing to do with him. He thought he had the votes at the day of the voting and he in reality didnt. That is a major, major oversight by someone who people claim is a "genius". Ken's behavior the day they entered the building rubbed Shiv the wronng way and that is how he got to win.
First time watching this when Mattson basically asks Tom “so who are YOU as a person” I was actually shocked that Tom came up with such a fantastic and candid answer. I honestly was worried for him in that moment because I didn’t know who Tom really was at that point. Another beautiful moment here is when Tom realizes he has it in the bag, he looks him dead in the eye like “nah man I can do this”
I just rewatched. The funeral episode when Greg tells shiv and Matteson Tom can’t make it bc he’s working. Matteson had this look on his face like “that’s my guy” it’s like the first episode when Logan was expecting that of Ken for his b day. Crazy
The comment sections of these are so funny. Everybody is so used to stories of big visionary founder CEOs like Jobs that get all the headlines that they aren’t aware that an execution focused CEO who manages and implements the priorities set by ownership are far more common. It doesn’t mean Tom is an empty suit or does nothing, it just means he’s what his title says, the chief EXECUTIVE officer.
True. I think the average time as CEO of a Fortune 500 company is 18 months? The top of the pyramid gets very pointy, and people spend decades a few rungs below, mostly doing their job but also somewhat waiting. The pay is so high in part because you have to be willing to wait for the chance, it often is going to be "a pain sponge", and then your career is usually over. You did that thing, you have that specialized knowledge, you wouldn't feel right working for a competitor, so you go do board and advisory work. Good stuff, but not the same. That's it.
He's talking about tom Logan was born poor married into wealth then spent his life as a CEO gradually building up his empire but he still was answering to the guys with real money not 4 or 5 billion like he had which wasnt liquid. Logan was still answering to real money when he was dying. Mattson comes from real money but wants to use Logan's empire to legitimize he false inflated one he spun off his families fortune. Tom is like Logan. Poor, married into wealth, could run over opposition, could take a beating in the press and could operate as a CEO while working for the real money. The show ends with tom at the start of his empire. When he got the seat it pretty much means he doesn't need to roys anymore he's going to be worth a billion. The show didn't explain enough what the job meant. That ceo job means whoever gets it is lined in for a billion at least. To Logan's kids it's an ego thing to tom his own empire. Roman will end up killing himself with booze. Kendall will kill himself Shiv seems like she realized tom doesn't need her anymore and even after he went for her hand she got cold If the cycle mirrors like show runs say it completes, tom will drop shiv asap and remarry someone poor for love
Tom is one of those character that you start out not liking, and then by the end of the series he’s insanely likeable, if only by comparison to everyone else.
Branzino is still a highly valuable fish, Madson wasn't slagging the food itself but rather its lack of originality. Which is clever because it primes the person (Tom) he's about to interview to impress him with original ideas, which is exactly what he _isn't_ after. So Tom managed to somehow not get baited into that and presented himself as a boring, hard working sycophant, which is what Madson was looking for.
Yes nearly everything with Matsson in this situation proves that Matsson is an apex predator. You easily understand that this is a dangerous player. But Tom also says everything right. He is a yes man but he is also smart. He kind of know what every Logan kind of character wants. They want control and someone that can implement their plans. Mattson is testing him on many levels here and he seems like a deep thinker. First the fish to start the conversation with a tricky start, and then irritates Tom with his talk about fucking Shiv a little bit. Tom managed both perfectly, and he sees the prize that suddenly was give to him. Then I also think that Matsson is doing this to lock Shiv in votes and after the voting. He says to Tom to not talk about this since they do not know how many votes they have and he knows it could be close if he loose Shiv. But Matsson of course also thinks that choosing Tom is a good choice if it is not Shiv to get Shivs vote. Tom after the talk says you son of a bitch and he looks stunned with a smile on his face.
Tom has been the man to beat for several seasons now. He was just outshone by the kids because of their dad. Once their dad was gone he was the right man. Whether you like him or not is irrelevent. He out of everyone scratched and clawed his way to the top through politicking and talent. Logan saw it Maatson saw it albiet for different reasons. If you rewatch the seasons Tom always had good ideas and the kids just shat on him. in the later seasons they always drop hints that Tom is just crushing his job be it at parks, cruises, or ATN. The fact that Tom tamed Shiv (to some degree) in Maatsons eyes was what put him over because he had done what nobody else could.
yesss rewatching some episodes I think dialogue as we know is CRUCIAL in this show and I've noticed how when Greg tells Logan that he feels he's in a toxic work environment and logan is like "wait... I didn't know Tom could be like that", then the documents, then volunteering to go to prison, the comments of him being good at his job and the constant comments about him being awake for so long... then I heard Alexander Skargard saying that for Lukas it was a key moment hearing greg telling Shiv Tom wouldn't be able to make it to the funeral because of work and you can tell how Lukas is surprised about that and that's the moment Tom got his respect because he puts work first event tho all that was happening that day
@@andreacardenas4919 when Maatson ask Shiv about Tom she tries to sink him but ends up selling maatson on him. "hes a robot with replaceable parts" She thought it would make maatson move on but it was exactly what he was looking for. If you recall when Tom and maatson met he asked tom what his style was and he said whatever you want me to be.
I’ve read somewhere that the authors always knew that atom will come out on top. They tried to hide it. At first Tom seemed like a clown, but he had great character development.
100% agree. There is a scene at Carolines wedding (I think) where Tom is on the cover of Forbes for what he's doing at ATN. The siblings make it seem like its no big deal and sort of make fun of him but that shows he's not some bumbling buffoon but an actual CEO doing great things.
@@futuropasadoThis is true but it's still a million times better than what the kids, not including Connor, ended up with. It's also a huge step up for Tom. He may have come from money but at the start of the series he's several notches below CEO. Given the company was going to be acquired, CEO is still as good as it gets so this was a boon for Tom.
Great scene for sure - and arguably the crux of the whole ending of the show. But Tom blaming Greg for his restaurant choice right at the beginning is arguably one of the funniest 😂
The fact that greg was so fast with using that translation app when oskar was talking about telling shiv she won't be ceo was the moment of greg's intelligence and how important he is in the firm
What I love is how much the siblings poo-poo Greg, so openly dismissive, but by season four they have learned what Tom figured out much sooner: Greg is paying attention. Not just the assistant chat gossip, but all the time. If you want to know who is doing what, Logan would go to Ratfucker Sam. Tom learns to use Greg, and Greg always knows. When Shiv finds out from Tom that Mattson is going with Tom, she gives her brothers the confirmation by simply saying "Greg" and they all accept it as fact. Greg always knows.
Greg is always being the wild card because among of the other characters, he's always thinking outside the box. Remember when he copied all of the documents of the cruise only to keep some of them when Tom asked him to burn it? It later being used by Kendall to throw his dad under the bus. Greg also has known his distant family is not right and he understands why his grandpa doesn't like his grand uncle very much. He is pretty much observer and fast learner. Greg is also likes to switch side every time because he's representing the audience, who is not too loyal to a character and will switch side to find another character who can do better.
Greg is often jokingly refered to as the most dangerous character in the show. I'd one up it and say it's not a joke. His total self-preservation, passive agressivness, make him the ultimate corporate cockroach.
It's processing what just heard, few episodes before Tom thought Matsson was gonna fired him now He is realising he could be the CEO of the company. Excellent acting!!!
From the way things looked between Italy and Connor's wedding, I would say that Tom was already Logan's chosen successor. Logan was always the winner of the series, despite being dead
Technically, Mattson is Logan's true successor as Logan has sold the company to Gojo since Season 3 ending. His old guards get it but his kids don't. They want the company just because they are the children of the CEO but they lack of responsibility and teamworks. Mattson needs a figurehead who is Tom as the true American CEO. Also, all of Logan's kids have shown Logan how none of them fit as CEO. Kendall has failed from the beginning when he attended Logan's birthday party instead finished his deal with Vaulter and also for accidentally killing a waiter, Shiv has failed because she doesn't want Tom to be in prison for cruise scandal and also for being inexperience on the company and also for always using her emotions over logic, Roman has failed since he accidentally sent his dick pic to Logan and turns out Roman has a huge crush to Gerri, one of Logan's old guards. Tom on the other hand, took so many risks and even allow himself to be the pain sponge as he has been hurt by Shiv many times, he becomes immune of her bullshits. Also, Tom chose to stay with Logan until the end and Logan appreciated his loyalty. Mattson also sees the criteria on Tom more than any of the Roys, as soon as he heard Tom chose to do the work instead of go to Logan's funeral, he realizes he's the one.
Yes, there were many hints. - Tom offering to go to jail while Kendall refused to - Having the balls to eat out of Logan's plate on the yacht - Logan confusing him for one of his children during the shareholder meeting
People say Tom doesn’t make sense because he didn’t do much , well yeah , Mattson is looking for an empty suit that is competent and would do what he is told competently, makes perfect sense overbearing and controlling shiv would not be a fit for him.
Tom worked to close the gojo deal during Connor wedding and also worked over time to save ATN during Logan’s funeral. Remember when Ken went to Logan birthday instead of closing the deal? Logan would’ve respected that
Tom has years of corporate experience at the company, Shiv pretty much has 0. Even on the face of it, he's the better choice. Shiv's only appeal was that she had a link to the family but if that didn't matter anymore he didn't need Shiv at all
The writers of succession I think knew from the start that Tom would become CEO. Corporately he's spot on and what would actually happen in the 'real' world. This final season 4 is brilliant because the the family came up against 'reality' - Mattson represented what is happening now and the current and future breed of media corporations and Tom is a city professional and always was. Tom could fit into any corporation. He could even fit into governments.
It makes a lot of sense when you consider some form of the Roy family is still presented to the shareholders. While not having to worry that he’ll make moves to remove Mattson for someone else, ala Sandi/Stewy’s proxy war or other means of a hostile takeover. Cant deny that he looked pretty bad in front of congress. I would of thought that killed any chance for him in shareholders eyes, but perhaps not.
Matsson always said he had something behind that he is interested in doing more than just hanging around. The problem of the Roy siblings is that they aren't really interested in anything except the position. They have no hobbies and passions at all. They even insult people who does. Even Logan was interested in building ATN and collecting artefacts. And Connor has some naive and specific passions throughout the series (aside from politics). Probably that's how they had their connection.
I think part of the show that people gloss over is that Matsson basically is Logan. A younger, Swedish version but still. He does what he wants, he’s a killer, and has enough ideas to create a lasting profit. In the end, Waystar never changed at its core. It just changed ownership.
4:18 onwards is one of the most genius moments of the entire show or any show ever. You feel how these sharks like Matsson operate. They are behind doing nasty things while they have puppets and public figures to absorb shit for them. Brilliant writing and performance.
He's nothing like Logan lmfao. Logan had a hard childhood and he worked hard to build the organization he wanted to build. Tom comes from money and is merely a sycophant, weaseling his way into a relatively high position. Logan knew when and how to sell with dignity but Tom became a lap dog when he hit the ceiling.
@@donotletthebeeswinTom does not come from money. That's the whole driving force behind his character. He comes from modest, middle-class means and he's scared of losing the wealth and status that he's been able to build up
He starts to learn how to stand up for himself since Season 2 where it was his lowest point, Shiv asked him to be in Open Relationship and once again, cheats on him with a random actor on Willa's play, Greg later said the same thing and it triggers him, he became The Boar on The Floor, he got humiliated by Shiv and Roman on a dinner, he even got humiliated in court testimony by Gil with Mo's email even with "You can't make Tomlette without breaking some Greggs" mail which he sent 67 times (LMFAO) then when he confronted Shiv about him not being happy on the marriage, Shiv still disrespects him and even Greg lied to him for keeping some of papers of cruise scandal to help Kendall throwing Logan under the bus.
@@ADifferentVibe No that's just what CEOs do. CEO only job is to run the company in the way the shareholders want. The only reason Logan was a "king" of sorts was because he was the majority shareholder and founder. CEOs take are just another empolyee who takes their orders from the people who actually own the company.
Tom's ability to tolerate disrespect and humiliation is beyond what most people can handle. If someone talked about my wife or ex-wife, I'd either walk away or react much more strongly. This kind of character shows me I couldn't thrive in that environment. As you climb higher, you have to compromise more of yourself. That's why I understand I'll never reach the top. Rich people like the generational rich are a different breed. Most people dont understand it but would want to be rich. There's always a price to pay.
That moment when the man in charge of your future finally shares that piece of info that tells you EXACTLY what he wants. That calm response, with both confidence and releif... nailed the acting.
Shiv already told Tom that she found Mattson conventionally attractive with his broad shoulders. So Tom wasn't surprised by what Mattson said but by the fact that he said it to his face.
@@holygoalie3 The siblings are literally idiots they always end self sabotaging each other. Mattson was going around town telling everyone his plan and the sibs still screwed themselves over.
@@holygoalie3 In the succession podcast Alex Skarsgård said their maybe some untruth to that. He said Mattsson is probably not a good programmer but he probably did help built the initial product and when Ebba told Ken that she was furious at Mattson.
Matthew is so unbelievable in this scene. Just down to every specific word choice and how he choses to say phrases. How he choses to look at Alexander. Even Alexander with how he says things and brief pauses and vocal inflections. It's just they fine tuned both characters so incredibly well.
The signs for Tom being picked were sprinkled here and there. The first episode, Logan chastises Kendall for not having the commitment to the company to blow off his own father's bday party to finish up a deal. Logan resented Kendall for that. Tom, on the other hand, blew off his "protectors" funeral, his father in laws funeral, to eat shit for the company and put out small fires, fucking up his mental health a little in the process. I think Mattson took note of that, which is why Tom remained an unknown, instead of being definitively whacked, for a while. He saw the "killer" in Tom.
This was almost hard to watch. The things these people make themselves go through. It concerns me that politicians, the rich and media live these lives.
I and I think a lot of people who watched the show closely guessed it would be Tom because it just made srnse for that world and it was apparent none of the Roy children were good for it. Tom's Nero line in season 3 and his move at the end of season 3 said a lot.
Yah, I'll stop short of saying it was thinly veiled, but it was always somewhat dangled in our face that Tom and Greg's B-plot buddy comedy had a hidden agenda. Brilliant.
Tom is the best character and I'm happy he "won". Look, he played the game better than anyone. He married for the leverage. Sucked up to the big guy. Actually did the hard work to maintain his stature. But also...don't forget this... He gave Greg....a nobody...a real chance in the company. He also, when they thought prison time was on the block, offered to "Christmas tree" for Greg and allow Greg to hang his crimes on Tom even if it meant more time for in the prison for Tom. I grew to really appreciate Tom. He's a pro's pro. I'm glad he ended up on top.
Remember when Tom told Shiv after the wedding that he wasn't a hippie and wasn't into polyamory/cuckolding? Changed his mind. Also, he knows now that Shiv will cheat no matter what he does. So, he may as well get the top job and retain some power in the relationship.
He retains the power by being to knife her in the back & crawl over her body... hence why the series ends with her reaching out to hold his hand not the other way around since that's the power dynamics end up being settled. It took him a long time to get there with numerous setbacks & offenses along the way but Tom finally gained dominance in their relationship by the close of the show
Fun fact, if you rewatched succession you'll notice that a number of things Tom mentioned in his ptich were said by Kendall in past seasons (like 'harvesting eyeballs')
When I watch that final scene of Shiv and Tom “hand holding” in the limo…I remember this scene and feel sorry for the two of them and their future working under Matsson.
I don't get it...Ebba said Mattson entire image was made up. The one piece of tech that got him paid. He didn't even make. He is very easy to beat... Focus and Patience. That is what Tom has
Can we take a second to acknowledge that Tom in less then a minute perfectly pitched himself to matson? 1. I take and follow all orders. 2. I know where my place is and not to question it. 3. I get the most revenue possible and don’t mind cutting throats…. Like Tom knew exactly what to be strong in and what to make himself look weak on so that he could show he follows orders while still playing the part of a ceo. Like for anyone that hasn’t led a job interview that’s honestly what you’re looking for most of the time. You want someone to show their strengths but also to not show so much strength that they would try to stab you in the back if given the opportunity. It’s a weird game to play and Tom fucking killed it.
Agreed, that it was an excellent pitch. However, here's my personal belief (or at least, the way I'd like to see this go): Tom was seething deep down about Matsson's Shiv comments. Tom plays a really long game, over several seasons, so we know he is patient. He agreed with Matsson that he knows everything, but I think only Tom truly knows everything. Thus, he is going to get revenge and overthrow Matsson somehow.
@@DaveSmith-is6dc oh yeah when he finally blew up on shiv you could tel he meant every thing he said to her and he has been feeling that for a long time so no doubt about it he hated the guys guts. While if that’s how he feels but still is able to as he says sing for his supper then that’s just crazy how good a survivor he really is.
@YourEternalSoul666 I don't think that Matsson made a mistake. Tom's acceptance of what Matsson about Shiv may have played into what Tom had been wondering about his wife, so he may braced himself for it (knowing Shiv). For example, when they went to Norway Tom did not know that Shiv was pregnant. Matsson really does not know whether Shiv's entreaties were just business flirts or sexually availablity signals. The writers left it to the imagination.
@YourEternalSoul666Tom is compliant. I don't think he would fight back. He wouldn't even fight shiv in their earlier days of the relationship. He just rolled over.
A couple things are going on Mattson is trying to bait Tom into Bsing it, Tom is just honest. Mattson knows the answers he should give, Mattson knows about Tom and shivs open relationship bullshit. That's why he says "I know everything" "in the right situation". He's being honest and seeing how Tom reacts to him being honest. Tom gives him the dead eye, Mattson picks it up apologizes, Tom realizes Mattson is trying to be respectful about the fact Mattson is saying I cant work with your wife with this I'd rather have you so he says we are meh Mattson realizes tom might be Guy Leans forward and starts being more honest Tom goes back answers honestly and then Tom has the job. Logan built his fortune the same way as Tom as a front man for guys like Josh, Stewie and Mattson. Hence "Logan mark 2" Mattson was born rich, Logan was not. Tom is Logan.
exactly. Tom made his way to the top and won all the prizes. I just thought about this but in ancient rome very rarely did the emporer ever raise their own children to be emporer more often than not the raised somebody as their adopted son to succeed them. When logan had his issue in the bathroom he called Tom "son". Succession wasn't determined by blood it was determined by who they deemed to be the best son.
Thats not like that. Tom is not Logan. Because Logan had a Matsson size influence and power , he was the shot caller, the had the power. Tom don't have it. Is Matsson. Tom is not at the top like Logan was.
Tom is not Logan or remotely close. Did some of you watch the show or just see a few clips and then try to make pseudo-intellectual posts thinking you've found something? They're distinctively different people.
Funny how this basically mirrors Kendall's pitch to Hugo: "This won't be a collaboration, okay? Youll be my dog. But the scraps on the table will be millions. Millions. Happy?" Except here the carrot being dangled is so much bigger.
This self-pitch from Tom won't work in most other job interviews. I mean, some of the commenters might be saying stuff like this jokingly, but others might not. First of all, Tom doesn't actually know or realize that this is about the top job (0:30). He pitches himself to keep the position he has. And anything he says could be fact-checked with an abundance of proof from his career at WaystarRoyco. These are facts that set him apart from almost every normal job interview. So what Tom can really only add is a) a glimpse into his inner workings and b) his understanding of the role as a manager. By giving Matsson the fitting answer regarding b) he shows a certain understanding of his future boss and positions himself as the ideal candidate. [Edit:] So the only thing he needs to add after realizing which job is on the table here, is his willingness to do the job and to face the challenges. Because Matsson has already seen Tom's work ethic at play. [end of Edit] You could use this in a job interview, but you could just as well use some chess strategy in a football match.
@YourEternalSoul666 I think Tom figured out that this was Matsson's "shitty humor". He doesn't like him but he only has executive power. It's not in his interest to get revenge because It's the job he wanted al along. On the other hand, Shiv didn't seen very interested in this blood brick story with Ebba ! 🤣 And Lukas was only interested in Shiv as "the girl inside" Waystar. He's Swedish, doesn't like New-York, doesn't understand Americans and must manage Gojo. If Tom does what it asked of him , he's safe for a few years at least. IMHO 🙂
@YourEternalSoul666 I always got the impression that Tom behaved in the manner that he did in an attempt to fit in the family and company. His wife did not back him in the way that he had hoped because she was attempting to find her own place in the company hierarchy. I think that Tom may be on the same level as Matsson but with a different "style." That style is the wait for possible Matsson self-implosion. This why it took him so long to verbally handle his wife ---- the attitude of I don't care anymore (when he does, especially about the baby); we could get an amicable divorce (her counter is there anything left in our marriage); you indirectly killed your Father; you screwed the phonebook; perhaps, you are not a good person to have children (after begging her for so long); your broken, etc. Siobhan got his drift and tone and it scared the living daylights out of her (as in the that final car ride). Her YES vote is, IMO, the same vote that Rava would have given Kendall in the same position.
If this is how real corporate players are then apparently you don’t need intelligence, charisma, skill or even a real plan to help successful, you just need the proximity you money.
It's more complicated that than that. To get the proximity you have to be elite to begin with it. it's a bit of a fulfilling prophecy. It's like Tom ribbing Greg in the beginning about California Pizza Kitchen. It was as if to say, you need to develop your cultural capital fast if you're going to play ball with these people.
This was a final audition. Mattson knew he wanted Tom ever since he made a fool of himself trying to suck up to him and give him answers he wanted to hear in all their prior encounters.
Yea I think he means less formal; a bit more honest. As if they were just chilling out and talking instead of literally interviewing for the highest position in the empire.
Hang-level means how is he going to be when not doing his core responsibilities, will he be talking Matsson's ear off about new ideas and ambitions (like Shiv) or just keeping his head down, grinding and submissive to Matsson's position as his superior. Matsson wants a worker bee, not a high flying idea machine.
What he'd be like to interact with, his personality traits because he wants someone less complicated than the Roy children and less dominant in personality and ideas.
Let's be real. Even if he practiced it (it didn't come off as such), he seemed like a dude who's steadfast about his worth. That's extremely attractive to a manager/boss. When he asked Tom this i got nervous given how he portrayed in the series. This was the first time i realised he could really play the game.
"I can sing for my supper...." The most Tom response ever
I know it’s a known fact but my god is mcfayden a terrific actor the way his face switches from laughter to sadness to rage
You can just tell exactly how he feels from his expressions alone. 10/10
There was a tiny tiny tiny little quiver when he said that he grinds because he worries, like he was going to open up, but then pulls back. MacFayden played the vulnerability amazingly over the years. It must be hard to stand out amongst all that talent but he really did.
As much as I admire the acting from much of the cast (Brian cox is really cool and powerful as Logan, but Tom was perhaps the best acted and most realistic character to me. The others were kind of cartoonish, and maybe that was the point, for entertainment purposes. But MacFayden's expertise really shows.
I absolutely love watching his face as he acts, like very few other actors. Even the tiniest of movements and expressions. Acting is so often what happens *in between* the lines, and you really get that with McFadyen. He’s mesmerizing. I’m glad to see others appreciate the detail he brings to his characters.
@@davidguiney1746 I don't think it was hard for him to stand out at all. Even from the first episode I found his scenes to be the most entertaining out of all the actors'.
“I have a high tolerance for pain.”
Both emotional and physical given all the crap that’s been through at him since we met him.
That's why i think he deserves the chair. Unfortunately, everything that will come to him and the business post-show will be even more painful as hinted throughout.
I like how Greg says a similar thing to Kendall in season 2.
that's why he was able to win Bitey
@@Pulang_Diwa Yeah but after 5 years he can stand down and will have so much money it'll all just seem like a bad dream.
Aww poor Tom he married a girl for her money and power and she cheated on him wah wah 🙄
When Matsson tells Tom about his attraction for Shiv and Tom did not took it personal, that precise moment is when he become the new CEO.
Wonder if Mattson knew their relationship history or if Mattson was under the impression they were a "normal" marriage and was extra taken aback/impressed by Tom's indifference
@@rohunsaigal2576 Shiv tells Matsson in episode 5 that her marriage was "fucked" because they broke each other's hearts.
What…? He did take it personal….
@@rohunsaigal2576 k
Selling a piece of dignity for what you really want
nailed the interview. Tom stated himself honestly, which came from experience. The Shiv thing never really bothered him because he was used to her infidelity and backstabbing.
It did affect him he just didn't show it
Oh it bothered him. It absolutely bothered him.
This is the exact performance you'd give in an interview when you know you've hit the ceiling.
The shiv thing absolutely bothered him. He just held it together enough for Matsson to talk himself into offering
@@spongebobsquarepants-ne6lcwrong
Alexander Skarsgard was brilliant as Matsson. The character felt a bit half-formed and inscrutable when we first met him, but this season he became such a unique and entertaining presence. Great "final boss" for the Roys.
It's interesting that in S3 he's introduced while he's going through an implied manic episode. He's depressed, somewhat aimless, and unhappy with the direction Gojo is going. The Roys made him into what we see in S4 because they gave him a target. Logan presented an opportunity to break into America and really be disruptive. When that didn't go as planned, Shiv offered a new challenge. When he's scheming against the Roys he's really alive and colorful. He knows they're extremely vulnerable and high-maintenance; the perfect challenge for someone as unempathetic and creative as Mattson. He clearly has no respect for them, with the exception of Logan and Shiv, so to scheme his way into an American market and screw over some spoiled brats must be great fun for him. Securing Tom is the biggest FU to the family and the final piece he needs to secure the acquisition. Getting his American CEO, to his point, also lets him continue to screw around with some degree of insulation. It's really a perfect plan for this character.
@@donotletthebeeswinNot gonna lie, the first time I see Mattson back on Season 3, I thought he's an anti social guy as he looks bored during Kendall's birthday party and barely smile. Meanwhile, in Season 4, he's more cheerful, hanging out with his friends and also showing off. Probably because the big guy, Logan Roy died so it's a huge opportunity for him to bully his kids. As he's predicted, Kendall and Roman are intimidated by him, Shiv is trying to be friendly towards him only for him backstabbing her because she shows him how idiot she is to be picked as the CEO without doing the work and also on pregnant state. So, he plays card pretty well. And oh man, Alexander Skarsgard is so hot!
@@margarethmichelina5146 I think people get into all of this too much reading into it.
Reality is he was portrayed as the typical internet app billionaire who did it without much effort. Ella told the truth about him that he screwed some guy to get that app he didnt even know how to code.
When Logan's company wants to buy him out only by pure chance and coincidence the share of his company rises and he then wants to merge with Royco because why not? They were already negotiating.
then the price of his company rices even more so he offers to buy it.
He is anti social and like Logan he also keeps sycophants around him and makes Ella miserable because he cant fire her because he is afraid of her suing him. Also he inflated his numbers by lying about the Indian subscribers meaning he is scamming and actually the Roys totally figured him out. He was threading on very thin ice. Shiv discovered he was lying to her the brothers knew his dirty little secrets... He did lots of things wrong and he himself is a huge idiot for letting all of that happen.
So my point is- nothing he did actually was responsible for how things turned out. he gambled, put everything on one card. If he didnt buy Royco- he woulc have been toast. He would have been investigated for fraud and would have lost GoJo. Also he has a potential sexual misconduct pending lawsuit and also has Gregg to worry about and his pages.
He didnt have the board on his side despite all his work- his destiny was hanging on a single vote that had nothing to do with him. He thought he had the votes at the day of the voting and he in reality didnt. That is a major, major oversight by someone who people claim is a "genius".
Ken's behavior the day they entered the building rubbed Shiv the wronng way and that is how he got to win.
It's surprising the range he has. Kina forget that he was Mr. Darcy
@@andyshepard4309that’s Matthew macfadyen, not Alexsander
First time watching this when Mattson basically asks Tom “so who are YOU as a person” I was actually shocked that Tom came up with such a fantastic and candid answer. I honestly was worried for him in that moment because I didn’t know who Tom really was at that point. Another beautiful moment here is when Tom realizes he has it in the bag, he looks him dead in the eye like “nah man I can do this”
Imagine if it was Season One Tom when he was still act like Greg, he would lost his chance.
I just rewatched. The funeral episode when Greg tells shiv and Matteson Tom can’t make it bc he’s working. Matteson had this look on his face like “that’s my guy” it’s like the first episode when Logan was expecting that of Ken for his b day. Crazy
Great observation!
Wow. See that’s why this is easily one of the greatest shows ever
That is a terrific parallel. Hats off to you for catching that
oohhhh my God good job i'll be thinking about this for the next week
Anyone know what Season and Episode the funeral is?
The comment sections of these are so funny. Everybody is so used to stories of big visionary founder CEOs like Jobs that get all the headlines that they aren’t aware that an execution focused CEO who manages and implements the priorities set by ownership are far more common. It doesn’t mean Tom is an empty suit or does nothing, it just means he’s what his title says, the chief EXECUTIVE officer.
True. I think the average time as CEO of a Fortune 500 company is 18 months? The top of the pyramid gets very pointy, and people spend decades a few rungs below, mostly doing their job but also somewhat waiting. The pay is so high in part because you have to be willing to wait for the chance, it often is going to be "a pain sponge", and then your career is usually over. You did that thing, you have that specialized knowledge, you wouldn't feel right working for a competitor, so you go do board and advisory work. Good stuff, but not the same. That's it.
“Logan Mark II, only this time he’s fucking sexy.”
We all know Matsson was talking about himself, not Tom.
Both
indeed
It's also a reference to the gun "Logun MK2", the next line who is not part of the video is "Let's do some shots" Perfect scene.
Greg cheering up from afar: ” hell yeah he is!”
He's talking about tom
Logan was born poor married into wealth then spent his life as a CEO gradually building up his empire but he still was answering to the guys with real money not 4 or 5 billion like he had which wasnt liquid. Logan was still answering to real money when he was dying. Mattson comes from real money but wants to use Logan's empire to legitimize he false inflated one he spun off his families fortune.
Tom is like Logan. Poor, married into wealth, could run over opposition, could take a beating in the press and could operate as a CEO while working for the real money.
The show ends with tom at the start of his empire. When he got the seat it pretty much means he doesn't need to roys anymore he's going to be worth a billion. The show didn't explain enough what the job meant. That ceo job means whoever gets it is lined in for a billion at least. To Logan's kids it's an ego thing to tom his own empire.
Roman will end up killing himself with booze.
Kendall will kill himself
Shiv seems like she realized tom doesn't need her anymore and even after he went for her hand she got cold
If the cycle mirrors like show runs say it completes, tom will drop shiv asap and remarry someone poor for love
Tom is one of those character that you start out not liking, and then by the end of the series he’s insanely likeable, if only by comparison to everyone else.
Branzino is still a highly valuable fish, Madson wasn't slagging the food itself but rather its lack of originality. Which is clever because it primes the person (Tom) he's about to interview to impress him with original ideas, which is exactly what he _isn't_ after. So Tom managed to somehow not get baited into that and presented himself as a boring, hard working sycophant, which is what Madson was looking for.
True! instead of disagreeing, Tom immediately goes into yes-man mode
@@ImOriginallyGreen Like most of executives.
Yes nearly everything with Matsson in this situation proves that Matsson is an apex predator. You easily understand that this is a dangerous player. But Tom also says everything right. He is a yes man but he is also smart. He kind of know what every Logan kind of character wants. They want control and someone that can implement their plans. Mattson is testing him on many levels here and he seems like a deep thinker. First the fish to start the conversation with a tricky start, and then irritates Tom with his talk about fucking Shiv a little bit. Tom managed both perfectly, and he sees the prize that suddenly was give to him. Then I also think that Matsson is doing this to lock Shiv in votes and after the voting. He says to Tom to not talk about this since they do not know how many votes they have and he knows it could be close if he loose Shiv. But Matsson of course also thinks that choosing Tom is a good choice if it is not Shiv to get Shivs vote. Tom after the talk says you son of a bitch and he looks stunned with a smile on his face.
Really nice observation
Nice analysis 👌
Tom has been the man to beat for several seasons now. He was just outshone by the kids because of their dad. Once their dad was gone he was the right man. Whether you like him or not is irrelevent. He out of everyone scratched and clawed his way to the top through politicking and talent. Logan saw it Maatson saw it albiet for different reasons. If you rewatch the seasons Tom always had good ideas and the kids just shat on him. in the later seasons they always drop hints that Tom is just crushing his job be it at parks, cruises, or ATN. The fact that Tom tamed Shiv (to some degree) in Maatsons eyes was what put him over because he had done what nobody else could.
yesss rewatching some episodes I think dialogue as we know is CRUCIAL in this show and I've noticed how when Greg tells Logan that he feels he's in a toxic work environment and logan is like "wait... I didn't know Tom could be like that", then the documents, then volunteering to go to prison, the comments of him being good at his job and the constant comments about him being awake for so long... then I heard Alexander Skargard saying that for Lukas it was a key moment hearing greg telling Shiv Tom wouldn't be able to make it to the funeral because of work and you can tell how Lukas is surprised about that and that's the moment Tom got his respect because he puts work first event tho all that was happening that day
@@andreacardenas4919 when Maatson ask Shiv about Tom she tries to sink him but ends up selling maatson on him. "hes a robot with replaceable parts" She thought it would make maatson move on but it was exactly what he was looking for. If you recall when Tom and maatson met he asked tom what his style was and he said whatever you want me to be.
I’ve read somewhere that the authors always knew that atom will come out on top. They tried to hide it.
At first Tom seemed like a clown, but he had great character development.
Guy is a pain sponge, how are you supposed to beat that?
100% agree. There is a scene at Carolines wedding (I think) where Tom is on the cover of Forbes for what he's doing at ATN. The siblings make it seem like its no big deal and sort of make fun of him but that shows he's not some bumbling buffoon but an actual CEO doing great things.
Couldn’t be more happier for Tom… started as an outsider and in the end came out on top as the successor.
ceo but not successor of power or wealth like the Roys. Thats matsson, who has full control and owns the company, he calls every move.
@@futuropasado but then again Tim got exactly what he wanted. He just wanted the "nice things"
@@futuropasado True for now, but Tom has shown he is a killer and has the stomach to get to the top if needed.
@@futuropasadoThis is true but it's still a million times better than what the kids, not including Connor, ended up with. It's also a huge step up for Tom. He may have come from money but at the start of the series he's several notches below CEO. Given the company was going to be acquired, CEO is still as good as it gets so this was a boon for Tom.
He ain’t no saint. He only married with selfish intentions. He married her only to try to get to the top of the company.
When Tom said he doesn’t sleep Mattson saw his CEO
And when Shiv mentioned on Logan's funeral that Tom is doing the work, Mattson realizes, he's the chosen one.
He called him Talented, and Sexy
Great scene for sure - and arguably the crux of the whole ending of the show. But Tom blaming Greg for his restaurant choice right at the beginning is arguably one of the funniest 😂
Rewatching this scene so many times if you see toms eyes are almost teary - I don’t know how you act that it’s amazing!
He’s being the most sincere he’s ever been because he suspects Lukas is vetting him for the top job.
ever heard of eye drops?
The fact that greg was so fast with using that translation app when oskar was talking about telling shiv she won't be ceo was the moment of greg's intelligence and how important he is in the firm
What I love is how much the siblings poo-poo Greg, so openly dismissive, but by season four they have learned what Tom figured out much sooner: Greg is paying attention. Not just the assistant chat gossip, but all the time. If you want to know who is doing what, Logan would go to Ratfucker Sam. Tom learns to use Greg, and Greg always knows. When Shiv finds out from Tom that Mattson is going with Tom, she gives her brothers the confirmation by simply saying "Greg" and they all accept it as fact. Greg always knows.
Greg is always being the wild card because among of the other characters, he's always thinking outside the box. Remember when he copied all of the documents of the cruise only to keep some of them when Tom asked him to burn it? It later being used by Kendall to throw his dad under the bus. Greg also has known his distant family is not right and he understands why his grandpa doesn't like his grand uncle very much. He is pretty much observer and fast learner.
Greg is also likes to switch side every time because he's representing the audience, who is not too loyal to a character and will switch side to find another character who can do better.
Greg is often jokingly refered to as the most dangerous character in the show. I'd one up it and say it's not a joke. His total self-preservation, passive agressivness, make him the ultimate corporate cockroach.
That 10 seconds of acting between 3:48 and 3:58 when he realizes what Mattson is saying deserves an Emmy.
It's processing what just heard, few episodes before Tom thought Matsson was gonna fired him now He is realising he could be the CEO of the company. Excellent acting!!!
Agreed...amazing acting and use of facial expressions
How about a Golden Globe? :)
And an Emmy tonight!@@michaelsteavenson363
And HE GOT IT :)
From the way things looked between Italy and Connor's wedding, I would say that Tom was already Logan's chosen successor.
Logan was always the winner of the series, despite being dead
Excellent point.
Technically, Mattson is Logan's true successor as Logan has sold the company to Gojo since Season 3 ending. His old guards get it but his kids don't. They want the company just because they are the children of the CEO but they lack of responsibility and teamworks. Mattson needs a figurehead who is Tom as the true American CEO.
Also, all of Logan's kids have shown Logan how none of them fit as CEO. Kendall has failed from the beginning when he attended Logan's birthday party instead finished his deal with Vaulter and also for accidentally killing a waiter, Shiv has failed because she doesn't want Tom to be in prison for cruise scandal and also for being inexperience on the company and also for always using her emotions over logic, Roman has failed since he accidentally sent his dick pic to Logan and turns out Roman has a huge crush to Gerri, one of Logan's old guards. Tom on the other hand, took so many risks and even allow himself to be the pain sponge as he has been hurt by Shiv many times, he becomes immune of her bullshits. Also, Tom chose to stay with Logan until the end and Logan appreciated his loyalty. Mattson also sees the criteria on Tom more than any of the Roys, as soon as he heard Tom chose to do the work instead of go to Logan's funeral, he realizes he's the one.
wait Logan DIES?!!
@@laimejannister5627 Loool stop watching yt vids before its too late
Yes, there were many hints.
- Tom offering to go to jail while Kendall refused to
- Having the balls to eat out of Logan's plate on the yacht
- Logan confusing him for one of his children during the shareholder meeting
People say Tom doesn’t make sense because he didn’t do much , well yeah , Mattson is looking for an empty suit that is competent and would do what he is told competently, makes perfect sense overbearing and controlling shiv would not be a fit for him.
Tom worked to close the gojo deal during Connor wedding and also worked over time to save ATN during Logan’s funeral. Remember when Ken went to Logan birthday instead of closing the deal? Logan would’ve respected that
Tom has years of corporate experience at the company, Shiv pretty much has 0. Even on the face of it, he's the better choice. Shiv's only appeal was that she had a link to the family but if that didn't matter anymore he didn't need Shiv at all
"he didn't do much" 💀
You people are delusional
The writers of succession I think knew from the start that Tom would become CEO. Corporately he's spot on and what would actually happen in the 'real' world. This final season 4 is brilliant because the the family came up against 'reality' - Mattson represented what is happening now and the current and future breed of media corporations and Tom is a city professional and always was. Tom could fit into any corporation. He could even fit into governments.
It makes a lot of sense when you consider some form of the Roy family is still presented to the shareholders. While not having to worry that he’ll make moves to remove Mattson for someone else, ala Sandi/Stewy’s proxy war or other means of a hostile takeover. Cant deny that he looked pretty bad in front of congress. I would of thought that killed any chance for him in shareholders eyes, but perhaps not.
Matsson always said he had something behind that he is interested in doing more than just hanging around. The problem of the Roy siblings is that they aren't really interested in anything except the position. They have no hobbies and passions at all. They even insult people who does. Even Logan was interested in building ATN and collecting artefacts. And Connor has some naive and specific passions throughout the series (aside from politics). Probably that's how they had their connection.
I love how Tom knows what he wants, and he goes right for it! No emotions, no offense taken. He finally chooses himself!
Tom’s name is the set up to his success.
Tom Wamsgans in the MLB is the only player to make the first unassisted triple play.
Brilliant work.
is he the only, or the first? ~Mickey Morandini
I think part of the show that people gloss over is that Matsson basically is Logan. A younger, Swedish version but still. He does what he wants, he’s a killer, and has enough ideas to create a lasting profit. In the end, Waystar never changed at its core. It just changed ownership.
4:18 onwards is one of the most genius moments of the entire show or any show ever. You feel how these sharks like Matsson operate. They are behind doing nasty things while they have puppets and public figures to absorb shit for them. Brilliant writing and performance.
I'm about to have a job interview tomorrow. I'mma try to use this. Wish me luck. 😂
Edit: I got fired from the interview. 😭
How’d it go bro?
You're not supposed to tell them they can vicariously fuck your pregnant wife until they tell you they have a crush on her first.
@@JeroenZMlol
I fell for Tom in this scene. Awesome character and superb acting.
Two masterful actors. MacFadyen is clearly brilliant. I also love the was Skarsgard says ''little bit''.
Tom is just like Logan, the way he signaled the waiter to collect the plates 😮 while Matson was polite enough to say thank you 😂😂😂
I mean, he says merci beaucoup in a really sarcastic way though lol
He's nothing like Logan lmfao. Logan had a hard childhood and he worked hard to build the organization he wanted to build. Tom comes from money and is merely a sycophant, weaseling his way into a relatively high position. Logan knew when and how to sell with dignity but Tom became a lap dog when he hit the ceiling.
Matsson is the one that’s like Logan. Like a young, Swedish version of Logan
@@donotletthebeeswinTom does not come from money. That's the whole driving force behind his character. He comes from modest, middle-class means and he's scared of losing the wealth and status that he's been able to build up
@@donotletthebeeswinthe whole point of Tom is that he doesn’t come from money
It's almost like the camera staggers back in shock to Tom when Mattson says he's into Shiv.
Tom “won” because he was willing to completely debase himself
That's the thing. He is more skillful at CEO than the siblings yet completely a carpet to walk over for Matsson. It's a sick rich family business
He starts to learn how to stand up for himself since Season 2 where it was his lowest point, Shiv asked him to be in Open Relationship and once again, cheats on him with a random actor on Willa's play, Greg later said the same thing and it triggers him, he became The Boar on The Floor, he got humiliated by Shiv and Roman on a dinner, he even got humiliated in court testimony by Gil with Mo's email even with "You can't make Tomlette without breaking some Greggs" mail which he sent 67 times (LMFAO) then when he confronted Shiv about him not being happy on the marriage, Shiv still disrespects him and even Greg lied to him for keeping some of papers of cruise scandal to help Kendall throwing Logan under the bus.
@@ADifferentVibe No that's just what CEOs do. CEO only job is to run the company in the way the shareholders want. The only reason Logan was a "king" of sorts was because he was the majority shareholder and founder. CEOs take are just another empolyee who takes their orders from the people who actually own the company.
Tom's ability to tolerate disrespect and humiliation is beyond what most people can handle. If someone talked about my wife or ex-wife, I'd either walk away or react much more strongly. This kind of character shows me I couldn't thrive in that environment. As you climb higher, you have to compromise more of yourself. That's why I understand I'll never reach the top. Rich people like the generational rich are a different breed. Most people dont understand it but would want to be rich. There's always a price to pay.
That moment when the man in charge of your future finally shares that piece of info that tells you EXACTLY what he wants.
That calm response, with both confidence and releif... nailed the acting.
Tom’s Best and Final “Woof Woof” Moment
This is my favorite scene in the finale
I knew Tom was going to be the man but it was so great to see it happen they absolutely nailed the finale
I may actually try some of this on my next job interview. “I’m a grinder…I have a high tolerance for pain…”
Do you, though?
You plan to ask to be exploited?
One of the best dialogues of the whole season. Great plot, great actors. Macfayden did his best in this season!
ALXENDRA SKARSGÅRD was better than matthew macfadyen this season
@@Upsallauniversity123 Alexander, not Alexandra. He was good but not very impressive.
@@ardaricookkkk.... as you say sir 😂
@@ardaricowho is going to win supporting actor emmy??
@@Upsallauniversity123Matthew Macfadyen of course ! Even though Skarsgard made à great composition !
Shiv already told Tom that she found Mattson conventionally attractive with his broad shoulders. So Tom wasn't surprised by what Mattson said but by the fact that he said it to his face.
He’s a worrier. Worriers always work.
I don't know about you, but I thought self pitch was excellent
Mattsson vs the siblings is like a heavy weight against a bunch featherweights. No mf challenge
They out maneuvered him though
@@holygoalie3 The siblings are literally idiots they always end self sabotaging each other. Mattson was going around town telling everyone his plan and the sibs still screwed themselves over.
@@anthonysolis6693 no one on the show is a genius. Matsson can’t even code
@@holygoalie3 Matssons real acumen is business
@@holygoalie3 In the succession podcast Alex Skarsgård said their maybe some untruth to that. He said Mattsson is probably not a good programmer but he probably did help built the initial product and when Ebba told Ken that she was furious at Mattson.
Matthew is so unbelievable in this scene. Just down to every specific word choice and how he choses to say phrases. How he choses to look at Alexander. Even Alexander with how he says things and brief pauses and vocal inflections. It's just they fine tuned both characters so incredibly well.
Nobody could "sing for their supper" better than Tom.
Tom’s so desensitized at this point it’s like, not even that big a deal to him anymore 🤣 at least with this it’s worth the top job
Yeah this is lightweight shit compared to “Boar on the Floor” or half the things Roman says lol
Tom selling his soul the second time
He should’ve played bitey with him to prove that he really has high tolerance for pain
This is my favorite Succession scene; in a show that had a ton of great scenes. Matthew Macfadyen is amazing in the scene.
The signs for Tom being picked were sprinkled here and there. The first episode, Logan chastises Kendall for not having the commitment to the company to blow off his own father's bday party to finish up a deal. Logan resented Kendall for that. Tom, on the other hand, blew off his "protectors" funeral, his father in laws funeral, to eat shit for the company and put out small fires, fucking up his mental health a little in the process. I think Mattson took note of that, which is why Tom remained an unknown, instead of being definitively whacked, for a while. He saw the "killer" in Tom.
What a real conversation. Great writing and acting.
This was almost hard to watch. The things these people make themselves go through. It concerns me that politicians, the rich and media live these lives.
One of the reasons the world is in the mess it is, it all looks pretty grubby on the face of it, but it is kids stuff compared to reality.
I’m convinced the Shiv comment was a test and Tom passed it brilliantly. Matsson needs a pain sponge and Tom just proved he's the man.
I and I think a lot of people who watched the show closely guessed it would be Tom because it just made srnse for that world and it was apparent none of the Roy children were good for it. Tom's Nero line in season 3 and his move at the end of season 3 said a lot.
Yah, I'll stop short of saying it was thinly veiled, but it was always somewhat dangled in our face that Tom and Greg's B-plot buddy comedy had a hidden agenda. Brilliant.
Tom is the best character and I'm happy he "won".
Look, he played the game better than anyone.
He married for the leverage.
Sucked up to the big guy.
Actually did the hard work to maintain his stature.
But also...don't forget this...
He gave Greg....a nobody...a real chance in the company.
He also, when they thought prison time was on the block, offered to "Christmas tree" for Greg and allow Greg to hang his crimes on Tom even if it meant more time for in the prison for Tom.
I grew to really appreciate Tom.
He's a pro's pro.
I'm glad he ended up on top.
Greg is the Roys' cousin. Not a nobody.
Matsson liked tom for the reason Logan loved him.
He loves power and he knows how to bend his knees
Remember when Tom told Shiv after the wedding that he wasn't a hippie and wasn't into polyamory/cuckolding? Changed his mind. Also, he knows now that Shiv will cheat no matter what he does. So, he may as well get the top job and retain some power in the relationship.
He retains the power by being to knife her in the back & crawl over her body... hence why the series ends with her reaching out to hold his hand not the other way around since that's the power dynamics end up being settled. It took him a long time to get there with numerous setbacks & offenses along the way but Tom finally gained dominance in their relationship by the close of the show
3:52 , Tom’s face when he realizes what conversation they were actually having.
Fun fact, if you rewatched succession you'll notice that a number of things Tom mentioned in his ptich were said by Kendall in past seasons (like 'harvesting eyeballs')
When I watch that final scene of Shiv and Tom “hand holding” in the limo…I remember this scene and feel sorry for the two of them and their future working under Matsson.
This is what sealed the ending
Would it be okay if I owned you? "I'd like that very much." "Done!"
I don't get it...Ebba said Mattson entire image was made up. The one piece of tech that got him paid. He didn't even make. He is very easy to beat... Focus and Patience. That is what Tom has
Have to decide whether you believed everything that Ebba said. Tom does come across as a "I bide my time" kind of guy.
Can we take a second to acknowledge that Tom in less then a minute perfectly pitched himself to matson? 1. I take and follow all orders. 2. I know where my place is and not to question it. 3. I get the most revenue possible and don’t mind cutting throats…. Like Tom knew exactly what to be strong in and what to make himself look weak on so that he could show he follows orders while still playing the part of a ceo. Like for anyone that hasn’t led a job interview that’s honestly what you’re looking for most of the time. You want someone to show their strengths but also to not show so much strength that they would try to stab you in the back if given the opportunity. It’s a weird game to play and Tom fucking killed it.
Agreed, that it was an excellent pitch. However, here's my personal belief (or at least, the way I'd like to see this go): Tom was seething deep down about Matsson's Shiv comments. Tom plays a really long game, over several seasons, so we know he is patient. He agreed with Matsson that he knows everything, but I think only Tom truly knows everything. Thus, he is going to get revenge and overthrow Matsson somehow.
@@DaveSmith-is6dc oh yeah when he finally blew up on shiv you could tel he meant every thing he said to her and he has been feeling that for a long time so no doubt about it he hated the guys guts. While if that’s how he feels but still is able to as he says sing for his supper then that’s just crazy how good a survivor he really is.
1:25 most relatable
I keep recalling this exact moment
I keep recalling this exact moment
I think these actors are incredible.
All I want in life is a Tom & Greg spin-off
This was a test and Tom passed
@YourEternalSoul666 I don't think that Matsson made a mistake. Tom's acceptance of what Matsson about Shiv may have played into what Tom had been wondering about his wife, so he may braced himself for it (knowing Shiv). For example, when they went to Norway Tom did not know that Shiv was pregnant. Matsson really does not know whether Shiv's entreaties were just business flirts or sexually availablity signals. The writers left it to the imagination.
@YourEternalSoul666Tom is compliant. I don't think he would fight back. He wouldn't even fight shiv in their earlier days of the relationship. He just rolled over.
On a hang level.... I'm going to remember that
A couple things are going on
Mattson is trying to bait Tom into Bsing it, Tom is just honest. Mattson knows the answers he should give, Mattson knows about Tom and shivs open relationship bullshit. That's why he says "I know everything" "in the right situation". He's being honest and seeing how Tom reacts to him being honest.
Tom gives him the dead eye, Mattson picks it up apologizes, Tom realizes Mattson is trying to be respectful about the fact Mattson is saying I cant work with your wife with this I'd rather have you so he says we are meh
Mattson realizes tom might be Guy Leans forward and starts being more honest Tom goes back answers honestly and then Tom has the job.
Logan built his fortune the same way as Tom as a front man for guys like Josh, Stewie and Mattson. Hence "Logan mark 2" Mattson was born rich, Logan was not. Tom is Logan.
exactly. Tom made his way to the top and won all the prizes. I just thought about this but in ancient rome very rarely did the emporer ever raise their own children to be emporer more often than not the raised somebody as their adopted son to succeed them. When logan had his issue in the bathroom he called Tom "son". Succession wasn't determined by blood it was determined by who they deemed to be the best son.
Thats not like that. Tom is not Logan. Because Logan had a Matsson size influence and power , he was the shot caller, the had the power. Tom don't have it. Is Matsson. Tom is not at the top like Logan was.
Tom is not Logan or remotely close. Did some of you watch the show or just see a few clips and then try to make pseudo-intellectual posts thinking you've found something? They're distinctively different people.
“We’re a bit… clickety, cleekly.”
The real truth was not one of the kids deserved to be the CEO
The first time matterson spoke to someone in the organisation and got honesty and vulnerability.
Funny how this basically mirrors Kendall's pitch to Hugo: "This won't be a collaboration, okay? Youll be my dog. But the scraps on the table will be millions. Millions. Happy?"
Except here the carrot being dangled is so much bigger.
Easily best character. From the very beginning.
This self-pitch from Tom won't work in most other job interviews. I mean, some of the commenters might be saying stuff like this jokingly, but others might not.
First of all, Tom doesn't actually know or realize that this is about the top job (0:30). He pitches himself to keep the position he has. And anything he says could be fact-checked with an abundance of proof from his career at WaystarRoyco. These are facts that set him apart from almost every normal job interview.
So what Tom can really only add is a) a glimpse into his inner workings and b) his understanding of the role as a manager.
By giving Matsson the fitting answer regarding b) he shows a certain understanding of his future boss and positions himself as the ideal candidate. [Edit:] So the only thing he needs to add after realizing which job is on the table here, is his willingness to do the job and to face the challenges. Because Matsson has already seen Tom's work ethic at play. [end of Edit]
You could use this in a job interview, but you could just as well use some chess strategy in a football match.
I just noticed Tom blames Greg for the restaurant suggestion. Lol
ok this is the greatest show in TV history
Matsson tests Tom to see if he's capable of betraying Shiv and assume it.
@YourEternalSoul666 I think Tom figured out that this was Matsson's "shitty humor". He doesn't like him but he only has executive power. It's not in his interest to get revenge because It's the job he wanted al along. On the other hand, Shiv didn't seen very interested in this blood brick story with Ebba ! 🤣
And Lukas was only interested in Shiv as "the girl inside" Waystar.
He's Swedish, doesn't like New-York, doesn't understand Americans and must manage Gojo.
If Tom does what it asked of him , he's safe for a few years at least. IMHO 🙂
@YourEternalSoul666 I don't know. Perhaps...🙂
@YourEternalSoul666 😄🙂👍
@YourEternalSoul666 I always got the impression that Tom behaved in the manner that he did in an attempt to fit in the family and company. His wife did not back him in the way that he had hoped because she was attempting to find her own place in the company hierarchy. I think that Tom may be on the same level as Matsson but with a different "style." That style is the wait for possible Matsson self-implosion.
This why it took him so long to verbally handle his wife ---- the attitude of I don't care anymore (when he does, especially about the baby); we could get an amicable divorce (her counter is there anything left in our marriage); you indirectly killed your Father; you screwed the phonebook; perhaps, you are not a good person to have children (after begging her for so long); your broken, etc. Siobhan got his drift and tone and it scared the living daylights out of her (as in the that final car ride).
Her YES vote is, IMO, the same vote that Rava would have given Kendall in the same position.
Does Tom have tears in his eyes at the end, or is that just lighting + Macfadyen's eyes doing what they do?
If this is how real corporate players are then apparently you don’t need intelligence, charisma, skill or even a real plan to help successful, you just need the proximity you money.
It's more complicated that than that. To get the proximity you have to be elite to begin with it. it's a bit of a fulfilling prophecy. It's like Tom ribbing Greg in the beginning about California Pizza Kitchen. It was as if to say, you need to develop your cultural capital fast if you're going to play ball with these people.
This is so well played. He just answered with management jibberish as anyone would do in this situation.
Talk about going from "Mattson hates me" to "I'm Him"
Who knew that Tom was the Magnus Carlson of the business world.
We're men
Tom, definitely not a 'killer'. But the absolute master of the placate.
Greg is a master class in passive-aggressive too of course.
Doing the whole bit with tears in his eyes
This was a final audition. Mattson knew he wanted Tom ever since he made a fool of himself trying to suck up to him and give him answers he wanted to hear in all their prior encounters.
Is it weird that I got an ad for a luxury cruise ship at the end of the video?
What does Matsson mean about on a hang level? As in hanging out?
Yea I think he means less formal; a bit more honest. As if they were just chilling out and talking instead of literally interviewing for the highest position in the empire.
Hang-level means how is he going to be when not doing his core responsibilities, will he be talking Matsson's ear off about new ideas and ambitions (like Shiv) or just keeping his head down, grinding and submissive to Matsson's position as his superior. Matsson wants a worker bee, not a high flying idea machine.
@@Blashmack Yes Matsson was not kidding when he said it was love in the air after Shiv explained that Tom is a big cocksucker.
What he'd be like to interact with, his personality traits because he wants someone less complicated than the Roy children and less dominant in personality and ideas.
At the end, it all comes down to basic human principles, Mattson saw loyalty, trust, and transparency
Yes. That is what Matsson *saw*. Hopefully, that isn't everything. At least, I'd like to think so.
I think Matsson feels comfortable talking to Tom, it feels like Tom is his psychoanalyst in this scene, beyond the business issues.
I can sing for my supper
lmao "the baby lady"
Let's be real. Even if he practiced it (it didn't come off as such), he seemed like a dude who's steadfast about his worth.
That's extremely attractive to a manager/boss.
When he asked Tom this i got nervous given how he portrayed in the series. This was the first time i realised he could really play the game.
He's just here to serve 🙂
Tom is the perfect CEO. 👌
“Very high tolerance for pain and physical discomfort” matsson: 👨🏫
Pain sponge definitely Tom
3:20 the moment Tom sold his soul.