If you’ve been keeping up with Succession this season, you’ll know that this past Sunday’s episode, which took place at Kendall’s 40th birthday party, was bleak as hell. Kendall had a nervous breakdown and Shiv learned that she’ll never be in with her father because although she’s ruthless, she’s still a woman. Roman is turning into Logan, Connor just wanted to keep his coat on, and even though Tom isn’t going to jail, he’s wildly unhappy because Greg asked out a girl. This has been on my mind for a while, but it really struck me watching Kendall after Naomi gave him that watch, that these characters really don’t receive love. So for today’s newsletter, I’ve thought about their love languages and if they ever receive them from the people they care about.
Kendall - Words of Affirmation
This was the easiest one on the list. Kendall is always searching for someone’s approval, whether it’s from his father, his ex-wife, or any of the women he’s trying to impress. Just look at how many times he’s asked Rava what she thinks of one of his plans. She never musters up a good enough answer, which is why Kendall is still searching for someone to affirm him. The only times that Logan has affirmed Kendall are when he’s trying to hold it against him, such as in the season one finale when he utters the phrase “you’re my number one boy” and even in season three when he and Kendall go to meet one of the shareholders and he says that he loves Kendall and he’s the best one of them all. He never means it, so no wonder Kendall is so starved for attention and someone to care about him.
Shiv - Words of Affirmation
This is how I know that Tom truly loves Shiv. He is her biggest fan and supporter, always quick to give her encouragement where others wouldn’t, and she always lights up when he shines this attention on her. She almost cried in season two when Logan told her that he wanted her to take over the company. Much like Kendall, she is also searching for approval, even if she isn’t doing it in the overt way that her brother does.
Connor - Words of Affirmation
Connor was the sibling I had the most trouble with, but I think his love language is words of affirmation, like Shiv and Kendall. The moment this was solidified for me was in Sunday’s episode when Comfry tried to take Connor’s coat at Kendall’s birthday party. The way Connor’s face lit up when Willa went off on Comfry and let her know to show some fucking respect to the future President of the United States was all the confirmation I needed. Though Connor would never hear such affirming words from anyone else in his family, it’s a good thing he has Willa by his side.
Roman - Quality Time
Roman is the only one of the Roy siblings to not scream words of affirmation to me. I think it might be his secondary love language, but we’ve gotten plenty of examples of Roman valuing spending time with the people he cares about. When asked for a memory of his father, he substitutes Logan in using a time that Connor took him fishing when he was little. He actively seeks out Gerri whenever she’s around. I hope he realizes that if he continues to treat his siblings like shit, they won’t want to spend time with him anymore!
Tom - Physical Touch
Through all of Tom’s interactions with the people he cares about most (Shiv and Greg), we see him give casual touches to them, as if that grounds him. It’s another reason that Shiv and Tom’s relationship makes me sad, because Shiv rarely touches Tom, and when she does, it’s usually to initiate sex. No wonder Tom redirects his attention and touches Greg so much! His wife isn’t giving him what he needs!
Greg - Receiving Gifts
Greg Hirsch is the case study for why nepotism should not exist. From the first moments we meet him, he’s trying to get in with his much wealthier relatives, happy to accept any charity they’ll pass along. He lets Tom buy him things, from shoes to dinner. Kendall gifts him an entire apartment, which is probably why Greg thought Kendall would buy him that expensive watch. Tom was ready to add onto his prison sentence to help Greg out, and if that’s not the best gift a white collar criminal could ever receive, I don’t know what is. Even though he’s lost his inheritance from his grandfather to Greenpeace, I’d say he’s going to be just fine as long as his relationship with Tom doesn’t turn sour.
Gerri - Acts of Service
Gerri plays her cards close to the vest, but I’d say given how she’s taken Roman under her wing that she enjoys helping people she cares about. Sure, her relationship with Roman is very weird, but it’s clear she wouldn’t help just anyone the way she’s helping him.
Willa - Receiving Gifts
This one feels pretty self-explanatory, seeing how Willa and Connor’s relationship began. She enjoys being taken care of by a wealthy, eccentric man, and he funds her terrible plays. It’s wild to think that Willa and Connor currently have the most well-adjusted relationship on the show, but I just love that they’re both getting what they need out of their partnership.
Logan - N/A
It has come to my attention that Logan Roy simply has no heart, and therefore I cannot give him a love language. He pits his children against each other and manipulates them to further his own agenda. There’s a reason all his kids are so fucked up and it stares back at him in the mirror everyday.
Podcast News
As 2021 comes to an end, here’s our podcast schedule for the rest of the year:
Premieres This Week
Abbott Elementary premieres at 9:30pm on December 7th on ABC!
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