Narcissism, psychopathy, and more here's what therapists see in each key player on 'Succession'

Logan Roy, the founder and CEO of media conglomerate Waystar Royco, exhibits narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, according to Scott.

She said that power and influence acts as the glue in all of Roy's relationships, since he doesn't show the capacity to engage in real love.

Roy built his multi-billion dollar company from the ground up, Insider's Claudia Willen previously reported. He did this after moving to the US from Scotland, where he likely experienced an abusive childhood. In season one, a shot of Logan's back shows it covered in scars, and in another scene he flippantly hits his grandchild.

It's possible that Roy's upbringing caused him to seek control at all costs as an adult, according to Scott. Throughout the series, he creates destabilizing conditions for his children, constantly playing favorites and promising them flashy roles at his company, and then taking them away a moment later.

It's as if he's subjecting everyone around him to his internal turmoil because of his inability to tolerate his own long held shame, likely from childhood, Scott said.

"I think all of that is an expression of fearing that you aren't worthy of love," which could signal narcissism, Scott said.

Roy also lies and deceives to get what he wants in his business, suggesting Machiavellianism, and doesn't seem to show any remorse for his wicked behavior, suggesting psychopathy.

Kendall Roy is Logan's second eldest son who behaves in narcissistic and Machiavellian ways, according to Scott.

At the start of the series, Kendall seems desperate for his father to choose him as his successor and favorite child. He acts in an attempt to get those needs met, validating Logan's choices and making decisions he thinks his father would praise, Scott said.

His dark traits come out most prominently when he tries to have the upper hand in deals and makes empty promises (Machievellianism) and when he tries to come off as powerful yet cool and unbothered to potential investors while really feeling deep emotional turmoil about how he's perceived (narcissism).

When Logan rejects his son Kendall over and over, Kendall starts to use his dark behaviors to sabotage his own father, Scott said.

Roman, Logan's youngest son, often behaves in narcissistic and psychopathic ways, according to Scott.

He's often seen making sexually inappropriate remarks or making sexual comments to Gerri, the general counsel of Waystar Royco who is a confidante to Logan.

These moments could be Roman's attempts to show his ability to dominate and compete with his dad, Scott said.

In one episode, he masturbates in his office at Waystar Royco without seeming to care about the risky behavior, a sign of psychopathic behavior. He also hurls witty insults at his siblings often, suggesting that deep down he's very insecure, a telltale sign of narcissism, psychologist Ramani Durvasula previously told the Daily Mail.

Shiv Roy, Logan's only daughter, shows signs of narcissism and Machiavellianism.

According to Chopik, putting someone in a situation where they're set up to fail is a common Machiavellian behavior.

Shiv is shown doing this with her own husband, Tom Wambsgans, when she asks him to take over the cruise sector of Waystar Royco, secretly knowing that sector is central in an abuse scandal. Shiv doesn't alert him, and acts surprised when Wambsgans learns that he'll have to testify in court about the scandal.

According to Scott, Shiv uses Wambsgans to get closer to her father, who seems to take her less seriously than her brothers and the other men around her.

Connor is Logan Roy's oldest son from a previous marriage, making him a half-brother to Kendall, Shiv, and Roman. On the show, it's clear that Logan and his other children view Connor as an aloof outsider.

But Scott sees Connor as an adult child who is acutely aware of his father's dark traits so he chooses to keep him at a distance. According to Scott, Connor sometimes embodies the dark traits narcissism and Machiavellianism, but not to the extent of his half-siblings.

Knowing Logan's wealth and status, Connor uses that to chase his personal ambitions outside of Waystar Royco, like marrying Willa, an escort he pays to be with him, and running for President.

"It's like he's already come to terms with what it is, which is this cash cow. He's like, 'I need to orient myself close enough so that I can benefit from it, but also keep myself separate so that I'm not pulled into the messiness,'" Scott said.

Gerri Kellman is one of Logan's biggest business-planning confidantes and general counsel for Waystar Royco.

According to Scott, Gerri doesn't exhibit dark triad traits, because it doesn't appear like she's trying to ladder climb to a more prestigious role. At the start of the series, Gerri often enables manipulative behavior among Roy family members. But as drama and deception deepen, Gerri seems more reluctant to participate, Scott said.

"Potentially, she finds something fulfilling or comfortable when she's useful to someone, like a more powerful person or man," Scott said.

Tom Wambsgans is Shiv Roy's husband who also works for Waystar Royco. According to Scott, Tom begins to act in Machiavellian ways as the series progresses and he learns certain tactics from the manipulative power players around him.

Tom is positioned as a follower of the Roy family, constantly giving into their requests and needs.

"I think he gets off on on being proximate to power," Scott told Insider.

She said Tom comes off as ambitious and a status climber, but also as wary and timid compared to the Roys.

Greg's grandfather is Logan Roy's brother with whom he has a complicated and heated relationship. He sometimes acts in Machiavellian ways, according to Scott.

Similar to Tom, Greg enters the Roy family dynamic eager to please the most powerful people around him. But as he seems their deceit more clearly throughout the show, he starts to adopt their tricks himself, Scott said.