Well it’s over. The Succession finale has aired, and as it turns out? We’re just like Roman — we thought we’d pre-grieved, but we hadn’t. Of course, we’re not the only ones. Twitter users across the globe have been tweeting their thoughts about the final episode of the beloved HBO drama, and we’re gathered here today to give you the all the best Succession finale reactions.
Before we get into that, though, let’s talk about the TikTok account @nameberry.com, who accurately predicted how the Succession finale would play out.
The TikTok That Predicted How Succession Would End
Four days ago, Nameberry‘s Editor-in-Chief Sophie Kihm posted a TikTok that delved into the names on Succession. In the video, Kihm theorised that Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) would come out on top based on his unusual surname.
She noted that while TV writers often give their characters common names, the names of the Succession characters were “very intentional” and often held a double meaning.
The Origins of Tom Wambsgans’ Surname
“Wambsgans is a very rare German surname,” Kihm said. “Gans means ‘goose’ in German, and the Wambs part of the surname comes from the gothic given name ‘Wamba’, which means ‘big paunch’.
“‘Wamba’ also shares roots with the English word ‘womb’,” she added.
However, Kihm said that this was all just “background information”, but that it tied into Tom’s character because of late baseball player Bill Wambsganss.
Why “Wambsgans” Is the Key to Succession
“He is remembered for one thing, and that is completing the only unassisted triple play in World Series History,” she said. “He took out three players at once in what is essentially the finale of baseball.”
Kihm said that it was “no coincidence” that the pair shared a surname, and mused that “you have to wonder if Tom will complete an unassisted triple play” in the final episode of Succession.
@nameberry.com Do the names on Succession reveal the show’s ending? #succession #hbomax #tomwambsgans #billwambsganss #shivroy #successionhbo #successiontok #successionfinale #babynames #nameberry
Folks, Kihm was dead on. The 88-minute Succession finale ended with Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) refusing to vote along with Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) to block the sale of Waystar Royco to Norwegian tech company GoJo. With the sale being a done deal, GoJo’s CEO Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) elected to make Tom the CEO of Waystar Royco.
how to lose a company in 10 days starring kendall, roman, and shiv
— meg succession text posts (@successtextpost) May 29, 2023
The episode was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, and as each new scene unfolded, it felt like this:
how it felt watching the succession finale #SuccesionHBO #Succession pic.twitter.com/Et74KW3t14
— viv (@Iustwetrust) May 29, 2023
And at times, felt like this:
what is this ending #succession #successionhbo https://t.co/lP8RwMscQb
— cy (@IamMrYeow) May 29, 2023
Fans of the show are still reeling from the final episode’s many twists, turns and revelations, and no, no one is okay.
guys– succession isn’t over– it’ll be back after the music is over– they haven’t told us how kendall is going to cope with his life moving forward- guys pic.twitter.com/xA7JEN5lng
— jay (@kendallhosseini) May 29, 2023
Here are the best Succession finale reactions.
On the Happier Moments Between the Roy Siblings
In the Succession finale, we got to see Kendall, Roman and Shiv Roy share a rare and genuine connection as siblings. After agreeing that they would team up to block to GoJo deal and make Kendall the CEO of Waystar Royco, the three bonded and laughed in their mother’s kitchen.
The way this was one of the only time where Shiv Roy, Roman Roy, and Kendall Roy acted like actual siblings and knowing it’s the last we’ll ever see them like this IM UNWELL 😭😭 #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/0OGQEbXWAE
— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✖️✖️//💥⏳🥀🐉 DBD ERA🔍💀 (@giselleb1234) May 29, 2023
Of course, this is Succession, so viewers knew this happiness would be short-lived. After all, happy Roy siblings? That’s a Succession red flag.
me: “the roy siblings are all getting along! this is nice!”
the writers (who definitely have something planned that will destroy me): #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/U3vj5u9btZ
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) May 29, 2023
The siblings bonding in the kitchen….like I fear this really is the end#SuccessionHBO #Succession
pic.twitter.com/Apg429SfTW— Kenny (@kennysroys) May 29, 2023
Of course, there’s always the option to just… turn off the episode after this scene. It’s kind of like turning off Titanic right before the boat hits the iceberg, you can make it a really lovely, 90-minute rom-com!
seeing them like this for the last time made me so happy i’ll just pretend the episode ended here #succession https://t.co/3dV2y4lXAf
— viki 𓇢𓆸 (@jacaervs) May 29, 2023
This scene wasn’t the only nice moment that the Roy siblings shared in the finale, either. They also had a tender moment with Connor Roy (Alan Ruck) while watching a video of their late father Logan Roy (Brian Cox) together.
you know what's the worst of all? the relationship between the roy siblings is totally broken, beyond repair and to see that happen after scenes that showed so much affection and intimacy between them… it was hard#Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/b3bHEVfzHe
— amy (@goldustwomxn) May 29, 2023
On Shiv Voting Against Kendall
While the trio of Kendall, Roman and Shiv had gone into the board meeting with the intention of blocking the deal, Shiv got cold feet. When it came time for her to cast the deciding vote, she froze, before getting up and leaving the room.
“shiv, do you vote yes or no?”
shiv: #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/k2XhNR1CTo
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) May 29, 2023
Kendall begged Shiv to vote for him, and fans were sick.
Kendall begging Shiv is so painful i physically can’t watch this
— azhar 𐚁 (@mcstardently) May 29, 2023
#succession this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me btw pic.twitter.com/rkLLzrKMxN
— kendalicent stan (@ancientlovesong) May 29, 2023
They’re also divided on Shiv’s motives, and how they feel about her decision.
Some fans see Shiv’s decision as an act of love — Shiv saving Kendall from himself, breaking the toxic cycle that got them all here in the first place.
she's the hero of this story, I don't give a fuck
she saw a new logan roy being born in ken and fcking killed it before it was too late, she freed the Roys from themselves and got the worst fucking ending for herself
we love and respect our queen shiv in this house#Succession pic.twitter.com/T3amkbon1f
— Sam Hernández (@sam_onthemoon) May 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/m00minearlobes/status/1663011053339398144
Kendall was about to fully crystallize into a Logan-sized monster and Shiv saw that and killed it, what a finale
— Wendell (@RhodeToLove) May 29, 2023
Others saw it as a power move for herself, or felt that Shiv blocked Kendall out of jealousy.
shiv simultaneously saving kendall from himself and damning him to a life lacking in purpose. is this going to spare him or kill him? we won’t know pic.twitter.com/zncCXzjCAk
— grace (@talentedmsgrace) May 29, 2023
At the show’s end, Waystar Royco is no longer under the control of the Roy family, but Shiv has reunited with her estranged husband Tom, who’s just been named the US CEO of Waystar Royco.
in my interpretation, Shiv chose Tom over Kendall because she couldn’t stand seeing Kendall win over herself. like, something primal and childish – as in, winning the firm means winning dad’s love and if she couldn’t have it, neither could Kendall.
— uncle june (@catholicguilter) May 29, 2023
On Kendall’s Ending
In the finale, Kendall begs his siblings to let him be CEO. It’s all he’s ever wanted, it’s his birthright, he’s known since he was seven years old that this was his path.
Does he get his wish? No.
kendall roy at the end of succession pic.twitter.com/MAuVB4InEh
— sandy (@satosgs) May 29, 2023
The final shot of Succession is of a devastated Kendall, reeling as he stares out at the water. It’s Kendall and water, once more with feeling.
One last Kendall Roy water moment to end all Kendall Roy water moments #Succession pic.twitter.com/oyrTaniqvt
— Will Rainbolt (@willajrainbolt) May 29, 2023
Kendall fans were devastated, of course.
i am utterly broken for my number one boy, but it makes sense dramaturgically. #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/towFWKT7Vj
— loose juice (@greenlife497) May 29, 2023
This fucking breaks me
Kendall worked and fought so hard to be the CEO of Waystar his whole life, since he was 7 years old and what did he got? Nothing but misery, he feels he doesn't have anything worthy anymore, it's extremely painful #Successionpic.twitter.com/kfSH9Cuw2D— Grake only cares about Kendall Roy (@myassistired) May 29, 2023
‘I feel like if I don’t get to do this. I feel like that’s it. Like I might die’ – Kendall Roy pic.twitter.com/bMheV0wo7X
— yoon hera stan acc (@onizms) May 29, 2023
As Kendall looks out at the sea, Colin watches on from a safe distance, ready to spring to action if necessary.
In front of the only other one who knew Kendall’s truth with the car accident he faces his reckoning alone small in front of the waves and the city everything he was afraid of pic.twitter.com/BC1jkhIPEa
— Joshua Turek (@JoshuaTurek) May 29, 2023
Meanwhile, other fans of the show were less sympathetic to the billionaire who had just made millions and millions of dollars.
https://twitter.com/_ShamGod/status/1663009893735972874
And some pointed out the irony in Logan telling Kendall that he wasn’t capable of being the CEO because he wasn’t a killer, only to have Shiv tell him that he couldn’t be the CEO because he actually did kill someone.
Kendall was told he couldn’t be CEO because he wasn’t a killer and then because he was 😭 pic.twitter.com/TYYOBdykqK
— Nicole Abarca Powell (@MyCouchHasADent) May 29, 2023
In one of the episode’s most climactic scenes, Kendall, Roman and Shiv go at each other’s throats — quite literally, in the case of Kendall and Roman.
Kendall lunges at Roman after Roman says that Shiv’s pregnancy makes her “the bloodline” of the family, and reveals that Logan didn’t consider Kendall’s kids “real”, because they’re not his biological children.
https://twitter.com/OyindaOdewale/status/1663018899355365377
Viewers were shaken, and left unsure about whether the Roy siblings would ever speak again.
On Tom Becoming CEO and Shiv Joining Him
After Tom is declared the new CEO, he joins Shiv in the car. The final shot of the couple is of them holding hands (if you can call it that).
Viewers are heavily divided on this. Many feel that Shiv was always doomed to suffer the same fate as her mother — being reduced to the wife and mother of the CEO.
Shiv having the same fate as her mom, I'm sick to my stomach #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/w3dAmXyfHr
— lizz メ𝟶 (@lizziessera) May 29, 2023
This was how it was always gonna be #Succession pic.twitter.com/nSzCyY9X1C
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) May 29, 2023
Others felt it was a smart move.
https://twitter.com/StarcoVision/status/1663014237336117251
This is a dark end for Shiv but not necessarily an unstrategic one. She kept the control of the company in *her* family & chose the more stable, less damaged CEO. She was cold but calculated. #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/HJTVawnhvU
— Reality_Check (@Realitty_Check) May 29, 2023
And some people were just happy for Tom.
TOM WAMBSGANS CLAN WE HAVE RISEN FROM THE ASHES LIKE FUCKING PHOENIXES WE FUCKING DID IT #Successionpic.twitter.com/A1ZZq8ovry
— Chase Dawg (@ChaseDawg2) May 29, 2023
On Roman Being Freed
While Kendall’s final moments in the finale are of him dealing with the earth-shattering realisation that he’ll never be CEO, Roman’s arc ends on a much more hopeful note.
After Shiv refuses to block the GoJo deal, Kendall begs Roman to help him. Roman knows it’s over, and tells Kendall that in the end, they’re all bulls**t and that they’re “nothing”.
Viewers were quick to note that it’s a full circle moment for Roman, who begins his arc on Succession by telling Kendall that the place was “a cage” to him, saying “look at all this f**king bulls**t!”
Roman starts and ends the show with commenting on all the bullshit pic.twitter.com/V8043HDoz8
— Out of Context Succession (@SuccessionOOC) May 29, 2023
Roman’s first scene of the show saying he wants to be out of there and the position is bullshit. To his final scene to Kendall saying “we’re bullshit”
Perfect full circle moment #Succession pic.twitter.com/59Xyclsmxy
— brainchild (@soulqrn) May 29, 2023
He then heads to the bar, and in his final shot, we see him with a smile that looks to be one of acceptance, peace and perhaps possibility.
It's easy to say that everybody lost, but when the dust settles, Roman will be the most fine. Kendall had it right: he didn't want it; he only wanted it because his father set that expectation in his abuse cycle. That smile is the tell. He is free (and filthy rich). #Succession pic.twitter.com/JzZBF2jU57
— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) May 29, 2023
#succession spoilers
i love this shot of roman. to me, he’s happy. relieved. he didn’t want it. he couldn’t handle it. he knows that now. and he’s accepting that maybe it’s okay, that it doesn’t make him weak, and maybe there’s a fulfilling life for him outside the cage. pic.twitter.com/UEWF3kTV0U
— kait 💐 (@junkyardc0wboy) May 29, 2023
Roman’s ending is so hopeful. He’s free, and can start to evolve into who he’s always supposed to be.
He progressed so much under Gerri’s guidance but he needed to be free from Waystar before making more.
And now he’s the author of his story.#Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/KNBrULupqA
— Sare 💋 (@RoseNyborg) May 29, 2023
Roman being the only one to receive a remotely happy ending #Succession https://t.co/GOVXsTC11k pic.twitter.com/zlTBy6hXt9
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) May 29, 2023
The episode didn’t give fans any closure on Roman’s relationship with Gerri, but fans of the pair as a couple were happy to see Roman’s expression as he watched her in the video with Logan, Connor and co:
oh, them, forever. #Succession pic.twitter.com/UrFyTUm7oS
— holly (@hollylottie88) May 29, 2023
And others noted that Roman ordered a martini, which is Gerri’s drink.
oh let me guess, “i’ll have a martini” romangerri endgame #succession pic.twitter.com/9E7BCQeLFr
— tina (@wikitina) May 29, 2023
On the Disgusting Brothers
Tom Wambsgans and Greg Hirsch. The Disgusting Brothers themselves. These two have had quite the journey over the past four seasons, and for a brief moment in the finale, it seemed they would end up on opposing teams.
Greg spilled the beans to Shiv that Lukas wasn’t planning on making her CEO. Tom hadn’t told Greg that he was going to be made CEO, so Greg giving Shiv this information was just not ideal for Tom.
Tom pulled Greg into a bathroom and slapped him, and Greg slapped him right back.
greg finally snapping and hitting tom back was kind of poetic pic.twitter.com/NJ2DFXNtM8
— bethany (@fiImgal) May 29, 2023
Fans were shocked!
https://twitter.com/zoeselesi/status/1663003856400429057
In the end, though, Tom stuck by Greg’s side, and fans were thrilled that the Disgusting Brothers would remain together.
THIS IS THE BEST TOMGREG ENDING I COULD POSSIBLY ASK FOR https://t.co/VAY5szyLG0
— 📧li (@eli4wambs) May 29, 2023
greg: *betrays tom and then has a slapping fight with him in the bathroom*
still tom at the end of the episode: #Succession #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/5CaMeHt8Ji
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) May 29, 2023
On Kendall Telling Stewy “and You Kiss Guys on Molly”
Finally, in one of the finale’s lighter moments, Kendall tells Stewy, “you like pancakes and waffles and you kiss guys on molly”.
It’s a revelation that the fans are eating up, and many are choosing to believe that Kendall is, in fact, one of the guys in question.
“you like pancakes and waffles and you kiss guys on molly” and who are the guys kendall pic.twitter.com/zkdM6OQCQy
— kendall roy’s second wife (@princekendalll) May 29, 2023
“…and you kiss guys on Molly” pic.twitter.com/jKenqWJ3n2
— paul (@paulswhtn) May 29, 2023
YOU KISS GUYS ON MOLLY???!!!
#Succession pic.twitter.com/TIYra1mMQd— andrew garfield's beard (@shxrlocked) May 29, 2023
#succession spoilers //
kendall the second stewy walked into his office pic.twitter.com/9g1pfY2DKa— alex (@bigsuitfilms) May 29, 2023
And there you have it, folks. That’s all they wrote.
Succession is streaming in full on BINGE now.
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