HBO's critically acclaimed drama Succession is the kind of show that is filled with unlikeable people. The series follows the Roys, a powerful family overseeing a media empire and jostling for power amongst themselves. And at the center of the story is Kendall Roy, the middle son of the family.
Kendall is someone who has had a dark past he continues to struggle with and has an especially complex relationship with his father, Logan Roy. Given what Kendall is faced with in the series, it's not hard to have sympathy for him, but he can also be a terrible person. Here are some times we felt bad for Kendall Roy and some times we hated him.
Felt Sorry: Getting ed Over
At the beginning of the series, Kendall is set to take over the family company as his aging father prepares to step down. Kendall struggled with drugs in the past but cleaned himself up and turned himself around to become someone that could run a massive organization.
However, all that hard work was swept aside as his father decides at the last moment to continue on as CEO. The rug is pulled out from under Kendall and his whole future is thrown into chaos because of this power move.
Hated Him: Dumping Jennifer
It's sometimes hard to tell if Kendall hates his father or if he ires him more than anything. One thing is clear, all he wants in life is his father's approval and that becomes a new kind of addiction for him.
During a celebration for Logan, Kendall introduces him to his new girlfriend Jennifer, a very sweet and kind woman who Kendall cares a lot about. But when it becomes clear that Logan isn't impressed, Kendall has his security send Jennifer home without even saying goodbye.
Felt Bad: Birthday Rap
It seems that Kendall's unhealthy relationship with his father is less based on love and more like Kendall is a hostage. He continues to do whatever he can to impress his father or show his appreciation for him, including a humiliating birthday rap.
In front of a large crowd at Logan's birthday, Kendall jumps into a long and embarrassing rap about how great his father is. It feels like Kendall has a gun to his head as he makes such a fool of himself.
Hated Him: Turning Blind Eye
Early on in the series, Kendall's brother-in-law Tom takes over the cruise side of the business and is made aware of the horrendous abuses the company has been covering up for years. Tom tries to go to Kendall with what he found, but Kendall refuses to hear about it.
Though it is never said out loud, it seems pretty obvious that Kendall knows about the abuses and that he wants to distance himself from them rather than address them in a responsible and ethical way.
Felt Bad: Failed Coup
After getting ed over for the leadership role he was promised, Kendall makes a new plan of attack. Knowing his father's health is in decline and that his behavior is erratic, Kendall begins recruiting other of the board to stage a coup.
He puts together a solid group that is willing to vote Logan out of the CEO role. However, the coup goes disastrously wrong as Kendall can't make it to the office in time and tries to do it over the phone. He is backstabbed by some and Logan intimidates the rest causing Kendall to spiral downwards.
Hated Him: Who To Fire
When the truth about the abuses on the company's cruises come to light, it becomes clear that someone from the inner circle of the company is going to have to take the fall. Logan brings everyone together on his luxury yacht and they all start pointing fingers.
To be fair, Kendall doesn't look any worse than anyone else involved in the scene, but it makes them all seem like awful people. Instead of discussing who is actually at fault, everyone points fingers and makes excuses to save their own necks.
Felt Bad: Visiting The Victim's Family
After staging a coup and then a buyout of the family company, Kendall is turned into his father's lackey after he's involved in a car accident. The accident leaves a young man dead and Logan promises to help Kendall if he is loyal.
Logan protects his son but keeps the figurative noose around his neck. When Logan pays a visit to the victim's family, he forces Kendall to come with him as a not-so-subtle reminder of what Logan has on him. Kendall is faced with the guilt that has been consuming him since the accident.
Hated Him: Gutting Company
While Kendall is under Logan's thumb, he attempts to get in his father's good graces by helping organize the new company they just bought. Kendall goes into this small company promising to help them streamline things and their business better.
After a considerable amount of time learning all he can about the company, Kendall announces to all the employees that he has gutted all the profitable components of the company and they are all fired. It is a cold and calculating move he only did to please his father.
Felt Bad: Taking The Fall
After everyone's head goes on the chopping block, Logan ultimately decides that Kendall will be the one to take the fall. Given his past and the fact that he is Logan's son, it will make sense and provide a big enough name to satisfy the critics.
Seeing Kendall faced with the reality that Logan is willing to throw his own son to the wolves is heartbreaking. It is made even more painful by the fact that Kendall seems to think he deserves it for what he did.
Hated Him: The Car Accident
It is clear that Kendall's addictions will get him into a lot of trouble, but the moment he has to reckon with it is a horrifying moment. While at a family event, Kendall sneaks off with a waiter from the event to score some drugs.
While driving high, the car goes off a bridge and into the water. Kendall escapes but the young man is trapped in the car. Kendall leaves the scene of the accident and tries to cover it all up. It is a moment that shows, while he thinks at times that he is better than his family, he is maybe the worst of them all.