Mitotic chromosome condensation is believed to be incompatible with transcription. Palozola et al. (2017) now report in Science that a transcription program is maintained during mitosis and that transcriptional re-activation at mitotic exit is geared to support cell growth rather than cell identity. Mitotic chromosome condensation is believed to be incompatible with transcription. Palozola et al. (2017) now report in Science that a transcription program is maintained during mitosis and that transcriptional re-activation at mitotic exit is geared to support cell growth rather than cell identity.