On his 80th birthday, media magnate Logan Roy, whose imminent retirement was thought to be a given, shocks his family by announcing he's staying on indefinitely as CEO of Waystar/Royco. The news shatters his son Kendall, the heir apparent who's in the midst of negotiating the purchase of a digital-media venture founded by a slick operator named Lawrence.

Logan's incapacitation sets off a heated succession debate among his children, as the Board rushes to inform the media about leadership contingencies before the stock market opens. Greg is tasked to retrieve some important items from the Roy apartment. Kendall makes an impassioned final plea to keep Waystar/Royco in the family, and receives some sobering news.

With the vote of no confidence against Logan approaching, Roman attempts to sway a neutral board member, while Kendall frantically shores up his “yea” votes. Logan arrives in Washington to meet with the president, but worries he's been snubbed after a last-minute cancellation. After successfully thwarting a potential scandal, Tom introduces Greg to fine dining.

Tom has a bachelor’s party to remember. Kendall eyes a new business opportunity with a pair of idealistic entrepreneurs. Roman looks to land a deal for local TV stations with his father’s longtime nemesis. Logan tasks Greg to act as Kendall’s babysitter during Tom’s party. Shiv and Gil get ambushed during a TV interview on a Waystar network.

Roman and Kendall do a “routine health check” of a new media brand to help Vaulter to determine the future of the company. Tom tasks Greg with sniffing out waste at ATN, as Greg wonders if the divisive media outlet is the right fit for him. Connor and Willa host a soiree to mark their return to New York. Shiv brings Tom in the loop about her future at Waystar and with Gil’s campaign.

Logan informs his management team of his plan to make another attempt to acquire a rival media company. Greg worries his meeting with a Logan biographer puts his standing with the family at risk. Connor's presidential announcement irritates Logan.

Logan attempts to solidify his buyout of PGM at a weekend retreat at the Pierce family home, where Shiv, Roman and Connor veer from their carefully orchestrated roles. As the Pierces question whether an alliance with Waystar Royco will tarnish their legacy, Kendall makes his case to Naomi Pierce during a drug-filled night.

As Logan looks to finalize a deal to buy the Pierce family's papers and TV stations at a media & banking retreat, a threat to the deal arises from an unexpected quarter. Tom worries about ATN's new slogan after learning some distressing news from Greg. Kendall, Shiv and Roman fail to see eye to eye on how to handle damage control ahead of a panel featuring the Roys.

The Roys head to the UK, where Roman and Shiv try to strike a deal with their mother and Logan and Kendall face the consequences of their last visit.

The entire Roy clan travels to Logan's hometown of Dundee, Scotland, for a celebration of Logan's 50 years in the business. Kendall becomes enamored with Jennifer, an actress in Willa's play. A former employee proves difficult to silence.