Succession's highly-anticipated new season is still on its way with most of the details under wraps. Still, the shocking finale from last year's Season 3 continues being the subject of much debate and discussion among the HBO show's diehard fans. With Logan Roy gaining the upper hand over his three children, it is worth noting how betrayal plays a constant theme in this Shakespearean-level drama set in the business world.
Be it extramarital affairs or sketchy business deals, no character in Succession can trust each other regardless of their familial or official ties. Shrewdness and deceit come naturally to the Roys and their associates.
Shiv's Open Marriage With Tom
Right from the start, it became evident that Shiv should be with other people than Tom. It was pretty clear that Tom had entered this matrimonial alliance purely for business reasons, aiming to rise up the ladder within Shiv's influential family.
Still, if there was one redeeming factor about Tom, that was his loyalty. Shiv, on the other hand, had multiple affairs even when the two were engaged. To make Tom feel better, Shiv suddenly asks Tom's consent for an open marriage right on their wedding night. Given the suddenness of the situation, Tom can't think straight and unwillingly agrees to her choice which seems more like a demand forced upon him. Open marriages can work if all partners give equal consent, but in this case, Tom just seems to be driven by Shiv's controlling nature.
Roman Sides With Logan During The No-Confidence Motion
Early on in one of the penultimate episodes of Succession Season 1, Kendall tries to unite the company against his father by passing a no-confidence motion in the boardroom. While Shiv is busy advancing her political gains, Roman sides with Kendall and even tries convincing Kendall's adversaries to join their offensive.
But later on, when Logan seems to gain the upper hand and threatens to fire his company's enemies, Roman goes back to join his father within no time. Considering the sly fox that Roman has been, Kendall should not have trusted his brother at all.
Greg Plays Both Sides
Towards the Cousin Greg episodes of Season 3, he seems to be way smarter than how he was during his initial introduction. Knowing very well that Waystar Royco can go under the rails with Kendall's confession at the Congressional Subcommittee hearing, Greg tries to side with "Team Kendall" given that it seems like he's on the winning side.
However, his conversations with Tom and the leverage that he could have over the Roys (given that he still had not shredded all the incriminating papers in Season 2) also propels him towards the other side. All in all, he proves that he can betray anyone and everyone depending upon what side is more advantageous to him.
Tom Acts Like He Doesn't Know Greg
Tom, along with Greg, Gerri, and Kendall, are all prepared to deliver their testimonies after a whistleblower exposes the crimes Waystar Royco had been suppressing. While all these characters seem to go to court with a game plan, Tom panicked during his turn and was ready to throw Greg under the bus without any remorse.
When asked about the missing documents over Thanksgiving (which Tom had asked Greg to shred earlier), he goes on record to say that he does not know anyone called Greg. This sudden change of plan obviously sends Greg and the others into a fit of confusion and panic.
Logan Cheats On Marcia
Marcia might have her shortcomings, but she is fiercely devoted to Logan no matter what the situation is. She reaches her breaking point when she finds out about Logan's infidelity with Rhea. Given that the latter two entered a sexual relationship, it made sense for Logan to favor her in so many of his business decisions.
In Season 3, Marcia seems to be keeping her distance from Logan but viewers also get a glimpse of the unhealthy relationship that Logan has with his young assistant Kerry. This clearly shows that Marcia's sadness doesn't seem to bother him and he continues with his adulterous encounters. When it comes to ranking the main characters of Succession by likability, Logan would surely be ranked below.
Tom Makes Greg The Fall Guy
When a major expose threatens to rock the foundations of Waystar Royco, Tom wants to do everything that he can to prove his worth in the eyes of Logan. For this, he is ready to make Greg the fall guy as he asks him to shred the incriminating papers in an office.
Despite sweet-talking with Greg and keeping him under his wing since the beginning of the series, Greg is just a pawn in Tom's larger scheme. He clearly knows that even in the worst-case scenario, it would be Greg who can be caught erasing evidence and not him. Hence, despite the fact that he is bullied by others, Tom is unexpectedly one of the smartest characters on Succession.
Gerri's Exit From The Company
Gerri never asked for the inappropriate relationship that Roman started with her. When the latter started sending her photographs of his genitals, Gerri was visibly disgusted but couldn't take any major actions given that the spoilt brat is her employer's son.
When the scandalous texts do come to Logan's knowledge, he decides to protect his son and removes Gerri from the board to avoid any controversy. If this weren't enough, Shiv uses Gerri's departure to her own advantage as it also helps her to prove that she is a worthy successor to Logan instead of the son who can be caught up in a sexual assault case. Despite her undying loyalty to the company, Gerri is shown to be replaceable in one of the most shocking moments of Succession Season 3.
Greg Sues His Uncle
One of the prominent side characters from Succession, Ewan Roy has always tried to look out for his nephew Greg as he knows how vile Logan and his family can be. Sadly, Logan's greed and hunger for power seem to bring Greg into its fold as he sues his uncle for his inheritance.
Unlike his uber-rich capitalist brother, Ewan is an active environmentalist and wishes to donate Greg's inheritance to Greenpeace. While it is understandable for Greg to grow dissatisfied with this decision, he doesn't think twice before suing Ewan and losing his trust forever.
Stewy's Deliberate Attempts To Reignite Kendall's Addiction
Throughout the series, Stewy has been an on-and-off business partner for Kendall. The two go way back as they were even college friends. So, Stewy also knows Kendall from a personal side. And yet he deliberately seems to have meetings with him at places that can make Kendall fall back into the downward spiral of drug addiction.
A recovering addict, Kendall has had his fair share of drug issues that Stewy is very well aware of. Even though they might not be on the same side in terms of business, Stewy's attempts to get Kendall back to doing drugs is quite a petty strategy.
Tom Snitches To Logan
The Season 3 finale was a roller-coaster of events with the three Roy siblings finally uniting together to take down their father. But Shiv's fatal mistake proves to be the time when she discloses the plan to Tom. Realizing that Tom wouldn't get his share of power that he had been dreaming of in this scenario, he is willing to betray his wife and her brothers by tipping off Logan.
The result is Logan winning back his share of commercial properties by amending his divorce terms. After constantly being treated like a weakling by Shiv, Tom finally seems to have exacted his revenge.