Summary

• Shiv and Tom's relationship in Succession was characterized by a lack of genuine care and a focus on being power hungry rather than romantic.
• Despite their marriage, Shiv and Tom's relationship became increasingly strained and dysfunctional as the series progressed.
• In the end, Tom's betrayal flipped the power dynamic, with Shiv now in a less powerful role and their relationship upended.

In HBO's Succession, Tom and Shiv’s relationship somehow survived throughout all 4 seasons, serving as one of the central storylines in the dark and satirical comedic drama. Siobhan Roy, also known as Shiv, is the only daughter of Waystar RoyCo CEO Logan Roy. Shiv's husband, Tom Wambsgans, was an executive at Logan's company. Shiv and Tom's relationship is a farce at worst and codependent at best. Shiv never seemed to truly care about Tom, while he at times seemed to only love her for her proximity to Logan. Their dynamic made for an unhealthy environment for love to blossom.

The dysfunctional and complex relationships of the Roy family and their followers were always a highlight of the show and Shiv and Tom were a prime example. The Succession season 4 ending confirmed these two were still together in the end, despite many doubts. However, where the relationship ended up was quite different from where it started and not necessarily any better. From the time viewers first saw them in the pilot episode, to what happens to the couple in the fourth and last season, the Shiv and Tom Succession timeline is a complex one.

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Shiv And Tom Are Dating

Season 1, Episode 1

Shiv and Tom's first scene in Succession foreshadowed how their relationship would be depicted going forward. Tom considered what present to get Logan for his birthday, and Shiv could not have cared any less. This dynamic is a microcosm of their love. Tom was trying too hard to suck up to Succession's powerful Roy family while not really understanding their changing power dynamics. Shiv did have a better idea of what someone could do to ingratiate themselves with the Roys, but even when it came to her boyfriend, she took delight in seeing him struggle.

Shiv And Tom Engaged

Season 1, Episodes 2-6

The Roy family in Succession has no patience for sentimentality, which is why Tom’s marriage proposal was so hilariously out of place. When Logan was taken to the hospital with a heart condition, Tom decided it was the perfect time to propose, when Logan Roy was still alive to hear the news. It’s macabre reasoning that is still sort of sweet, a summation of Tom in general.

However, what truly made this such a memorable part of Shiv and Tom's relationship was how Shiv was genuinely enthusiastic about marrying Tom. The moment was ultimately funny and endearing, which only served to lend weight to their latter marital problems.

Hall

Season 1, Episode 8

In Succession season 1, episode 8, "Prague," the issue of Shiv’s affair with Nate Sofrelli came to a head. The Roy men ed Tom at his bachelor party, and Shiv gave Tom a hall for the weekend. In the end, it was made clear that Tom was somewhat aware of Shiv and Nate.

Tom never agreed for the hall to last longer than the weekend, but his fear of knowing the truth allowed Shiv to twist the promise and justify all infidelity. It was a display of Tom’s penchant to put on blinders when it comes to their relationship, a moment of no return in Shiv and Tom's relationship.

Shiv And Tom's Wedding

Season 1, Episodes 9-10

It was obvious that not even marriage would solve the problems in Tom and Shiv’s relationship in Succession. As always, Tom and Shiv’s relationship was mainly useful for Waystar RoyCo and the wedding was an excuse for Logan to meet with important political figures. Tom may have known this to an extent, but he was still delighted to be married, and it was really a somber scene when Shiv manipulated Tom into an open relationship right after their wedding.

It was tough to watch Shiv struggle with the idea of a loving couple and to see Tom realize that being married to Siobhan Roy wasn't the fairy tale he envisioned.

Open Relationship

Season 2, Episodes 1-4

Beginning in Succession season 2, Shiv and Tom were officially in an open relationship that Tom didn't really want. When Cousin Greg made a scheming comment about wanting to have an open business relationship, Tom’s violent reaction was evidence of exactly how he felt about his own marriage. The swirling gossip that Shiv was next in line for Logan’s position only further served to confuse the pair about their relationship, but also brought them closer as they realized they had better chances of leading the company together.

Tom Reaches His Breaking Point

Season 2, Episode 10

Together on the beach, Tom was finally able to put his feelings into words: he wasn't happy when he was with Shiv. Her silence at the response wasn't an ission of guilt, but more of a realization that neither was happy. Two seasons of uncomfortable discussions, unsaid grievances, and ive-aggressive comments come to a head in the Succession season 2 finale. At the same time, this prompted Shiv to plead with Logan to spare Tom and use Kendall as the company scapegoat instead, a sign that she didn't want her marriage to fail.

Shiv Ignores Tom's Prison Woes

Season 3, Episodes 3-7

Succession season 3 saw the Roy family on the defensive and the fallout of the cruise story having disastrous effects on Tom especially. Shiv became even closer to her father, pushing Tom away in the process. Tom put himself in a position to face prison time as a way to manipulate himself closer to Logan, which ended up weighing on him mentally.

Tom attempted to confide in Shiv and though she talked him through things several times, Tom was obsessed with the prison situation that he offered himself up for. It was as if Tom wanted Shiv to drop everything and comfort him over something that was mostly his own fault and when she didn't, he seemed to resent her for it.

Foreplay: Shiv And Tom Style

Season 3, Episode 8

Tom grossly suggested that Shiv basically be an incubator for a baby he wanted them to have so he could "have something" after he got of prison. She obviously rejected the idea but to spite her insulting mother, Shiv eventually asked Tom to make a baby with her. During foreplay, Shiv “talked dirty” and said she didn't love Tom and then brushed it off the next day.

Though it was meant to be part of their foreplay, it was difficult to determine if Shiv was speaking honestly or just joking, and Tom couldn't tell the difference. Her flippant reaction to his confusion was the first time in their relationship that Tom seemed to be grimly aware of how disposable this marriage truly was.

The Relationship Is Flipped

Season 3, Episode 9

The thing about Shiv and Tom's relationship is that more often than not, their ambition for power trumped their feelings for one another. While they clearly shared some love, money and power always motivated their actions more. Shiv typically had the upper hand until the season 3 finale when Tom flipped the tables on her, warning Logan of the planned takeover.

The final scene showed Tom standing behind Shiv, gripping her shoulders in the same way Logan does to a young Shiv in the opening credits. The one-sided power balance in the relationship had flipped because Tom betrayed Shiv.

Trial Separation And Divorce

Season 4, Episodes 1-2

Season 4 served as the dramatic peak of Shiv and Tom's relationship on Succession. After Tom and Shiv undergo a trial separation, Shiv worked with Roman and Kendall to score a big win against Logan and Tom. At the apartment they used to share, Shiv bombarded Tom with insults over the betrayal and discussed what was next for them, which indicated a separation of sorts that would likely lead to divorce.

Shiv later found out that Tom had put every known capable divorce attorney in New York on retainer, echoing Logan's own power moves. The emotional gap between Tom Wambsgans and Siobhan Roy had never been this wide.

Logan's Death And Shiv's Pregnancy

Season 4, Episodes 3-8

As Logan and Tom headed to Sweden to finalize the GoJo acquisition of Waystar RoyCo, Logan collapsed onboard and died before the plane could land. The aftermath of Succession shockingly killing off Logan so early in the final season, forced Tom and Shiv to come together for Logan's wake. Later, Shiv found out she was pregnant, which she hid from everyone at first.

After Shiv and Tom reconnected but got into another big fight, Shiv finally told Tom about their baby, and Tom responded by suggesting she was making it up as a power move. This crushed Shiv, leading to more fights between the two in the final few episodes. Shiv made a bid for Logan's old position, setting up the final and most crucial moments in the entire Shiv and Tom Succession timeline.

Tom And Shiv Win Succession

Season 4, Episode 10

Shiv's deal with Lukas Matsson assured that an American CEO would be in charge of the company after the GoJo sale, but while Shiv hoped it would be her, Matsson offered the CEO position to Tom instead. When Kendall and Roman's efforts to sway the board against the sale resulted in a 6-6 tie, it was Shiv's vote against Kendall in Succession's finale that finally allowed the GoJo acquisition to push through.

As promised, Tom became the CEO of Waystar while Matsson got what he wanted. During their last scenes in Succession, Shiv congratulated Tom in the car. Tom thanked her and held out his hand, and Shiv held it coldly. In the end, it was clear that Siobhan Roy was the "killer" that Logan was looking for, but as Matsson realized this as well, he chose a more controllable CEO like Tom Wambsgans.

The Succession season 4 ending saw Shiv and Tom's relationship completely getting upended, with Shiv now in a less powerful role than her husband. Yet, at the same time, Shiv is bound to find ways to leverage her husband's new position, especially as she's pregnant with the grandchild of Logan Roy. It's likely that the power struggle between Shiv and Tom will never end.