- Roman begins a six-week management training program in the Parks division; Logan and Kendall arrange a covert meeting with a PGM CEO as a controversy surrounding a star anchor leads to a day of chaos at ATN headquarters.
- The episode opens with Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) walking up a stairwell to the roof of the Waystar-Royco headquarters building in New York. He calls Rhea on his cell phone and leaves her a message about a meeting. Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) and her husband, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) are taking the limo to work. It is Shiv's first day at Royco. She and her Dad made a deal for her to take over the company and she has to get up to speed on company matters first. They discuss a controversy at ATN by an on-air personality by the name of Ravenhead. Tom tells Shiv that her Dad likes Ravenhead, so he should be safe in his job, but Shiv isn't convinced the controversy is worth the ratings and ad revenue. As they pass the front of the building there is a right-wing group rally for Ravenhead shouting and waving banners. As they enter the building Shiv suggests a clean-up be started.
Credits Roll.
Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) arrives by limo for his first day at Management Training. The venue is the Brightstar Adventure Park. He is trying his best to keep a low profile, humiliated at being sent to remedial camp. After a short introductory video, narrated by both Logan and Kendall, he gets only a few seconds cameo appearance. He calls the company attorney Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron) to complain. The moderator informs the trainees that following the video they will be expected to explore the park in costume and in character. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) welcomes his daughter Siobhan Roy on her first day of work with a champagne toast. Kendall arrives in Logan's office and gives his father his medication. Logan explains to Ken, "Your sister's just in for the day." Back at the Park, Roman suffers his first indignity. He is inside Dirk Turkey, a giant red turkey costume that looks like Big Bird. He reverts to himself instead of the character and insults park guests with snarky and obscene comments. Logan's meeting is about to start and Cyd Peach (Jeannie Berlin) asks Greg Hirsh (Nicholas Braun) what are his duties and responsibilities to Tom. To her it seems that fetching lattes is about the extent of it. Tom arrives along with a retinue of ATN executives. Ken informs Logan that Rhea is coming. She is the CEO of Pierce Global Media (PGM). Logan wants to talk about a merger with her. Kendall observes, "Family doesn't know she's coming, so. Right? I mean, why lie to the old lady, unless you're down to f**k?" Shiv can see this exchange but can't hear it. Logan, Kendall and Financial Officer Frank Vernon (Peter Friedman) join the meeting. First item on the agenda, Ravenhead. Cyd voices support, and spins the demonstration outside the building as, "ATN Under Siege." Mark Ravenhead is accused of being a Nazi. It doesn't help that his marriage ceremony was held in the chapel below Eagle's Nest (Hitler's retreat in Bavaria). Cyd justifies retention of Ravenhead, "We don't wanna fire him. He's a big draw. And if we cave to this, then who's next?" Logan decides Ravenhead stays, but directs Tom to check him out.
Willa (Justine Lupe) is putting on her shoes. She is dressed in black. Connor Roy (Alan Ruck) joins Willa in their luxury apartment living room. Connor, Logan's oldest child, is giddy about the opportunity that Mo's funeral provides, namely, campaign financing and large donations from those attending the funeral. Willa tells Connor that Marcia called her. She wants Willa to talk to the widow about any conversations the dying man had with a reporter/biographer. Greg stops by to see his boss, Tom. Tom is in his office with his feet up on an employee, Jonah (Amos VanderPoel). Jonah is a human coffee table, having lost a bet of some kind. Greg briefs Tom on some Ravenhead information. Apparently Ravenhead named his dog, Blondi, after Hitler's dog.
At the Park changing room, Roman commiserates with a fellow trainee, Brian (Zach Cherry). Shiv meets with Gerri, part of her first day walkabout. Gerri confides to Shiv that they are dealing with yet another PR problem with Ken. This time it is shoplifting, "Candy and Vape fluid." It seems Ken's problems, big and small are always being cleaned up by the company. Ken arrives and enters the conversation until his secretary, Jess Jordan (Juliana Canfield) comes in to tell him his appointment is en route and will arrive soon. Rhea arrives amid a demonstration in front of the Waystar-Royco Building. She is secreted to an underground entrance where Ken and Jess are awaiting her arrival. Rhea Jarrell (Holly Hunter) dressed all in black greets Ken with, "Well, that was exciting. Smuggled in like Cleopatra in the carpet." Ken leads Rhea into Logan's office where a luncheon table awaits. Ken suggests a cover story to account for Rhea's visit, but Rhea cuts to the chase, "We know you're interested in an acquisition, again, and I have a message. The message would be, on behalf of the Pierce family, and the media organization that it's privately owned for 150 years. The message would be a typically balanced, nuanced, and objective, 'f**k off'." During the questioning Rhea alludes to their being a possibility. Logan makes it clear, "You know, I want Pierce."
Roman is teamed up with Brian for an exercise to develop a new ride at the park. Tom greets Mark Ravenhead (Zack Robides) in his office. Ravenhead denies belonging to the Nazi Party of the U.S. He tells Tom that his dog is named Blondi, but a different spelling. When asked if he ever read Mein Kampf, Ravenhead admits, "Yeah, couple of times, I guess." While the questioning continues, they both hear the report of a gun. Panic ensues on the floor. Tom and Greg head for a panic room on the ATN floor. It is just a break room. Then the fire alarm sounds. The ATN anchors explain, on air, that there seems to be some problem in the building. They cut to commercial. Colin (Scott Nicholson) leads Logan to the real panic room on the executive floor. Ken is up on the roof. He looks out over the cityscape and down to the road below. Rhea is escorted into the panic room, where Gerri and Shiv have joined Logan. Since the building was sealed, Rhea could not leave.
The funeral service for Lester McLintock is a few minutes away. The guests are arriving. The widow, Maria (Martha Millan) is greeting everyone outside. Connor explains to Maria that the rest of the family will not be able to attend. Willa calls the late Lester, Mo, because that is the only name she has ever heard. Connor hustles Willa away from the confused widow. He has to explain that Mo is a Roy family nickname. The late Lester McLintock was very free with his hands, especially around women and children. Hence, Mo, as in MoLester. Connor adds, "Dad wouldn't let us in the pool with him." With reporters at ATN locked outside the building, Cyd broadcasts updates from the control room. Greg broaches the subject of leaving the ATN division and being Tom's gofer. Tom explodes and pelts Greg with water bottles. Kendall is brought to the panic room by Colin. Logan is relieved. Gerri finally gets the real story. An ATN segment producer committed suicide in his office. While Rhea tries to deflect Shiv's inquiry as to her presence at Waystar, she provides a running critique of the ATN coverage of the shooting. Rhea admits to Shiv that the business aspects of a possible merger would work but, "the incompatible cultures stink up the deal." Logan assumes it's about money and offers $21 billion. It is clear now that Rhea is interested, but with conditions. The money is important, but editorial independence is crucial. Logan assures Rhea that he will keep his word on PGM as an independent division, then ups the offer to $24 billion.
Roman is in the nurses station, the best they can manage for a panic room at the park. Brian visits to tell him their team won the competition. Willa tries to convince Connor that keeping a low profile, vis-à-vis, Uncle Mo could be better for his campaign. In walks the reporter/biographer. She is gathering information on a book about Logan Roy. Michelle Pantsil (Jessica Hecht) introduces herself to Connor. She explains, "I spoke to Lester a lot toward the end." Connor has been briefed by Logan that no one, NO ONE, is to speak to the reporter at any time or for any reason. The crisis at ATN is over and Greg and Tom head back to their offices. Greg decides that blackmail is the only option at this stage. Greg admits that he kept some of the Cruise documents instead of destroying them as he was directed during the Thanksgiving gathering at Logan's apartment. Tom is impressed by Greg's moxie. Tom offers Greg a new title, more money, and a nice new office. Willa works on a draft of Connor's eulogy speech. It is awkward, but certainly non-controversial. Willa claims that she is a playwright. Logan's impromptu Panic Room meeting was successful. As they walk Rhea back to her car in the basement, Gerri explains to Logan about the suicide. Rhea assures Logan she will discuss the merger/acquisition with the Pierce family. She obliquely states that she will provide an honest assessment. She pulls Logan aside and says, "And if you're really serious about approaching the family, do yourself a favor. A peace offering would be nice. That Walmart Mussolini who puts Nan Pierce off her old fashioned. Ravenhead, Yes?" Rhea departs and Logan congratulates Kendall on a job well done. Logan just smiles and raises his eyebrows at Shiv. Roman calls Tabitha (Caitlin FitzGerald) to tell her how management training went. Tabitha is preparing her bath. They are trying phone sex for the first time and Roman has issues with her technique. The call ends badly. Gerri is at home watching a news program on PGM when Roman calls her. She informs Roman that they are not going to build a ride based on Roman's idea on his first day of management training. Roman seems to be more excited by Gerri's berating than Tabitha's breathy talk. Much to Gerri's shock she realizes Roman is masturbating to her voice on the phone. It is late night and Kendall is preparing Logan's meds for the next day. Shiv enters Logan's office and asks her brother, "What the f**k is going on between you and Dad?" Shiv is unaware that on her wedding day Kendall was involved in an automobile accident and the driver/drug dealer died. Colin and Logan covered it up. Shiv suspects blackmail, but Kendall assures his sister that it is not the case. She asks if Ken made a deal with Dad in the Hamptons (as she did with Logan). Shiv isn't buying Ken's explanation. She mentions the drugs, shoplifting, and the bungled takeover bid. Ken finally confronts the painful truth, "Shiv it's not gonna be me." He invites his sister to hug him. Ken sobs quietly. Ken pleads, "I would just ask that you take care of me, because, if Dad didn't need me right now, I don't exactly know what I would be for." When Ken makes another visit to the rooftop, he notices the entire ledge is surrounded by a very thick glass partition. It is about 12 feet high, and too high to scale if one were contemplating suicide.
End Credits Roll.
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