Warning: Spoilers for Succession season 4, episode 5!
Logan Roy's death is one of the biggest twists in Succession season 4, but Succession season 4, episode 5 just confirmed what would've happened if Logan hadn't died. Logan Roy's death had a major impact on the Waystar Royco company, one that the Roy siblings are still dealing with several episodes after their father's death. However, Succession season 4, episode 5 has revealed that things may actually be worse off if Logan was still around.
Succession season 4 is the final season of HBO's beloved comedy-drama, with the series following the Roy family as they wrestle with how to run Waystar Royco. Although he was the main antagonist of Succession's first three seasons, Logan Roy was killed off in season 4, episode 3, sending the characters of Succession into chaos. Now, Kendall and Roman are co-CEOs of Waystar Royco, with the duo having to deal with the GoJo acquisition that Logan put in place before his death. Interestingly, though, it's already known what would happen if Logan didn't die in episode 3.
Logan's WayStar Deal Would've Been Worse
Although it isn't explicitly stated, Succession season 4, episode 5 makes it obvious that the deal between GoJo and Waystar Royco would've been much worse if Logan was spearheading it. Kendall and Roman drive a hard bargain with GoJo CEO Lukas Matsson in episode 5, changing up several key details of Logan's agreement at the last minute. The reason for this is that Logan's initial deal wasn't supposed to make business sense - it was supposed to be a middle finger to his kids. Logan was driven to sell the company by spite, with his desire to lock his kids out of Waystar Royco leading to him making a bad deal.
Lukas Matsson even points out Logan's uncharacteristic bargaining skills in Succession season 4, episode 5, talking about how much more easygoing Logan was in negotiations. Logan Roy's spite turned him into a bit of a pushover, something Kendall and Roy are having to correct in episode 5. So, while Logan's death may have tanked Waystar Royco's stock prices, in the long run, his death might be good for the company.
Gerri Being Fired Could've Totally Changed WayStar's Kill List
Another big influence that Logan would've had has to do with Gerri. Before Logan's death, he intended to fire Gerri, something that was known to almost every character in Succession. However, he passed away before doing so, saving her job at Waystar Royco. Despite Gerri nearly being fired by Logan, she was surprisingly not on GoJo's kill list, which featured several high-profile Waystar Royco employees that would get fired upon the acquisition.
The reason for Gerri being saved from the kill list is probably due to Shiv, who talked her up to Lukas Matsson in their private meeting. Shiv also praised Karolina, one of the few others who weren't on the kill list. If Logan was still around to give Matsson advice, both of them probably would've gotten fired, with Shiv saving them at the last second in episode 5. Succession season 4, episode 5's GoJo deal would have been far worse if Logan was still in charge, causing some Waystar employees to be thankful for his death.
New episodes of Succession air Sundays on HBO.