The Political Succession

The Shape of Water

Luparello’s carefully cultivated influence passes into a new arrangement in which Rizzo appears to convert scandal into leverage.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Shadow Heir The Shadow Heir from "The Shape of Water". The Shadow Heir Building Influence Luparello rises by staying behind the public leaders, then quietly controls contracts and party figures across the province.

The Shadow Heir from "The Shape of Water". The Shadow Heir Building Influence Luparello rises by staying behind the public leaders, then quietly controls contracts and party figures across the province.

The Shadow Heir Building Influence Luparello rises by staying behind the public leaders, then quietly controls contracts and party figures across the province. Rizzo’s Place Rizzo serves as his political alter ego, positioned to inherit both knowledge and influence.

A Successor Appears A Successor Appears from "The Shape of Water". A Successor Appears Sudden Election Cardamone, a long-standing rival, becomes provincial secretary soon after Luparello dies.

A Successor Appears from "The Shape of Water". A Successor Appears Sudden Election Cardamone, a long-standing rival, becomes provincial secretary soon after Luparello dies.

A Successor Appears Sudden Election Cardamone, a long-standing rival, becomes provincial secretary soon after Luparello dies. Rizzo is appointed to work alongside him. Suspicion The unlikely alliance suggests that the succession is being managed, not simply settled by party procedure.

Rizzo’s Public Devotion Rizzo’s Public Devotion from "The Shape of Water". Rizzo’s Public Devotion A New Role Rizzo publicly accepts a burden of loyalty to Luparello’s memory, presenting himself as a servant of the old leader’s…

Rizzo’s Public Devotion A New Role Rizzo publicly accepts a burden of loyalty to Luparello’s memory, presenting himself as a servant of the old leader’s ideals. Double Meaning His words conceal an expanding position within the new party arrangement.

The Scandal as Leverage The Scandal as Leverage from "The Shape of Water". The Scandal as Leverage A Targeted Frame Rizzo uses Ingrid’s necklace, bag, and clothes to link her to Luparello’s death and place Cardamone under pressure.

The Scandal as Leverage from "The Shape of Water". The Scandal as Leverage A Targeted Frame Rizzo uses Ingrid’s necklace, bag, and clothes to link her to Luparello’s death and place Cardamone under pressure.

The Scandal as Leverage A Targeted Frame Rizzo uses Ingrid’s necklace, bag, and clothes to link her to Luparello’s death and place Cardamone under pressure. Political Utility The manufactured scandal weakens rivals while making Rizzo indispensable to the new secretary.

Power After the Plot Power After the Plot from "The Shape of Water". Power After the Plot Apparent Consolidation Rizzo’s death leaves Cardamone’s position intact and removes the man who had engineered the succession crisis.

Power After the Plot from "The Shape of Water". Power After the Plot Apparent Consolidation Rizzo’s death leaves Cardamone’s position intact and removes the man who had engineered the succession crisis.

Power After the Plot Apparent Consolidation Rizzo’s death leaves Cardamone’s position intact and removes the man who had engineered the succession crisis. Uncertain Outcome Montalbano suspects the beneficiary may be more important than the official Mafia explanation, but cannot establish it.

Before Luparello’s death

Three days after Luparello’s appointment

The funeral morning

After the discovery of the handbag

After Rizzo’s murder