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Spoiler Alert: This post will discuss examples and plots from Season 4 of Succession. If you haven't seen it, you may want to watch it first and read this after.
HBO's Succession is riddled with complicated power dynamics and power plays. Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the cruel media-mogul patriarch of the family, has trained his children to battle for his approval. And three of his four children—Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin)—did just that for three seasons. Then they formed a nascent alliance with each other as they attempted to de-throne their father from his company. However, their plans were thwarted by Shiv's husband, Tom, leading to family fallout that was never repaired, and now never can be, given that Logan suddenly died on an airplane in the third episode of this season.
While captivating, the struggles between Logan and his children are painful to witness since they show the desperation yet the impossibility of a narcissist's children's attempt to secure a parent's love. It's hard to watch the recurring patterns of the three kids being put on a pedestal by their father when he needs them, only to be dragged off it once he's done with them. The power struggle I find most fascinating is the one between Shiv and Tom (Matthew Macfadyen). Their relationship is slightly more equal; they were adults when they met, with agency and no survival "need" for one another (whereas Shiv did literally depend on her father for survival at one time).
The once sort-of sweet couple turned into enemies with one subtle allegiance shift by Tom, who chose his professional future over his wife's plans to usurp her father. He tells Logan of his children's plans to oust him, giving Logan enough time to renegotiate the terms of his divorce with his ex-wife and secure a larger vote in his company, Waystar Royco. This, along with Tom's decision to finally embrace the openness of their marriage by finding numerous sexual partners, was too much for Shiv to take. She felt betrayed and then insulted—although she would never say as much; it would be far too vulnerable for her to admit. In a sad scene, full of longing and unsaid hurts, Shiv decides that they should get divorced.
However, two events from this season have upended everything, and now Shiv and Tom's marriage, thought to be over, might have a second life. Here's why.
The Impact of Logan's Death
Logan was in charge of everyone's professional and financial lives. He had a strong influence on their relational and emotional lives, as well. With Logan's sudden death, there was an instant power vacuum. We see the top dogs of his Waystar Royco begin to subtly vie for that power, while still attempting to at least feign respect, given that Logan died only days ago.
Tom had tied his future to Logan. He had previously followed Shiv, allowing her to take the lead in their careers and make decisions for him. But with Shiv persistently ignoring his professional and emotional needs, Tom switches allegiance to Logan. This decision worked for him—he was about to become head of their news division ATN—until Logan died. Logan was only his only champion, and a tenuous one at that. With Logan gone, Tom has to fend for himself again.
In the most recent episode, Tom scrambles to reestablish his place with the Roy children. He approaches each one of them, making himself available "to serve" and working to erase the memory of his not-so-distant betrayal. He even tries to emotionally support Shiv when he sees her upset after her brothers have taken charge of the company and she's again left in the dust. Tom reminds her (and the viewers) that when they first met, Shiv was in a rough place emotionally, and Tom was there for her. He subtly insinuates that he could be there for her again, and that there was a real foundation to their relationship. Shiv quickly dismisses this by saying it was a long time ago. She's too hurt by his recent actions—both his business betrayal and his enthusiastic pursuit of extramarital relations—to let him back in.
The Shock of Shiv's Pregnancy
In one brief phone call at the start of the episode, viewers find out that Shiv is pregnant. She had an amniocentesis performed to check her baby's health—presumably, there was some indication of a health condition—and her doctor called with good results. We don't know how far along she is, and we don't know who the father is, although we can guess it's Tom.
Last season, Tom repeatedly asked Shiv for a baby when he thought he was going to jail as the fall guy for Waystar Royco's crimes. He talked about how it would give him something to look forward to, and that it would be a new chapter in his/their life. Shiv repeatedly dismissed and demeaned this idea. But now, she's pregnant. This is something she didn't want, but her husband desperately did. If it is, indeed, Tom's baby, then we can assume this will have a huge impact on their crumbling marriage.
My Prediction
In a previous post, I wrote about Shiv and Tom's decision to call it quits. Shiv was unable (or unwilling, or both) to repair after Tom hurt her, and that meant divorce. Narcissists are notorious for being easily wounded, holding grudges, and being unable to repair after conflicts or ruptures. I predicted that the divorce would get ugly, and fast. But Logan's death and Shiv's pregnancy have changed all that. Shiv is back in the driver's seat in her marriage. She's lost power everywhere else—in her father's company, in the business venture she was starting with her brothers—but not in her marriage. Tom was safe under Logan's umbrella, but now Logan's protection is gone and Tom's left in the rain. The only other shelter he has left is his wife.
I predict we'll see Tom return to his old sycophantic ways in his marriage. He'll fall back in line with Shiv's demands in order to secure his professional future and to be a part of his child's life. And yes, Tom has always wanted a baby, but Shiv's pregnancy also gives him a chance to get back into his marriage (i.e., back into a position of some power in the Roy family) and start building toward a future in which their child has a chance at controlling the company. Tom can make sure he stays put in ATN, or perhaps even takes it over as planned. Plus, he'll have a baby.
Shiv will take him back. She has nothing right now. Her brothers have nudged her aside, and her career had already been hanging on by a thread. A baby gives her a purpose, and also probably a little bump (pardon the pun) in power as well. She'll have Tom back at her side (or her heel, more likely) and can use whatever connections and information he has to climb her way back up. With her brothers temporarily leading the company, Shiv can secure Tom's place in ATN and use that as a stepping stone to her goals.
All this is a reminder that navigating a romantic relationship with a narcissist is all about power. Shiv and Tom won't stay married because Logan's death reminds them of the importance of family, or because they unite in their grief, or because they realize their love for one another with a new baby on the way. No, these things will not suddenly soften them and allow Shiv to be authentic and vulnerable. Their marriage has been and will continue to exist without consistent or genuine emotional connection. Instead, they will stay married because it meets both of their ego needs and is the most logical decision for their careers and reputations. Being with a narcissist means sacrificing emotional connection and engaging in never-ending power struggles. Tom has chosen that life, but not everyone can or should. After all, emotional connection is the most important and fulfilling part of a relationship. Being truly seen and loved lasts a lifetime, while, as we've seen in this show, professional accomplishments are fleeting.
References
Armstrong, J. (Creator). (2018-2021). Succession [TV series]. HBO.
