‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (2024)

The following story contains spoilers for Season 4, Episode 4 of Succession, "Honeymoon States."

In the aftermath of the shocking events of Succession's instant classic Season 4 Episode 3, "Connor's Wedding"—where Logan Roy (Brian Cox) did, in fact, die, and, perhaps even more surprisingly, against all odds, Connor (Alan Ruck) and Willa (Justine Lupe) did get married—Season 4 opens with Logan's three most ambitious children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (Sarah Snook), stewing. None of them seem to be doing particularly well. And, as it turns out, there's some more news brewing for the Roy family.

We know that, at this point, grieving is just the beginning. Shiv already gave a statement to the media on the family (and company's) behalf announcing her father's death, adding, unnecessarily, that she, Roman, and Kendall planned to be involved with the company's future. Before they even really say goodbye to their cruel father for good, they'll have to start planning (and scheming) about the future of Waystar-Royco and how to move forward with the sale to Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård). And, as we find out, Shiv has something else going on too.

At the start of Season 4, Episode 4, titled "Honeymoon States," while Roman and Kendall are grieving in solitude, Shiv, lying in bed, receives a call on her phone from a Dr. Sharon Hasford. Dr. Hasford clearly follows the news and knows that this is a rough time for Shiv; nonetheless, she's calling with "results," which she promises are "good news."

Seemingly coming out of nowhere, this is certainly a moment of confusion for us viewers. Is Shiv sick? Is something else going on? That's a question that ultimately answers itself—if you know what you're listening to.

Is Shiv Roy pregnant in Succession Season 4?

‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (1)

Yes. Shiv Roy, as it turns out, is pregnant in Succession Season 4. During Dr. Hasford's call, she reveals that, while there may have been an earlier scare, they've recently run an amniocentesis test (a prenatal test to see if a baby has any health conditions) that came back all clear. “Everything looks healthy," the doctor tells Shiv on the phone. "And you’re still well? No spotting? No bleeding?”

Shiv has nothing more to report. Before the end of the call, in case we couldn't pick it up from any other details, Dr. Hasford reminds Shiv to make an appointment for her 20 week scan.

There's another Roy on the way. But will this Roy actually be a Wambsgans?

There were hints to Shiv's pregnancy in earlier Succession episodes.

‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (2)

Shiv drinking water during "Connor’s Wedding"

As far back as the Season 3 Italy episodes—when Kendall, Shiv, and Roman's mom was getting re-married—there have been hints that Shiv has actually been pregnant. She was toasting with water in her glass during this time, and, Shiv has seemed throughout Succession like someone who would enjoy a nice glass of bubbly when the occasion strikes.

This is also the time period when Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) brought up the idea of having kids with Shiv, and when Shiv only came around to the idea when Caroline (her mother) basically dressed her down and clearly hurt her ego.

During "Connor's Wedding," Shiv is also seen (in a dialogue-free moment) declining a glass of champagne when arriving at the venue, and then is only later seen drinking water throughout the episode.

Sarah Snook is pregnant in real life, so it appears that creator/showrunner Jesse Armstrong and the rest of the Succession writing staff took that as an opportunity to create yet another wrinkle in the ever-expansive Succession drama.

What does Shiv's pregnancy mean for the rest of season 4—especially after her nasty fall at the end of Episode 4?

‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (4)

There are plenty of questions that abound now that we know that Shiv is pregnant. One, of course: who is the father? Based on the vibes of Season 4, it would seem that Shiv and Tom have been estranged for quite some time. However, as a well-researched piece in Vulture points out, the events of the entire Succession series to this point have only taken place over the course of about a year, in-universe. Given what we learned about the presidential election, among other things, it's likely that Logan's death was only a couple months after the wedding in Italy.

So, while Shiv and Tom have had an open relationship since the night they got married (who could forget?) it's absolutely possible that Tom is still the father of Shiv's baby, despite the two being separated and planning on divorcing. With so much in flux, this could make for some major character moments to come for both Shiv and Tom.

Near the end of the episode, after Kendall and Roman are chosen as interim co-CEOs by the Waystar-Royco board following Logan's death, Shiv emerges from the meeting in a quiet furor. She's upset that she once again was passed over by her brothers (though they promise to share the power and decision-making with her) and as she storms out, yells at both Stewy (Arian Moayed) and the Tucker Carlson-esque ATN anchor Mark Ravenhead (Zack Robidas) in her path. And then she falls down—hard.

Some have speculated that, following the fall, Shiv suffered a miscarriage. But we don't think so. Rather, this seems to just be illusory of a classic adage: "When it rains, it pours." It has not been a good day for Logan Roy's left-leaning political advisor-turned-potential successor-turned-corporate executive daughter. And now she fell on her face in front of everyone—and the first person to help her up is the soon-to-be-ex-husband (and likely father of her child) who she hates and who previously betrayed her. It's not a good time.

But it would be rather shallow storytelling to introduce a pregnancy plotline only to have it lost via random miscarriage by the end of the episode. We'll certainly be hearing more about this one in the weeks to come.

‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (6)

‘Succession’ Had Another Huge Reveal in Episode 4 (2024)

FAQs

What did Kendall ask Hugo to do? ›

The final scene of Succession season 4, episode 4, sees Kendall approaching Hugo and asking him to smear Logan's name. Although Hugo seems hesitant to be part of this scheme, Kendall finds out about Hugo's insider trading earlier in the episode, which the new CEO uses to blackmail Hugo.

What was the big twist in Succession? ›

We finally have a successor to founder and CEO of Waystar Royco, Logan Roy (Brian Cox)... but it's none of his children. In the end it was Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) who came out on top - the desperate outsider and social climber, described as an "empty suit" by his wife, Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook).

What was on the paper in Logan's Safe? ›

In Logan's safe, the estate's executor, Frank, finds a piece of paper from four (or more) years ago, naming Kendall as Logan's preferred successor. But there are handwritten notes and markings on the page — including a line partially under Kendall's name and partially through it.

Who was on the piece of paper Succession? ›

During the wake, Frank (Peter Friedman), who is the executor of Logan's estate, finds a “rather worrying piece of paper” in a private safe. The typed document seemed to name Kendall (Jeremy Strong) as Logan's successor to media empire Waystar Royco.

Is Iverson Kendall's biological son? ›

Early life. Roman implies in the series finale that Iverson is not Kendall's biological child, by referring to him as "half Rava, half some filing-cabinet guy." Iverson is likely on the Autism spectrum.

Is Kendall Logan's son? ›

He is a member of the Roy family, owners of Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment conglomerate, led by patriarch Logan Roy. Kendall is Logan's second son, eldest child from his second marriage, and serves as Logan's archenemy throughout the series.

Why did Shiv vote against Kendall? ›

Succession's Sarah Snook explains the reason for Shiv's pivotal vote in series finale. Snook says Shiv did not appreciate seeing Kendall put his feet up on Logan Roy's desk. Feet. Oh sure, they're useful for walking around on, but they can also get you into a lot of trouble.

Why did Tom betray Shiv? ›

Shiv confesses that she doesn't know what to do with Matsson. And Tom explains why he betrayed her in the season three finale, by going behind her back to tell Logan about her and her siblings' takeover plans. Speaking about their marriage, Tom says Shiv always held him at a distance: “You never asked me in.

Did Shiv plan it all along? ›

Her one decisive move—the only, and the most important, definitive action that she takes in this episode—is to derail Kendall's all-but-set-in-stone plan to succeed their father, and it wasn't a premeditated scheme on her part.

Why did Logan write Greg's name? ›

It's possible that Logan saw some form of loyalty in Greg that could be nourished and fine-tuned to become a CEO or at least a partner of some sort, leading him to write Greg's name on the paper as a really hard "maybe."

Who does Logan love the most Succession? ›

Receiving love from Logan was always transactional and conditional, his approval and validation given only within his insular world as a powerful business tycoon. His favorite creation and achievement in life was Waystar, which Logan loved more than anything or anyone else in Succession, even his children.

Why did Logan underline Kendall's name? ›

The showrunner shared that Kendall's name was, in fact, underlined, meaning that Logan wanted his second eldest son to succeed him as the CEO of Waystar Royco.

What did Logan's letter say about Greg? ›

Since Greg's name was listed alongside a note that said Logan wanted Kendall to become CEO, Greg believed that Logan wanted him in a second-in-command position.

Who is Roman's mother in Succession? ›

Caroline Collingwood (Harriet Walter)

The mother of Kendall, Shiv and Roman — and second ex-wife of Logan — Caroline is an absentee mother who is rarely there to support her three children.

Who is the traitor in Succession? ›

Tom betrays Shiv by giving crucial intel to Logan during the Succession season 3 finale. Shiv fights hard for the CEO position and sticks with Logan, even when Kendall, confident he's got what it takes to bring Logan down, invites her to join his side.

What does Hugo Baker do in Succession? ›

Hugo Baker is a Communications Executive at Waystar Royco. He is portrayed by Fisher Stevens.

Why did Kendall Pop Romans scar? ›

But the way Kendall grinds Roman's forehead into his shirt is pure domination tactic, a way to pop Roman's stitches and cause him some pain, a way to keep him in line with his vote.

What did Kendall do to the waiter? ›

Three seasons after Kendall drives a car into a river and kills a waiter at his sister's wedding, the hanging sword of Damocles finally falls.

What was in the letter about Kendall Succession? ›

An irate Shiv drafts an open letter attacking Kendall and asks Roman and Connor to sign it, but they both object out of discomfort with the personal details Shiv chose to include in the statement, such as Kendall's substance abuse and failed relationships. Shiv decides to publish the letter herself.

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