Review Tales

The HBO series Succession is, at its core, a gripping tale of corporate power struggles, but beneath the surface, it is an intricate examination of family dynamics, specifically the often toxic relationship between Logan Roy, the patriarch, and his children. Logan’s domineering presence, his emotional distance, and ruthless ambition have profoundly impacted the lives of his offspring, leading to a complex web of “daddy issues” that drives much of the show’s narrative. To fully understand how Logan’s character influenced his children, it is crucial to delve into his personality, his worldview, and how these traits manifest in his relationships with each of his children—Kendall, Roman, Shiv, and Connor.

Logan Roy: The Ruthless Titan

Logan Roy, the founder and CEO of Waystar Royco, is the embodiment of corporate ruthlessness. He is a man who built an empire from the ground up, fueled by a fierce desire for power, control, and dominance. However, beneath his business acumen lies a deeply flawed individual who carries emotional scars from his own childhood. Logan grew up in poverty, enduring hardship and abuse, which shaped his worldview and informed his parenting style. He believes in survival of the fittest, that love is a weakness, and that power must be seized and maintained at all costs. These beliefs are not just business philosophies for Logan; they are the tenets by which he raises his children.

Logan’s emotional coldness and relentless pursuit of success come at a significant cost: his children’s well-being. He uses affection as a tool to manipulate and control, creating an environment where his children are constantly vying for his approval, only to be met with indifference or outright cruelty. This dynamic sets the stage for the profound psychological damage that each of his children carries, manifesting in different ways depending on their personalities and relationship with him.

Kendall Roy: The Legacy and the Struggle

Kendall, the second eldest, perhaps suffers the most from Logan’s influence. From the outset, it’s clear that Kendall views himself as the natural successor to Logan’s empire. However, his intense desire to win his father’s approval is constantly met with disappointment. Logan dangles the possibility of succession in front of Kendall, only to yank it away repeatedly, creating a cycle of hope and despair that defines Kendall’s character arc.

Kendall’s relationship with Logan is rooted in his desperate need for validation. He wants to be seen as worthy of the empire his father built, yet Logan undermines him at every turn, either through harsh criticism or outright dismissal. Logan’s refusal to acknowledge Kendall as a legitimate heir fuels his son’s feelings of inadequacy, leading Kendall down a path of self-destruction—addiction, failed business coups, and public humiliation. Logan’s emotional neglect turns Kendall into a man who swings wildly between rebellion and submission, reflecting his inner turmoil and deep-rooted insecurities.

Kendall’s daddy issues are most evident in his attempts to break free from Logan’s control. At various points in the series, Kendall tries to usurp his father, to dethrone him as CEO, but each attempt is either thwarted by Logan’s cunning or Kendall’s own emotional instability. These failures underscore how deeply Logan’s approval still matters to him; even as he tries to assert his independence, Kendall is still emotionally tethered to his father, seeking the recognition he craves but will never fully receive.

Roman Roy: The Clown and the Wounded Child

Roman, the youngest son, presents a starkly different relationship with Logan, though the damage is no less significant. On the surface, Roman is the jokester, the irreverent sibling who seems to lack the seriousness required to inherit the family business. However, this facade masks a deep-seated insecurity that stems from years of emotional neglect and verbal abuse from Logan. Roman’s humor and bravado are defense mechanisms, ways of protecting himself from the emotional pain inflicted by his father.

Logan frequently belittles Roman, dismissing him as immature and incapable. This treatment has left Roman with a stunted emotional development, evidenced by his inability to form healthy relationships or assert himself in the corporate world. Roman’s twisted sense of loyalty to Logan, despite the abuse, highlights the complexity of their relationship. Unlike Kendall, Roman doesn’t rebel against his father; instead, he seeks to please him in the most self-destructive ways. His desire for approval is so intense that he’s willing to humiliate himself, such as in moments when he offers Logan bizarre loyalty tests or engages in perverse behavior.

Roman’s daddy issues manifest in his warped view of love and power. He conflates abuse with affection, interpreting Logan’s harshness as a form of tough love. This toxic dynamic leaves Roman emotionally crippled, unable to distinguish between genuine love and manipulation, further entrenching him in Logan’s psychological grip.

Shiv Roy: The Outsider

Shiv, the only daughter, has a more complex relationship with Logan because, for much of the series, she is positioned as an outsider to the family business. Shiv initially forges her own path in politics, seemingly independent of her father’s influence. However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that Shiv, too, is deeply affected by her need for Logan’s approval.

Logan’s attitude toward Shiv is a mixture of admiration and condescension. He acknowledges her intelligence and political savvy but never seriously considers her as a successor. This half-hearted recognition of her abilities frustrates Shiv, leading her to oscillate between aligning with her father and distancing herself from him. Her attempts to gain his approval are complicated by the fact that Logan uses her gender as a reason to undermine her, reinforcing sexist attitudes that suggest a woman cannot lead the company. This dynamic exacerbates Shiv’s insecurities and compels her to prove herself in ways that often backfire, both professionally and personally.

Shiv’s daddy issues are rooted in her complicated feelings of both love and resentment toward Logan. She loves her father but resents the way he has boxed her in, both as a daughter and as a professional. This tension defines much of her character arc, as she struggles to reconcile her ambition with the emotional scars left by Logan’s treatment.

Connor Roy: The Forgotten Son

Connor, the eldest, is often viewed as the least significant of the Roy children, largely because he has distanced himself from the family business. However, Connor’s detachment is itself a reflection of the damage Logan has caused. Connor represents the forgotten child, the one who has been neglected and overlooked for so long that he no longer seeks Logan’s approval in the same way as his siblings. Instead, Connor retreats into a world of delusion, attempting to run for president as a way of gaining recognition, not just from the public but also from his father.

Connor’s decision to avoid the corporate rat race is a form of rebellion, but it is also a sign of resignation. He knows he will never win Logan’s favor, so he removes himself from the competition entirely. Yet, even in his detachment, Connor exhibits the same deep-seated need for validation that plagues his siblings, showing that none of Logan’s children have escaped his influence unscathed.

Final Word

Logan Roy’s legacy is not just the Waystar Royco empire but the profound psychological damage he has inflicted on his children. Each of his offspring—Kendall, Roman, Shiv, and Connor—bears the scars of their father’s emotional neglect, manipulation, and cruelty. Their “daddy issues” are not mere character quirks but deeply rooted traumas that drive their actions throughout Succession. Logan’s relentless pursuit of power, coupled with his inability to offer genuine love or support, has created a toxic family dynamic where love and approval are as elusive as they are coveted. In the end, Logan Roy’s true legacy is not his corporate empire but the broken lives of the children he leaves behind.