History Analysis / Succession

Relatedly, Gerri goes along with it (despite all signals indicating that she would most definitely not be into it) because it allows her to live out a similar fantasy. As Logan's long time shadow fixer, Gerri is the [[TakeAThirdOption reasonable non-family successor]] to the enterprise, yet every time he brings her name up, Roy treats her as nothing more than a placeholder for appearances, while he grooms his arguably less competent children. Gerri is deeply aware that she will always be tangential to real power. So she's able to live out the fantasy of being dominant (over a Roy no less) through her interactions with Roman. That's why the two work together so well: the other has what they are themselves missing. Gerri lacks the familial tie to get power within the company. And Roman lacks the competence and focus to do the unglamorous business parts of the job.

Relatedly, Gerri goes along with it (despite all signals indicating that she would most definitely not be into it) because it allows her to live out a similar fantasy. As Logan's long time shadow fixer, Gerri is the [[TakeAThirdOption reasonable non-family successor]] to the enterprise, yet every time he brings her name up, Roy treats her as nothing more than a placeholder for appearances, while he grooms his arguably less competent children. Gerri is deeply aware that she will always be tangential to real power. So she's able to live out the fantasy of being dominant (over a Roy no less) through her interactions with Roman. That's why the two work together so well: the other has what they are themselves missing. Gerri lacks the familial tie to get power within the company. And Roman lacks the competence and focus to do the job unglamorous business parts of the job.

Relatedly, Gerri goes along with it (despite all signals indicating that she would most definitely not be into it) because it allows her to live out a similar fantasy. As Logan's long time shadow fixer, Gerri is the [[TakeAThirdOption reasonable non-family successor]] to the enterprise, yet every time he brings her name up, Roy treats her as nothing more than a placeholder for appearances, while he grooms his arguably less competent children. Gerri is deeply aware that she will always be tangential to real power. So she's able to live out the fantasy of being dominant (over a Roy no less) through her interactions with Roman. That's why the two work together so well: the other has what they are themselves missing (Gerri, the name to get the power; Roman, the competence and the skill to do the job) and they allow each other the space to fulfill some of their power fantasies.

All of the Roys are obsessed with power (getting it, keeping it) to some extent. This is obvious given the show is premised on a power struggle over control of Logan's media empire. Kendall clearly wants power, but his vices keep him from ever truly having it (at least on his father's terms). Shiv likes to pretend she's above the power struggle, but is helping run a presidential campaign, a much bigger contest for power [[spoiler: until she gets dragged into the family struggle herself.]] She also married Tom, who is often subservient to Shiv's desires and goals (in part due to his own incompetence), allowing her to wield virtually all of the power in her private life. Even the oft forgotten Connor, closed off from the power struggle as TheUnfavorite, makes a [[spoiler: presidential bid in his attempt at claiming power since he can't get it from his father.]] Not to mention his most fulfilling relationship is his the one he has with Willa, who as an escort paid to please him and spend time with him, can never be his true equal within the relationship.

All of the Roys are obsessed with power (getting it, keeping it) to some extent. This is obvious given the show is premised on a power struggle over control of Logan's media empire. Kendall clearly wants power, but his vices keep him from ever truly having it (at least on his father's terms). Shiv likes to pretend she's above the power struggle, but is helping run a presidential campaign, a much bigger contest for power [[spoiler: until she gets dragged into the family struggle herself.]] She also married Tom, who is often subservient to Shiv's desires and goals (in part due to his own incompetence), allowing her to wield virtually all of the power in her private life. Even the oft forgotten Connor, closed off from the power struggle as TheUnfavorite, makes a [[spoiler: presidential bid in his attempt at claiming power since he can't get it from his father.]]

All of the Roys are obsessed with power (getting it, keeping it) to some extent. This is obvious given the show is premised on a power struggle over control of Logan's media empire. Kendall clearly wants power, but his vices keep him from ever truly having it (at least on his father's terms). Shiv likes to pretend she's above the power struggle, but is helping run a presidential campaign, a much bigger contest for power [[spoiler: until she gets dragged into the family struggle herself.]] She also married Tom, who is often subservient to Shiv's desires and goals, in part due to his own incompetence. Even the oft forgotten Connor, closed off from the power struggle as TheUnfavorite, makes a [[spoiler: presidential bid in his attempt at claiming power since he can't get it from his father.]]

But it is often hard to understand Roman's take on power. As the family screw-up, he was never seriously considered by Logan, his siblings, and even himself to take over [[spoiler: (at least not until Shiv and Kendall mess up so royally as to ruin their own chances.)]] But he is equally unafraid of flaunting his power and influence as a wealthy heir to a media juggernaut. Yet, that isn't unique to Roman (though his particular brand of cruelty in doing so may be). So where does Roman play out his power fantasies?

In the bedroom.

Both of Roman's revealed sexual kinks are centered around power. Gerri degrading him and calling him worthless allows Roman to play out a fantasy in which he truly is powerless. Because no matter how marginalized he may be in his own family, he will always be able to wield power in the world due to his name. His interest in necrophilia-play allows him to play out the fantasy of him having total control over another person. The sexual gratification Roman feels because of these acts has less to do about the "sexiness" of the situations, made very apparent by his inability to get it up under more "vanilla" circumstances. He derives pleasure [[PowerIsSexy specifically out of the power imbalances]] he is unable to experience in his own day-to-day life.

All of the Roys are obsessed with power (getting it, keeping it) to some extent. This is obvious given the show is premised on a power struggle over control of Logan's media empire. Kendall clearly wants power, but his vices keep him from ever truly having it (at least on his father's terms). Shiv likes to pretend she's above the power struggle, but is helping run a presidential campaign, a much bigger contest for power [[spoiler: until she gets dragged into the family struggle herself.]] She also married Tom, who is often subservient to Shiv's desires and goals, in part due to his own incompetence. Even the oft forgotten Connor, closed off from the power struggle as TheUnfavorite, makes a [[spoiler: presidential bid in his attempt at claiming power since he can't get it from his father.]] But it is often hard to understand Roman's take on power. As the family screw-up, he was never seriously considered by Logan, his siblings, and even himself to take over [[spoiler: (at least not until Shiv and Kendall mess up so royally as to ruin their own chances.)]] But he is equally unafraid of flaunting his power and influence as a wealthy heir to a media juggernaut. But that isn't unique to Roman (though his particular brand of cruelty in doing so may be). So where does Roman play out his power fantasies?

Both of Roman's revealed sexual kinks are centered around power. Gerri degrading him and calling him worthless allows Roman to play out a fantasy in which he truly is powerless. Because no matter how marginalized he may be in his own family, he will always be able to wield power in the world due to his name. His interest in necrophilia-play allows him to play out the fantasy of him having total control over another person. The sexual gratification Roman feels because of these acts has less to do about the "sexiness" of the situations, made very apparent by his inability to get it up under more "vanilla" circumstances. He derives pleasure specifically out of the power imbalances he is unable to experience in his own day-to-day life.