Succession season 4 episode 9 recap: Why were people protesting outside the ATN office? 

The latest episode of Succession revolved mostly around Logan's funeral. It was titled Church and State. It was directed by Mark Mylod and written by Jesse Armstrong. It was released on Sunday, May 21, 2023, on HBO.

The official synopsis of the episode read,

"As the family girds themselves for an emotional funeral, Kendall finds himself at odds with Rava and inopportune news from Jess; Shiv tries to reposition herself within a new political landscape, as Kendall rallies supporters to his side."

This episode saw heavy riots outside the ATN building because the Roy family was in favor of a far-right politician called Jeryd Mencken. The reason Kendal supported him was that Mencken was going to Waystar Royco from the GoJo deal.

---

Succession season 4 episode 9 recap: Why was Tom having a mental breakdown?

The episode began with violent riots outside the ATN office because the Roys were supporting a far-right candidate called Jeryd Mencken. Kendall felt guilty about it, but not too much. The dynamic of the situation is complicated since Mencken is supposedly going to save the company from the GoJo deal. The Roy siblings have always put their company above their own happiness because they want to spend the rest of their lives in luxury.

On the way to their father's funeral, Kendall got furious at his family (his estranged wife and kids) when his wife said she wanted to leave town. When his assistant told him that even she wanted to leave, he just got angrier. Shiv finally revealed to her siblings that she was pregnant. Roman, being Roman, began his banter when he heard this. It seemed like nobody was serious about Logan's funeral. Even cousin Greg wanted Roman to introduce him to Mencken.

Meanwhile, Tom had been having a mental breakdown since taking over as president of ATN. The funeral finally began, but every family member seemed to have their own agenda to secure power. Shiv tried to convince Matsson to name her domestic CEO in order to keep WayStar RoyCo 'American'. Everyone begins with theirs, starting with Ewan Roy. Then came Roman, and then Kendall. And finally, Shiv.

After the funeral, Roman mocked the protesters and, in turn, got a solid punch in the face. Kendal again mocked Roman for this stunt, which deeply hurt his younger brother.

The episode ended here. Unfortunately, this entire episode felt like filler, but this does not mean that the story didn't progress. Every Roy sibling has their own tactic. They are all hell-bent on power. Rest assured, we are set for an epic show finale next week.

---

What is Succession about?

HBO's satirical black comedy-drama Succession revolves around the exploits of the powerful Roy family. Their patriarch, Logan Roy, founded Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment conglomerate, and took it to the pinnacle. But how his children are preying for complete control over the company.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the synopsis of Succession reads,

"Although he has no plans to step aside as the head of Waystar Royco, the international media conglomerate controlled by his family, aging patriarch Logan Roy is contemplating what the future holds. He has lingered in the limelight longer than even he thought he would, and now family members want to run the company as they see fit."

It further states,

"Despite a best-laid succession plan, tempers flare over Logan's intentions. Kendall Roy, Logan's eldest son from his second marriage and a division president at the firm, is the heir apparent. As Kendall attempts to solidify his eventual takeover, he and the three other Roy children face a difficult choice as company control and family loyalties collide."

Succession stars Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Matthew Macfadyen, Sarah Snook, and Jeremy Strong in lead roles.