On the eve of the election, Tom had prepared a breakfast tray laden with piping hot, fresh pastries for Shiv. Matsson, curious about the preparations, inquired about the festivities but declined to attend. For Shiv's sultry companion, Tom had a special gift in mind for the soirée they were hosting. They planned to announce a brief hiatus and their triumphant return. Inside the gift box was a scorpion-shaped paperweight, which perplexed Shiv, unaware of its humorous significance. He confessed, "I love her, yet she kills me, and I kill her."
Kendall, by chance, encountered his ex-wife and learned that Sophie was avoiding school due to her distress over the election. Her schoolmate's shirt, adorned with a raven's head, had sparked Sophie's fear, as it seemed racially charged. Anti-ATN sentiment had taken root in her school. Kendall demanded to know who pushed his daughter and questioned Rava's absence, wondering if she had been nurturing their daughter while he led a racist news organization. Their argument escalated, and Kendall insisted he was fighting for a safer world for their children.
Roman received a call, informing him that they needed to conduct an investigation to dig up dirt on Matsson. The four siblings convened, with Connor fresh from his visit with their father. Connor observed that their father seemed unchanged, yet his absence was oddly profound. Ken arrived, impatient for small talk, and they promptly delved into funeral arrangements. Who would deliver the eulogy? None seemed eager to take on such a daunting task.
Ken and Roman pondered inviting a certain Nate to the party, an idea Shiv and Tom hadn't considered. However, they realized they needed a contingency plan if they couldn't force Matsson out of town with a lucrative offer. They opted for a hard regulatory approach, hoping even the threat would suffice to intimidate Matsson. Shiv conceded, and as soon as they dispersed, she called Matsson, informing him of their regulatory intentions and insisting on his presence. The intrigue deepened.
Shiv and Tom exchanged flirtatious text messages, adding a spicy touch to their already complex relationship. Meanwhile, Tom and Greg convened for the next round of terminations, a task Tom delegated to Greg, who delivered the bad news via Zoom. As Greg read his statement, Tom slipped away, leaving Greg to handle the aftermath. They would rely on contractors to handle the logistics of the layoffs.
Before the party commenced, Tom's exhaustion was palpable. Just the thought of the impending fatigue had him worn out already. Shiv's sudden announcement that Matsson was attending sent a wave of relief through Tom, as he saw it as a chance to solidify his position in the wake of Roy's impending downfall. Nate's arrival barely registered a blip on Tom's radar; he was indifferent to his presence.
Tom turned to Greg, warning him that unless he was firmly aligned with the dumpster brothers, he should make an effort to curry favor with Matsson. But Greg dismissed the advice, claiming that Matsson despised him and he was firmly on the KenRo side.
Roman had been approached with a request to convince Connor to withdraw from the race. His antics were deemed detrimental to the other candidates, making him a threat.
Nate's arrival sparked a terse exchange with Tom. Roman approached Connor, relaying the message from Macon's team to step aside for the benefit of the company. Connor chuckled, dismissing the idea. The counteroffer of being an ambassador to Mogadishu was met with a counter-counteroffer of the UN.
Frank's arrival, accompanied by a visibly furious Gerri, left Roman with the misconception that he had managed to smooth over the tensions. But Gerri's anger was unmistakable.
Ken kicked off the toasts, greeting the guests with a friendly nod. A large bucket of kettle corn stood as a prize, to be awarded to whoever's race predictions came closest. Amidst the chatter, Matsson and his entourage entered the room, drawing Ken's puzzled gaze.
Matsson cast a curious eye over the crowd, wondering where Tom fit in this puzzle. He caught Tom fawning over him, and Greg's greeting was met with a confused "Gary" from Matsson.
Eba stood awkwardly at the party, accompanied by a bearded gentleman. Connor's negotiations regarding his ambassadorial post continued, rejecting Mogadishu and the Slos, while Roman suggested Oman as an alternative.
Matsson strode confidently towards Nate, Shiv trailing closely behind. Nate pondered the leadership dynamics at the helm, and Matsson assured him Tom would be a shoe-in. Shiv remained silent. Nate caught Kendall's attention, offering an apology for Logan's situation. Kendall chose to be candid, suggesting a major overhaul in their approach would be beneficial. This, however, hinged on the deal being scrapped. Nate chuckled, reminiscing, "I forgot how desperate you were to hook up at parties."
Shiv and Matsson met in the cloakroom, where she skillfully flattered him. She posed a question, inquiring about his recent contributions to her advancement. He confessed his fondness for her and pledged to grant her whatever she desired. Shiv made her intentions clear: she'd align with him, but only if it led to a role of immense significance. She was eager and ready to take on the challenge. Matsson expressed his need to ponder, but Shiv laughed it off, urging him to make a decision.
Ken instructed Greg to keep an eye on Matsson, jesting, "Find him a blonde companion." Scott, an elder gentleman, whispered that Tom would be relocated if the deal materialized, leaving Tom agitated. Roman, however, thrilled with his insider information about Matsson and Eba, couldn't contain his excitement. Nate stopped by to bid Kendall farewell, reminding him that neither was a carbon copy of their predecessors.
Willa wasn't immediately receptive to Oman's proposal. Matsson summoned Greg to a meeting with his team, emphasizing the importance of charm. However, his colleagues failed to impress. Matsson desired Eba's dismissal, and Greg, confident in his abilities, agreed to tackle the task. Eba wasn't amused by the jest, while Kendall observed with keen interest, later checking in on her with Roman. She assured them she was fine and ready to discuss matters. Roman was curious about her impending departure in February, speculating it might be due to Matsson's indiscretions. Shiv revealed the real reason: a business trip to India. Roman pressed for details, but she dismissed him with a scoff.
Inside, the news wasn't favorable for ATN, and Tom bore the brunt of the scrutiny. Rumors and speculations swirled. Greg comforted Matsson, noting that firing everyone hadn't been as disastrous as anticipated. Shiv pulled Matsson aside again, inquiring about discrepancies in his figures, particularly in India. Matsson was perplexed, wondering if Eba or Oscar had spilled the beans. He confessed to a minor issue with inflated subscriber numbers, quipping, "How every Elon Musk!"
Shiv is anxious about his handling of the situation. He mutters that they've simply let it slide, planning to address it later. He harbors the hope that acquiring Waystar will shroud their mishaps in the glitz and glamour of the deal, ultimately balancing the numbers. Roman approaches Gerri with a casual greeting, insisting the firing threat was merely a bluff. He attempts to engage her in conversation, but she collects her drink and strides away. She's out, done, and has her demands set in stone. She demands hundreds of millions, threatening to unleash a storm of scandal if anything threatens to undermine her narrative in the next five years.
Connor and Willa have reconsidered their decision to withdraw. They envision a possible book deal or a speaking tour as a silver lining. Roman, enraged, scolds Connor, telling him everyone sees him as a joke and suggests he pack his bags and head to Oman. Connor, however, says he'll heed the advice of the one person who doesn't mock him.
Matsson dismisses New York City as a second-tier metropolis, placing it far behind Singapore. Kendall, seizing the opportunity, begins to pick apart Matsson's arguments, capturing the audience's attention. He raises the alarm about the numbers, lambasting the deal as the most overpriced in history.
Tom is exhausted and wishes to depart, but Shiv insists he stay to bid farewell with her. Tom, weary of the constant rumors of his impending dismissal, sees no reason to prolong the night. Shiv fears she's tied herself to a potentially fraudulent Matsson. Tom assures her she'll always land on her feet, yet he's wounded by her public betrayal. He accuses her of selfishness, claiming she's unfit to be a parent due to her inability to love. Shiv counters, accusing him of pandering to Logan in his final months while excluding her. She declares her disdain for him, unconcerned about his feelings.
Kendall pulls Frank aside, remarking on the coat room's intriguing ambiance. He proposes a bold plan: a reverse Viking strategy, where Waystar merges with CoJo, placing Kendall at the helm, crushing his siblings' ambitions. He seeks Frank's support in this endeavor. Tom, fed up, announces it's time for everyone to leave, bidding them a curt goodnight. Roman steps forward, claiming the final word, lamenting the dreadful night.
