[TV] Succession Thread?

Eel Snave · Post by **Eel Snave** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:39 pm

I don't see a thread for Succession, which is stunning to me. If you haven't started watching, here's what you need to know:

Logan Roy (Brian Cox) is the scion of Waystar-Royco, a fabulously wealthy family that owns theme parks, cruise lines and movie studios, while also operating a Fox News-style network. His four children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Connor (Alan Ruck) are simultaneously trying to curry favor with him and scared to death of him.

In the first episode, it's shown that all is not well for Logan. He's 80 years old, and his health is deteriorating. His children are each trying to vie for the throne, but should any of them have it, or, for that matter, even want it?

Please tell me someone else is watching this.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:48 pm

No Succession synopsis is complete without cousin Greg.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:18 pm

For the record, for those of us that had no idea: "American satirical black comedy-drama television series"

Also: HBO

Hipolito · Post by **Hipolito** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:50 pm

I love Succession. Thanks for reminding me that Season 3 is now out and it's time to get back into it!

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:39 pm

Just finished S2 last week. I want to take a hiatus before starting S3 but Wife wants to dive right back in.

coopasonic wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:18 pm "American satirical black comedy-drama television series"

It's somewhat reminiscent of Veep, if Veep dialed up the drama and didn't play for laughs -- a lot of self-centered people with few redeeming qualities constantly one-upping each other in the name of money and power. It's very good, if you can enjoy a story about unlikable people. Kieran Culkin's fountain of wise cracks is worth it alone.

Daveman · Post by **Daveman** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 4:43 pm

We love it, and I thought last weeks episode was possibly the best one yet.

"That's an imaginary cat."

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:20 pm

Kraken wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:39 pm Just finished S2 last week. I want to take a hiatus before starting S3 but Wife wants to dive right back in.

coopasonic wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:18 pm "American satirical black comedy-drama television series"
It's somewhat reminiscent of Veep, if Veep dialed up the drama and didn't play for laughs -- a lot of self-centered people with few redeeming qualities constantly one-upping each other in the name of money and power. It's very good, if you can enjoy a story about unlikable people. Kieran Culkin's fountain of wise cracks is worth it alone.

This sums it up nicely.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 9:54 pm

And here I thought this thread would be about the successor for TV...maybe something along the lines of Dream Park. I don't get it...meaning I don't get HBO.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:38 am

Alefroth wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:48 pm No Succession synopsis is complete without cousin Greg.

Also Tom.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:08 am

I recently discovered Succession and hinged the hell of it. Everyone plays a great, unusual character and Brian Cox plays Brian Cox.

This show is 10/10.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:37 am

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:38 am
Alefroth wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:48 pm No Succession synopsis is complete without cousin Greg.
Also Tom.

Tom doesn't work with me. I'll contrast him to Greg. Greg has at least a bit of backstory that was enough to frame him. We also benefited by seeing Greg sucked into the mess.

Tom lacks that or any framing. I think they haven't done a great job contrasting the important thing for us which is what might Tom be like if he wasn't in that chaos. What are his motivations? How did they develop? He is mostly just a foil for Shiv and Greg and others to bounce off of. I wish they had grounded him as something other than an amoral jackass. I don't even get how Shiv and Tom even became a couple. I haven't watched Season 3 yet but he is the weakest link in the show to me.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:41 am

Wow, I don't read Tom that way at all. Here's an Atlantic piece that delves a bit into why I find him interesting. (S3 spoilers, tho)

S3 certainly made him more interesting for me, too, which is maybe part of the dissonance here. He's definitely an amoral jackass, but there's more going on there, IMO.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:47 am

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:41 am Wow, I don't read Tom that way at all. Here's an Atlantic piece that delves a bit into why I find him interesting. (S3 spoilers, tho)

S3 certainly made him more interesting for me, too, which is maybe part of the dissonance here. He's definitely an amoral jackass, but there's more going on there, IMO.

Yep - once I get into S3 maybe this will be irrelevant but it doesn't fix this problem in S1/S2. They provided almost nothing through S1 and S2 that explained him as a character. Even Grace has more than Tom in a way. Though she is another under-developed character in the periphery. We at least get some idea from context that she was a rich socialite (even just based on the hints of the previous relationship with Heidi). Tom? Aside from jibes about midwestern way we don't get much to explain why or how he's there.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:19 pm

The OO effect got me on this one. I had to go to bed after 2 episodes, but they got me hooked. I like how you can't root for any of the characters - maybe Roman just so he gets more lines.

Eel Snave · Post by **Eel Snave** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:23 pm

I found this awesome article by Emily VanDerWerff (SPOILER HEAVY) that explains so much of everyone's behavior:

Right here

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:58 pm

Eel Snave wrote: ↑Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:23 pm I found this awesome article by Emily VanDerWerff (SPOILER HEAVY) that explains so much of everyone's behavior:

Right here

I only had to see the headline to say that is exactly what I've been seeing in this show the whole time.

I'll read it later once I work through S3.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 4:36 pm

I went in blind about a year ago and watched the first episode on someone's recommendation. At first I was a bit confused as to what the hell was going on...but then I realized it's intended to be a comedy and I fell for it.

I'm been a Kieren Culkin fan since Igby Goes Down. I'm glad he's getting the recognition he deserves.

Eel Snave · Post by **Eel Snave** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:42 pm

Oh man, I misread that and thought it said that your went blind and I was like WHAT.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:03 pm

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:29 pm

Eel Snave wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:42 pm Oh man, I misread that and thought it said that your went blind and I was like WHAT.

No, but I appreciate your concern!

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 2:12 pm

hepcat wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:29 pm
Eel Snave wrote: ↑Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:42 pm Oh man, I misread that and thought it said that your went blind and I was like WHAT.

No, but I appreciate your concern!

Well, he never said that he was concerned. Does he know your address?

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 2:46 pm

What zip code should I use to garner the most concern for my well being?

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 3:12 pm

90220

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:41 pm

I gotta say ... I am really enjoying the show still, but

Spoiler:

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:43 pm

I think this season is all about the downfall and eventual death of the family member who has fallen out of favor. If that doesn’t happen by the final episode of the season, I’ll agree with you 100 percent though.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:46 pm

hepcat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:43 pm I think this season is all about the downfall and eventual death of the family member who has fallen out of favor. If that doesn’t happen by the final episode of the season, I’ll agree with you 100 percent though.

Seems like that's the way things are going. But also like ... I don't really get what the whole point of his character arc has been if that's the way that things are headed. Shit sucks and then you die, I guess.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:55 pm

He’s a less self aware version of Logan, I think. Logan knows he’s a bastard and has come to terms with it. His eldest sincerely thinks he’s the good guy…but he’s just as self serving and loathesome as Logan. And that’s what’s going to be the end of him.

The scene with Logan calling out his autistic grandson to taste his food was a power move beyond any I think I’ve ever seen on a show. He knew Kendall wasn’t trying to poison him, but he showed Kendall just how much he (and anything that was his) meant to him with that monstrous move. I think I even audibly gasped at moment. Then I clutched my pearls and had someone bring me a fainting couch.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:02 pm

There is a degree to which the show is ultimately a family dramedy with all of the business dealings and political maneuverings as essentially just a background set for the family dynamics. So there's a degree to which I'm just chafing at the business dealings not mattering as much to the show as I would like them to.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:06 pm

All I know is that if I don’t have a Greg and Tom Bosom Buddies style sitcom after this is all over, there’s no goddamn justice in this world.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:07 pm

hepcat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:06 pm All I know is that if I don’t have a Greg and Tom Bosom Buddies style sitcom after this is all over, there’s no goddamn justice in this world.

All I want is for Greg to be CEO of Waystar Royco when the show ends. Just give me that and I'll be happy.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 12:08 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:02 pm There is a degree to which the show is ultimately a family dramedy with all of the business dealings and political maneuverings as essentially just a background set for the family dynamics. So there's a degree to which I'm just chafing at the business dealings not mattering as much to the show as I would like them to.

Earlier tonight I read somewhere (Cracked maybe?) that the actor who plays Kendall is the only cast member who refuses to believe that the show is a comedy. He prepares for his role intensely and keeps to himself, even shunning rehearsals so that he can come into a scene cold. His serious Hamlet take only makes his humorous scenes (the Logan birthday rap) that much funnier.

Also, Shiv is based on Ivanka, in case anybody didn't figure that out.

I LOL at least once every episode and snort-laugh a lot more often than that.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 12:13 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:07 pm
hepcat wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:06 pm All I know is that if I don’t have a Greg and Tom Bosom Buddies style sitcom after this is all over, there’s no goddamn justice in this world.
All I want is for Greg to be CEO of Waystar Royco when the show ends. Just give me that and I'll be happy.

Halfway through the first season, I predicted that that's how the series will end. He'll be the last man standing.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 12:36 am

When Logan looked at the text and realized what he was seeing I almost shit myself. The entire season was worth it if only for that moment.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 11:40 am

Kraken wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 12:08 am
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:02 pm There is a degree to which the show is ultimately a family dramedy with all of the business dealings and political maneuverings as essentially just a background set for the family dynamics. So there's a degree to which I'm just chafing at the business dealings not mattering as much to the show as I would like them to.
Earlier tonight I read somewhere (Cracked maybe?) that the actor who plays Kendall is the only cast member who refuses to believe that the show is a comedy. He prepares for his role intensely and keeps to himself, even shunning rehearsals so that he can come into a scene cold. His serious Hamlet take only makes his humorous scenes (the Logan birthday rap) that much funnier.

That was from a New Yorker article a few days ago.

But quite a few folks have stepped up to say that the article was written to make it sound like he was an unhinged, clueless, pretentious actor. Some fairly big names have stated he's actually a pretty decent guy who's getting unfairly characterized as such.

At the end of the day though, even if it's true that he disagrees that it's a comedy at the core, his earnest take on Kendall is what makes the character work. So more power to him, I say.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 11:46 am

I've seen a number of things that indicate that Jeremy Strong is very much into method acting, more so than the other cast members (apparently he wanted to actually get tear-gassed in the Chicago 7 movie). And in general there can be a fine line between method acting and craziness (see: Jared Leto in Suicide Squad).

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 11:54 am

El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 11:46 am (see: Jared Leto in Suicide Squad).

That's a double pass.

Kurth · Post by **Kurth** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:45 am

Probably don't need to spoiler this, but, does anybody

Spoiler:

Seems obvious to me that that is definitely NOT the case, but I'm seeing lots of speculation -- and my wife actually thought -- that that is how that episode ended. I'm kind of shocked that's even something that people are contemplating.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:12 am

I've seen more than a few articles wondering if that was the case. I think it was intentional.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:43 pm

Spoiler:

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:44 pm

Kurth wrote: ↑Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:45 am I'm kind of shocked that's even something that people are contemplating.

Why?

Spoiler: