Logan captured a vibrant commercial for the esteemed Living+ Real Estate brand, surrounded by a team of enthusiasts and his own lively spirit. As the producer worked closely with him, he shone with sarcasm, yet was visibly agitated by the constant buzz around him. Kendall chuckled, likening the moment to a Valentine's Day card, greeting her father warmly.
Meanwhile, Shiv, seated on a plane, watched the commercial unfold. A call from Matsson interrupted her viewing. He stood on the tarmac of another plane, waving eagerly to her. Astonished by her refusal to cross over, he approached with nothing but bare feet, intent on a brief hello.
The imminent launch of the Living+ product irked Matsson, who felt they were merely managing the shop until his arrival. He scoffed, claiming it was all about land cruises. He had no intention of pursuing Living+, so why persist? Seeking a loyal insider, he deemed Shiv as the perfect candidate. She dismissed his offer initially, yet deep in thought after his departure.
Roman strode confidently into Waystar Studios, Kendall trailing closely behind. The entire gang gathered for a crucial, face-to-face update on the takeover. Kendall and Roman voiced their concerns about Matsson's comprehension of the operation. Roman recounted Matsson's erratic behavior, piquing Shiv's curiosity.
Roman emphasized that Matsson seemed indifferent to the offer, even experiencing a meltdown. Kendall reminded them that with half the sale in stock, the situation was alarming. Gerri interjected, assuring that no one minds a genius's eccentricities, and the others concurred. His team was professional, and his reputation impeccable.
As the others departed, the siblings remained, the brothers trying desperately to involve Shiv. But she knew them well. She knew their tricks. They weren't adept at this game. She sensed their ulterior motives, their attempt to sabotage the deal. Finally, Kendall confessed that their uncertainty stemmed from a guise of protecting her.
She reminded them of their original plan: to execute the deal, exit gracefully, and embark on Pierce together. They assured her they wouldn't betray her, wanting to keep her unscathed. Can we do the hug now, Roman inquired? They did, and Shiv excused herself for a meeting. In the conference room, she broke down in tears. Tom found her in this vulnerable state, inquiring if she was truly alright.
Sarah desperately seeks a secluded corner to shed a few tears, her sorrow uncontainable. Tom observes with curiosity, "Are you scheduling your grief?" As he holds her close, their lips find each other in a passionate kiss.
Elsewhere, Roman and Kendall pore over Logan's notes for Investor Day, where Logan mentions his sons' absence. Kendall scoffs, "Living+ is merely a warehouse for the elderly, keeping them mindlessly entertained." Roman prepares for a meeting with Joy Palmer, and Kendall encourages him to "pump up the franchise," adding mischievously, "Are you ready to fuck? Hurray for fuckyhood!"
Joy offers Roman her condolences, but he waves them off, his heart already full. She inquisitively probes about Matsson, but Roman skirts the issue, eager to discuss only one thing: money. Joy voices concerns about democratic institutions in the wake of ATN's right-wing tilt, but Roman dismisses her ideals, focused solely on funding her projects. Their conversation culminates in Roman's abrupt firing of Joy, leaving her stunned.
Kendall oversees the setup for Investor Day, dreaming of a Living+ home on stage, with clouds drifting overhead. Denny, the stage manager, stares in disbelief when Kendall reveals this is for the next day. Kendall muses about the newfound power of saying "no" and demands his team to echo his enthusiasm. Roman enters the auditorium but avoids discussing Joy's firing with Kendall.
At the investor reception, Shiv and Tom greet each other with playful jibes. Shiv teases Tom about his penchant for models, but he confesses he no longer enjoys the game as he once did. He apologizes sincerely, saying he's sorry for causing Shiv's turmoil. She laughs, reminding him she was a mess before they met. They engage in a witty back-and-forth, culminating in a playful game of biting each other's arms. The first to stop loses, and so, amidst the reception's bustle, Shiv and Tom literally begin biting each other, their antics causing a stir among the guests.
Ken and Rome are brainstorming with Greg, pitching a concept called "Living+", a perplexing blend of immortality and eternal living. The entire premise leaves me baffled. Roman concurs, arguing that the mere thought of transcending life and death would captivate the masses, and they delve into the idea of uploading one's consciousness onto a chip for eternal existence.
Gerri pulls Roman aside, inquiring about the Joy situation. Roman clarifies that he cannot officially terminate a studio executive, but assures Gerri that Joy is indeed out. They'll shuffle her to international affairs or some such position. Roman insists that his father would have handled it similarly, but Gerri reminds him he's not his father. Roman, in a moment of indignation, finds Gerri's use of the 'F' word during this sensitive discussion disrespectful, demanding that she recognize his equal standing to his father. Carried away by his momentum, Roman terminates Gerri's employment as well.
Catching up with Ken, Roman suggests letting Joy go gracefully. Kendall agrees, and Roman nonchalantly mentions that Gerri disagreed, so he fired her too. Kendall, amused, challenges Roman on his impulsive firing spree, asking who's next on his hit list. The dynamic duo of Waystar is shaking things up, and some are beginning to believe they have the makings of a turnaround.
Tom and Shiv's lovemaking leaves both of them slightly uneasy afterwards. Tom confirms his unwavering support for Matsson, but Shiv wonders how she should proceed with the partnership. Tom urges caution but confesses his desire for Shiv, wanting them to reunite. Shiv reminds him that his betrayal was unforgivable.
Tom reflects on their relationship, acknowledging that money and its pursuit always clouded his judgment when he first met Shiv. Once they were together, Shiv kept him at bay, leaving him conflicted between her and her father's influence. Shiv challenges Tom, suggesting that if he finds her wealth shallow, they should abandon it all and live in a trailer park. She jokes that she'd follow him anywhere for love, Tom Wamsbegans.
Greg struggles to convince an editor to manipulate Logan's posthumous words, demanding they "make it happen" to curry favor. "Mr. Snippy Snip".
Kendall works diligently with Pete, but the latter lacks confidence in their argument. However, Pete perseveres, determined to make a case despite his doubts.
Shiv contacts Matsson via video, Tom sitting opposite her. She confesses that she's not ready to wield the kind of power that could crush people beneath stage weights.
Kendall's dissatisfaction with the Living+ house lingered, yet his enthusiasm for the clouds they had crafted surged, until his eyes fell upon them. His head slumped forward, and he uttered with disappointment, "Those aren't the clouds at all." He had seen such wonders in Berlin, and this pale imitation fell far below his expectations. Deep in thought, he sought Roman's perspective. Roman pondered, noting the words still resonated, yet he questioned the origin of those playful numerals. Kendall assured him that Pete was in charge of the figures.
Shiv approached, her eyes wide as she inquired about Roman's opinion on the words and numbers. She fretted, "Those are massive numbers, Rome. I'm uneasy. Ken's eyes are glittering with some cunning plan." She advocated for pulling the plug on the day's events, fearing Ken's impulsive schemes and inability to handle pressure. She urged them to protect him by halting the proceedings.
Kendall had prepared bulletproof vests for himself and Roman, but Roman stepped in, advising against their plan. He urged for postponement, leaving Kendall dejected and drooping with disappointment. Karl, eager for a glimpse of the numbers, grew impatient when denied, his anger bubbling over. He threatened Kendall, insinuating that any dissent would result in Kendall's betrayal.
The Co-CEO mounted the stage, his words echoing through the room with the weight of heavy shoes, leaving the audience to squirm in their seats. His performance was a train wreck in progress, until he summoned Logan's image on the screen. The audience behind the scenes felt as if they were witnessing a catastrophic event unfold.
Once Kendall took the reins, his presentation unfolded smoothly, until he dropped the bombshell of "living forever." He chuckled, acknowledging the absurdity yet promising health and happiness. He spoke of the exclusive services billionaires enjoy, which most can only dream of. Then Kendall summoned Logan once again, who boasted of doubling the earnings of the parks division. All except Greg, who muttered, "That was some slick editing," blanched in the background.
As Kendall's segment concluded, Matsson tweeted a Nazi-referencing message: "Doedrick Macht Frie." Unsure of its meaning, Greg deemed it a welcome distraction from Tom's subpar presentation. Kendall faced questions, one inquiring about the tweet. Ken shrugged, "I'm not gonna fave it." Kendall apologized for any offense caused, admitting he wouldn't have uttered such words.
Shiv called Matsson, urging him to retract his tweet, but he remained steadfast, claiming he knew his purpose. Ken explained that social media often misrepresents our intentions, and Living+ aimed to bridge that gap in the real world, where people crave authentic connections. Matsson eventually deleted the tweet, and the team congratulated each other backstage. Roman, however, slipped away amidst the celebration. Kendall sent Roman a video of Logan announcing a momentous declaration, convinced that Roman Roy always missed the mark due to his microscopic vision.
Shiv and Tom flirted as they plotted their strategic future, their interactions merely a facade of affection. Kendall, meanwhile, strode along the beach, embarking on a swim in the vast ocean, venturing further out into its depths.
