So, as a fan of quality TV and streaming content, I was a little slow to come around to watch Succession. My excuse is that there are just a lot of shows and films out there and it’s tough to keep up with everything.
So, now and then, a quality show may fall off my radar. This is basically what happened with Succession. But, not only did I keep seeing great reviews of the show, but a friend kept raving about it. So, before the holidays, I finally dove in.
I haven’t completed all 3 seasons yet, so this isn’t a full-on review of the show. Instead, it’s a bit of a reaction to what I’ve seen so far. I won’t get into too many obvious spoilers, but I wanted to write something about this show as I’m going through it, because it absolutely merits a reaction.
What’s it About?
The series focuses on the Roy family, who controls the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. The family is led by patriarch, Logan Roy, and includes his four adult children, Kendall, Roman, Shiv, and Connor, along with various extended family members.
Logan is seemingly nearing retirement and as the series kicks off the question is who will succeed him in running the family business empire. This theme runs throughout the show, even as the story takes unexpected twists and turns. Kendall is seemingly in line to take over as CEO, but nothing is ever that simple in Succession.
The show is both a character study and also plot-driven, around the inner workings of this giant media empire. There are business acquisitions, dirty secrets, intense family infighting, backstabbing, alliances, and treachery galore.
It’s not hard to squint your eyes just a bit and see parallels between the show and a certain family media empire in real life. The Roy TV network is highly conservative, blurring the lines between media and politics, as it is heavily involved with various elected officials on one side of the aisle.
A Deeper Look at the Roy Family
There are some extremely strong characters who drive much of the narrative and plot of Succession.
Logan Roy - The patriarch. A self-made billionaire, who is utterly ruthless in business and in raising his family. If there is a villain of the show, it’s Logan. But, it isn’t quite that simple, as honestly, everyone is a villain.
Kendall Roy - Logan’s seeming successor, who wants nothing more than to send his father into retirement and take over the media empire. He believes his father is well past his prime and it’s time for new leadership with more vision. He is also a recovering drug addict who loves, hates, and fears his father. That feeling is a common one for all the Roy children.
Shiv Roy - The only daughter, she has left the family business empire to forge her own career as a political consultant and campaign director. If Logan has a favorite child, it would be Shiv. While initially, Shiv comes across as perhaps the ‘best’ of the characters, she is far from a paragon of virtue.
Roman Roy - The black sheep of the family. He’s a partier, dilettante, and generously an unserious character. Yet, he has ambitions like the rest and would love to see himself running the company, whether he has the ability to do it or not.
Connor Roy - The eldest son, who says he wants no part of the family drama or running the company, as he hangs out at his ranch out west. But, Connor is as scheming as the rest of them, in trying to gain their father’s attention and love. He will eventually have political aspirations that will drive the plot in future seasons.
Greg Hirsch - A cousin of the Roys who shows up at the beginning of the show. He is far from the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you have to give him credit for worming his way into the family, a job at the company, and for having just a bit of foresight when he takes on a particularly dirty project.
Tom Wambsgans - If Logan isn’t the worst person on the show, it might be Tom. As the show opens, he is in a long-term relationship with Shiv, which will eventually lead to marriage. He is constantly sucking up to Logan and being utterly cruel and demeaning toward his subordinates.
Wait, is this a Drama or Something Else?
So, if you’ve read all of the above, you’re probably under the impression that this show is a family and business drama. I assumed as much when I started watching it.
Turns out, not so much really. It is instead a very, very black comedy, although I think there is some debate about this among fans and critics. There are moments where I have laughed out loud, but many more where I cringed.
The characters are largely all just such terrible people that you almost root for them all to fail and when you do pick a side, you have to feel a little bad about yourself for being in anyone’s corner. It reminds me of a cross between Seinfeld and The West Wing.
By that, I mean that the characters are all really loathsome if you think about it (Seinfeld), but the writing and banter have a very West Wing feel to it. This show is incredibly well written and well-acted.
Watch it or Not?
I know many people love the show, but I can also imagine that others would find it an unpleasant series to watch. So, my recommendation comes with some caveats. The writing and acting are simply fantastic. But, you have to want to watch a constant trainwreck moving in both fast and slow motion. Personally, I think it’s pretty amazing.
