Jesse Armstrong's "Succession" stands as one of the most incisive and brilliantly written dramas of the 2010s and 2020s, a razor-sharp examination of wealth, power, and family dysfunction that functions simultaneously as tragedy and dark comedy. The series follows the Roy family, owners of a global media conglomerate, as they navigate corporate battles, personal conflicts, and the question of who will succeed the aging patriarch Logan Roy. The show's ability to make viewers both despise and empathize with characters who represent the worst aspects of corporate power is a testament to its sophisticated writing and exceptional performances.
Brian Cox's performance as Logan Roy is extraordinary, creating a character who is simultaneously terrifying and vulnerable. Logan is a man who has built an empire through ruthless determination and manipulation, and Cox captures both the power and the isolation that come with such success. Logan's relationship with his children is the show's emotional core, a twisted dynamic in which he simultaneously demands their loyalty and undermines their confidence. The character represents a certain type of corporate titan—brilliant, cruel, and ultimately human in his fears and insecurities.
The Roy children are each brilliantly realized, with performances that make these deeply flawed characters compelling despite their often reprehensible behavior. Jeremy Strong's Kendall Roy is perhaps the most tragic figure, a man desperate for his father's approval who consistently fails to earn it. Sarah Snook's Shiv represents the struggle of a capable woman in a patriarchal system, while Kieran Culkin's Roman provides comic relief while also revealing the psychological damage of growing up in such a family. Alan Ruck's Connor is the overlooked eldest son, his delusions and ambitions providing both humor and pathos.
The show's writing is exceptional, with dialogue that feels both natural and heightened. Armstrong and his writers create conversations that are simultaneously funny and cutting, with insults and barbs that reveal character while providing entertainment. The show's use of corporate jargon and media industry terminology creates authenticity while also serving as a form of social commentary. The series excels at finding the absurdity in corporate power structures while never losing sight of the real human cost of these systems.
The show's exploration of power dynamics is sophisticated and nuanced. "Succession" examines how wealth corrupts, how power isolates, and how family relationships can become transactional. The series doesn't simply criticize the wealthy but rather explores the human cost of accumulating and maintaining such power. The show's understanding of corporate culture, media manipulation, and political influence is acute, creating a portrait of modern America that feels both specific and universal.
The cinematography and direction are consistently excellent, with Nicholas Britell's score creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates every scene. The show's visual style, from boardrooms to private jets to family compounds, emphasizes the opulence and isolation of extreme wealth. The series' final season brings all its themes to a conclusion that feels both surprising and inevitable, honoring the complexity of the characters while providing a satisfying resolution. "Succession" demonstrates that television can be as thematically rich and dramatically sophisticated as any other art form, creating a portrait of power and family that is both entertaining and deeply disturbing. It stands as essential viewing for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of wealth, power, and human nature in contemporary America.
← Back to Reviews