The Rollercoaster Romance of Shiv and Tom in Succession!

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Spoiler Alert: A major plotline in HBO's Succession revolves around the relationship between Tom Wambsgans and Shiv Roy. Despite the dark and satirical tone of the show, their relationship manages to survive throughout all 4 seasons. Shiv, also known as Siobhan Roy, is the daughter of Logan Roy, the CEO of Waystar RoyCo. Meanwhile, Tom is an executive in Logan's company. However, their relationship can be seen as either a total sham or a codependent connection. Shiv never appeared to genuinely care for Tom, while he, at times, seemed to only be infatuated with her because of her proximity to Logan. Additionally, Tom's more modest background brings a deeper value to relationships, a concept that Shiv is not accustomed to.

Finally, the Succession season 4 finale revealed and confirmed what devoted followers of Shiv and Tom's relationship timeline have always suspected. Their marriage, though legally binding, is fundamentally a transactional alliance. Nevertheless, their connection did offer a touch of humanity amidst the cutthroat politics and corporate drama that permeates the series. From their initial introduction in the pilot episode to the events that unfold in their lives during the show's fourth and final season, the Shiv and Tom Succession timeline remains intricate and captivating.

Season 1, Episode 1: Shiv And Tom As Girlfriend And Boyfriend

The initial scene between Shiv and Tom in Succession actually served as a foreshadowing of their ongoing dynamic throughout the series. While Tom sincerely pondered what gift to give Logan for his birthday, Shiv displayed a complete lack of interest. This interaction reflects the essence of their relationship. Tom, in his relentless efforts to please the Roy family, struggled to grasp the shifting dynamics of power within the clan. On the other hand, Shiv possessed a deeper understanding of how to navigate the Roy's world, even enjoying witnessing her boyfriend's struggles. It is no wonder that Shiv had superior romantic prospects within the show.

Season 1, Episodes 2-6: Shiv And Tom Engaged

The marriage proposal from Tom to Siobhan Roy was comically out of place in the Roy family, known for their lack of sentimentality. It happened when Logan was rushed to the hospital due to a heart condition, and Tom saw this as the perfect opportunity to propose while Siobhan's father was still alive. It might seem macabre, but it also showed a side of Tom that was oddly sweet. However, what truly made this moment memorable in the timeline of Shiv and Tom's relationship in Succession was Shiv's genuine enthusiasm about marrying him. It was a funny and endearing moment that added weight to their subsequent marital issues.

Season 1, Episode 8: Hall Pass

In episode 8 of Succession season 1, titled "Prague," Shiv's affair with Nate Sofrelli reached a crucial point. Tom's bachelor party saw the Roy men coming together, and Shiv granted Tom a brief period of freedom. However, it became apparent that Tom had some awareness of Shiv's involvement with Nate. Although Tom never intended the hall pass to extend beyond the weekend, his fear of confronting the truth allowed Shiv to manipulate the situation, ultimately justifying her infidelity. This showcased Tom's tendency to turn a blind eye to the problems in their relationship, marking a point of no return in the timeline of Shiv and Tom's dynamics in Succession.

Season 1, Episodes 9-10: Shiv And Tom's Wedding

Season 2, Episodes 1-4: Open Relationship

Marriage was no magic fix for the issues plaguing Tom and Shiv's relationship in Succession. Their wedding served primarily as an opportunity for Logan to forge connections with a significant political figure, leaving Tom and Shiv's union merely advantageous for Waystar RoyCo. While Tom may have had some inkling of this, he still found joy in their marriage. However, the moment Shiv coerced him into an open relationship after their vows, a sense of sorrow enveloped the scene. It was difficult to witness Shiv grappling with the concept of a loving partnership and equally painful to witness Tom's realization that being married to Siobhan Roy wasn't the fairy tale he had envisioned.

Starting from season 2 of Succession, Shiv and Tom entered into an official open relationship, despite Tom's unwillingness. When Cousin Greg made a cunning remark expressing his desire for an open business relationship, Tom's intense reaction revealed his true sentiments towards his own marriage. The swirling rumors about Shiv potentially succeeding Logan's position further complicated their relationship, yet also brought them closer as they realized their enhanced chances of leading the company together.

Season 2, Episode 10: Tom Reaches His Breaking Point

Season 3, Episodes 3-7: Shiv Ignores Tom's Prison Woes

Finally, while standing together on the beach, Tom found the courage to express his true emotions to Shiv. Upon receiving no immediate response, Shiv's silence did not necessarily indicate guilt, but rather it symbolized her acknowledgment of her own shortcomings as a wife to Tom. The culmination of two seasons filled with uncomfortable conversations, unaddressed grievances, and passive-aggressive remarks reached its climax in the spectacular season 2 finale of Succession. Simultaneously, this pivotal moment compelled Shiv to beseech Logan to spare Tom and instead make Kendall the scapegoat for the company's missteps, marking a significant turning point for the relationship between Shiv and Tom in the world of Succession.

The Roy family faced defensive measures during season 3 of Succession, with the cruise story fallout wreaking havoc on Tom, specifically. Shiv grew closer to her father while distancing herself from Tom. Despite the looming threat of prison, which weighed heavily on Tom's mind, Shiv showed little interest in offering him solace or understanding. Despite their tumultuous fight at the end of Succession season 2, Shiv seemed indifferent to providing any empathy to Tom. This marked a turning point in Shiv and Tom's relationship, leading Tom to realize he would eventually have to betray her.

Season 3, Episode 8: Foreplay, Shiv, And Tom Style

Season 3, Episode 9: The Relationship Is Flipped

In Succession, one character's insensitivity often serves as a catalyst for another character's actions. In order to spite her disrespectful mother, Shiv asks Tom to conceive a child with her. During their intimate moments, Shiv engages in provocative talk, declaring that she doesn't love Tom, only to dismiss it the following day. It becomes challenging to discern whether Shiv speaks sincerely or jests, leaving even her husband unsure. The peculiar way Shiv treats Tom during their time in Italy, coupled with her nonchalant response to his confusion, marks the first instance in the Shiv and Tom Succession timeline where Tom becomes forebodingly aware of his dispensability and lack of love.

Shiv's complete disregard for Tom in any situation involving Waystar RoyCo or Logan clearly revealed where Tom stands in her list of priorities. Succession season 3 marks the point at which Tom finally realizes this. Despite her professed love for him, Siobhan Roy's ambitions have always taken precedence over her relationship with Tom. However, for the first time in their history together, Tom reversed the roles and prioritized his own professional aspirations over Shiv. The closing scene depicted Tom standing behind Shiv, gripping her shoulders just as Logan does to a young Shiv in the show's opening credits. The unbalanced power dynamic in their relationship had shifted as a result of Tom's betrayal.

Season 4, Episodes 1-2: Trial Separation And Divorce

Season 4, Episodes 3-8: Logan's Death And Shiv's Pregnancy

: The climax of the Shiv and Tom Succession timeline occurred during the fourth season. Following a trial separation, Shiv teamed up with Roman and Kendall to achieve a significant victory against Logan and Tom. In their former shared apartment, Shiv relentlessly hurled insults at Tom, while he calmly tried to explain his perspective and appeared to be handling their breakup better than her. Shiv later discovered that Tom had hired numerous renowned divorce attorneys in New York, mirroring Logan's tactics. The emotional distance between Tom Wambsgans and Siobhan Roy had never been greater.

As the GoJo acquisition of Waystar RoyCo was approaching its finalization in Sweden, Logan tragically collapsed and passed away during the flight. This sudden turn of events brought Tom and Shiv together for the solemn occasion of Logan's wake. Unbeknownst to everyone initially, Shiv discovered that she was expecting a child, choosing to keep this news to herself. Amidst their complex relationship dynamics, Shiv and Tom had a heated altercation, but eventually, Shiv summoned the courage to share the news of their impending parenthood with Tom. However, Tom remained skeptical. Seizing the opportunity to showcase her competence in contrast to her siblings' inability to effectively lead as co-CEOs post-Logan's demise, Shiv pursued the position, thus setting the stage for a critical and defining chapter in the ongoing Succession timeline of Shiv and Tom.

Season 4, Episode 10: Tom And Shiv Win Succession

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Shiv's agreement with Lukas Matsson ensured that the company would have an American CEO following the sale of GoJo. However, despite Shiv's hopes, Matsson offered the CEO position to Tom instead. When Kendall and Roman's attempts to persuade the board against the sale resulted in a tied vote of 6-6, Siobhan Roy's vote ultimately allowed for the GoJo acquisition to proceed. As promised, Tom became the CEO of Waystar, satisfying Matsson's desires. In the final scenes of Shiv and Tom's relationship in Succession, Shiv congratulated Tom in the car, but their interaction was cold when Shiv took Tom's hand.

Ultimately, it became evident that Siobhan Roy was the "killer" Logan had been seeking, which Matsson also recognized. As a result, Matsson opted for a more easily controlled CEO like Tom Wambsgans. The conclusion of Season 4 of Succession marked a significant upheaval in Shiv and Tom's relationship, with Shiv now having to play the role of a submissive wife to the new CEO. Nevertheless, Shiv is bound to exploit her husband's newfound position, particularly considering that she is pregnant with Logan Roy's grandchild. Despite Kendall and Roman being forced out of the game, business continues as usual at Waystar.