Neither Shiv nor Tom are very likable folks. They’re hypocritical, power-hungry, and egocentric, however then once more, so is everybody else on “Succession.” Pointing this out is not precisely cutting-edge evaluation, however what is exclusive about Shiv and Tom particularly is how complicated their love story is due to these shared traits. How can two folks with equally egocentric and mean-spirited attributes ever be collectively? Are they a ticking time bomb, or might they really work collectively like a company Bonnie and Clyde?

By the respective performances of Snook and Macfadyen, the latter of whom obtained a Finest Supporting Actor Emmy in 2022, the characters of Shiv and Tom are given this much-deserved nuance. Each second they share on-screen collectively, whether or not tender or spiteful, is embedded with a way of real care. Snook and Macfadyen act as in the event that they each perceive that they do not work, however need to be with one another regardless — they know Tom and Shiv’s relationship is not so black and white. Even with all of their baggage and egocentric wishes, the 2 of them really feel like they need their characters to remain in love. That dynamic is much extra attention-grabbing than the disinterested and mutually exploitative couple they may have been. The latter actually would have been simpler to jot down and act out, however the place is the problem in that?

Once you watch their remaining scene on this newest episode collectively as they intertwine their fingers on their mattress, you notice simply how necessary it’s that Shiv and Tom had been portrayed on this method. They’re the final word illustration of affection within the “Succession” universe — one thing that’s to be cherished, however is doomed to fail.

“Succession” airs on HBO and streams on HBO Max each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.