Sad Sack Wasp Trap

Sad Sack Wasp Trap
Season	1
Episode	4
Overall	4
Release date	June 24, 2018
Length	63 minutes
Director(s)	Adam Arkin
Writer(s)	Anna Jordan
Previous	"Lifeboats"
Next	"I Went to Market"
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"Sad Sack Wasp Trap" is the fourth episode of the first season of Succession and fourth of the series overall. It premiered on June 24, 2018 on HBO. It was written by Anna Jordan and directed by Adam Arkin.

Premise

With the company's annual foundation gala fundraiser approaching, and his dad out of the picture, Kendall polishes up his speech while enlisting an on-air personality from the Waystar's ATV Networks to accompany him. Shiv tries to minimize damage from a sordid photo that threatens a client's political future. Tom inherits a "virus" from his predecessor.

Plot synopsis

Logan is in his apartment, working with two physical therapists on his weakening leg muscles. Marcia is there to encourage him. Logan is aggravated by some loud classical music being played and berates Marcia, demanding that she turn it down. She insists he turn it down himself before leaving the room.

Roman is in their bathroom when Grace playfully enters and attempts to be intimate with him. Irritated by this, he demands that she leave. While at breakfast, Shiv gets a call from Roman informing her that nude photographs of the husband of her political candidate, Joyce Miller, have surfaced online. At work, Frank is rehired to mentor Roman, who was recently promoted to COO.

Everyone begins preparing for the annual foundation gala set to take place that night. Connor works with the event coordinator on the last-minute details. Meanwhile, Tom attends the retirement party of Bill Lockhart, then-head of Brightstar Cruise Lines. Bill then gives Tom, who's been chosen as his successor, the number to set of files in the depository, and presents him with an ultimatum: full briefing, thus becoming an "accessory," or no information and plausible deniability. Tom chooses to become an accessory and, while sifting through the files on the floor, uncovering years of criminality from Waystar Royco executives, including incidents of theft, sexual assault, and murder—most of which were perpetrated by Lester McClintock, the former head of the cruise-line, and covered up with non-disclosure agreements. Tom enlists a reluctant Greg to assist him in releasing this information to the public.

Kendall admits to having no date to the gala but is interested in Anna Newman, a broadcast personality at ATN. He also plans to announce that Logan will be stepping down from his public duties at the event, which Logan is made aware of by Karolina. Shiv attempts to stop Eva, the head of ATN, from airing the story regarding her candidate, but is unsuccessful. While Kendall meets with his old friend, Stewy, an angry Logan wanders into his office and urinates in the floor. He then confirms that he will be attending the foundation gala. Kendall discovers the stain and informs Roman and the senior executives, believing it to be evident of Logan's poor health. Frank becomes concerned that Logan may embarrass in front of the shareholders at the event.

Greg at the ceremony

Kendall arrives at the gala with Anna as his date. Logan arrives and gets into a wheelchair. Connor, growing neurotic as the progresses, discovers that Logan intends to give a surprise announcement in place of Kendall. Gerri warns Tom not to go through with his plan, which leads Tom to accuse Greg of betraying him. Connor informs Kendall of the announcement, and Kendall anxiously consults with Gerir, asking that she dissuade Logan from speaking. Gerri, however, goes over the Logan and instead wishes him good luck and reassures him. Marcia then helps Logan to the stage. During his speech, he welcomes Tom, who recently became engaged to Shiv, to the family. He then announces that, despite his current condition, he will be returning to the company full-time. Everyone stands and applauds, and though shocked, the Roy siblings and Waystar employees join in.

Kendall confronts Anna for having been cold to him throughout the night. She admits that she only agreed to accompany him because Eva ordered her to, and he apologizes. Gerri assures Greg that he made a wise decision when informing her of the plan. Everyone then begins to head home, most with their partners and Kendall, alone.

Cast

Starring Brian Cox as Logan Roy Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon Natalie Gold as Rava Roy (credit only) Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans Alan Ruck as Connor Roy Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy Rob Yang as Lawrence Yee (credit only)

Recurring J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri Kellman Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini Dagmara Dominczyk as Karolina Novotney David Rasche as Karl Mark Blum as Bill Lockheart Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan Scott Nicholson as Colin Molly Griggs as Grace Roy Judy Reyes as Eva Annika Boras as Anna Newman Eisa Davis as Joyce Miller

Quotes

• Roman Roy: [Logan] didn't apologize when he hit our au pair with his car. "It was her fault for being too short," he said.

Gallery

❝ Logan’s camera-ed up the wazoo... and he watches it back every night with a scotch. ❞ Click here for Sad Sack Wasp Trap's photo gallery.