Part of it is the ’90s revival, part of it is the utility trend, and part of it comes down to a relaxation of the slim-fit trousers and shorts styles that have dominated menswear for a near two decades. The best men’s cargo shorts are back, in other words. The obvious summer alternative, they have been enjoying a surge of popularity but, without getting too philosophical about it, what makes a cargo short a cargo short?
Springing up in the 1980s and marketed towards outdoorsy types, a cargo short will have two bulky pockets on the side of each leg, making it easier to get stuff in and out of. For the most part, they are cut out of thick, hard-wearing cotton but are less tailored than bog-standard chino shorts.
They’ve always been practical. Now they’re trending, too.
If you’re on the hunt for the best men’s cargo shorts, here are some top brands to find them from.
European brand Closed pulls out all the stops when it comes to ingenious designs and sleek craftsmanship. Born in Germany and fusing Italian and French style elements, this brand makes clothes that scream, “I’m too cool to care, but still look good as hell.”
Closed cargos are a welcome addition to any man’s summer wardrobe, with a minimalist silhouette and ultra-breathable linen-cotton blend. The fit is more flattering than your typical baggy cargo shorts and makes for a solid entry-level piece for anyone interested in exploring workwear fashion with an upscale twist. Pair them with a white t-shirt and Converse high tops for maximum style points.
The in-house brand at one of the coolest department stores in the world, Beams Plus is high fashion inspired by the store’s large arsenal of brands with a neat Japanese twist.
Its the best men’s cargo shorts tap into Japan’s workwear sensibilities with a wider fit around the hem, a utilitarian rip-stop fabric, and a whopping six pockets. Six pockets? That’s insane, Jeremy. Lean into the workwear look by pairing these shorts with a flannel or canvas overshirt, with a pair of Tims or dad sneakers.
Material: 100% Ripstop Cotton | Sizes Available: S – XL | Color Options: Navy, Khaki
As one of the most practical workwear brands in the world, it’s surprising what a strong chokehold Dickies has on the fashion community. Budget staples are the name of the game and Dickies never falls short of the mark. Keep your eyes open because you’ll see these shorts everywhere.
In the best men’s cargo shorts department, Dickies goes the comfortable route with flexible fabric and a flattering straight leg cut. Don’t forget about the expandable cargo flap pockets and a bonus multi-use pocket, making them a top pick when it comes to the best cargo shorts for men. It’s easy to match these cargos with what you already have in your wardrobe. Dress them up with a polo or oxford, or go for a more parred back look with a t-shirt and pair of clean sneakers.
Material: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton | Sizes Available: 30 – 44 | Color Options: Black, Dark Navy, Desert Sand
LA-based designer Rick Owens has always had a knack for turning expectations on their head and his take on the best men’s cargo shorts are no different.
There’s a touch of the extra-terrestrial in the frightening beasts created by the dark overlord of fashion, from monstrous ridged pockets to long billowing fits like something a hi-tech ninja might high-kick his way around town in. This is edgy fashion you’ve got to be careful you don’t cut yourself on, whether you pair them with an oversized hoodie for a street style look, or a collared shirt for the ultimate Y2K outfit.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S – XL | Color Options: Dust, Black
No one defines fashion for all quite like the world-famous retailer Gap. Dominating the scene since the late ‘60s, this brand is tried and true for all things basic (in the truest sense of the word).
The best men’s cargo shorts are cut classic and easy to wear with closet staples, sitting around the lower waist for a relaxed, slouchier style, usually in durable cotton twill and a dazzling range of shades. Pair them with a crewneck and sneakers for an athletic look or a plain white tee for a classic style.
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Lycra | Sizes Available: 28 – 42 | Color Options: Peppercorn, Blue River, Camo, Sand, Moonless Night, Palomino, Surplus
Dressing stylishly on a budget has never been easier, and it’s the Japanese chain turned global monolith Uniqlo that is really leading the way.
It’s all about the details when it comes to its cargo shorts, with deliberate puckering around the stitches to add an old-school worn look and nifty boxed edging around the front pockets. Plus, five color options at a budget price make it tempting to get a pair in every hue. Lean into the old school vibes of these shorts by wearing them with a polo and white leather sneakers.
Material: 100% Nylon | Sizes Available: XS – 3XL | Color Options: Black, Dark Orange, Beige, Olive, Blue
Ralph Lauren and prep go hand in hand, which is why it may come as a surprise that they make some of the best cargo shorts for men. But doubt not, as this American powerhouse has always excelled in summer fashion and has worthy contenders when it comes to the world’s most practical shorts.
Leaning heavily into utility, these Ralph Lauren cargos have a denim blue wash, minus the rigid construction. Instead, the lightweight material and relaxed fit make them the ideal warm weather statement piece, thanks to the six flap pockets and drawstrings at the hems. Match them with a white cotton t-shirt or linen button-down with boat shoes for an effortless look.
A unique fusion of Americana workwear and new minimalist design all stirred in a pot with a British seasoning is the basic recipe for 21st-century high street mainstay, Norse Projects.
Okay, so the Norse Projects cargo shorts are about as minimalist as you can go but the color and cropped style may be the refreshing take the classic cargo needs. Since they’re slightly boxier than other cargos, wear them with a more form fitting top to create some dimension.
Material: 100% Ripstop Cotton | Sizes Available: 28 – 36 | Color Options: Black
Without British brand and cult 90s label Maharishi there would have been no cargo trouser plucked out of obscurity from army surplus stores.
The brand’s mastery of the combat trouser translates into the cut-off version well, with easy entry pockets and long flowing straps down the side for some welcome drama and pizzaz. They look best with simple tops like t-shirts, polos, and overshirts, and are especially striking when paired with a pair of basketball sneakers.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: S – XL | Color Options: Olive, Black
Part of the American denim triumvirate, along with Levi’s and Lee, Wrangler takes the same approach to quality and stand-up sustainability on its cargo shorts as it does on its top-grade jeans.
Made out of cotton twill, there’s a pleasant weathered look to its cargo shorts which are cut in a slightly slimmer leg with very deep pockets on the side to keep all your cash in. The colorway makes them easy to pass as khakis, and you can even get away with pairing them with derbies and a button-down shirt if you feel like dressing the shorts up.
Royalty in the denim world, Levis never misses the mark when it comes to men’s bottoms. With some of the most timeless designs on the market, this ageless brand has been around for more than 150 years and still has plenty to bring to the table.
Their Carrier Cargo Shorts are some of the best available, with ripstop fabric and a relaxed fit. While they’re pretty parred back as far as the design goes, they’ll match anything already in your closet, including t-shirts, button-downs, and even your favorite hoodie for an effortless summer look.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: 28 – 54 | Color Options: Black, Graphite, Monument, Navy, Dark Camo, Chino, Apple Butter, Cougar, Dress Blues, Khaki
While cargos have roots in workwear, leave it to Nike to give them an athletic twist. This sportswear powerhouse was not going to bypass an opportunity to join in on the cargo game, as evident with their twist on this summer fashion statement.
Who knew that sweat shorts could look so good, let alone with the inclusion of a cargo pocket. These knee-length fleece shorts are the most comfortable of the bunch, but should probably be limited to gym or couchwear due to their casual nature.
Italian brand C.P. Company has always been at the cutting edge of fashion so if you’re a menswear piece getting the C.P. treatment, you’re doing something right.
On the surface, its cargo shorts are fairly safe, cut with a straight leg in easy to wear navy and black. The point of interest comes in the brand’s signature goggle lens stuck on the lower pocket, a design accent for fellow fashion nerds out there to spot. Wear them with a colorful hoodie or bright sneakers to bring some life into these dark bottoms.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes Available: 2 – XXL | Color Options: Black, Navy
A leader in fashionable outerwear, Timberland is a good shout for hardwearing wardrobe staples beyond its iconic big yellow boot.
These cargo shorts are cut slightly shorter in the signature tan color and crafted from water-resistant nylon for any warm weather adventures in store. Pair them with a bold t-shirt and high-top kicks for maximum style points.
Material: 100% Nylon | Sizes Available: S – 2XL | Color Options: Wheat Tan, Black
A masterfully dab hand at preppy style, Tommy Hilfiger was always going to move the cargo short along from its military origins.
There are some summer beach vibes in its bright white option, which is cut out of lighter cotton than traditional cargo shorts. Match it with the signature Tommy Hilfiger tricolor belt and a polo for the ultimate summer look.
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: 28 – 42 | Color Options: Bright White, Stone, Chino, Black, Grey, Night Sky
You didn’t think we’d leave Carhartt out of an article about workwear, now did you? Synonymous with rugged and tough, this American brand has no shortage of cargo options, which are designed to withstand whatever life throws at them.
These particular cargo shorts have a small dose of spandex for an ounce of stretch, and a relaxed fit to support any kind of activity. The cargo pockets are slightly larger than other shorts on the market, making them ideal for work, but the fit is neat enough to wear them out and about, too, replacing your favorite pair of khaki pants for hotter months.
While it may seem easy to count cargo shorts out in the fashion world, you might be surprised to know that they’ve made a comeback of epic proportions. No, you won’t be laughed out of the room if you show up in cargo shorts, rather, you may have all eyes on you, green with envy for the courage and tenacity to rock this work-wear staple.
Here are the main considerations to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the perfect pair of cargo shorts:
COMFORT
First thing’s first: it’s unlikely you’ll ever come across a pair of shorts that are as comfortable as cargos. Loose fitting, decent length, and a lighter material make cargo shorts a prime bottom to reach for in the warmer months.
For ultimate comfort, opt for a pair made from ripstop nylon with a drawstring waist. These go especially well with a plain tee and a fresh pair of kicks.
FUNCTIONALITY
Then comes functionality. The best men’s cargo shorts are best known for their plethora of pockets, which only adds to the practicality of these shorts. Whether you wear them to the bar or the beach, you’ll always have enough space to fit your belongings… and then some.
It also pays to choose a durable material as this makes cargo shorts a practical option for a huge range of scenarios, including finally getting around to mowing the lawn or those long awaited home renovations. They are the ultimate work-wear staple, with good reason.
STYLE
Finally, it pays to consider the style of the best men’s cargo shorts you choose. While a longer, baggy pair is prime for putting in work, a straight leg or slim fit makes for a fashionable warm weather staple, without sacrificing those precious cargo pockets.
Fabric also plays into the style of cargo pants and you’ll generally be faced with two options: cotton or a lightweight ripstop material, generally nylon. A good pair of cotton cargo shorts can pass for khakis, making them an easy choice for heading out and about. Ripstop nylon is more practical if you plan on hitting trails, rather than the bar. And whatever you do, keep them out of the office.
The good news is the best men’s cargo shorts are likely to already match several pieces in your closet, making them easy to integrate into a summer wardrobe. Not only do cargo shorts look stellar with a solid colored polo, but work with skate-wear, bold logo tees, hoodies, or even an Oxford.
FAQ
In the simplest terms, cargos are shorts with additional pockets at the thigh level, generally with a flap opening. Cargo shorts also generally include typical slash pockets and back pockets, allowing wearers to carry even more belongings or precious cargo.
How to style cargo shorts isn’t as hard as it seems. For an edgier look, pair cargo shorts with a bold logo tee, an oversized hoodie, and a fresh pair of Converse high tops. For a more polished look try out a light blue button down shirt with khaki colored cargos and loafers.
When it comes to how to wear cargo shorts, keep in mind the following: choose cargos that fall at knee length or higher, don’t overdo it with the cargo pockets (6 is the magic number), and please don’t wear them with a blazer or necktie.
If you’re wondering if cargo shorts are out of style in 2022, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re back in full force. With the resurgence of 1990s and early 2000s style, cargos have taken center stage. That said, classic cargo shorts have always been a timeless summer staple, thanks to their solid roots in workwear – a good lesson to always remember where you came from.
Cargo shorts are supposed to be baggy if they’re a relaxed or specified baggy fit. However, baggy is in the true nature of cargo shorts, so some brands may have factored this into their design. If you hope to avoid baggy cargo shorts, look for straight leg or slim fits which will look more like standard khaki shorts.
Despite expecting her second bundle of joy, if anyone’s jet-setting the world, it certainly Rihanna who can’t sit still and has been in LA, New York, Paris and now Tokyo all within a month time frame.
The ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ singer, was spotted inside the famous Japanese ramen restaurant called ‘Ippudoa’ and posed with one of the waiters who looked overly zealous to have met the global superstar.
RiRi, served a fierce all black ensemble with an unreleased black sheer Savage x Fenty dress that is expected to drop on June 1, and is giving sex appeal vibes.
Photo Credit: IG Reproduction
The Barbadian singer layered her Savage X Fenty dress with an oversized black Balenciaga trench jacket that felt very biker inspired and was aesthetically pleasing to her ensemble. All she needed was a motorcycle to complete her edgy persona.
Photo Credit: IG Reproduction
She accessorized with black Balenciaga pointy-toe square knife embellished mules that showcased her ankle tats and opted for her signature Alien inspired shades by Gentle Monster.
It seem’s like the closer Rihanna gets to delivering, her maternity looks just get better and better and perhaps on her way to the delivery room, she’ll be spotted in an ultra stylish look from head-to-toe. Based on how she’s styling and profiling her adorable baby bump, we wouldn’t doubt it.
If you want to look like you’re part of the established upper crust, Matland encourages you to follow Roman Roy’s lead instead of Tom Wambsgans, which means aim for an effortless look, rather than one that feels contrived. Wambsgans joins the Roy family by dating and marrying the only daughter, Siobhan “Shiv” Roy. He’s portrayed as an outsider from the start, trying way too hard to fit in from the first moment we meet him in episode one. In fact, one of the only things all of the Roy children bond over during the series is criticizing Wambsgans’s fumbling sartorial attempts.
“The idea of matching your tie with your pocket square and suspenders is absolute nonsense. For anyone with real money, that would be an immediate giveaway that you’re posturing and trying desperately to show something,” Matland explained of the nuanced field of landmines that make up sartorial choices among the 0.001 percent. “People like Tom equate fashion with finance, and those two things have nothing in common. It’s also something as subtle as the width of a pinstripe on a suit. Tom’s is a little bit more pronounced whereas you would never see that on Kendall. If you saw a pinstripe it would be micro — on Tom, it’s just a stage too intense.”
On the other hand, Roman Roy, born into family wealth as the youngest son, dresses with a casual cocktail of confidence and disdain. Wambsgans’s clumsy attempts to dress the part often are the very reason he stands out, but Roy is the inverse of that. He can skip his tie, wrinkle his button-down shirt, and still look like he belongs. Anyone can buy an expensive suit, but only the likes of Roy can casually flex his wealth by wearing a six-figure outfit in the most carefree way possible.
Ever since Succession’s first episode, viewers have been trying to answer the show’s central question: who will get a kiss from daddy? In other words, who will succeed media titan Logan Roy at the helm of his empire? Battles have been fought, alliances have been broken, and Logan himself has breathed his last and been laid to rest. Now, as TV’s reigning drama draws to a close with its series finale, we finally know the surprising answer.
We entered season 4, episode 10, “With Open Eyes” expecting a showdown between Roy siblings at the board meeting on GoJo’s acquisition of Waystar Royco. Shiv is pro-GoJo, teaming with Lukas Matsson and expecting to be named the U.S. CEO of the conglomerate if the deal goes through. Kendall and Roman want to sabotage the deal, but Roman doesn’t know yet that Ken wants to go “reverse Viking” (as in Waystar acquires GoJo instead and Kendall rules as sole CEO.)
The episode begins with Kendall arriving to the office excited (perhaps he listened to more rap in the car ride in), until he learns he doesn’t have Stewy’s support. He’s trying to rally his allies for the board vote, but can he wrangle them all in by tomorrow’s meeting? He doesn’t even know where Roman stands, let alone where he is after he got beat up at a protest the night before. Nevertheless, he assures his advisor Tellis “I fucking got this.”
Shiv is also on a high. She thinks she has Stewy’s vote as well as a few others Kendall thought he secured. As she and Matsson prep, she floats the future of Tom’s role. She’s so eager for CEO that she’s ready to throw her estranged husband out with the trash, telling Matsson he’s “highly interchangeable.” But Matsson already appears less enthusiastic. Shiv’s mother, Caroline, calls from the Caribbean and revealing that Roman is with her. Shiv flies out to meet him, not really to comfort her brother but to campaign for his support.
On the plane, she hops on a call with Tom, who is still fretting about whether he’ll get fired. She says she’s trying to help him (sike!) then clumsily switches topics to their relationship. Is there anything else left in their marriage? she asks. Because it would be convenient if so—you know, for scheduling reasons. When she asks him, “Are you interested in a real relationship?” Tom says, “Honest to God, I don’t know, Shiv.”
Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) regroup.
HBO
Kendall, who has now acquired a “New Jess,” has learned of Roman’s whereabouts and will also fly to the Caribbean. Caroline warns, however, that Rome is “very fragile.” Sure enough, when Shiv arrives she finds her brother in a striped tee and shorts with stitches on his head. Roman’s nihilism is on full display when Kendall strides in to goad him back to work. “You don’t have it,” Roman tells him regarding the board votes. “You’re a clown,” he adds and walks off.
The Roy siblings continue their bickering as the sun sets in Barbados. Shiv gloats as presumed CEO and brainstorms jobs to her brothers. (Remember The Hundred?) Kendall asks Shiv if she knew that he has Stewy’s vote now, and that her new boss has been meeting with Lawrence Yee, CEO of Vaulter. (Remember Vaulter??) But Shiv would love for her brothers to support her at the helm for once. Besides, she only turned on them because they shut her out, so she doesn’t understand “why I’m the cunt here,” pardon the language. Kendall responds, “Cunt is as cunt does,” surely inspiring T-shirts, memes, and Twitter bios across the nation. Shiv gets to the bottom of it: “I played it better, so why don’t you take it like a man and eat it?”
Back in New York, Tom is at an art gallery with Matsson, barely hiding his paranoia with a bit of awkward small talk. Over dinner, Matsson has him make the case for keeping his job. Tom says he’s a simple manager with a “high tolerance for pain,” which we’ve observed throughout his marriage. Then Matsson drops a few bombs: Shiv is great, but he actually doesn’t need her. What’s worse, he wants to “fuck her a little bit” and it’s possible that under the right circumstances, she’d feel the same way. (Tom’s face falls here.) Matsson doesn’t want to deal with the trouble if that happens, lest he fall into another Ebba situation, so why not appoint Tom as CEO instead? Matsson is looking for a “pain sponge,” and Mr. Wambsgans is just that. But will he betray Shiv again?
Afterwards, Greg meets the Swedes for more drinks, this time with a translation app on hand. While eavesdropping, he learns that Shiv is no longer Matsson’s pick for CEO. He calls Kendall with the news in hopes that he’ll be rewarded with a better job if his plan goes through. Cousin Greg has come a long way from copying those cruise documents as blackmail.
Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard) courts Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) for CEO.
HBO
Kendall derails Caroline’s dinner, which has turned into a business pitch by Peter’s friend anyway, to break the news to Shiv. She doesn’t believe it at first but is devastated when she finds a new draft of the takeover announcement where her name has been replaced with “[XXXX].” Now she wants to get back at Matsson, and Kendall has an opportunity to get Shiv’s support to block the deal. Tellis advises, however, that the three siblings propose a single leader to the board, to show a united front.
The fighting resumes. Roman says Logan chose him to be the successor during one of their final nights together. Shiv says she was picked at one point too. Kendall says Logan promised him the role when he was seven years old. He even implies that Roman isn’t emotionally up for the job following his breakdown at the funeral. When the three of them head to the beach together, the idea of King Kendall and “reverse Viking” is growing on Roman and Shiv. In classic sibling manner, they joke about murdering Kendall first, but then swim out to him to “anoint” him as their leader. Kendall actually smiles for once.
What follows is a sweet, childlike bonding session between the trio. The younger two prepare a “meal fit for a king” for their big bro to legitimize his anointing. They’re kids making a ruckus in the kitchen while mom is asleep, talking in silly voices, throwing bread (well “knobbies,” as Caroline calls them) at each other, and assembling an ungodly mix of ingredients into a blender for Kendall to drink. “It’s nice to see you agree on something other than what a terrible mother I am,” an awoken Caroline says, almost echoing our own thoughts. Kendall chugs the brown sludge of Tabasco, raw eggs, milk, Peter’s off-limits cheese, other atrocities, and a loogie of Shiv’s spit before Roman dumps the whole thing on his head. The next morning, they land back in NY and frantically make calls before stopping at Logan’s—now Connor and Willa’s—apartment.
The Roy siblings make a “meal fit for a king.”
HBO
There, the eldest Roy has arranged a system for loved ones to bid over Logan’s belongings. Willa, with amazing hair and paisley co-ords, is planning on a complete decor revamp. She and Connor will try going long-distance as she stays in New York to work on a play while he heads to Slovenia for ambassador duties. In the dining room, the Roys come across a rare, pleasant video of Logan. He’s reciting a list of every losing candidate in a U.S. presidential election at the table with Kerry (showing some PDA with her boss), Gerri, Karl, Frank, and Connor. His eldest does an impression of Logan saying “I’m a Little Teapot.” The whole group sings “Green Grow the Rushes, O.” His heirs tear up watching their father enjoy himself for once.
Shiv runs into Tom and shares that Matsson picked a new CEO. Tom pretends to be surprised, but when he suggests that Shiv should still vote for the deal, she picks up on his act. He doesn’t try to hide it this time. “It’s me,” he tells her, just so she’s aware. Disgusted, Shiv tells their brothers and they storm out to run their numbers. Meanwhile, Tom pulls Greg into the bathroom to scold him for leaking the info. He hits Greg, but Greg, for once, slaps him back. They scuffle in the powder room until Tom pulls away to alert Matsson that they have a big fucking problem.
At the Waystar offices, Karolina makes a move herself: She pitches to Shiv that after the deal, they should get rid of Hugo. (I’m not shocked by her ferocity, but I will say I’m impressed.) Kendall finally gets Stewy on his side with the promise of a chairman position. But Roman isn’t doing well. When he spots Gerri, he decides he doesn’t want to see anybody at all. He’d rather call in for the vote, especially since he’s self-conscious about his stitches. When Kendall approaches him, Roman says what’s really bothering him: “Why isn’t it me?” Kendall holds him while he sobs, but he embraces his brother so forcefully against his chest that his wound reopens.
Frank commences the board of directors meeting. Kendall delivers straightforward remarks bashing the GoJo deal. The vote goes around: Frank, Sonya, Diane, Sandi Sr., and Sandi Jr. vote yes. Kendall, Ewan, Dewi, Stewy, and Roman vote no. When it gets to Shiv, she steps out of the room to “have a moment.” Uh oh.
To Kendall’s horror and Roman’s bewilderment, Shiv has changed her mind. She confronts Kendall for always thinking he’s the most important one out of them, that it’s always about him. Kendall begs her not to turn back now. This job is the one thing he knows how to do, he says, which is actually quite sad. Shiv insists, “I don’t think you’d be good at it.” In fact, she brings up his past to prove her point. “You can’t be CEO, because you killed someone.” To that Kendall sputters, “Which?” which triggers Roman to demand clarification. Kendall denies the manslaughter, saying he just made it up to bond with his siblings. At this point, the expression on Roman and Shiv’s faces spell WTF?. Kendall continues to beg for Shiv to vote for him, and she continues to refuse. “I love you, but I cannot fucking stomach you,” she says. Now Roman is against him too, especially after that lie. “I’m the eldest boy!” Kendall shouts like a toddler in a tantrum, sending Shiv keeling over in laughter. (Somewhere, Connor is too.) Mind you, their fellow board members can hear and see them embarrass themselves through the conference room’s glass walls.
Things go from bad to disastrous when Roman plays his own dirty card, dropping that Logan used to say that Kendall’s kids aren’t his own. Even Shiv thinks this is too far. Kendall responds by trying to crush Roman’s face with his bare hands. Shiv tries to leave the room. Kendall tries to physically stop her. Roman pulls him away, reminding him that their sister is pregnant. Roman and Kendall physically fight in the conference room. Shiv heads back to the meeting to vote yes.
The GoJo deal becomes official.
HBO/ David M. Russell
As Kendall and Roman catch their breath, Kendall still tries to salvage his plan by approaching Frank, but Roman is done. Nothing matters anymore. “We are bullshit,” he tells his brother, and it’s hard not to agree. Despite the fandoms, fan cams, and thirsty tweets Succession has wrought, it reminds us that at their core, the Roys are horrible people. And they are, as their father once told them, not serious people. Watching them betray, fight, and wrestle each other at their place of work, I think of the Killmonger meme: Is this your king? Do any of them really deserve this? Clearly not.
Kendall still won’t accept defeat, though, so he walks back into the meeting to reconvene. But the vote is already final at 7-6; Waystar will sell to GoJo. CEO Tom Wambsgans walks in, chest out, with a few ideas of how he’ll structure his team. He wants to keep Karolina (sorry, Hugo) and Gerri, but fire Frank and Karl. Greg screwed his chances, but Tom won’t leave him out to dry. “I got you,” he tells him. Nero and Sporus forever.
After Roman begrudgingly poses with Matsson for a photo op, he grabs a drink at the bar and smiles to himself. It’s probably a relief to him to be out of the company. The millions he’s made from the GoJo sale don’t hurt either. Meanwhile, Shiv rides in the car home with Tom. She quietly congratulates him and lightly places her hand in his. As for Kendall, he walks toward the Hudson River with Colin a few paces behind. He sits down and stares at the water, letting reality sink in.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.
