If you're a fan of Succession then chances are, like us, you're still reeling from the third episode of season four, titled 'Connor's Wedding', which aired earlier this week.
The momentous episode is a masterpiece in acting, writing and direction and has been dubbed one of the greatest moments of modern TV. And it's not hard to see why given the events that unfolded at the eldest Roy sibling's nuptials. But what happens next?
We've outlined seven potential theories and predictions about what could happen between the Roy siblings and Waystar Royco at large for the remainder of the final season. This is your final warning – if you've yet to watch the third episode of season four then save this article for later because there are huge spoilers ahead…
Succession season four predictions
The battle for CEO creates irreparable division
The death of Logan Roy (Brian Cox) was not necessarily a surprise to fans of the show given the premise of the drama is entirely centered around his successor. Since the big man changed his mind a number of times about whether to walk away or allow one of his children to officially take over, it became increasingly obvious that no major moves would occur until after he died, particularly after it was announced that season four would be the final chapter.
What was a surprise, however, was how early in the final season Jesse Armstrong and co. decided to kill Cox's character off. Rather than going for a classic series finale death, Jesse decided it would be "more interesting" to examine how the Roy kids would cope without their father, as he explained while appearing on HBO's Succession podcast.
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MORE: Succession: what happened to Roman Roy's wife and child?
© Home Box OfficeNaturally, the remainder of the season will focus on the aftermath of Logan's death and who will become CEO. Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Shiv (Sarah Snook) all agreed at the end of episode three that they'd all stick together, but will it last?
A preview trailer showing what's to come sees many tense moments, including what appears to be a physical altercation between Kendall and Roman. There's also the moment where Karl Muller (David Rasche) can be heard saying to Gerri Kellman (J. Smith Cameron), Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) and Frank Vernon (Peter Friedman): "The kids are not equipped to take on the role."
This means that division between the kids themselves, as well as the siblings versus the current board members (Frank, Carl and Gerri) is only going to widen.
© Home Box OfficeThe aftermath of Logan's death brings up old Cruises stories
The dark cloud that is 'Cruises' – the criminal case which examined allegations of sexual assault and criminal coverups involving Brightstar Cruise Ships – had been hanging over Waystar Royco pretty much since the beginning of the show. However, the scandal somewhat shrank in season three after the family faced a series of court hearings with the Senate and struck a deal with the District Attorney and the Department of Justice.
MORE: Kieran Culkin's tragic family history: Everything we know
But now that Logan's gone, could more come out? And could it involve Logan himself? Before the CEO stepped on the jet to Sweden, he instructed Roman to tell long-term Waystar lawyer Gerri that she's out for how she "handled cruises", meaning the issue hasn't left the psyche of those high up at the company. Its quiet disappearance in season three also hints that it's not quite done and dusted…
© Home Box OfficeTom Wambsgans eyes up top spot
This theory isn't a long shot. It's quite likely that Tom Wambsgans' character arc for the remainder of season four will see the ATN Chairman do his best to climb the greasy pole and get a seat at the big kids' table. The ending of season three proved Tom's willingness to shaft his wife Shiv and in-laws for his own gain (and to gain the trust and respect of Logan) so this is naturally only going to increase now that moves are being made.
However, what we think is more likely is Tom failing to gain enough confidence from his peers to find himself as the top dog. In the teaser trailer, even his so-called 'teammates', Gerri, Karl and Frank allude to a lack of confidence in him, pointing out that the "naysayers" will think of him as a "clumsy interloper who no one can trust."
© Home Box OfficeKerry Castellabate has Logan's baby
This is a fan theory that admittedly made us chuckle when we read it online (chuckle like a clown, if you like), however, the idea of Kerry having Logan's baby in season four has not been totally plucked out of thin air.
MORE: Succession's Brian Cox breaks silence on Logan Roy's shocking episode three twist
The notion was floated towards the end of season three while the Roy kids were attending their mother Caroline Collingwood (Harriet Walter)'s Tuscan wedding after Connor (Alan Ruck) noticed that Kerry had been eating maca root – apparently a natural remedy for increasing male fertility. Imagine how that would go down…
© Home Box OfficeKendall has another meltdown
Quelle surprise. Our Number One Boy has pulled at our heartstrings many times in this show and what's one more meltdown for Kendall? Episode three saw the Roy kids deal with their dad's death in completely different ways: Roman? Denial. Shiv? Heartbreak.
Whereas Kendall entered fully-fledged CEO/authoritative mode demanding the world's best doctor to conduct a conference call from his father's plane "in the next two minutes" (poor Jess). But soon, Kendall's emotions pulled through and the realisation that his dad is gone forever soon hit home. And judging by the teaser video, it looks like things are only going to get more sticky for Kendall. One shot also saw him submerged in water which had fans, naturally, panicking. Yikes.
© Home Box OfficeShiv and Matsson spark up a romance
Did anyone else spot that eye contact and chemistry between Shiv and Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) in one part of the mid-season trailer? Well, fans did and we kind of agree! Plenty online seem to be convinced that something between Shiv and Matsson could happen in the episodes to come. But, if it happened, what would that mean for the deal? We'd be intrigued to see how that went down.
Roman walks
People might be surprised by this idea, but looking back at Roman's personality and story throughout the whole show, deep down Romulus is simply a lost little boy who wants to make his dad proud. But now with Logan gone, and things potentially turning nasty, it could be the final straw for our little slime puppy.
© Home Box OfficeThe beginning of season four saw Rome keen to create The 100 with Kendall and Shiv, and seemed put off by the idea of "bringing down Dad" in the process. Not only that, season three saw him basically tell his Dad indirectly that he didn't want to be considered for the top job, so it's clear that, despite his front, becoming Logan 2.0 is not necessarily something that he envisions. If things turn ugly, we think it's likely that he'll walk away not wanting to have anything to do with the company for a moment longer.
Succession continues Sunday April 16 on HBO in the U.S., and Monday April 17 on NOW and Sky Atlantic in the UK.
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