As HBO's hit comedy Rooster wraps up its first semester, the Russo family drama is reaching a boiling point. In an exclusive sneak peek from the Season 1 finale, titled "Songs of Raisa," Steve Carell's Greg Russo finds himself at odds with his ex-wife Beth (Connie Britton) over their daughter Katie's (Charly Clive) impending decision about her marriage to Archie (Phil Dunster). The clip, which you can watch above, shows Greg struggling to keep a promise he made to stay out of Katie's personal life—a promise he's about to break.
The series, created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, has been a ratings powerhouse for HBO, averaging 5.8 million viewers in its first four episodes and earning a swift renewal for a second season. The finale airs this Sunday, May 10, and it's shaping up to be a dramatic conclusion to Greg's first—and potentially last—semester at Ludlow College.
A Promise Broken
In the exclusive clip, Greg and Beth are seen arguing over Katie's plan to reconcile with Archie, who cheated on her with a Ludlow grad student named Sunny (Lauren Tsai). Greg is furious that Katie would even consider taking Archie back, especially after his affair became public knowledge on campus. Despite both parents agreeing that Archie is "an arrogant piece of shit," they can't see eye to eye on how to handle the situation. Beth tries to stop Greg from calling Katie to intervene, even going so far as to hide his phone in a rather unconventional place—her back pocket. But Greg is determined to break his promise, and viewers can expect Katie to be less than thrilled when she finds out.
This moment is a classic example of Greg's inability to let go of his protective instincts, a theme that has run throughout the season. As the series has shown, Greg's arrival at Ludlow was ostensibly for a guest speaker appearance, but his real motive was to check on Katie during her personal crisis. Now, as she prepares to make a life-altering decision, Greg's meddling could have serious consequences for their already strained relationship.
More Than Just a Family Feud
The finale isn't just about the Russo family drama. Archie will also have a difficult conversation with Sunny about their future, especially if he and Katie decide to work things out. Meanwhile, Greg is grappling with the end of his semester at Ludlow, where he has unexpectedly become a beloved figure among the students. Saying goodbye to the campus community will be tough, but with the show already renewed for a second season, it's likely that Greg's college journey is far from over.
For fans of Rooster, the finale promises to set the stage for the spring semester, with much of the cast expected to return, including John C. McGinley as President Walter Mann and Danielle Deadwyler as English professor Dylan Shepherd. The show's success has been a bright spot for HBO, and the finale is sure to deliver the emotional and comedic beats that have made it a hit.
Don't miss the Rooster Season 1 finale this Sunday at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max. For more on the series, check out our coverage of other season finales, like Will Trent Season 4 Finale: Seth's Death Pushes Show Past the Breaking Point.
