Episode 7 – ‘Tailgate Party‘
Episode seven, resembling a bottle episode, unfolds as Shiv and Tom host a pre-election party where attendees from both sides of the political spectrum mingle despite supporting opposing candidates. Eric Schultz, a political consultant for the show and former deputy press secretary under President Obama, confirmed the authenticity of the “coziness” between politicians with differing views. He also highlights the “symbiotic relationship” between political campaigns and the media, validating Succession’s portrayal of the cozy connections among politicians, business leaders, and the media.
The most memorable and devastating scene of the episode showcases remarkable performances from Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen. It serves as an explosive culmination of all the resentment and betrayal that has plagued their relationship throughout the four seasons. Matthew Macfadyen offered a poignant insight into Tom’s fixation on wine, describing it as “about his marriage, I think. She doesn’t want to have a baby, she doesn’t want really to be with him. And so, if they can have a vineyard together, and maybe produce wine, that’s a sort of substitute. It’s a sort of weak substitute… the wine’s disgusting.”
