The Unbelievable Journey of Tom: How He Navigated to the Top as Waystar CEO in Succession Season 2

Summary

Tom Wambsgans was destined to become CEO of Waystar since Succession season 2, according to series creator Jesse Armstrong.

Tom's journey to becoming CEO was cemented in the Season 3 finale when he backstabbed the siblings and discreetly informed Logan about their rebellion.

Tom's inclination to curry favor with influential individuals, exemplified by his association with Matsson, plays a crucial role in his triumph in Waystar's corporate realm.

Tom Wambsgans, played by Matthew Macfadyen, was always meant to be the CEO of Waystar according to Succession series creator Jesse Armstrong. The second season of HBO's Emmy-winning show concluded in a dramatic manner, with Shiv betraying her brother Kendall and voting to sell the family company to Matsson, while appointing her husband, Tom, as CEO and successor to Logan. Although Tom may not have initially seemed like an obvious choice for CEO, the ending was in line with the show's overall story and was widely regarded as one of the greatest finales in television history.

In a recent guest column for Vulture, Armstrong elaborated on why Tom's fate as CEO was predetermined during the ending of Succession. The series creator explained that, even in season 2, it became clear that Tom was the most suitable candidate for the position due to the lack of ambition displayed by the other children, among other factors related to timing and Tom's personality. Read Armstrong's complete explanation below:

In terms of the CEO selection, since season two, the possibility of Tom emerging as the winner had begun to shine in the distance. Not only were the children lacking the necessary skills, but most importantly, they were entering this specific occasion at the wrong time. In the past, someone like Murdoch could inherit, expand, and flourish. However, in the present, unless you were the founder of a media company, it seemed more feasible for a likable person like Tom to gradually ascend like a bubble rising in a tank. A merger of Kenneth Widmerpool and Joseph Stalin on a corporate level.

Every Clue That Tom Would Become CEO In Succession

Armstrong and the show's writers had long planned for Tom to become CEO of Waystar, starting as early as season 2. In Succession season 2, episode 2, Roman expresses concern about Tom potentially taking the CEO spot, but Shiv dismisses the idea with a laugh. Initially not taken seriously and often underestimated, Tom's early potential eventually worked in his favor.

Tom's journey to becoming CEO was cemented during the climax of Succession season 3. In a shocking turn of events, he betrayed his wife Shiv and her siblings by informing Logan about their rebellion. This not only highlighted the incompetence of the Roy children but also showcased Tom's knack for climbing the corporate ladder. Armstrong believes that Tom's greatest strength lies in his ability to gain favor with powerful individuals. After Logan's demise, Matsson takes over as the new leader. As Shiv astutely points out, Tom will always pander to the most influential person in the room, a trait that clearly contributes to his corporate success at Waystar.