Warning: spoilers for Succession series finale
A TikToker managed to predict the ending to HBO's Succession and it turns out the answer was hidden in plain sight.
The show, which ran for four seasons, followed the Roy family fighting over control of the media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo as their father's health remains uncertain.
After fans have long speculated that one of Logan Roy's children would rise to become the head of Waystar Royco, a major final twist and buildup that many have compared to Shakespeare revealed otherwise.
It turned out Tom Wambsgans, the husband of Siobhan "Shiv" Roy, became the head of her father's empire, and fans were shook.
But a TikToker named Sophie, who specializes in baby names and is the editor-in-chief at Nameberry.com, said the names on the show are "very very intentional."
You can watch the full video here.
Sophie said the name "Shiv" can mean a "knife" and the Roy family's surname "literally means 'king'."
"Typically TV writers use relatively common surnames for their characters. There are various reasons why they do this."
Sophie suggested TV viewers pay extra attention to the surnames of characters that are highly unusual.
"In 'Succession' that surname of course is Wambsgans."
"Wambsgans" is a very rare German surname."
"Gans means goose in German and the Wambs part of the surname comes from the Gothic given name Wamba–which means big paunch."
"Wamba also shares roots with the English word womb."
"Taken all together, we can interpret Wambsgans to mean goose with the big belly, pregnant goose, or most likely goose down vest or coat, since a coat or vest would cover that part of the body."
She noted all this was just background and the information had nothing to do with Tom's character.
Sophie said the real reason the character was given the surname was because of an MLB player from the early 20th century, Bill Wambsganss, who was remembered for completing the only unassisted triple play in World Series history.
An unassisted triple play involves a defensive player who takes out three players in a single play without the help of their teammates.
"It's no coincidence that Tom shares a surname with Bill Wambsganss, so you have to wonder if Tom will complete an unassisted triple play and take out all 3 of the Roy siblings to become the leader of Waystar RoyCo in the 'Succession' finale."
This is exactly what happened in Succession when Tom Wambsgans took out three of the Roy siblings–Kendall, Shiv and Roman Roy–in one move by securing a deal with GoJo boss Lukas Mattson to position himself as CEO.
Impressed TikTokers also weighed in with their observations.
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
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While others remained floored.
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
@nameberry.com/TikTok
Succession aired and streamed on HBO from June 3, 2018 to May 28, 2023 and ran for four seasons and 39 episodes.
The critically-acclaimed drama series won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series–Drama and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2020 and 2022.
Many critics praised Succession's epic finale.
The Independent's Philippa Snow, called it "poetic and violent", while Emily Baker in iNews said it was:
"Indefinite, astute and staunchly uncompromising to the very end. Succession is the best television series ever made."
