Narcissism in succession #2

Connor Roy’s Narcissism

Connor is awful. He may not be as toxic as his half siblings and his dad but he’s still pretty bad. He pretends to be some patron of the Arts, he has a transactional relationship with his girlfriend who’s a ‘pretend actress’, and then he starts this whole bit about running for president. he's also doesn't get his father, he doesn't understand that his father is a manipulative psychopath. Who in their right mind would give Logan Roy sourdough starter for a birthday gift. Growing up in this wealthy family, Connor just had everything handed to him, that coupled with his father’s neglect gave him a sense of entitlement. He’s also grandiose, all his siblings are competitive but he takes the opportunity of being the peace maker in the family but really he just wants to be praised. As Conner starts to realize how much more proficient his siblings are than him, he has to figure out another way to get validation and bring meaning into his life so he’s respected, and thats when he starts the whole ‘I’m gonna run for president’ thing. Connor’s narcissism aligns more with what we call Communal narcissism.

what is the communal narcissist?

The communal narcissist has a specific way for getting validation which is by doing good deeds for the people around them. This that person that gives food to the homeless, takes a picture of them doing it, and them posts it all over social media, and it’s less about the people who need help and more about them helping the people. This might not sound so bad cuz they’re actually doing charitable work. Here’s the catch, they’re only doing it to be praised, if they’re work goes unappreciated or if they feel as though they didn’t get enough validation for they’re deeds, thats when hell breaks loose. This can make them irritable, sullen or surly with whoever is unfortunate enough to be around them (their, spouse, partner, children etc.). Not just that but lets say in charity events that they may have contributed to arranging in someway, they’ll have reporters and photographers come to those events, they will be in their best attire posing for the cameras and telling people about being a humanitarian and maybe even taking credit for other peoples contribution and involvement. (Obviously just an example.) These people have all the factors of a regular narcissist, they’re super entitled, they lack empathy (maybe even contempt for the people they’re helping), and they’re superficial.

Connor’s relationships/ relationships with the communal narcissist

Connor seems to feel distant from his family and like he doesn’t belong. We know that he’s been neglected by his father and he lost his mother early on and his siblings are just people he lives with. But what about his girlfriend, at first he’s able to charm her with his extravagant life style but soon she’s able to see how unaccomplished he is. Connor’s girlfriend is bought and paid for, she doesn’t to be with him but every time she tries to leave Connor he pulls her back with the sweet deals and perks that come with his money. Connor cant have his girlfriend abandon him as everyone in his life has left and made him feel worthless. This is the only relationship that makes Connor feel seen.

Relationships with the communal narcissist can be characterized by hypocrisy and devaluation. These people have a tendency to do righteous deeds for neighbours, coworkers etc but behind doors they treat their family as if they don’t matter which is because they’re motivation is validation so they need others to think highly of them but their family doesn’t really matter. If they’re family does anything wrong they might not terrifyingly rage like the malignant narcissist but there will be resentment and of course like all narcissists there will be a fight. When people try to open up about their experience with the communal narcissist most people don’t believe them as the narcissist makes it seem like they’re such a good person to everybody. That can feel gaslight-y.