This Is Not for Tears

"**This Is Not for Tears**" is the tenth and final episode of the second season of *Succession* and twentieth of the series overall. It premiered on October 13, 2019 on HBO. It was written by Jesse Armstrong and directed by Mark Mylod.

## Premise

On the Roys' grand Mediterranean yacht, Logan weighs whether a member of the family, or a top lieutenant, will need to be sacrificed to salvage the company's tarnished reputation. Roman shares his hesitations about a new source of financing, as Kendall suggests a familiar alternative. Shiv proposes taking her open marriage with Tom to another level.

## Plot synopsis

Greg is called to testify before Congress regarding the sexual misconduct on Waystar's cruise-lines. He fumbles his way through the testimony, seemingly nervous in front of Senator Gil Eavis. In the car, Logan watches the testimony with Hugo as they discuss who will be the scapegoat following the scandal. Logan then receives a call from a high-profile shareholder of Waystar's, who suggests that Logan take responsibility for the crimes.

Following the testimony, the Roys decide to vacation on their yacht. Connor and Willa, who is upset that her play has been panned by critics, are first to arrive. Shiv arrives with Tom and suggests that the two of them to have a threesome with a female yacht employee, though Tom is clearly uncomfortable with the idea. Tom sees that Gerri and Frank have followed them on board, and starts to think that this may be more than a "family holiday." Kendall soon arrives with Greg and girlfriend Naomi Pierce.

Connor and Willa are scrolling through the reviews of her play when Willa, frustrated upon seeing that they're mostly very negative, tosses Connor's tablet into the sea. Roman, Karl, and Laird arrive via helicopter, after returning from Turkey where they had been held for being potentially dangerous foreigners. The men seem a bit shaken up, but Laird says that Roman did good in terms of handling the deal, and that Asgarov will allow them to go private. Laird reminds the others of the consequences of Waystar remaining public, and leaves the yacht so that they may discuss amongst themselves. Connor then asks Logan for money, admitting that his campaign is robbing him and he can't cover the loss of Willa's play. Logan agrees, so long as Connor suspend his presidential campaign. Logan then asks Kendall to make Naomi leave, claiming that she enables his drug abuse. Naomi is disappointed that Kendall won't leave with her, but complies.

Logan is disappointed to wake up to no sign of Marcia, as he was hoping she'd join them on the yacht. At breakfast, Logan nonchalantly offers himself as the scapegoat, but the others deny and begin debating other options, relieving Logan. Ken suggests Gerri, Roman suggests Frank, and Frank suggests Karl. Karl suggests Gerri as well, but Roman defends her, saying that Tom is the logical choice due to his previous involvement with the cruise-line. Roman also adds that Greg could be sacrificed as well. Several others, including Shiv, agree that Tom is the most viable option, although Kendall adds that he might not be "big enough". Connor volunteers, asking for cash in return, which amuses Logan and he thanks Connor for the gesture. Logan then leaves to reflect, before he and Kendall travel to a Greek island in attempt to enlist financial aid from Stewy, who denies them.

While relaxing on a beach, Tom confesses to Shiv that he is unhappy in their marriage. He confesses that he's not sure it was ever a good idea, but wishes to salvage it. Shiv, taken aback but feeling guilty, wishes to salvage it as well. Back at the yacht, Tom eats some of Logan's food in front of him, just to spite him. Shiv then goes to speak with her father. She does not initially reveal her intentions of speaking to him, but soon begins begging him not to get rid of Tom. Shiv is then asked to choose between her husband and her brother Kendall, and although pained by it, motions for Kendall to speak with their father.

Logan informs Kendall that he will be the blood sacrifice. Kendall suggests that he deserves punishment for what happened to Andrew Dodds, which Logan dismisses as a case of "No Real Person Involved", but not this. Kendall, disappointed, asks if he was ever considered for the position of CEO. Logan admits that he wasn't, saying "You're not a killer. You have to be a killer." Kendall kisses Logan on the cheek and the two leave to inform the others of the decision. Roman is appointed to COO and Frank will be responsible for cleanup.

The next morning, Kendall and Greg leave for a press conference back in New York, Jess and Karolina joining them upon arrival. Logan watches the conference from the yacht, Shiv by his side. Kendall, in front of the press, begins to explain his role as scapegoat, but suddenly deviates and begins blaming Logan. He states that his father is a "malignant presence, a bully, and a liar" and has been aware of the events for many years but made efforts to cover them up. Additionally, he informs the reporters that he has brought documents proving his father's guilt, which Greg seemingly has on hand. The speech shocks the reporters, Karolina, and the rest of the Roy family except for Logan, who bears a faint smile.

### Notes

1. ↑ Logan offers Stewy three board seats, including Kendall's, and a say in their next appointment of CEO.
2. ↑ NRPI is likely based on the real-world phrase "No Human Involved", which is most often used by police officers to describe crimes involving victims of color, female victims who are sex workers, and drug addicts. In Andrew Dodds' case, Logan dehumanizes him due to his drug problems.
3. ↑ Although Logan doesn't know it yet, he has received the "kiss of Judas" (or "kiss of death") from Kendall, forewarning betrayal.

## Cast

* Brian Cox as Logan Roy
* Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch
* Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
* Dagmara Domińczyk as Karolina Novotney
* Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon
* Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
* 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)
* Eric Bogosian as Gil Eavis
* Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra
* Fisher Stevens as Hugo Baker
* Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Naomi Pierce
* David Rasche as Karl
* Angus Wright as Philippe Layton
* Ashley Zukerman as Nate Sofrelli
* Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan

Guest* Angus Wright as Philippe Layton
* Victor Slezak as Sen. Roberts

## Quotes

* **Tom Wambsgans [to Shiv Roy]:** I think a lot of the time, I'm really pretty unhappy. I wonder if the sad I'd be without you would be less than the sad I get from being with you.
* **Kendall Roy:** The truth is that my father is a malignant presence, a bully, and a liar, and he was fully personally aware of these events for many years and made efforts to hide and cover up. He had a twisted sense of loyalty to bad actors like Lester McClintock. And a disregard for the safety of migrant workers, non-union and union workers, and for vulnerable performers and guests. My father keeps a watchful eye over every inch of his whole empire, and the notion that he would have allowed millions of dollars in settlements and compensation to be paid without his explicit approval is utterly fanciful.

## Trivia

* Armstrong stated that he chose to play the Roy family on a yacht because of the history surrounding real-life media moguls, such as Robert Maxwell, having important family meetings on yachts. Mark Mylod noted that the yacht also, given the context, played on the metaphor of "throwing someone overboard."
* The episode was nominated for several Primetime Emmy, Primetime Creative Arts Emmy, and Directors Guild of America Awards. Jeremy Strong, Nicholas Braun, and Matthew Macfadyen all submitted the episode to support their nominations.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Succession Ep 10: This Is Not for Tears | 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 10: "**This Is Not for Tears**"
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. ↑ ‘Succession’ Showrunner Talks Season 2 Finale Twist – The Hollywood Reporter
7. ↑ 2020 Emmy Nominations: Nominees For 72nd Annual Awards – Deadline
8. ↑ DGA Announces 2019 Awards Nominees for: Dramatic Series; Comedy Series; and Variety/Talk/News/Sports (dga.org)
9. ↑ Jeremy Strong (‘Succession’): Emmys 2020 episode submission revealed - GoldDerby
10. ↑ Nicholas Braun (‘Succession’): Emmys 2020 episode submission revealed - GoldDerby
11. ↑ Matthew Macfadyen (‘Succession’): Emmys 2020 episode submission - GoldDerby