What is interesting here is that we finally see why would Kendall purposefully kill the deal; and the reason is less elegant that it could have been but it is also more in line with the ethos of the show.
It turns out these people do not care. About anything. They don't care about business, money, people, political influence or anything of that sort. This is all a game for them to see who's the "top dog". It would be reductive to say it is about power, but there is indeed a notion of being in charge that is the main motivator for at least Kendall and Lukas. The whole episode unveils that alpha-male dynamic. You either kill or be killed, winner or loser; being in charge of a company is merely a tool that you can use to boss everybody else around. For Kendall, it seems the calculation is: it's better to rule in hell than serve in heaven.
Kendall, is now the closest he has been to the position he was back in the very first episode of season one. He is in the position of being King of the Hill at Waystar. Even though he shares the position with his brother and has to take into account Shiv's view and the board's; there is a sense that he is the lead and he decides of what moves to play. Kendall's motivation is focused on how people see him but also how he sees himself. And the image he wants to see is basically his own version of his father in a sense. He want be a ruthless cunning but also smart SOB business magnate. He wants to be the one who says "F off" . In essence, someone you fear, but also someone you love to fear (in a disconnected lacking self-awareness way).
What is brilliant in this episode is that it depicts the European tech bros as a glorified frat house, but it is also depicts the Americans as a bunch of bozos. It's kind of a clash of titans of awful. But it makes sense that in these spheres, business is just a game of egos. It's hilarious, to see them clashing bluntly against each other because of course that's what would happen.
Equally interesting is how the other siblings are also emulating Logan but in very different aspects. Shiv is maybe the most cunning, coldest of them, using affection and personal relationships to manipulate others. That was what Logan did so well, blowing hot and cold with everybody and having people compete to get in his good graces.
Roman has for now the most realized arc. He started as the abrasive spoiled rich kid, now he is the guardian of his father's legacy. He is the one closest to an emotional breakthrough and it sort of makes you root for the guy.
It is a great episode because we see characters make choices we can understand and the overall plot moves forward.
It turns out these people do not care. About anything. They don't care about business, money, people, political influence or anything of that sort. This is all a game for them to see who's the "top dog". It would be reductive to say it is about power, but there is indeed a notion of being in charge that is the main motivator for at least Kendall and Lukas. The whole episode unveils that alpha-male dynamic. You either kill or be killed, winner or loser; being in charge of a company is merely a tool that you can use to boss everybody else around. For Kendall, it seems the calculation is: it's better to rule in hell than serve in heaven.
Kendall, is now the closest he has been to the position he was back in the very first episode of season one. He is in the position of being King of the Hill at Waystar. Even though he shares the position with his brother and has to take into account Shiv's view and the board's; there is a sense that he is the lead and he decides of what moves to play. Kendall's motivation is focused on how people see him but also how he sees himself. And the image he wants to see is basically his own version of his father in a sense. He want be a ruthless cunning but also smart SOB business magnate. He wants to be the one who says "F off" . In essence, someone you fear, but also someone you love to fear (in a disconnected lacking self-awareness way).
What is brilliant in this episode is that it depicts the European tech bros as a glorified frat house, but it is also depicts the Americans as a bunch of bozos. It's kind of a clash of titans of awful. But it makes sense that in these spheres, business is just a game of egos. It's hilarious, to see them clashing bluntly against each other because of course that's what would happen.
Equally interesting is how the other siblings are also emulating Logan but in very different aspects. Shiv is maybe the most cunning, coldest of them, using affection and personal relationships to manipulate others. That was what Logan did so well, blowing hot and cold with everybody and having people compete to get in his good graces.
Roman has for now the most realized arc. He started as the abrasive spoiled rich kid, now he is the guardian of his father's legacy. He is the one closest to an emotional breakthrough and it sort of makes you root for the guy.
It is a great episode because we see characters make choices we can understand and the overall plot moves forward.