Why is Succession So Addictive? A Deep Dive into the Roy Family’s Grip
At its core, Succession’s addictive nature stems from a masterful blend of dark comedy, intense family drama, and deeply flawed, yet compelling, characters. The show doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities of wealth, power, and familial dysfunction, all while maintaining a razor-sharp wit and a surprisingly relatable undercurrent. It’s the captivating juxtaposition of the Roys’ opulent lives against their pathetic inner turmoil that keeps viewers hooked. The narrative pulls us in with its whip-smart writing, nuanced character studies, and exploration of universal themes like ambition, betrayal, and the search for validation, all set against the backdrop of a media empire teetering on the brink. The characters, despite their often reprehensible actions, are so well-developed and layered that they become strangely captivating, making us desperate to witness their next self-inflicted disaster. In short, Succession’s addictive quality comes from its ability to make the utterly unrelatable, incredibly engaging.
The Compelling Characters: Flawed but Fascinating
The Roy family members are not heroes; they are deeply damaged individuals, each grappling with their own unique set of issues stemming from their upbringing under the tyrannical patriarch, Logan Roy. Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are traits that run rampant within the family, making each character a fascinating study in human dysfunction.
Logan Roy: The Tyrannical Center
Logan is the epicenter of all the dysfunction, a man whose abusive behavior has shaped his children into deeply insecure individuals. His manipulative and emotionally unavailable nature is a key reason for their endless infighting and struggles.
Kendall Roy: The Wounded Heir
Kendall embodies the tragic figure of the eldest son desperate for his father’s approval. His struggles with addiction, mental instability and a profound sense of inadequacy make him perhaps the most pitiable, and therefore, strangely captivating character.
Shiv Roy: The Calculating Daughter
Shiv’s ambition and intelligence are constantly at war with her need for validation. She’s a master of political maneuvering, but her narcissistic tendencies and emotional detachment frequently sabotage her relationships. Her tragedy lies in her ultimate betrayal by the men she trusted.
Roman Roy: The Troubled Jester
Roman masks his deep-seated insecurities with crude humor and a cynical worldview. His often inappropriate behavior and emotional immaturity stem from a desperate need for affection and approval, which he rarely receives.
The Supporting Cast: A Complex Web
The show’s supporting characters, such as Tom Wambsgans, Greg Hirsch, and Gerri Kellman, add layers to the narrative. These characters often serve as mirrors to the Roys’ excesses, highlighting the absurdity and consequences of their behavior. These characters often create moments of dark comedy, and allow a grounding perspective for viewers.
The Power of Dark Humor and Satire
Beyond the characters, Succession masterfully uses dark comedy and satire to make its themes both palatable and insightful. The show’s cutting dialogue, witty banter, and absurd situations provide a necessary break from the heavy drama, keeping the audience engaged and entertained, even when the actions on screen are morally reprehensible. This blend of humor and tragedy allows viewers to reflect on the themes of power, family, and media manipulation without feeling overwhelmed by the bleakness.
Realistic Twists and Turns
Unlike some shows that rely on over-the-top drama, Succession remains grounded. The twists and turns, while often surprising, are ultimately realistic, and a product of the characters’ actions and the world they inhabit. This grounded approach adds to the show’s overall authenticity, which makes it that much more captivating.
Exploring Universal Themes
At its core, Succession tackles profound and universal themes. The pursuit of power, the complexities of family relationships, and the corrosive effects of wealth are explored in a manner that is both thought-provoking and engaging. The show forces viewers to reflect on their own values and beliefs while entertaining them with a darkly comedic drama.
The Cycle of Abuse
The show brilliantly portrays the cyclical nature of abuse, hinting at Logan’s own troubled past. The way this history ripples through generations, affecting his children and their own choices, adds another layer of complexity and tragedy.
Media Manipulation and its Consequences
Succession also shines a light on the powerful influence of media and the consequences of its manipulation. The show raises important questions about ethics in media and the impact of corporate power on society.
Conclusion
Succession‘s addictive quality is not a single attribute, but a combination of a powerful narrative, deeply flawed and complex characters, sharp writing, dark comedy, and an exploration of universal themes. It’s a show that manages to be both deeply disturbing and incredibly engaging, leaving viewers constantly wanting more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Succession
1. What mental illnesses are depicted in Succession?
Succession doesn’t explicitly diagnose its characters, but it heavily implies that narcissism, psychopathy, and other forms of personality disorders are prevalent amongst the Roy family members. Kendall’s struggles, for instance, suggest manic depression, but the show refrains from labelling it.
2. Is Succession hard to follow?
While the show deals with complex themes and intricate power dynamics, it is not inherently difficult to follow. The manipulative power struggles and shifting allegiances can be intense, but the writing is clever enough to guide the audience through the narrative. The series allows the narrative to be well-balanced.
3. Who is Shiv Roy based on in real life?
Shiv Roy is reportedly based on Elisabeth Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch’s second daughter. Though not a one-to-one comparison, the character draws inspiration from her life and career trajectory.
4. Why is Succession considered a masterpiece?
The show’s status as a masterpiece comes from its exceptional writing, character development, dark humor, and exploration of universal themes. The witty dialogues, clever wordplay, and nuanced portrayal of family relationships contribute to its brilliance.
5. Is anyone likeable in Succession?
The characters in Succession are notoriously unlikable, which is precisely part of the show’s appeal. Their flaws, however, make them incredibly relatable and fascinating. Though they are not likeable, their characters are still engaging and entertaining to watch.
6. Is Shiv Roy a narcissist?
Yes, Shiv Roy displays many narcissistic traits, such as an excessive need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a manipulative nature. This makes her a complex and morally ambiguous character.
7. Who is the “rat” in Succession?
Logan refers to his children, particularly Kendall, Shiv, and Roman, as “the rats” due to their backstabbing tendencies and constant infighting.
8. Is Kendall Roy mentally ill?
Kendall displays symptoms consistent with manic depression, but the show does not explicitly diagnose him. His mental health is a recurring theme in the series.
9. What kind of people like Succession?
Succession tends to appeal to middle-class and upper-middle-class professionals who are drawn to its exploration of power, wealth, and family dynamics, and are willing to watch flawed characters on screen.
10. Why was Succession cancelled?
The show was not cancelled, but rather concluded after four seasons. The creator, Jesse Armstrong, wanted to end the show on a strong note instead of dragging it out indefinitely.
11. What is the message of Succession?
Succession explores the cyclical nature of abuse, the corrupting influence of power, and the complex dynamics of family relationships. It also hints at the ways that parental abuse can impact the next generations.
12. What episode does Succession get good?
While the show is engaging from the start, “Pre-Nuptial” (Season 1, Episode 9) is often cited as the episode that solidified the series’ excellence and is considered an episode that really makes the series “click” for viewers.
13. Who is the most liked character in Succession?
While “likeable” is subjective, Shiv Roy, followed by Gerri Kellman and Roman Roy, are often ranked higher in terms of audience favorability.
14. How long does it take to watch all of Succession?
All four seasons of Succession add up to approximately 38 hours of viewing time.
15. How much of Succession is improvised?
A surprising amount of Succession is partly or entirely improvised, with the cast given freedom to explore their characters within the scene. The show uses improvisations in many scenes, and some scenes are entirely improvised, such as Logan’s birthday lunch.