It’s pretty amazing how season 3 took Roman and Tom, two of the more comic relief characters, and gave them incredible dramatic arcs without sacrificing their comedic edge. Extraordinarily well written show.
I do think maybe Roman was sexually abused, not necessarily by a family member, as a child. It really struck me that sometimes the seemingly wild things he says are true, like when he told the others at breakfast what he’d done in Geri’s bathroom the night before and they all dismissed it as him mouthing off. He’s made several “jokey” references to be being sexually abused as a child. I also think it’s suspect a family friend they were frequently around as children was nicknamed “Mo” for Molester. I feel like this kind of trauma from his past would further explain his pathology. Sadly, he may have said what happened to him numerous times throughout the series but no one takes him seriously because he’s just “wild Roman.”
I think this too! He also has “jokingly” said some things about a camp counselor abusing him in the same way he would joke and him and gerry when it would have actually happened
Yep, I think you nailed it here. I thought the same thing, but I feel stupid for not thinking it was Lester all along. So obvious now that you've said it 🤦♂️
Roman is a real piece of work, but he's suffered the worst type of physical abuse from his family, that have shaped him into the dysfunctional mess that he is. You can't help but feel sorry for him, and Kieran plays him splendidly.
Kieran and his family actually suffered abuse from his father, (Or something similar to not having a particularly good father in his own words not his brothers) so that could do with why he plays it so well.
Gerri literally tells Roman what she needs to hear. "How does it serve my interests." She can spin anything, but he gave her nothing and expected her to fix the problem.
I can’t believe people read Gerri’s response in the last scene as cold. My impression was always that she said it with deep regret- more that she simply COULDNT do anything rather than wouldn’t. She wanted to help. And this interpretation was actually put to j smith Cameron and she confirmed that was how she played it
I loved the word choice in that moment and the way her voice very slightly wavered - by asking him how it serves her interests, she's calling back to an earlier conversation where she was trying to teach him that very same lesson - that you always need to keep your personal interests in mind while making plays in that hostile environment. If anything, it read to me as an affirmation of their relationship, that even in this moment of betrayal she was still trying to mentor him and still thought he could learn.
bro i literally started the show the other day , currently on s2ep5 and brah wow lmaooo this character is just amazingly played, him tom & kendall are real pieces of work that i can empathize for 😭
Yeah. I didn’t agree with the assertion that she was being cold here. She tried coaching him professionally and he wasn’t receptive. The line they used here she told him in a previous episode. And he was expecting her to put herself on the line for his interest.
From a CSA survivor he is such a character study on childhood sexual assult. I really hope they choose to lean into the character they've so clearly written.
In my experience, hostile people tend to be the most insecure/wounded. It's their defense mechanism for preventing further exposure of whatever particular trauma they endured in the past.
In my opinion it's maybe because he had somewhat of a normal childhood, cuz the fight for the throne started after his early development, that's why he never has real interest in waystar, he's outside of the game. The other siblings where born into it and where probably more exposed to Logan's antics due to their mother enabling him.
I feel the same, but I really doubt that they’ll give it to us. I think part of the shows absolute brilliance is the fact that we don’t know what happened. We, as the audience, only know as much as the characters tell us. The rest is up to us to try and piece together. Which, I think, is what the writers want us to do. And I really love that to be honest.
it would probably be far too unethical to have actual minors acting out some of the things that had to have happened to make such unbelievably unwell adults
@@Jimmy1982Playlists There is a disconnect between what he says and believes. Some of his more problematic behavior aside, he has his finger on the pulse of the actual issues his family creates better than the other siblings. He's pretty matter of fact with how he expresses that, but there is an honesty in his lack of a filter, and you get the feeling he's developed this persona to survive, but it isn't really who he is at his core. Being able to show both sides without them outright saying it is truly masterful acting on Kieren's part.
As a therapist myself, I liked this take on focusing on the trauma and oedipal complexes for Roman, and why his unhealthy tactics are maintained. I hope he does find love and maybe it will be between siblings, because his parents won't give it or will twist it against him. Well done Anya/Cue 22 on the writing!
He ain't getting a damn thing from his siblings either. Kendall is gonna be too focused on deciding if he wants to keep on living and Shiv has proven to be anything but supportive or reliable
Roman and Shiv will be the final duo. It’s all in the costumes during the opening title. The three boys wear suits, Connor’s is too small, Kendall’s is too big, and Roman’s fits just right… On top of that Roman and Shiv are both standing together wearing white, while Connor and Kendall are on the outsides in dark colors
No... It's Greg, it's always been Greg. SPOILERS: Greg has been leading the ship, plotting, giving info to desiring parties right from the get-go. He is more driven than all of them to get money, he has risen by far the most, even sacrificing his relationship with his grandfather just for wealth, suing Greenpeace for heavens sake. In S3, he throws Tom into the fire (as Greg had done before, with the cruise blackmail, but this time it's more malicious) - though in S3, it's extremely subtle (seems like no one in comments has noticed). Where I once loved his clumsy, Labrador-energy in short Youtbe clips, after watching all seasons, he now genuinely terrifies me. Re-watch the show and keep all your focus on Greg. You'll be shocked at what you see.
@@skullsaintdead I believe Greg has more potential than we’re supposed to notice right now, but not to that extent. I believe he will have serious career growth in the next season and eventually will be part of a crucial deal of betrayal that impacts who takes the company (probably while betraying Tom) but I don’t think he’ll be the sole CEO. From a writing perspective, ending the show with Greg on top feels similar to Bran becoming king, it makes complete sense, but it will undoubtedly be seen as anticlimactic. The initial promise of the show is one of the siblings will get the keys to the kingdom, which is why it would make it a great twist to be Greg, but I just don’t think HBO has the nerve to end it that way.
I find Roman really interesting as the character who simultaneously seems to want to push every emotion off with jokes/gets uncomfortable when people are too vulnerable, and yet seems to be the most genuinely emotional and love-seeking of all the Roy's. I think he kind of tries to take the role of the de-escalator in emotional situations sometimes, breaking tension with a joke, reaching out in some way, but sometimes that gets twisted into him pushing people too far and instead escalating things, especially with the jabs he makes at his siblings. In some ways he can see where the line is, sometimes he can't, but he always wants to push it a little to get some kind of reaction, whether it's making someone laugh or making them lash out at him, and taking the heat in some way. It's really interesting. I also think he has ADHD due to some stuff he says in the first season about not being able to pay attention & his general impulsiveness and personality in general, and I personally know that can come with rejection-sensitive dysphoria which I think also leads to his more lashing-out type behavior. I've been rewatching Succession lately and the moment that has stuck in my mind for SO long that I just can't shake about Roman's character is how he asks Greg to bring him a sweater that smells like his dad while he's in the hospital. It's so... Sweet, really, that kind of comfort seeking, but at the same time he's uncomfortable that he even wants or needs it. I really hope he can get more love and support from his siblings this next season although I have a feeling things will go sour as they always do.
In most of the early scenes in the show Roman is seen being incapable or unwilling to sit normally. I think that he will ultimately be the successor and he will sit in logan's chair at the head of the family table
@@jr3624 Nope, Mattson destroys everything Logan worked for in the end Ewan Roy is left smiling. This show is actually about the consequences of Logan's greed
there's a scene where tom tells shiv that they have rooms in their home that they have not even been in yet....that stuck with me, mindboggling wealth......amazing show.
I used to dismiss Roman because of his antics but season 3 manages to flip my perspective, probably because he's made to be a bit more professional. Can't wait for season 4 to see the fallout of the company sale.
I love how often the term arrested development is used in this video. I fully expected the Bluths to be shown briefly in one of the comparison parts! There seem to be more than the obvious things both shows have in common (while I watched Arrested from the beginning in '03, Succession is one of those shows I've been meaning to watch for quite a while now).
The Season 4 opener really solidified the psychological genius of this show. They manage to make outrageous fictional characters perfect vessels for the emotional hurdles, milestones, and dilemmas most all of us experience to some degree here in the "real world". Their lives make us examine our own.
The fact that this video made me empathize with Roman, who is the character I hate the most in succession, is a testament of how great this show is, but most of all, how amazing your analysis are! Great video!
I think they’ve been dropping hints since the first season that Roman could have been s*xually ab*sed by Logan’s “old guard” friends as a child. (Or even potentially at the military school he was sent away to.)
Okay someone pointed this out a long time ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Roman is constantly bullied by his elder siblings, and they keep making crass jokes about his mommy and daddy issues, and Rome is no saint so ofc he claps back, and makes a cheaper and meaner comment at which point the other person demeans him for even saying what he said and further stressing how there must be something wrong with and like - yeah, ofc Roman and the things he said are more often than not extremely crass and vulgar and filthy but... you started it. Sure he cheapened whatever "fun comment" you made about him and he shouldn't go that far but you shouldn't have either? I mean, ofc Rome says gross shit quite often and often its unprompted (cause like I said, he is no saint), but I do notice in certain conversations he has, especially with Shiv, where he just reciprocates whatever was thrown at him and he is demeaned for it. Sometimes he just expresses normal concern and feelings of affection towards his parents and those feelings are sexualized by everyone around him, including Logan. And idk I just really feel for the slime puppy.
For all his inappropriate and appalling behavior, Roman doesn't get enough credit for the things he does to try and actually please his family, even if they serve his best interests first. There's always a "gift or surprise" that goes unacknowledged. Even when they all met at Rava's house when Kendall was trying to form an alliance, Roman brought his favorite cinammon rolls as a gift. (in the midst of all the turmoil) I think he genuinely loves his family, but when he's mocked we miss his true intentions because they're masked with insecurity and sarcasm. There's no acceptable conduit for his feelings so he's always ready with an ugly comeback. Sadly, and for the same reason, he's never prepared for a genuine show of support. The scene where they're all sent to their mother's house to renegotiate the divorce settlement was so cruel and manipulative on Logan's part, but really showed the dynamic between Caroline and each of the kids. Shiv's biting rage and sarcasm, poor Kendall having the door slammed shut yet again when he needed her so much, and then Roman ... It's like he was on his best behavior, even being his father's pawn. He needs to believe his mother loves him and there's no way he'd risk offending her to her face. The following morning after she'd skipped out on them leaving only a note, Kendall was breaking inside (and still smoothed it over) while Roman was ready to play happy family. I have a feeling Kendall's been in the position of protecting his little brother from harsh truths for much of his life. They're all horribly entiltled and selfish, but I feel like Roman may be the only one truly oblivious to his own rage and in my view, is the most damaged of them all.
@@alicecaraballo3910 If you notice as well, Roman seems to be the only one that ever sticks up for Kendall. When Kendall got shoved under the bus by Logan end of Season 2, Roman was the only one to go against it and when Kendall was broken, Roman was the only person who knew how to help him and make him laugh. He's got a big heart but a broken brain
@@razzprince2877, agreed, but Roman also seems to have a love/hate relationship with Kendall. He resents his business accumen because he's constantly competing for that top spot with Logan. And while he does defend him, he likes to kick him when he's down. The scene at the birthday party where he shoved him to the floor was as uncalled for as the character assassination letter from Shiv that he and Connor refused to sign. Granted, each of the Roy kids have deeply painful abandonment issues, but Roman makes my heart hurt. It's like watching a child (and he IS so childlike) grow up in the foster care system and never finding a true loving home or family. And the worst part is he truly believes it exists, because he'd suffer any amount of humiliation, if only for a fleeting moment of positive attention from either parent 😭
@@alicecaraballo3910 In reality the entire family and cast have moments like that but Roman I see as having genuine empathy here and there as opposed to the others. I truly believe Roman is bad due to his abuse and nothing else, even when he pushed Kendall down on his birthday it was after Kendall said "You're not even a real person" which is rich coming from Kendall who is literally a sociopath. These words hurt Roman way more then he lets on (not to mention it was a shove, i don't think he meant to push him over) But to your point, the competitive nature was definitely embedded in them since they were young.
@@Jimmy1982Playlists True, it makes me recoil! I've just watched another show that featured horrific violence, like people's heads split open-horrific. But that slap from Logan feels way more shocking! I seriously find him more hateable than Joffrey Baratheon (both Brian Cox and Jack Gleeson are amazing).
I love how Roman is the one person who sees Shiv and her flaws because a lot of times, I feel the show paints her as "the ok sibling" when she's just as smug, spoiled if not more than her brothers.
Lmao when does it paint her as okay? It doesn’t shy away from showing her poor treatment of Tom (not that he’s great himself but still), or showing that she is arrogant and thinks she’s more clever than she is even when her schemes constantly backfire. She also burned her bridges in her political career for no reason other than feeling entitled to do so when going back into a position with the family firm. Also, unlike Kendall who spent some time overseas managing a Waystar branch iirc, and Roman who went through the management training, the show made a point of contrasting that with Shiv thinking she was above all of that training and field experience and feels entitled to just be put in the top spot by virtue of her name and her brothers being fuck-ups.
@@korubi_eCSTatic All really excellent points, I meant by the way they portray as the only one with a "moral compass" because she's a democrat and in her own words stands for "pluralism" and "all the people together" while Kendall and Roman look at business in a more pragmatic and detached manner.
@@MJ-py7dm I see what you mean, but I think that just goes to show that regardless of party affiliation or statements of her own personal morals, the lust for power and status is all-corrupting because she strives to align herself with a company that incites hates when it suits her purposes.
am honestly considering watching succession because of whatever's going on with roman and gerri. i have seen a lot of videos about them at this point I should just watch the whole series edit: i started watching! im only on S1:E02. ep 2 was insane, i enjoyed it so much. IM SOLD
You guys seem to have a lot more faith than I, or frankly the writers of the show have, in these peoples ability to change. Jesse Armstrong, the show’s creator has been pretty clear that these people can’t and won’t change or improve in any real meaningful way.
@grasstastesbad ikr, as long as their lives are centered around logans approval and one upping him, they will never be happy. They are well past their 20s, they had all the opportunity in the world to use their wealth and background to live solidly upper class lives even if they were nowhere near the top, independent from their dad. But no, they're all addicted to the game.
roman's issues are not especially mommy-flavored lol they are by far more so daddy issues. yeah caroline is obviously not the best mom but the show takes more opportunities to emphasize his relationship with logan and draw parallels between things logan has said to roman to berate him and things gerri has used as degradation kink dirty talk.
This analysis is spot on and why Roman is my favourite character. Kieran plays a character with similar trauma in the movie Igby Goes Down. Nails it every time.
What a spectacular analysis!! And look I've read all about it! I get a lot of contributions, interpretations and new perspectives on my favorite Roy! Congratulations on the editing job! I enjoyed it very much! Thank you so much!!
I think Roman may actually be the second born and Shiv is the youngest. He does very much feel like the youngest sibling but I think on the HBO official site they say Shiv is the baby of the family.
Shiv is the youngest, but Roman *seems* the youngest/most immature on surface level, and is the youngest boy at least. I think the confusion is somewhat intentional tho, like when Kendall refers to himself as Logan’s oldest while Connor is right there lmao.
i recently found out that roman is not the youngest roy brother, shiv is. which is so weird because roman give off the youngest sibling energy and shiv the middle one
I ship Roman and Gerri more than I think any other tv couple ever. And I'm kind of disturbed by that. But I also think it's kind of sweet and playing against patriarchal tropes that we see a young man pining after an older woman. Edit: ok wrote this before I started the section on Gerri. Glad I'm not alone...
What I think is most fascinating is what season 4 has so far revealed about Roman as well as what Kieran’s opinions are about Roman are He said in an interview Roman’s probably already forgiven Gerri because he understands she was out for herself and he respects her for that He’s also actually seemed to stabilize the most out of the main three after being separated from Logan at least for the time being
For me one of the defining moments of who is Roman and what's his relationship with his father is on season 1 when the voting takes places. He was going to vote but then Logan call him and Roman is so afraid of Logan that he just puts down his hand and tries to become smaller in his seat.
I wouldn't say Geri reciprocates Roman's feelings. I think she puts up with it partly because he's Roy and partly because she knows he's damaged and feels bad for him. But she's obviously trying to date men her age and doesn't want to make a big deal out of Roman's behaviour as she knows in that world he'd be eaten alive if others knew. It's her maternal side protecting him.
@@elongated2761 yep she's seasoned businesswoman, although far less heartless than the rest of them. And she was open about it, she told Roman no matter what the angle is her first thought always is "how does this benefit my position" and that he should be the same. But Roman is...well Roman.
@@MyaB1986shes pretty fucking heartless. I love gerri but lets not pretend like shes a good person or something. Shes just as complicit as the rest of them
As someone who was raised by a narcissistic father who wasn't quite as ruthless as Logan, but was capable of being just as petty and vindictive, I can see myself and my family in all these characters deeply. Makes me wonder how badly I would have turned out if my parents had been even wealthier and if I hadn't given up on seeking their approval a long time ago.
@@samanthab1923 here is another problem - once you've worked through your issues, the dating pool is still 90% full of people who haven't. Being well adjusted starts to stick out like a sore thumb
I've figured out all the kids pathologies except for Connor, he still baffles me. Connor is so deep in his delusion that he thinks he can become president. Like he fully believes it and he's happy most of the time. I get living in denial of his childhood, but being deep in denial of the actual reality around you? I can't figure it out.
Actually real actor and his siblings were abused by their father growing up!! That's why the actor act so much like his onscreen character in real life too..
You should watch it tho! It’s soooo gooooood, I totally disregarded the hype myself until season 3 then finally gave it a chance on a whim and fell in love with the tragicomedy, striking character portrayals by the cast and the masterful writing.
This script was written by Anya Formozova. You can see more of her work here: ua-cam.com/users/Cue22
Love Anya formozova!
please do something about "Fleabag"
good work!
Do shiv next please
Also shiv is the youngest
"We love you."
"What is this? What's the angle?" -That's Succession in a nutshell.
“The angle?”
Genuinely wonders if they should tell the angle or genuine feelings
Shiv: "I love you..."
Roman: "Oh you're such a fucking bitch"
It’s pretty amazing how season 3 took Roman and Tom, two of the more comic relief characters, and gave them incredible dramatic arcs without sacrificing their comedic edge. Extraordinarily well written show.
One of the best written shows I have ever seen
"I should've had dogs" is actually an accurate summation of both Roy parents.
OK, maybe not even dogs, plants.
Not even plants…. Maybe fish?
Maybe pets rocks?
Yes! It’s so sad.
Would have ended up like the rabbit…
Not even plants, microbacteria
I do think maybe Roman was sexually abused, not necessarily by a family member, as a child. It really struck me that sometimes the seemingly wild things he says are true, like when he told the others at breakfast what he’d done in Geri’s bathroom the night before and they all dismissed it as him mouthing off. He’s made several “jokey” references to be being sexually abused as a child. I also think it’s suspect a family friend they were frequently around as children was nicknamed “Mo” for Molester. I feel like this kind of trauma from his past would further explain his pathology. Sadly, he may have said what happened to him numerous times throughout the series but no one takes him seriously because he’s just “wild Roman.”
Exactly what I was thinking
I loved it when they were going to Lester's funeral...his nickname was Mo
I think this too! He also has “jokingly” said some things about a camp counselor abusing him in the same way he would joke and him and gerry when it would have actually happened
Yep, I think you nailed it here. I thought the same thing, but I feel stupid for not thinking it was Lester all along. So obvious now that you've said it 🤦♂️
He was abused by his eldest brother
Roman is a real piece of work, but he's suffered the worst type of physical abuse from his family, that have shaped him into the dysfunctional mess that he is. You can't help but feel sorry for him, and Kieran plays him splendidly.
Kieran looks Awesome!, though I've never watched show. Now I need to know where my little hipster writer sweetheart Mc Auley is?!? 🤔🤔🤔
@@judeannethecandorchannel2153 he just became a dad, his partner is Brenda Song
it's not the physical abuse that screwed him up, it's that his mother is an absent malignant narcissist and his father a choleric tyrant
Kieran and his family actually suffered abuse from his father, (Or something similar to not having a particularly good father in his own words not his brothers) so that could do with why he plays it so well.
@@judeannethecandorchannel2153 he also has own podcast channel
He really ties the whole show together, he’s the fresh switch that keeps the dialogue fresh. Kieran plays this character perfectly
Gerri literally tells Roman what she needs to hear. "How does it serve my interests." She can spin anything, but he gave her nothing and expected her to fix the problem.
I can’t believe people read Gerri’s response in the last scene as cold. My impression was always that she said it with deep regret- more that she simply COULDNT do anything rather than wouldn’t. She wanted to help. And this interpretation was actually put to j smith Cameron and she confirmed that was how she played it
I loved the word choice in that moment and the way her voice very slightly wavered - by asking him how it serves her interests, she's calling back to an earlier conversation where she was trying to teach him that very same lesson - that you always need to keep your personal interests in mind while making plays in that hostile environment.
If anything, it read to me as an affirmation of their relationship, that even in this moment of betrayal she was still trying to mentor him and still thought he could learn.
@@spearofhope2 im gonna cryyyy i love his character arc so much
There were ferries in the last scene???
Geri actually taught Roman on few occasions to always look for what's in it for him. She's actually practicing what she preaches.
I used to tell my abusive (and now estranged) parents that they weren't rich enough to be so narcissistic 🤷♀
SO good! Ima use that. Lol
lol
😂😂
😂Savage 🔥🔥
Gold
Anya KILLED this!!!! More succession takes please!!
i can't imagine roman played by another guy, kieran is brilliant
i hope to see him in more roles after this.
bro i literally started the show the other day , currently on s2ep5 and brah wow lmaooo this character is just amazingly played, him tom & kendall are real pieces of work that i can empathize for 😭
Originally Kieran almost got casted to play Cousin Greg but he changed his mind when Roman's first line was: "Hey, hey, Motherfuckers!"
Gerri isn't cold or selfish in the last scene. She's practical 🤷
@A 7108 fair, but the power dynamic can explain why she went along with it.
@A 7108 maybe she engaged with roman for leverage against him should shit hit the fan.
Yup
Yeah. I didn’t agree with the assertion that she was being cold here. She tried coaching him professionally and he wasn’t receptive. The line they used here she told him in a previous episode. And he was expecting her to put herself on the line for his interest.
@A 7108 after the way SHE has been treated at the hands of the company she should
From a CSA survivor he is such a character study on childhood sexual assult. I really hope they choose to lean into the character they've so clearly written.
This show is like a case study in complex post traumatic stress disorder.
Totally.
That and narcissism!
In my experience, hostile people tend to be the most insecure/wounded. It's their defense mechanism for preventing further exposure of whatever particular trauma they endured in the past.
kinda obvious take there
As a hostile person who tries to be less so, i support your observation
Connor is most normal among the siblings and that's saying something
Cuz he has a different mom
Cuz he was interested in politics since a very young age??
@@darcykvlogs9522 🤣🤣
Oh no, I wouldn't say that
In my opinion it's maybe because he had somewhat of a normal childhood, cuz the fight for the throne started after his early development, that's why he never has real interest in waystar, he's outside of the game. The other siblings where born into it and where probably more exposed to Logan's antics due to their mother enabling him.
I'd really like a season of Succession where they delve into the backstory of the Roy kids and how they each became the messy people that they are.
I feel the same, but I really doubt that they’ll give it to us. I think part of the shows absolute brilliance is the fact that we don’t know what happened. We, as the audience, only know as much as the characters tell us. The rest is up to us to try and piece together. Which, I think, is what the writers want us to do. And I really love that to be honest.
I'd watch that.
it would probably be far too unethical to have actual minors acting out some of the things that had to have happened to make such unbelievably unwell adults
@@graceedits3118it reminds me of the sopranos before the spin offs were made!
For some weird, dark, unknown reason, I love Roman 😭.
Something about Culkin's performance makes him not totally detestable... on top of the fact we see how vicious his family is. He had _zero_ chance!
We're all here.
Me too
@@Jimmy1982Playlists There is a disconnect between what he says and believes. Some of his more problematic behavior aside, he has his finger on the pulse of the actual issues his family creates better than the other siblings. He's pretty matter of fact with how he expresses that, but there is an honesty in his lack of a filter, and you get the feeling he's developed this persona to survive, but it isn't really who he is at his core. Being able to show both sides without them outright saying it is truly masterful acting on Kieren's part.
He literally put a fascist and racist as president. Sweetheart you are black.
As a therapist myself, I liked this take on focusing on the trauma and oedipal complexes for Roman, and why his unhealthy tactics are maintained. I hope he does find love and maybe it will be between siblings, because his parents won't give it or will twist it against him. Well done Anya/Cue 22 on the writing!
As a therapist is it fun diagnosing TV characters? I feel like it would be
He ain't getting a damn thing from his siblings either.
Kendall is gonna be too focused on deciding if he wants to keep on living and Shiv has proven to be anything but supportive or reliable
y'all don't understand, i can fix him 😔✋
Please do and then call me cuz I would love Roman as a shenanigans friend lol
I'll stan Roman and Gerri until the whole succession world burns down
Geri is a really attractive woman. Imho.
@@MyaB1986 Carolina is a really attractive woman 😍😍😍
SAME
Here we are boys lol. Gerri putting the knife in Roman 🤣
Roman and Shiv will be the final duo. It’s all in the costumes during the opening title. The three boys wear suits, Connor’s is too small, Kendall’s is too big, and Roman’s fits just right… On top of that Roman and Shiv are both standing together wearing white, while Connor and Kendall are on the outsides in dark colors
Hot take
Interesting
I don't know if they'll be the final duo, but they are the only Roy children with brains, so they should.
No... It's Greg, it's always been Greg. SPOILERS: Greg has been leading the ship, plotting, giving info to desiring parties right from the get-go. He is more driven than all of them to get money, he has risen by far the most, even sacrificing his relationship with his grandfather just for wealth, suing Greenpeace for heavens sake. In S3, he throws Tom into the fire (as Greg had done before, with the cruise blackmail, but this time it's more malicious) - though in S3, it's extremely subtle (seems like no one in comments has noticed). Where I once loved his clumsy, Labrador-energy in short Youtbe clips, after watching all seasons, he now genuinely terrifies me. Re-watch the show and keep all your focus on Greg. You'll be shocked at what you see.
@@skullsaintdead I believe Greg has more potential than we’re supposed to notice right now, but not to that extent. I believe he will have serious career growth in the next season and eventually will be part of a crucial deal of betrayal that impacts who takes the company (probably while betraying Tom) but I don’t think he’ll be the sole CEO.
From a writing perspective, ending the show with Greg on top feels similar to Bran becoming king, it makes complete sense, but it will undoubtedly be seen as anticlimactic. The initial promise of the show is one of the siblings will get the keys to the kingdom, which is why it would make it a great twist to be Greg, but I just don’t think HBO has the nerve to end it that way.
I find Roman really interesting as the character who simultaneously seems to want to push every emotion off with jokes/gets uncomfortable when people are too vulnerable, and yet seems to be the most genuinely emotional and love-seeking of all the Roy's. I think he kind of tries to take the role of the de-escalator in emotional situations sometimes, breaking tension with a joke, reaching out in some way, but sometimes that gets twisted into him pushing people too far and instead escalating things, especially with the jabs he makes at his siblings. In some ways he can see where the line is, sometimes he can't, but he always wants to push it a little to get some kind of reaction, whether it's making someone laugh or making them lash out at him, and taking the heat in some way. It's really interesting. I also think he has ADHD due to some stuff he says in the first season about not being able to pay attention & his general impulsiveness and personality in general, and I personally know that can come with rejection-sensitive dysphoria which I think also leads to his more lashing-out type behavior.
I've been rewatching Succession lately and the moment that has stuck in my mind for SO long that I just can't shake about Roman's character is how he asks Greg to bring him a sweater that smells like his dad while he's in the hospital. It's so... Sweet, really, that kind of comfort seeking, but at the same time he's uncomfortable that he even wants or needs it. I really hope he can get more love and support from his siblings this next season although I have a feeling things will go sour as they always do.
In most of the early scenes in the show Roman is seen being incapable or unwilling to sit normally. I think that he will ultimately be the successor and he will sit in logan's chair at the head of the family table
yes!! because that symbols how he beat his childhood trauma & abuse and rose above it
Love this take
Nope, it’s going to be Greg who will be sitting on Logan’s chair at the end.
lol never
@@jr3624 Nope, Mattson destroys everything Logan worked for in the end
Ewan Roy is left smiling. This show is actually about the consequences of Logan's greed
there's a scene where tom tells shiv that they have rooms in their home that they have not even been in yet....that stuck with me, mindboggling wealth......amazing show.
I am HERE for the succession content
I used to dismiss Roman because of his antics but season 3 manages to flip my perspective, probably because he's made to be a bit more professional. Can't wait for season 4 to see the fallout of the company sale.
More professional? He sent a dick pic to his Dad during a meeting!
Me too
Every sibling has a lot to offer to the company but without each other they are terrible at it eventually. 4 Roy children = 1 Logan in strength.
"You stole my idea. What are you? Fuckin' 6?" That is a very underrated line.
Never have I clicked faster for a UA-cam video! I always loooove Roman Roy analysis videos
So excited to finally see Succession on your channel!!! Can't wait to see more!!!
I love how often the term arrested development is used in this video. I fully expected the Bluths to be shown briefly in one of the comparison parts! There seem to be more than the obvious things both shows have in common (while I watched Arrested from the beginning in '03, Succession is one of those shows I've been meaning to watch for quite a while now).
right. a little overused here
As I thought, your Roman vid is FREAKING AMAZING. WE NEEEED MORE SUCCESSION VIDEOS!! ❤️❤️
literally he’s my blorbo from my shows and i love him so much
I knew Roman needed therapy. But watching this video made it clear that I also need therapy.
The Season 4 opener really solidified the psychological genius of this show. They manage to make outrageous fictional characters perfect vessels for the emotional hurdles, milestones, and dilemmas most all of us experience to some degree here in the "real world". Their lives make us examine our own.
The fact that this video made me empathize with Roman, who is the character I hate the most in succession, is a testament of how great this show is, but most of all, how amazing your analysis are! Great video!
Wow, of all the characters to hate, Roman seems like an odd choice. How come?
@@SisypheanRoller Could be his support of a neo-nazi presidential candidate lmao
I think they’ve been dropping hints since the first season that Roman could have been s*xually ab*sed by Logan’s “old guard” friends as a child. (Or even potentially at the military school he was sent away to.)
OMG, I have been waiting for this one!!!!!
It is one of the most compelling TV shows I’ve seen in a while. I can’t believe how fast I watched all 3 seasons. It’s so good.
Okay someone pointed this out a long time ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Roman is constantly bullied by his elder siblings, and they keep making crass jokes about his mommy and daddy issues, and Rome is no saint so ofc he claps back, and makes a cheaper and meaner comment at which point the other person demeans him for even saying what he said and further stressing how there must be something wrong with and like - yeah, ofc Roman and the things he said are more often than not extremely crass and vulgar and filthy but... you started it. Sure he cheapened whatever "fun comment" you made about him and he shouldn't go that far but you shouldn't have either? I mean, ofc Rome says gross shit quite often and often its unprompted (cause like I said, he is no saint), but I do notice in certain conversations he has, especially with Shiv, where he just reciprocates whatever was thrown at him and he is demeaned for it. Sometimes he just expresses normal concern and feelings of affection towards his parents and those feelings are sexualized by everyone around him, including Logan. And idk I just really feel for the slime puppy.
For all his inappropriate and appalling behavior, Roman doesn't get enough credit for the things he does to try and actually please his family, even if they serve his best interests first. There's always a "gift or surprise" that goes unacknowledged. Even when they all met at Rava's house when Kendall was trying to form an alliance, Roman brought his favorite cinammon rolls as a gift. (in the midst of all the turmoil) I think he genuinely loves his family, but when he's mocked we miss his true intentions because they're masked with insecurity and sarcasm. There's no acceptable conduit for his feelings so he's always ready with an ugly comeback. Sadly, and for the same reason, he's never prepared for a genuine show of support. The scene where they're all sent to their mother's house to renegotiate the divorce settlement was so cruel and manipulative on Logan's part, but really showed the dynamic between Caroline and each of the kids. Shiv's biting rage and sarcasm, poor Kendall having the door slammed shut yet again when he needed her so much, and then Roman ... It's like he was on his best behavior, even being his father's pawn. He needs to believe his mother loves him and there's no way he'd risk offending her to her face. The following morning after she'd skipped out on them leaving only a note, Kendall was breaking inside (and still smoothed it over) while Roman was ready to play happy family. I have a feeling Kendall's been in the position of protecting his little brother from harsh truths for much of his life. They're all horribly entiltled and selfish, but I feel like Roman may be the only one truly oblivious to his own rage and in my view, is the most damaged of them all.
@@alicecaraballo3910 If you notice as well, Roman seems to be the only one that ever sticks up for Kendall. When Kendall got shoved under the bus by Logan end of Season 2, Roman was the only one to go against it and when Kendall was broken, Roman was the only person who knew how to help him and make him laugh. He's got a big heart but a broken brain
@@razzprince2877, agreed, but Roman also seems to have a love/hate relationship with Kendall. He resents his business accumen because he's constantly competing for that top spot with Logan. And while he does defend him, he likes to kick him when he's down. The scene at the birthday party where he shoved him to the floor was as uncalled for as the character assassination letter from Shiv that he and Connor refused to sign. Granted, each of the Roy kids have deeply painful abandonment issues, but Roman makes my heart hurt. It's like watching a child (and he IS so childlike) grow up in the foster care system and never finding a true loving home or family. And the worst part is he truly believes it exists, because he'd suffer any amount of humiliation, if only for a fleeting moment of positive attention from either parent 😭
@@alicecaraballo3910 In reality the entire family and cast have moments like that but Roman I see as having genuine empathy here and there as opposed to the others. I truly believe Roman is bad due to his abuse and nothing else, even when he pushed Kendall down on his birthday it was after Kendall said "You're not even a real person" which is rich coming from Kendall who is literally a sociopath. These words hurt Roman way more then he lets on (not to mention it was a shove, i don't think he meant to push him over) But to your point, the competitive nature was definitely embedded in them since they were young.
That’s why you should never live or work with your family in adult life.
My gosh...I love Roman and feel sad about him. His father always treats him the worst
The scene where Logan smacks him _seriously_ disturbs the he|l outta me, everytime I see it. 🤦♂️
@@Jimmy1982Playlists Same. Everytime. Loved seeing Kendall so quick to protect him though.
@@Jimmy1982Playlists True, it makes me recoil! I've just watched another show that featured horrific violence, like people's heads split open-horrific. But that slap from Logan feels way more shocking! I seriously find him more hateable than Joffrey Baratheon (both Brian Cox and Jack Gleeson are amazing).
Totally, great analysis. Roman is a dream role for us fans of Kieran Culkin that was foreshadowed by his work in Igby Goes Down.
Now this is the kind of content I subscribed for
I love how Roman is the one person who sees Shiv and her flaws because a lot of times, I feel the show paints her as "the ok sibling" when she's just as smug, spoiled if not more than her brothers.
Cuz she’s hot
She is worse.
Lmao when does it paint her as okay? It doesn’t shy away from showing her poor treatment of Tom (not that he’s great himself but still), or showing that she is arrogant and thinks she’s more clever than she is even when her schemes constantly backfire. She also burned her bridges in her political career for no reason other than feeling entitled to do so when going back into a position with the family firm. Also, unlike Kendall who spent some time overseas managing a Waystar branch iirc, and Roman who went through the management training, the show made a point of contrasting that with Shiv thinking she was above all of that training and field experience and feels entitled to just be put in the top spot by virtue of her name and her brothers being fuck-ups.
@@korubi_eCSTatic All really excellent points, I meant by the way they portray as the only one with a "moral compass" because she's a democrat and in her own words stands for "pluralism" and "all the people together" while Kendall and Roman look at business in a more pragmatic and detached manner.
@@MJ-py7dm I see what you mean, but I think that just goes to show that regardless of party affiliation or statements of her own personal morals, the lust for power and status is all-corrupting because she strives to align herself with a company that incites hates when it suits her purposes.
am honestly considering watching succession because of whatever's going on with roman and gerri. i have seen a lot of videos about them at this point I should just watch the whole series
edit: i started watching! im only on S1:E02. ep 2 was insane, i enjoyed it so much. IM SOLD
You should, it’s really good 👍🏾
please do!! its a phenomenal show
You really should. In terms of character dialogue and political maneuvering, it rivals GoT Seasons 1-4.
@@rabd3721 it's better than GoT imo
@@razrxo There's definitely an argument to be made.
when I first saw the 'million dollars for a home run' scene I immediately thought of Joffrey. Spot on.
You guys seem to have a lot more faith than I, or frankly the writers of the show have, in these peoples ability to change. Jesse Armstrong, the show’s creator has been pretty clear that these people can’t and won’t change or improve in any real meaningful way.
in order to change they’d have to cut contact with logan first and they’ll never do that
@grasstastesbad ikr, as long as their lives are centered around logans approval and one upping him, they will never be happy. They are well past their 20s, they had all the opportunity in the world to use their wealth and background to live solidly upper class lives even if they were nowhere near the top, independent from their dad. But no, they're all addicted to the game.
I know a pub in Philadelphia where Roman would fit right in.
Omg true
That would be amazing
roman's issues are not especially mommy-flavored lol they are by far more so daddy issues. yeah caroline is obviously not the best mom but the show takes more opportunities to emphasize his relationship with logan and draw parallels between things logan has said to roman to berate him and things gerri has used as degradation kink dirty talk.
gerri is Barely maternal u ppl r crazy.
Fabulous analysis and grateful for someone trauma informed to help break it down, as that is all lost on many viewers. At least at nuanced levels.
This analysis is spot on and why Roman is my favourite character. Kieran plays a character with similar trauma in the movie Igby Goes Down. Nails it every time.
What a spectacular analysis!! And look I've read all about it! I get a lot of contributions, interpretations and new perspectives on my favorite Roy! Congratulations on the editing job! I enjoyed it very much! Thank you so much!!
Now we need an essay about our number one boy, Kendall🙏🏻
Roman is just my favorite
Well done! A significant and thorough analysis! 🔥
‘how does it serve my interests?’ INSANE.
I think Roman may actually be the second born and Shiv is the youngest. He does very much feel like the youngest sibling but I think on the HBO official site they say Shiv is the baby of the family.
Shiv is the youngest, but Roman *seems* the youngest/most immature on surface level, and is the youngest boy at least. I think the confusion is somewhat intentional tho, like when Kendall refers to himself as Logan’s oldest while Connor is right there lmao.
This is the best Succession analysis I've seen yet. 👏
i recently found out that roman is not the youngest roy brother, shiv is. which is so weird because roman give off the youngest sibling energy and shiv the middle one
It’s definitely a reflection of his status/hierarchy in the family if not true age, y’know?
@@korubi_eCSTatic at the end of the day everything is a reflection of his status, that’s the whole point of succession. but yeah i get your point 🌸
Beautifully done Anya!
The Take's analysis is so shockingly insightful and deep.
Roman actually isn't the youngest...Shiv is. But he behaves like the youngest😂
Roman is actually smart but like Kendall said, he's a walking lawsuit
Another amazing analysis!
It was unfair of his to expect Geri to screw herself for him.
I ship Roman and Gerri more than I think any other tv couple ever. And I'm kind of disturbed by that. But I also think it's kind of sweet and playing against patriarchal tropes that we see a young man pining after an older woman. Edit: ok wrote this before I started the section on Gerri. Glad I'm not alone...
Brilliant analysis, thank you :)
What I think is most fascinating is what season 4 has so far revealed about Roman as well as what Kieran’s opinions are about Roman are
He said in an interview Roman’s probably already forgiven Gerri because he understands she was out for herself and he respects her for that
He’s also actually seemed to stabilize the most out of the main three after being separated from Logan at least for the time being
okay can we get like a video for each of them please?
YESSS!! I was waiting for more Succession videos. Thanks for your amazing analysis!
Roman is the most interesting character in Succession.
loved this take. Thank you 🤩
easily one of the best shows these last few years
Do a video on Shiv next 🙏🙏
Yes, please!!! I love-hate her!
Her marriage is f"ing weird
I’ve would love to see Kendall Roy being the new CEO of pierce and going head to head with Logan Roy.
Me 2...I love Kendall best
You called it
@@rocioguillen2995 My wish came true and even better with the whole Roy siblings against Logan Roy.
Just gotta say... greatest cast on television.
OMG I have been waitig for some analysis on this for so long
What a fantastic performance by Kieran culkin…Roman has gotta be my fav character from the show
this was really interesting, such a well written show
For me one of the defining moments of who is Roman and what's his relationship with his father is on season 1 when the voting takes places. He was going to vote but then Logan call him and Roman is so afraid of Logan that he just puts down his hand and tries to become smaller in his seat.
I wouldn't say Geri reciprocates Roman's feelings. I think she puts up with it partly because he's Roy and partly because she knows he's damaged and feels bad for him. But she's obviously trying to date men her age and doesn't want to make a big deal out of Roman's behaviour as she knows in that world he'd be eaten alive if others knew. It's her maternal side protecting him.
I can see your point of her maternal side protecting him but she is also protecting herself because she participated in some of the activities.
@@elongated2761 yep she's seasoned businesswoman, although far less heartless than the rest of them. And she was open about it, she told Roman no matter what the angle is her first thought always is "how does this benefit my position" and that he should be the same. But Roman is...well Roman.
@@MyaB1986shes pretty fucking heartless. I love gerri but lets not pretend like shes a good person or something. Shes just as complicit as the rest of them
**sigh** Remember when he was sweet little Fuller in Home Alone??
The Roman and Gerri sexual tension is weirdly provocative.
This show is brilliant. It has so many layers to it.
Every character in this show is so layered. Id really like to know if these are based on people the writers know in real life.
As someone who was raised by a narcissistic father who wasn't quite as ruthless as Logan, but was capable of being just as petty and vindictive, I can see myself and my family in all these characters deeply. Makes me wonder how badly I would have turned out if my parents had been even wealthier and if I hadn't given up on seeking their approval a long time ago.
Great video! Anya never fails to turn out a great script!
Anyone know the piece of the background music starting at 2:13? It's like a bootlegged Vivaldi's WInter 3rd movement and I'm here for it
Nailed it. We seek out the disfunctions in mates subconsciously so that we might be able to overcome our pathology.. Classic
Two sickies don’t make a welly. Get real help & clean yourself up
@@samanthab1923 here is another problem - once you've worked through your issues, the dating pool is still 90% full of people who haven't. Being well adjusted starts to stick out like a sore thumb
@@SeriousPony thisss
Wonderful analysis!
I've figured out all the kids pathologies except for Connor, he still baffles me.
Connor is so deep in his delusion that he thinks he can become president. Like he fully believes it and he's happy most of the time.
I get living in denial of his childhood, but being deep in denial of the actual reality around you? I can't figure it out.
The narration style and the subject matter juxtaposed quite nicely
Please keep doing more Succession videos!
Right? Especially since S4 is coming in March
this is great 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Actually real actor and his siblings were abused by their father growing up!!
That's why the actor act so much like his onscreen character in real life too..
I would even add that Connor Roy was interested in politics at a very young age
Anyone else think Kieran looks more like he’d be Tobey Maguire’s brother than Macauley Culkin’s?
I haven't seen succession, probably never will but this was strongly written and interesting
You’re truly missing out, one of the most amazing and well written shows of the era. Not hyperbolizing
If you can’t relate at all to this type of family dynamic then I completely understand.
You should watch it tho! It’s soooo gooooood, I totally disregarded the hype myself until season 3 then finally gave it a chance on a whim and fell in love with the tragicomedy, striking character portrayals by the cast and the masterful writing.
Fast ⏩ foward to season 4 and the answer will be EVERYTHING.
I can fix him
He's so Ralphie (from The Sopranos) coded
Oh damn. Good observation