The Succession series finale is in the past, and even though he was not a part of it, here’s why Logan Roy is the real winner.
Right from the very first episode, viewers were trying to guess who was going to come out on top in the Roy family. Logan might be dead and buried, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t in the running to win. In fact, this article is going to argue why he did win.
Warning: Succession Series Finale Spoilers Ahead
Not only has Logan Roy royally messed his children up, which has become more and more apparent the longer the series went on, he got his way in the end. Roman has become a twisted man who enjoys torture because of the physical abuse he was subject to. He walked right into a crowd of protestors and confronted them, all but begging to be beat up.
He thrives on the pain that he is given. And let’s not even get into his treatment of Gerri and their relationship, that is extremely unhealthy.
In the finale fans learned that Kendall was told at the age of seven he was going to be the next CEO and since then Logan has dangled it over his head. Not only is that an immense pressure for a child to have to deal with, Logan gave and took from the adult Kendall, seemingly just to mess with him.
He spread lies that he was back on drugs, ultimately causing him to make the rumor true. The two men battled it out many times, but it was always because of the way that Logan treated Kendall.
Now we come to Shiv. She was never going to be the winner, even if she seemed the most deserving. She came into the family business late, which was too late for Logan to seriously consider her. He didn’t let her know that, of course, as he had a thing for toying with his children.
Shiv learned from her father though, and would often take out her anger on Tom, a man who stood by her longer than he ever should have. At times he was her puppet, but every once in a while he would grow a backbone. Shiv seems to have always been destined to be the CEO’s wife, but not the CEO.
And Connor, poor Connor. He never really was in the running to be CEO, but he didn’t want that responsibility anyways. His ambitions were much higher — President. He never came close and his own family turned against supporting him in the end.
For one brief moment it seemed as if they Roy children were going to join forces. It was wonderful to see them laughing and getting along together at their mother’s house. It was as if the weight of their father’s influence had left them and they were able to enjoy life and each other’s company.
This scene showed fans what these three can accomplish if they put their minds together. They each have their strengths, and weaknesses, but together the world is theirs.
Unfortunately that didn’t last long. Shiv turned her back on Kendall at the last minute. She never really thought Kendall could handle the pressure of being CEO of Waystar Royco, and it really didn’t help that he killed someone, once. Why did she do this? One might argue she didn’t feel her brother could handle it.
Her first reaction to learning that if she voted the sale through Tom would be CEO was anger, but then she started to realize what this would mean for her and her child. She might not be CEO, but this was the next best thing.
One might argue that Shiv is the clear winner here, because her husband and the father of her baby is now CEO of Waystar Royco. He will likely do what she tells him to, at least for the most part. She is filthy rich from the sale of the company and still remains with a little bit of power.
However, Logan Roy is the ultimate winner, here. He told each of his children at one point that the company was going to be theirs, not ever really meaning it. They even admit in the Succession series finale that they knew he never intended on giving it to any of them. The whole point was to pit them against each other, in a sick little game.
Fans got a glimpse of them coming together in the final episode, and a few times throughout the series, but it never lasted. He messed his kids up. He got in their heads. And Logan Roy won because none of his children ended up as CEO. The sale went through, just as he wanted it to.
He may not have been around to witness their demise, but he is certainly the one who got the ball rolling. I can’t help but imagine he is looking down (or more likely, up) at his children and laughing.
Ultimately all the Roy children will be just fine. Kendall is better off without the pressure of the company on his shoulders, and perhaps now he can make amends with his wife and children.
Roman never wanted any of this anyways. He is rich, and he is free of all the insanity that he had to deal with.
Shiv, well, poor Shiv looks miserable in the final shot with her and Tom, but maybe their child will give her life some meaning.
And Connor? Well, he will be just fine. He married his love, and that really is all he wanted from the start.
NEXT: Succession Season 3 Review
About Succession
Although he has no plans to step aside as the head of Waystar Royco, the international media conglomerate controlled by his family, aging patriarch Logan Roy is contemplating what the future holds. He has lingered in the limelight longer than even he thought he would, and now family members want to run the company as they see fit.
Despite a best-laid succession plan, tempers flare over Logan’s intentions. Kendall Roy, Logan’s eldest son from his second marriage and a division president at the firm, is the heir apparent. As Kendall attempts to solidify his eventual takeover, he and the three other Roy children face a difficult choice as company control and family loyalties collide.
All episodes of Succession are now available to stream on Max.
