REVIEW: Succession: The Complete Series
Across 39 episodes, HBO’s Succession deftly explored familial dysfunction and corporate malfeasance, drawing inspiration from numerous sources, notably the Murdoch empire and its aging patriarch, Rupert. But the show went beyond that with side trips into egotism, child rearing, negotiating communication post-divorce, and the consequences of decisions, both those made and those avoided. As a result, it earned 75 Emmy nominations and 19 wins, raising the bar of television achievement.
For those who missed out, the entire series is now available in Succession: The Complete Series. You can revel in the strong performances of a wonderful ensemble, one that earned a Screen Actos Guild award for their combined work.
Where previous dramas about the ultra-wealthy dwelt in soap opera antics, here, the stakes were far more serious as the fortunes and control of Waystar RoyCo hung in the balance. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) was slow to adapt to changing fortunes but wasn’t ready to give it all up and enjoy retirement, so instead, he played one child against the other for the title of successor, as much for his amusement as to audition them for the job.
The problem was that the siblings in contention—Roman (Kieran Culkin), Kendall (Jeremy Strong), and Shiv (Sarah Snook)—wanted the chair but lacked the strong vision to keep the company viable. And what vision they offered was usually myopic or overly ambitious. As they bickered and maneuvered, Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) came, representing the future and existential threat to the company’s survival.
Apart from the family, we also saw the obsequious inner circle, each allying or betraying one of the siblings to remain relevant, out of fear their cushy way of life might vanish. Add in wives, ex-wives, girlfriends, friends, and acquaintances you have a rich bouillabaisse to work from.
More was said between the lines than most shows that had aired previously. Kendall, in particular, couldn’t string together a coherent paragraph but managed to convey his thoughts regardless. The writing for the series was excellent, and Strong’ s performance effectively communicated the unsaid.
Some of the best scenes are when the three siblings unite. Their teasing and torturing felt natural, and they melded well together. Their casual dismissal of their half-brother Connor (Alan Ruck), who deliriously considered a run for president.
These episodes were dramatic and, at times, over-the-top until the final decision had to be made, as Shiv needed to choose between her brothers for the center seat. Ultimately, her choice was a harsh truth but also served her well, given her uneasy relationship with her husband Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen).
This is eminently rewatchable, as subsequent viewings let you catch foreshadowing while still delighting in the performances.
The 1080p high-definition transfer is crisp and well-balanced, so it looks great at home. It is well paired with the DVD lossy Dolby Digital track, the 5.1 DTS-HD MA
Unfortunately, all we get for Special Features are previously aired Inside the episode Featurettes, Character Recaps, and Cast and Crew Interviews.
