The Pull of ‘Succession’

With a third season currently in fiercely-tracked production across social media sites, Succession has built up a clearly dedicated fan base. Originally beginning the series with confusion about what was considered so fantastic about it, I too was drawn throughout the first season into the army of viewers obsessed with continuing a dive into the Roy family’s every move. Succession is truly unlike any series I have ever seen, which pushed me to explore why this is the case... 

Firstly, Succession presents its business-oriented environment in a way that is fully comprehensible, without communicating little trust in the audience. We are pulled in welcomingly, learning perhaps unknown jargon, terms and concepts as the series progresses, while completely grasping the tension and conflict that each series carries. The show presents the business world as-is, making it an engaging challenge to follow. Often departing from interoffice politics, the series also doesn’t shy away from embracing its comedic side and letting storylines and scenes, such as the infamous game of “boar on the floor,” take baffling turns. 

Though watching the family travel and experience their wealth to the fullest degree, especially on the yacht featured in Season 2, (whose week-long rental cost is $1 million), can be especially enjoyable, Succession gifts its audience with an awareness that the lifestyles depicted throughout are unconventional. This exploration of a larger-than-life family frequently grounds itself, giving a sense of relatability to a wide-ranging audience. The Roys’ cousin and rightful fan-favorite - Greg Hirsch - acts most frequently not only as comic relief, but as the needed lifeline to the less-than-1%. He interacts with his new position with an endearing sense of awkwardness and gratefulness, creating a consistent figure with whom viewers can relate to and cheer on. Looking past character dynamics, other moments, such as matriarch Logan questioning his family and associates on their knowledge of gallon-milk costs, and Roman taking part in management training at a Waystar-Royco owned amusement park, put interactions between the Roy family and the general public under an engaging level of scrutiny. 

In terms of production and writing, dramatic irony is masterfully used to create enthralling tension with the audience. Seeing every intimate detail of the Roys’ lives - whether that be Kendall’s car crash, Roman and Gerri’s blossoming “relationship”, or discussing plans with Logan to have Shiv take over Waystar Royco - we frequently know more about the characters than some of their own family and friends. Seeing them at both their best and their worst excites that “can’t look away” enticement. Viewing the series feels like being in on many dark secrets, (vaguely similar to certain varieties of reality television), an attractive quality in and of itself. 

The way the series is shot feels incredibly intimate, reinforcing the idea that the audience can become wholly immersed in an omniscient position. Following closely to a mockumentary-style of creation, we are placed directly amongst every action made by the characters and the consequences that follow. Nothing, apart from the eventual reaction of others’, is left to mystery. 

However slimy each of the characters may occasionally be, while differing enough in their personalities, goals, and flaws presented to the audience, there is still a clear dynamic of who and who not to root for amongst the leading roles. The thundering conclusion of the Season 2 finale presents itself as an ideal example. Arguably, Kendall is the closest thing to what may be considered the protagonist of the series. While being incredibly flawed, he still is a likable, emotional character plagued by his environment and upbringing - eliciting sympathy no matter how privileged and blinded by ambition he may be. However most notably, Kendall had consistently treated Greg as a true member of the family. Finally turning against his father, (to his plausible satisfaction), Kendall came out on top with the assistance of those he stood by, namely, Greg. Sorting themselves out as the series has progressed, there is a definite, enjoyable fixture of who we wish to see succeed in the Roy family.