Like all truly great TV series, Succession is about a lot of things. It is about generational trauma, ambition, betrayal, self-destruction, family, and capitalism. It is also a show about male predation. While pretty much all of its characters are problematic in some way or another, the concept of specifically male toxicity is ever-present but seldom explored. From Roman Roy’s (Kieran Culkin) unsolicited “dick pic” last season, to the cruiseline rape and murder coverup that simmered in the background of the first three seasons, and Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) affair with his much-younger secretary, Succession has indulged a relentlessly cynical view of sexuality, and of harmful male behaviour. In the character of Lukas Matsson, though, the series may have introduced a whole new type of toxic man.
Matsson, played by Alexander Skarsgård, was introduced last season as an erratic Swedish tech billionaire, interested in buying WayStar RoyCo. Episode five, “Kill List”, is a showcase for the character, as the Roys fly out to Norway to negotiate with Matsson (to “bleed the Swede”, in Kendall’s words). While there, the Roys – and we – get a closer look at the man who’s set to take over their company: it’s not a pleasant sight. At one point, we see him crack a sexist joke about, and in front of, his communications chief Ebba (Eili Harboe). Later, a coked-up Matsson confides to Shiv (Sarah Snook) that he had been dating Ebba, and, after a bad-tempered breakup, had taken to repeatedly sending her half-litre “bricks” of his own frozen blood. “Yikes” doesn’t quite cut it.
