Why Shiv Voted Against Kendall In The Succession Series Finale Finally Explained By Sarah Snook
Sarah Snook explains Shiv’s game-changing decision to vote against Kendall despite promising to back him up in the intense Succession series finale.
Shiv’s decision to not back Kendall in the Succession finale is explained by Sarah Snook. One of HBO’s greatest shows ever wraps after four seasons with a series finale that is full of twists and turns. Following years of in-fighting and competing with each other to be Logan’s successor, Succession bowed out with Tom becoming WayStar Royco’s new CEO.
Had Shiv stuck to her original plan in the Succession series finale, however, Kendall would have won the seat. Speaking to Variety, Snook breaks down her character’s last-minute change of heart that sealed the fate of her own brother. Read her full quote below:
I’ve spoken with friends of mine who love the show, and I quite like being able to dissect it with them. I have heard that people thought that Shiv was thinking 10 steps ahead, and that if Tom’s going to get the CEO-ship and she’s got a kid with Tom, then the closest she can be to it is by saying “No” in this moment.
But I think it’s just pure instinct. I think it’s trigger response. It’s scratching an open wound that is always there with the siblings. And this was in the script in the big print — when she sees Kendall put his feet up on Dad’s desk? There’s something in her that goes like, “Ahhhhh!” Sorry to swear, but “Motherfucker!”
It’s just going to be the same as it always has been: I will always be pushed out. I was last time, when given assurances that I wouldn’t be. I don’t think she’s decided in that moment when they’re in Dad’s office to say no. But once it gets down to it in the room, she just can’t physically bear to say yes.
I have to support my character, but Kendall digs his own grave in the following scene, when he’s lying about [killing] the kid and is just like “I’m the eldest son!” — it’s all downhill from there for Kendall.
Was Shiv’s Succession Series Finale Decision Correct?
For four seasons, Succession delved deep into the Roy family as they prepared for the inevitable death of their patriarch. Aside from losing a father, his demise was made trickier by the fact that he owned one of the biggest media companies in the world. Despite essentially building towards it from the get-go, Logan’s death in Succession season 4, episode 3 was still very surprising. Aside from pulling it off the way it did, the fact that it happened quite early in the year allowed the show to see his kids deal with the loss of him. This was particularly interesting, considering that Kendall, Shiv, and Roman seemed to finally be in unison following years of conspiring against each other to win their dad’s affection.
Throughout Succession’s run, the trio’s relationship was tumultuous. They couldn’t seem to agree on something, and it didn’t help that Logan’s eccentricity pitted them against each other. However, in brief periods, it was clear that the siblings loved each other. Given this, it’s difficult to imagine that Shiv coming to the conclusion that she wouldn’t support Kendall was easy. However, as Snook said, her character’s choice didn’t come from altruism. Instead, it was from her need to protect herself. Attaching herself to Tom, who is the new Waystar Royco CEO was her way of securing her future. But that also meant that she would have to keep her marriage with him despite everything that already happened between them.
As for Kendall and Roman, Shiv’s Succession betrayal effectively ended their rivalry. Roman will likely get over what happened, but it will be a long and lonely road for Kendall moving forward. If he ends up accepting it, however, it may very well be the best thing that ever happened to him, considering that it cut him loose from his obsession over succeeding Logan. Separately, all three of them may end up being okay in the future. That being said, the chances of their sibling relationships surviving Shiv’s betrayal may be slim to none.
