Succession Review

*Spoiler alert*

'Before I came to America, I thought the streets were paved in gold. When I came here I learned three things: the streets were not paved in gold, the streets were not paved, and that I was expected to pave them.'

These were the words of one Italian immigrant, name unknown, who arrived at Ellis Island some point in the nineteenth century to discover the unfortunate reality of sailing across the treacherous Atlantic in the hopes of a better life. Like many others, he had hoped to fall upon a New World of endless riches for everyone, but alas, these were reserved for only the most dogged and determined of men that could match the vast and fierce lands they had conquered.

Some fifty years later (probably), two young boys sailed from Scotland to America, not only against the perilous threat of the high seas, but also German U-boats gunning down ships that attempted the crossing. Little is known about Logan Roy as a young chap, but it is possible he too had a similar reaction to the unknown Italian immigrant. What is known, however, is that he paved the streets - and paved them with avengence. The little Scot gritted his teeth and clawed his way up the hierarchy of American society (of course after some helpful private schooling funded by a rich uncle) possibly while the Italian sat dozing away with a double espresso (he was likely retired by now).

Across the second half of the twentieth century, Logan Roy's rapidly expanding all-American empire stretched across many industries and continents, and made him a very powerful and wealthy man. He had indeed achieved the American dream - or so it seemed. The brother he had sailed with during the Second World War came to despise what he had become, and the four children he fathered grew up to be nothing short of despicable. Over the course of his life, he had two wives (that we know about) and two mistresses (that we know about). All four bore a striking resemblance. He clearly had a type.

The TV show Succession, about Logan Roy's final years at the head of his empire, see his children fighting to be heir to his thrown, whilst he simultaneoulsy fights them for daring assume that there be a successor to an immortal being. Even though his mental state deteriorates quite rapidly in Season 1; geriatrically pissing on carpets, keeling over from a stroke, and unwittingly pushing his daughter's hand onto his private parts, he is determined that no one be more powerful than he. Especially not one of his idiot, selfish, nepotistic offspring who all believe they should replace him.

It is nothing short of phenomenal television, and a very deeply layered account of the out of control capitalism that spiraled in the mid-twentieth century. The Roys control the narrative, they hoard the wealth, and become victims of their own megalomaniac tendencies. They roll around in helicopters and private jets, and have no concept of what a grounded reality feels like, nor do they wish to know. They are the monarch of the Republic, but throughout the show become threatened by evolutions in communication. The foundations of their news empire is being shaken by the young and ambitious nerds of tech who see the potential of information being delivered by anyone and everyone. Very clever of the directors to film Succession in the style of a documentary, because that's essentially what this is.

Anyways, enough about the plot, because as good as it is, you can see that for yourself. There are some formidable scenes that are steadily built up and explode with dynamic intensity. My personal favourite is when Kendall (the eldest son) organises his first coup against his father, only to be stuck in New York traffic whilst the board members are convened in the board room, as he tries desperately to sway votes over loudspeaker. He runs through the packed streets of New York City, pleading over the phone, vying for some control of the conversation, whilst his dad calls him a Judas and tells him to f**k off. Eventually, his pretty flimsy but also conniving brother, aptly nick-named Romulus, who was initially going to vote against his dad, loses his mettle (he does this often throughout the show) and betrays his brother. The scene is incredibly dramatic, and a perfect blend of hilarity and intensity.

And now that all is said and done, and all four seasons have been ravenously consumed, I wonder - Which character deserves to be saved? I.e., which is the most redeemable? The majority are selfish, vain and despicable. But with all good television and script-writing comes complexities, and the producers made sure that the characters were also three-dimensional. Meaning, you can't completely hate them. They are all quite witty, and show varying levels of self-awareness. As much as Kendall's drug binge resulted in the death of a young waiter, for example, you can't help but root for him. His interest in tech and the future made him a viable successor to Waystar Royco, but his tendency to self-destruct held him at the mercy of his father's killer instincts.

In fact, all four of the kids display a deep vulnerability in their relationship to their dad, which is what you can feel most sorry for. Shiv is too trusting of him and constantly gets f**ked over, Roman is filled with guilt about ever going against him, and Connor appears to be some sort of discarded love child that has never felt any real warmth. It is this understanding that keeps us attached to them when they do the most abhorrent things to try to follow in their father's footsteps.

I would probably save Greg.

Who would you 'save'?

• Kendall
• Roman
• Shiv
• Connor

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