‘Succession’ Season 4, episode 7 has a fun throwback to the Season 1 finale

So much has happened in Season 4 of successor alone, the show’s first season now feels like a distant memory.

But Episode 7 came with a blast from the past in the form of political strategist and Shiv’s (Sarah Snooks) former love interest Nate Sofrelli (Ashley Zukerman), with whom she had an affair in Season 1 while working with presidential candidate Gil Eavis (Eric Bogosian).

Three seasons later, Nate is invited to Shiv’s pre-election party at the request of Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin), and she invites him – but she’s clearly reluctant after things have ended between Nate and her husband Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) .

So what exactly happens when Tom and Nate meet again in episode 7, and how does it relate to their last meeting?

What happens between Tom and Nate in episode 7?

When Nate walks into the party looking a little embarrassed, Tom greets him (overly) enthusiastically with a glass of red wine.

Nate accepts the offer but looks deeply uncomfortable.

“It won’t be long now,” he says after their first greeting. “Busy. Not going to drink too much of your wine.”

Tom, in a slightly manic charm offensive, assures him that there is work to be done. But you could ease the tension between them with a knife, and it all ties into their last meeting at Tom and Shiv’s wedding – which included wine.

Tom and Nate’s last meeting was on Shiv and Tom’s wedding anniversary.
Credit: Colin Hutton/HBO

What happened between Tom and Nate in Season 1?

There’s a reason their reunion is so awkward. In Season 1 Episode 10, Tom kicks Nate out of his wedding after learning he is having an affair with Shiv. The exchange is memorable because it ranges from overly friendly to passive-aggressive downright aggressive in seconds.

“I’m so sorry, but there seems to be a bit of a mix-up with your accommodation,” Tom begins. “I’m sorry, but you have nowhere to stay.”

“Put my bloody wine back.”

After Nate says he’ll figure something out, Tom advises him to leave, after which Nate makes the horrible mistake of telling him to calm down. “We’re adults,” he says. “Shiv is grown.” This clearly awakens Wambsgans’ inner monster.

“I think you have to go and Fuck yourself, and if I ever see you in the same room as Shiv again, I will men pay to break your legs,” says Tom. “And if I go to jail – what I won’t – so be it.”

Moments later, Nate makes his second big mistake: he tells Tom that he will leave as soon as he finishes his drink.

“My mom and dad made one Contribution on the wine, so I’d really prefer it if you stopped drinking,” replies Tom, before taking a bottle from a nearby waiter and handing it to Nate. “Put her back. Nate. Put it back, Nate. Put my damn wine back. Now. Put it the fuck back Here we go. Don’t make a bloody mess.”

Judging by Nate’s nervous joke about not drinking too much of Tom’s wine, that particular encounter is clearly fresh in his memory.

Season 4 of successor now streaming on HBO Max. (opens in a new tab)