Succession
By Charlotte Dekle
I LOVE THIS SHOW. JESSE ARMSTRONG IS A GENIUS. Okay, got that out of the way. Each episode is an hour long modern Shakespearean drama with power struggles, betrayal, and great one-liners. This show needs to be more popular. It is better than the majority of other things on TV but is not getting the recognition it deserves. Imagine yourself in the family of the richest media conglomerate in the US, maybe in the world. Then imagine that the patriarch of this family is a terrible person and the children are all cutthroat. That’s a recipe for success(ion). Each episode finds the perfect balance between comedy and drama and you can never predict what’s going to happen next. If you want a good dramedy, with fantastic understated acting, and the wittiest dialogue on television, give this show a watch.
logline: Although he has no plans to step aside as the head of Waystar Royco, aging patriarch Logan Roy is contemplating what the future holds. He has lingered in the limelight longer than even he thought he would, and now family members want to run the company as they see fit. Despite a best-laid succession plan, tempers flare over Logan's intentions. Kendall Roy, Logan's eldest son, is the heir apparent. As Kendall attempts to solidify his eventual takeover, he and the three other Roy children face a difficult choice as company control and family loyalties collide.
My Favorite Characters:
Sarah Snook as Siobhan “Shiv” Roy: if her nickname didn’t tell you, Shiv is sharp as a knife. She’s probably the smartest Roy and she is a master manipulator. She is the only daughter of Logan Roy. She is cutthroat and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She is so enjoyable to watch as she is both the sanest and insanest in her family.
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy: Roman is immature, does not take his responsibilities seriously, and often finds himself lacking the common sense his father requires of him. Culkin plays these traits to perfection. He probably has some of the best lines in the show and always has a clever insult to hurl when it is warranted. Also it’s Macaulay Culkin’s brother - what more could you want?
Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy: fine, all the Roy children are great. But Strong’s acting is underrated. It’s understated and poignant. He is the most restrained of his siblings. He struggles with substance abuse and Strong’s acting is beautiful. He may not have the cleverest lines, but he does have occasional witticisms.
Something I liked: the sibling dynamics are fantastic and maybe that’s why all the Roy’s are my favorite characters. But seriously, this show is amazing and Cousin Greg must be protected.
Rated TV-MA for severe profanity, sex, nudity, and drug and alcohol use
Where to Watch: HBO and HBO Max (coming May 27), currently free for Amazon Prime Video and Hulu subscribers
Number of Seasons: 2, season 3 has been green lit