The Return $ Succession

S1E04. All Roads Lead To Rome

The phone rings, John wakes up sweating, he picks up the phone. "Good morning, darling, I think he needs you," a voice says.

"I'll be there in a few hours," John replied and hung up immediately.

John leaves for business in Europe while sending Scott to Waystar Royco and meet Tom Wambsgans.

Scott Aird arrives at Waystar, in the heart of New York, to meet Tom, the newly appointed CEO and Mattson's hand-picked successor. This marks a shift in the story as Tom Wambsgans takes center stage as Logan Roy's successor. He must now navigate the complexities of the Roy family and their legacy while balancing his own desire for power and respect. With Shiv Roy's infidelity and manipulation, Tom must also grapple with the fragility of his marriage and the potential consequences of their relationship. The stakes are growing higher and the pressure intensifies as Tom tries to maintain control and navigate this shifting power dynamic.

Karoline waited Scott in the lobby. "Welcome Mr. Aird," she said with a smile and led the way upstairs. As both of them entered the floor where the meeting rooms were, Tom welcomed Scott with a smile from afar, as they came closer Tom signaled him to follow him. They entered the boardroom together. Scott takes a moment to observe the atmosphere of the room, taking in the sight of the executives gathered around the table. There is a tension in the air, and he senses the intensity of the situation. Tom walks over to his seat at the head of the table, gesturing for Scott to sit down next to him.

Scott takes a deep breath and sits down, noticing the looks of scrutiny from the rest of the board. He turns toward Tom, who smiles at him reassuringly, signaling that he's in this together.

Tom addresses the board of Waystar, outlining the company's current situation and his vision for its future. He presents a bold plan to restructure the company, cutting costs and streamlining operations. Tom notes that the company has become wasteful and inefficient over the years, and it's time for a change.

As Tom speaks, Scott watches Tom carefully, taking in what he says. He agrees with many of Tom's points, and he sees the potential in the proposed restructuring. He also senses the tension in the room, and he is alert to the various perspectives and agendas of the other board members.

Scott clears his throat and addresses Tom publicly, as John had instructed. "As Mr. Jonathan Roy requested, I'd like to ask why Gerri Kellman isn't part of the team anymore."

Tom looks up from his presentation with a sense of surprise, but quickly composes himself and answers the question. He explains that it was a strategic decision made in the best interests of the company, and that he feels confident in the leadership he has assembled. Tom attempts to quickly move on, but some of the board members press the issue, asking for further explanation.

Scott observes the scene, noticing the tension building as Tom struggles to answer the question. He also senses the pressure of the gathering, where many different perspectives and agendas are in play and where the fate of the Roy family and its legacy is at stake. The question is being ignored by Tom, as other members bring up other questions to the table.

As Tom concludes the discussion of various topics, Shiv asks in an ironic tone "Why Gerri isn't here, Tom, really?" She really understood that her uncle, wanted Gerri back to Waystar. Gerri was close to John and Scott in the past. Shiv understood why John requested Scott to ask such a question. Her question hung in the air, the room fell into an uneasy silence. All eyes turned to Tom, awaiting his response. His discomfort was palpable, a sheen of sweat forming on his brow. 

Tom attempted to maintain composure, his voice faltering slightly as he addressed Shiv's inquiry. "Gerri's departure was... unforeseen circumstances. She's on leave," he stammered, the weight of scrutiny evident in his tone.