Despite being tempted by Kendall's offer of an alliance, neither Shiv nor Roman will ultimately ever betray Logan in Succession season 3. Although both have plenty of motive, it's clear from the show so far that it takes something exceptional to turn the Roy children against their father. Furthermore, both have their own reasons why a deal with Kendall could never work, which by necessity almost forces them to remain loyal to the family patriarch.
After an explosive end to Succession season 2, the first two episodes of season 3 have involved some intense and protracted repositioning from all parties involved in the power struggle at Waystar RoyCo. Not only is Kendall attempting to stage a coup against his father, but Logan has already appointed both Shiv and Gerri to the coveted position of CEO, having refused to give up the post throughout the second season. Additionally, all four of the Roy children, including the hapless Connor, have held fierce negotiations about a prospective sibling pact and joint take over, resulting in Shiv, Roman and Connor all ultimately declaring for Logan.
Given his often horrific treatment of every Roy family member throughout Succession seasons 1-3, the idea of there being any residual loyalty to Logan might seem slightly strange. However, despite this apparent contradiction, there are actually very good reasons why both Shiv and Roman feel like their place is by their father's side. There can be no doubt that Logan Roy is a cruel, unpredictable and occasionally outright evil figure. However, both from an emotional and tactical point of view, there are clear benefits for both Shiv and Roman to staying loyal. Here's why.
Why Shiv Is More Of A Free Agent Than Roman
As was made clear throughout Succession season 2, Shiv has always been a viable candidate to ultimately succeed Logan as head of the business thanks to her free-spirited nature and independence. Despite her impatience getting the better of her and ultimately enraging Logan, she is still as able and keen for the job as ever. For this reason, Shiv arguably has more of a genuine shot at becoming CEO by toeing the line than any of the other two major players in the family, making continued loyalty to Logan a tactically sound move.
Furthermore, evidence from the early episode of Succession season 3 suggests that she has become more emotionally significant for Logan than ever. Throughout his enforced exile in Bosnia, Shiv is the one person he seems desperate to contact, over both Roman and Gerri, who is ostensibly running his company. Upon arrival in the United States, Logan even snubs Roman and Gerri in favor of joining Shiv in a car and requesting a hug. All this implies that he has a genuine emotional investment in Shiv, heightened after Kendall's actions. Given the obvious benefits this situation confers onto Shiv, it seems unlikely that she would now forsake it.
Why Roman Can't Side With Kendall
Unlike his sister, Roman's attachment to his father is much more psychological than tactical. Throughout Succession, including season 3, Roman has been revealed to be simultaneously flippant and nihilistic whilst also desperately seeking to prove himself and earn Logan's approval. For instance, his decision to fold in the face of his father's wrath during Kendall's attempted takeover in season 1 revealed that, when faced with a direct choice between Logan and his brother, Logan always takes precedence. Similarly, it's clear from his reaction when Kendall was welcomed back into the family fold during season 2 that Roman has always seen his brother as a direct rival, both professionally and for his father's affection. These complicated dynamics mean that, try as he might, Roman will always struggle to extricate himself from Logan's influence. This in turn suggests that, whatever happens in Succession, Roman will not turn against his father.