Tern Haven

"**Tern Haven**" is the fifth episode of the second season of *Succession* and fifteenth of the series overall. It premiered on September 8, 2019 on HBO. It was written by Will Tracy and directed by Mark Mylod.

## Premise

Logan attempts to solidify his buyout of PGM at a weekend retreat at the Pierce family home, where Shiv, Roman and Connor veer from their carefully orchestrated roles. As the Pierces question whether an alliance with Waystar Royco will tarnish their legacy, Kendall makes his case to Naomi Pierce during a drug-filled night.

## Plot synopsis

The Roy children all return from England after doing some business. Tom is eager to find out what Shiv has been up to, but she is preoccupied. They've all been gathered by her father to make a big announcement, during which she thinks he is finally going to announce her as the new successor to Waystar Royco.

Once everyone is gathered at his place, Logan announces that they will be buying Pierce Media, but before the family will agree to anything, they must spend the weekend with them. He demands a sharp and crisp image from everyone, reminding them of the two-drink maximum. Logan tells Roman that he's very proud of him for finishing his business training, but not to bring it up because it's embarrassing.

The family flies company helicopters to meet the Pierce family. The family is waiting for them once they arrive, and Frank greets Nan Pierce. She clearly has some disdain about the whole ordeal and the two laugh about it. Rhea Jarrell greets Logan and shares with him the family's hopes for the weekend. The Roys are surprised to see that Naomi Pierce has flown in from California, making a special trip for this weekend.

Once inside the Pierce family's home, the two families start to mingle more. Connor and Willa Ferreyra talk to Maxim Pierce, as he and Connor are both into politics. It soon becomes clear that Connor is out of his league, as Maxim works for the Brookings Institute, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Shiv and Tom are talking to Mark, who proudly announces that he will be getting a second PhD. Shiv makes what she thinks is a clever joke and Logan gives a speech after Nan encourages him to. Meanwhile, Kendall and Naomi briefly touch on their drug problems.

Not long after, Logan herds his family into a small room for a quick meeting. He tells everyone to do better, scolds Shiv for her rude joke, and tells Connor to stop talking politics. Last, he reminds Roman to be more polite before ushering everyone back out. His wife, Marcia, informs him that she is less than impressed with his antics.

That night at dinner, everyone can be seen having rather cordial conversations. Roman is trying to come across as more classy and lies about a book he's reading, only to be caught when Mark asks him the author and plot. Kendall and Naomi are sitting close to each other and are mildly flirting. Connor once again becomes frustrated when talking politics while Kendall puts his hand on his back, reminding him to keep his temper. The topic of Tom's work at ATN comes up, and everyone begins to insult him. He smiles and takes it like a champ, but soon excuses himself, along with Shiv, by lying that he has to take a call. The two have a quick talk about what to do, as they're both beginning to panic.

Marcia is offered more wine, but Logan declines for her. Marcia insists on another glass and insults Logan's preference for wine. The question of who will succeed Logan comes up, but he declines to answer. Logan is continuously pressured until Shiv announces herself that she will be taking over the company, much to the surprise of her brothers. Logan, in a spout of anger, quickly shuts down the conversation. An awkward silence follows, so head of the household Nan suggests everyone go for a walk as Mark points out the constellations.

While everyone else is stargazing, Kendall and Naomi sneak off to do some illegal drugs. Back inside the house, Shiv is panicking in front of Tom, as she is well aware that she angered her father. She's looking for any drugs or alcohol, but there are none to consume. Tom tries to keep her calm, but she mostly ignores him. Kendall and Naomi then take some alcohol and hop inside one of the family helicopters. Kendall is playing with some buttons and accidentally starts the helicopter, but quickly turns it off. After a bit more discussion, the two make out.

Roman and Tabitha are bickering in his room. They decide to have sex, but Roman makes Tabitha uncomfortable by suggesting he pretend to be dead, as he needs the act to be taboo or wrong in some way. He then goes to Gerri's room and the two have a conversation about the night's events. It quickly becomes clear Roman came over to continue their erotic session. Gerri begins to say demeaning things to Roman, which arouses him. She then orders him to get inside her bathroom and Roman obeys, masturbating beside the bathroom door as Gerri stands outside to listen.

The next morning, Kendall wakes up naked and alone, seemingly having defecated the bed. At breakfast, Roman "jokes" that he was with Gerri while he masturbated in the other room. Rhea announces that Pierce family had a private meeting earlier and that Nan and Naomi invite Logan, Shiv, and Kendall to meet with them after breakfast. As they all are gather in a small room, they agree to let the Roy family buy their company, but have a list of conditions. Logan dislikes some of them but agrees anyway, until they demand that Shiv be announced as his successor on the same day as the merge of companies. Logan gets upset and storms off. Once they arrive back in New York, the Pierce family alter them that they have changed their minds and agree to Logan's terms. Everyone then celebrates the good news.

Greg also arrives, and informs everyone that he wishes to go by Gregory from that point on. The family gather around and all cheer champagne, but Logan never takes a sip. Instead, he heads up to his room alone and in silence.

### Notes

1. ↑ This episode takes place six weeks after the last.

## Cast

* Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy
* Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch
* Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
* Dagmara Domińczyk as Karolina Novotney (credit only)
* Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon
* Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
* Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini (credit only)
* Alan Ruck as Connor Roy
* J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri Kellman
* Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy
* Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy
* Rob Yang as Lawrence Yee (credit only)
* Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce
* Caitlin FitzGerald as Tabitha
* Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Naomi Pierce
* Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra
* Scott Nicholson as Colin

Guest* Jeremy Shamos as Mark Pierce
* Mark Linn-Baker as Maxim Pierce

## Trivia

* The episode was nominated at the Writers Guild of America Awards for its writing.
* Kieran Culkin submitted the episode to support his nomination at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
* Cherry Jones won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for the episode.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Succession Ep 5: Tern Haven | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com
2. ↑ Shows A-Z - succession on hbo | TheFutonCritic.com
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Succession*: Season 2, Episode 5: "**Tern Haven**"
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Succession | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com
5. ↑ Shows A-Z - succession on hbo | TheFutonCritic.com
6. ↑ 'Watchmen,' 'Succession' Among 20202 Writers Guild Awards TV Noms - Variety
7. ↑ 'Succession' cast dishes on key moments -- and each other - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
8. ↑ Cherry Jones - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins | Television Academy (emmys.com)