9. Tom/Shiv balcony fight – “Tailgate Party” (Season 4, Episode 7)
At their pre-election tailgate party, Tom and Shiv attempt to “clear the air,” which, in Succession fashion, translates to annihilating each other. Amidst the pretence of ‘oblivious’ guests, they unleash a torrent of awful, hurtful, and terrible words, marking the climax of four seasons’ worth of resentment and anger. Shiv condemns Tom for “propos[ing] to me at my lowest fucking ebb,” effectively trapping her into marriage. She accuses him of “fucking me for my DNA,” and confronts his betrayal from the previous season.
The dynamics of Shiv and Tom’s relationship have always fascinated viewers, but this scene showcases their brutal honesty in the cruellest way possible. Their bond appears irreparably damaged, yet they always manage to find their way back to each other.
