This is the best thing I have read on Succession, full stop. I'm especially impressed by the understanding and even compassion you show for characters who are cringe at best and psychopaths at worst. I say that even though your discussion of Connor and the fantasy world he has created for himself undermines the hope I had for him at the end of the show.
I'm not sure I agree that Greg starts out good, though. I think he is always a bit of a craven idiot, but he was also young at the start of the series, and in the right hands he could have turned into a decent person. What if Ewan had taken Greg under his wing and reinforced what was good in Greg's nature? That was a moral failure on Ewan's part, in my opinion, because he blames Greg for becoming a contemptible person, when he could have done something about that.
Also, am I the only person who thinks Kendall's rap is actually kind of good? Did the same composer who wrote the show's theme write the rap? I recognize similarities in style, in particular the combination of classical music with hip hop.
That's a good point about Greg! I think, at his core, he's just a nice person though. Maybe not a good one, but a kind and gentle one. And, yeah, I think you're absolutely right about Ewan. Where Logan was a manipulator, Ewan seemed to wash his hands of everyone and everything and behave as if he had nothing to do with any of his family's problems.
Because he could have made a difference in all of their lives. Imagine if he had tried to be a positive influence on Logan's kids instead of a distant, angry uncle.
The rap is both very good and so cringe inducing you might explode from watching it!
When you said Kendall was Michael Scott!! I tried to watch The Office and couldn't because it was just so awkward!
And yes, Shiv and Tom, I wanted to route for them but when he turned on her I was actually kind of happy for him because how much abuse can a guy take?
Yeah, I was onboard with the coupe until Tom stood in its way and then I was on his side, haha. Despite everything, he mostly remains likeable, which has a lot to do with Matthew MacFadyen's face, I think. He has those big kind eyes!
I was onboard with the coup because I'm so impressionable and I will cheer for the protagonist no matter what, and the kids got the most screen time. But yes, when he turned on them, I was ok with it.
Greg was in search of family and acceptance. He adapted to reality, despite himself.
Tom married an heiress, then spent his time betraying his wife and her siblings. Tom, bland Tom, wanted and expected power via marriage. He adapted to reality. He was not good or nice. It was clear early on that he would outwit and outlast the heirs, by being a bland arsehole.
In the end, Shiv betrayed her brothers for a loveless marriage, because she was still deluded enough to think that her newly powerful husband (only put in place because the new business owner was confident that Tom would make an excellent eunuch), would be an easier person for her to control than her bonkers eldest brother, and would secure the future for her children, the only blood heirs to Logan.
This is the best thing I have read on Succession, full stop. I'm especially impressed by the understanding and even compassion you show for characters who are cringe at best and psychopaths at worst. I say that even though your discussion of Connor and the fantasy world he has created for himself undermines the hope I had for him at the end of the show.
I'm not sure I agree that Greg starts out good, though. I think he is always a bit of a craven idiot, but he was also young at the start of the series, and in the right hands he could have turned into a decent person. What if Ewan had taken Greg under his wing and reinforced what was good in Greg's nature? That was a moral failure on Ewan's part, in my opinion, because he blames Greg for becoming a contemptible person, when he could have done something about that.
Also, am I the only person who thinks Kendall's rap is actually kind of good? Did the same composer who wrote the show's theme write the rap? I recognize similarities in style, in particular the combination of classical music with hip hop.
That's a good point about Greg! I think, at his core, he's just a nice person though. Maybe not a good one, but a kind and gentle one. And, yeah, I think you're absolutely right about Ewan. Where Logan was a manipulator, Ewan seemed to wash his hands of everyone and everything and behave as if he had nothing to do with any of his family's problems.
Because he could have made a difference in all of their lives. Imagine if he had tried to be a positive influence on Logan's kids instead of a distant, angry uncle.
The rap is both very good and so cringe inducing you might explode from watching it!
I really enjoyed this! Thanks for taking me back - the show is absolutely brilliant and I think your assessments of each character are spot on.
Thanks!
The description of Shiv as cruel without having the smarts in the business, and Kendall as just the most cringe-inducing person ever...
I still can't believe some of the things Shiv said to Tom or Kendall! And then Kendall...he's just so relentlessly embarrassing!
When you said Kendall was Michael Scott!! I tried to watch The Office and couldn't because it was just so awkward!
And yes, Shiv and Tom, I wanted to route for them but when he turned on her I was actually kind of happy for him because how much abuse can a guy take?
https://pronetohyperbole.substack.com/
Yeah, I was onboard with the coupe until Tom stood in its way and then I was on his side, haha. Despite everything, he mostly remains likeable, which has a lot to do with Matthew MacFadyen's face, I think. He has those big kind eyes!
I was onboard with the coup because I'm so impressionable and I will cheer for the protagonist no matter what, and the kids got the most screen time. But yes, when he turned on them, I was ok with it.
https://pronetohyperbole.substack.com/
Greg was in search of family and acceptance. He adapted to reality, despite himself.
Tom married an heiress, then spent his time betraying his wife and her siblings. Tom, bland Tom, wanted and expected power via marriage. He adapted to reality. He was not good or nice. It was clear early on that he would outwit and outlast the heirs, by being a bland arsehole.
In the end, Shiv betrayed her brothers for a loveless marriage, because she was still deluded enough to think that her newly powerful husband (only put in place because the new business owner was confident that Tom would make an excellent eunuch), would be an easier person for her to control than her bonkers eldest brother, and would secure the future for her children, the only blood heirs to Logan.