'Free from abuse': 'Succession' fans emotional after Roman's story ends with a 'smile'

Fans of the HBO show 'Succession' felt really happy over Roman being the only Roy sibling to get a happy ending
UPDATED MAY 29, 2023
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy in a still from 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy in a still from 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The final episode of ‘Succession’ ended with a bang and gave proper closure to all the major characters. Season 4 was all about Kendall, Shiv, and Roman trying to gain control of Waystar Royco and becoming the new CEO of the company. Kendall (Jeremy Strong and Shiv were the obvious frontrunners. However, Roman was important for both characters because they needed his vote to win the fight and claim the throne.

But things went downhill in the ending moments of the episode as Shiv decided to not support Kendall during the vote. Shiv told Kendall that she knows about his driver’s death and threatens him that he will leak the news. On the other hand, Kendall admitted that he lied to them about his driver’s death. The entire conversation made Roman really angry and got into a physical fight with Kendall. The episode ended with Tom becoming the new CEO as the Roy siblings feel emotionally distant from each other. But Roman was the only one who ended his story with a genuine smile.

READ MORE

'Succession' Season 4 Finale: Major cliffhanger as Kendall and Shiv's fate lies in Roman's hands

'Succession' Ending Explained: Race for power ends with family feud as Waystar Royco chooses new CEO

Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Jeremy Strong in a still from 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)
Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Jeremy Strong in a still from 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)

Roman's smile was a symbol of his being free from abuse

He knew that he is free now and doesn’t have to be a part of something that made him feel anxious about his existence. Over the years, we saw how Roman was mentally abused by his father and others, but now he can do whatever he wants. For him, it was like getting out of an abusive relationship and fans recognized that feeling when Roman smiled in the end.

Fans were really emotional with how Roman’s story ended and expressed their happiness on social media.

Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy in 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy in 'Succession' Series Finale (HBO)

'Free from the cycle of abuse'

“It's easy to say that everybody lost, but when the dust settles, Roman will be the most fine. Kendall had it right: he didn't want it; he only wanted it because his father set that expectation in his abuse cycle. That smile is the tell. He is free (and filthy rich),” tweeted one user. “Roman was finally free from the life he was living to please his dad, Shiv holding onto Tom and therefore some power meanwhile Kendall was left with NOTHING. no company no wife no kids no allies,” noted another user. “Roman is free of his f***ing abusers and I can sleep,” wrote another user.



 



 



 

Another social media user tweeted, “The final shot of Roman smiling shows how he is finally free from the cycle of abuse. Beautiful f***ing writing.” Another fan wrote, “Obsessed with Roman’s last shot being Roman smiling while drinking a martini ROMANGERRI WON GUYS LIKE TRUST ME.” Another social media user tweeted, “I think it’s not over for Roman and Gerri for one. They chose to show us Roman smiling while he was having a martini. He’s escaped, he’s free and his wounds will heal and maybe over time he will make things right with Ger.”



 



 



 

Roman felt really uncomfortable when Gerri arrived in the office during the vote and Kendall had to comfort him. However, the ending made viewers realize that Roman might have feelings for Gerri. It was truly a remarkable ending for Roman.

All four seasons of 'Succession' are streaming exclusively on HBO Max.

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