I'd like to know about allllll of Succession: Rome really but I'd settle for more of Tom's background and gereral existence in this universe if you are willing to give some crumbs.
PS: CIDER IS BEST
I am always willing to give crumbs, or if you’re lucky and my brain is working, the whole cookie. You’re lucky today!
TL;DR Tom is a weird man who will never fit in and needs to chill about what other people think of him for like, one second, but also he is full of love
Tom was born and raised on his parent’s wealthy estate in the bay of Naples, where they grow wine grapes and peaches and other fruits, mostly. But when he was growing up, his parents sent him to get a classical education in Greece. Familiarity with the art and culture of Greece was a mark of status among upper-class Romans. But at the same time, Greek values were considered morally lax and Roman values always took precedence at the end of the day. But Tom loved it in Greece. The anonymity and relative lack of expectations meant he was allowed to be as hedonistic and indulgent as he wanted, and boy did he indulge – in parties, in food, in sex, etc. Tom was probably at his happiest there. But what he loved about it wasn’t truly the indulgence, it was the freedom to be himself, which is not someone who is a strong, masculine, upstanding Roman man.
In Hadrianic Rome (where the main plot of Succession: Rome is set) Greek art and values were in vogue! However, Logan came up in Trajanic Rome, where Roman tradition was highly prioritized in all things – especially in the family. So while Tom fits in fairly well with the wider culture, within the Roy family Logan heavily disapproves of that past.
On top of that, while it wasn’t unusual for rich Romans to live outside of Rome, that background also means he’s way out of his depth. Tom begins Succession: Rome as a new senator with absolutely no idea how to handle politics. He is BAD at it. He’s not particularly charming, he doesn’t understand any of the existing alliances, and he wouldn’t know an opportunity if it bit him. He wasn’t trained growing up to look for any of that – he never expected to be a senator! He’s only marrying Shiv because Logan wants his land, and because he was the only one to agree to the unusual requirement that their children will be part of the Roy family line, not his own. Being a senator, thanks to Logan’s influence, is worth those conditions, but he was not prepared for it.
So Tom feels this deep sense of not belonging while at the same time under immense pressure to belong and to be what he’s supposed to be. What Tom really wants, ultimately, is stability in his relationships, and love, and love free from the extremely regimented and restrained roles prescribed by Roman norms. It takes a long time to break through those external and internal pressures and come around to a way of thinking that allows him to reach a stable and comfortable point with Shiv – that is, supporting her, and letting her make their decisions. And while he and Shiv aren’t in love, they absolutely do love each other.
His relationship with Greg is something that wouldn’t be at all unusual for a wealthy Roman man, except in the manner that they go about it. He doesn’t want to just fuck Greg and then go back to his wife. He and Greg act more as spouses than as just occasional lovers. The hedonism and indulgence that Greg brings him into isn’t just about drinking wine and taking drugs and going to bacchanals – though it’s also about that – it’s about letting himself have what he really wants, which is an equal and stable partnership with Greg, despite what others might think.
Bonus: When Tom was in Greece, he met Tabitha, who is originally from Greece. Tabitha is now a priestess of Diana outside Rome and may be falling in love with Shiv. Tabitha knew Tom when he was at his most unhinged and carefree in Greece and now sees him trying to fit into the husband role and is just. Tom, what the fuck, who are you. Tom gets better, but unfortunately, Tabitha never lets him live it down.
