Succession's Hidden Tragedy

[@christianzafiroglu6705]

What I also love is that in the moment Roman lashes out at Connor, Connor’s response is fatherly, calm, respectful. Roman’s attack is childish, boorish. Connor’s reaction is adult, restrained.

[@cbushin]

Roman was also the one who realized they were bullshit. He may have learned that from Connor and observing him.

[@currently_online]

i dont think roman realized that it was conner, he knew. It was just that he didnt have any father son memories to tell the recording people, so he swapped out con for logan. I think that makes it more sweet and tragic. It was genuinely a great childhood memory for him, it just didnt happen with the person he wished was there

[@Aleczandxr]

Yep, in the episode it definitely seems like he knew. I got too deep into reading the original comment as a reference but yep you’re absolutely right!

[@earnthis1]

Logan was a psycho dad. He made psycho kids. Money corrupts and feeds them.

[@williamtimonen6814]

It also adds to just how absent Logan must have been. He didnt look at a bunch of memories and then realise that the one he choose was actually with Connor. But that he couldnt come up with any good memories he shared with Logan at all to the extent that he had to look at a memory with Connor instead.

[@b1g_m00n]

season 3, episode 2: Kendall to Connor: "You're not wanted!" Roman: "As if he hasn't heard that enough all his life."

[@MerelyAFan]

One of the saddest things about the Roy children trio is how they so often (knowingly or unknowingly) emulate Logan's tendency to kick the things they love to see if they come back.They're so warped by their father's conditional nature of affection and the head games associated with it that the often genuine warmth that Connor offers is either not appreciated and maybe not even fully trusted. There's something fundamentally sad in the idea that Roman, Shiv, & Kendall's dubious treatment of him is possibly rooted in an unconscious need to prove that their big brother's love is as selfish and as restrictive as the kind they've grown to know.

[@jainittai5104]

Damn...Damn good assessment.

[@Dilmahkana]

Ken's best character trait is his protectiveness when he senses there is some real emotional element involved in someone's bullying of another (physical, emotinoal or verbal). His "Rome, Rome. Easy" in this video and him telling Tom to back off against Shiv in ep 8 are the most recent ones I've noticed. And obviously Logan's physical abuse moments where Ken goes full-on protective.

[@Shamino1]

Kendall's ex wife: "Your daughter pushed a guy wearing a Menkin shirt." Kendall ten seconds later: "Wait, someone pushed my daughter?" Kendall, the next day: "I dunno, Rome, these guys pushed my daughter." Kendall, ten seconds later: "He is a man we can do business with."

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

It almost feels instinctual.

[@Dilmahkana]

@@Shamino1 That shows what contexts his best trait is limited to, unfortunately. In real-time, face to face situations he seems much more responsive.

[@zaidlacksalastname4905]

That's why the ending where he assaults Roman AND shiv is so powerful. He lost the knife fight in the mud

[@beetlejumps3283]

Good pulls, another moment that sticks out is when Menkin is making fun of Roman for crying at the funeral and Kendall steps in

[@FlutterMouse]

Connor seems like the most emotionally intelligent of the siblings. Maybe because he WASN'T raised by Logan. He's not concerned with being shrewd or conniving.

[@raymondsims7042]

Was Connor raised mostly by his mother? Did Connor grow up in the same house of the other siblings? Honest question because I don’t remember the show ever focusing on these questions much

[@FlutterMouse]

@Raymond Sims his mom was put away for being mentally ill and he was neglected by Logan. I suspect he was largely raised by nannies and such.

[@Updog89]

⁠@@FlutterMouseI was a scholarship kid at a fancy college and met a few super-rich kids. The kids and grandkids of Wall Street Executive, petroleum kings and many generations of extreme wealth. I met two who were mainly raised by Mexican nannies and ignored by their parents. They had their self-esteem issues, but one thing I will say is that they were much kinder and humbler than the Uber-rich kids whose parents were more hands-on. Especially the ones with hands-on dads, who seemed to have been molded to value aggression, materialism and narcissism.

[@BrokenDarkFire]

@@raymondsims7042 the impression I’ve gotten is he was raised by his mom and Logan for a while, then when they divorced he didn’t see Logan for a few years. Then his mom got committed when he was a teenager. It sounds like he was probably shuttled from situation to situation as a kid.

[@cbushin]

He didn't have much intelligence, emotional or otherwise. He only thought he did. He got unreasonably mad at Ken-doll for claiming to be the eldest boy. He claimed to be a plant that is nourished by dead bugs, but his reaction to Logan's death showed otherwise. He also threw a tantrum over frozen butter.

[@whiterose6635]

The thing here is that shiv, Ken and Roman all have 2 parents who are horrible (Logan and Caroline) , whereas it’s likely that Connors mother has some redeeming features and he most likely didn’t have such an amount of contact with Logan when he was little, so he had a chance to develop some interpersonal skills, whereas the others are a lost cause

[@cbushin]

Connor seemed to have missed his chance. He had very little interpersonal skills. He was just relatively harmless.

[@oc2538]

If anything Logan not caring for Connor, being absent and disappearing for three years was what allows Connor to not be so evil. He wasn't abused or manipulated. Is he an overgrown man child? Yes he threw a tantrum about being the oldest son but he doesn't want to harm people. Even with Willa, yes he's aware he's paying for her love. But he asks her and she says she's happy. He doesnt know what love is, what Willa gives is better than nothing.

[@upg5147]

Another Succession video? Don't mind if I do...

[@ARIYO.]

ANY SUCCESSION VIDEO ANYWHERE

[@upg5147]

@@ARIYO. How did I just see that now...

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Honestly I think this story could end EXTREMELY dark for all three of the siblings, and quite well for Connor.

[@nealgriffin1480]

Agreed. I think Connor could get it all, whatever 'it' is....

[@henrikanchelia64]

Well, so far it's better for Connor than for the rest of the siblings, unlike them at least he got , maybe not a loving wife but a loyal companion/partner in Willa...

[@jesusrueda4853]

It happened

[@shreyap.5844]

here to tell you you were right.

[@ballerina3483]

Elder sibling are indeed the first pancake . It took me 10 days of begging and crying to get permission to go on a trip as an adult mind you and my sibling just announce and go there and i am honestly happy for them. Its just tragic that i am there for them to listen to and advice them but i had no one just me and my thoughts and my experiences they really cannot help me so i have to figure everything out right or wrong on my own.

[@sogekingsniper4637]

Roman is seriously so sad as a character. So screwed up, and the last episode just emphasized it. Great video. I think it's too late for him.

[@thomasc7322]

Great analysis. I genuinely think that another great tragedy of Succession will be that Roman appeared to come so close to growth as a person, seemingly more aware of the feelings of those around him and the effects of his own actions and behavior, only for that potential to whither in the aftermath of Logan's unexpected demise. Roman's behavior during those first four episodes, compared to his behavior going into the election (all apparently encompassing a window of approximately ten days) are so profoundly different by contrast. His genuine desire to build something with his siblings, his reluctance to make the same lewd and cruel jokes everyone expects from him, his seeming to have reached a place where he was able to actually stand up to Logan regarding Gerri's unceremonious firing; even the way he steps in to show Kerri some genuine decency at Logan's wake, are all so jarringly different from the Roman we see following events in Norway. Whether because of grief, or being denied the catharsis of finally confronting Logan to become his own person, or some combination thereof, Roman completely regresses into the cruel, petulant snake we met early on. Except, now empowered like never before, he's doubled down on becoming the worst possible version of himself, rather than the best. I was arguing early on this season that even someone like Roman could grow, and learn, because I was trying to consider his experience in the same kind of context as your own analysis. And while I do still genuinely find him a tragic character, there's no excuse for empowering a fascist, racist demagogue as a means to sooth Roman's damaged ego and crippling insecurities about himself and his reputation. I can't forgive him, and even though I still try to look at the whole picture, I don't think there's any coming back from the path Roman appears to have chosen.

[@memicoot]

Your absolutely right. It’s ironic that w Logan’s death he basically screwed his kids over and shredded their lifeboats. Kendall too was so close… Frank even remarks on it, asking him if he really wants to surrender all the progress he’s made. Nate reminds him too “you’re not Logan - and that’s a good thing”. But Logan’s death was a catalyst for Kendall too to be his worst self. Not sure I understand how Shioban is fundamentally changed by her dad’s death, other than just intensifying the fear and anxieties she already had.

[@revolversnake126]

Conheads... how are we feeling?

[@LULU-wn4ng]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 that was a sociopathic af speech

[@avangarde2200]

We are coming

[@jennifermcgee8621]

Have they called Alaska yet? Connor's poll numbers were up in Alaska.

[@Ronam0451]

Misery misery misery

[@williamhenning4700]

@@avangarde2200 I AM HERE

[@oXogon80]

This video essay makes a good point: Watching the series I always felt like Connor Roy was interested in politics from a very young age, but I was never able to point to a scene proving it.

[@mackjay1777]

Spot-on about both Connor and Roman. I'd only add that Roman's obsessive attitude toward Gerri was an expression of the same thing you describe. He sexualizes the need for parental love by way of Gerri who is an older woman, and in the end totally destroys what connection he did have with her.

[@mimawolf]

you've described their relationship very well, and I just wanna add one detail that I can't help but notice every time: how whenever Conner touches Roman, he never seems to reject it. Roman'll still belittle him but whenever Connor pats his chest or his shoulder or fixes his tie, it's almost like Roman stands in place in order to receive Connor's physical affection, though he never acknowledges it, and I just think it's another great detail on the desperate but fearful feelings of appreciation Roman has for what Connor's done for him during childhood and for Connor's willingness to show him care now.

[@pamelamccall5653]

This is such a great video. Thank you for exploring this lack of love in each of the siblings, how wounded they all are and how it affects their inability to obtain what each of them craves. It really struck a cord with me and my own experience.

[@benderB9]

If they roy siblings formed up like a Megazord they would have one functioning human being

[@fluffywolfo3663]

The funny thing about Connor is that I normally gravitate towards whoever seems the most together. And Connor... well, he _is_, but he's also a Roy. He's so close and yet so far. But he's doing his best and I respect that.

[@cbushin]

Connor's run for president was a good analogy for every other sibling wanting to succeed Logan. The other kids has the same chance of getting Logan's love was the same as Connor getting elected president.

[@andrehunt2690]

Keep the Succession vids coming! Excellent work

[@UseTheLess00]

I feel like the next episode may mark the ending of the relationships between the main trio of brothers. Yet, I don't see Connor getting involved in all the drama. In the end, he might just be the won to win the "game"

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Connor's just vibing.

[@neilgannon205]

note the 'there's one person in this room who believes in me' line that Connor says, and Matsson pointing at himself. This goes completely under the radar. I could definitely see Connor winning 'the game'

[@easschung9442]

@@neilgannon205 I looked at the Mattson stuff as a funny little side note but you may be right.

[@EddyTheMartian]

Easily the best show in the last decade and Top 5 shows ever. Glad you’re making videos on this masterpiece

[@revolversnake126]

yea best show since mad men as far as im concerned.

[@xxora6568]

@@revolversnake126 I think it’s surpassed mad men. I think it’s more consistent. Both masterpieces tho

[@bratprica6383]

If they nail the finale, I truly will agree. Shame the show doesn't have a 9 or more on IMDB. Not that ratings matter, but I want people to know when they search the show up that it's a masterpiece.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

More consistent than Mad Men, but also shorter and not as beautifully brought to life in terms of the setting. Interesting comparison.

[@raymondsims7042]

@@bratprica6383 “best show in the last decade” is a bit much 🤷‍♂️one of them for sure but the “best” I can’t go that far and succession is one of my top ten shows ever. But I think shows like game of thrones, mr robot, dark are better

[@kurtwagner350]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who picked up on Roman and Connor having a close connection by their messed up families standards

[@jamesdan6895]

It's getting to the point in Succession where I'm going to delightfully rejoice the horrendous fates Kendall, Shiv and especially Roman likely meet by the end of it all. It’s a testament to how good the writing and actors are that I've grown so annoyed by people who don’t exist.

[@Andygee1991]

You’re a bad person.

[@aubreyyoung4610]

As fun as that sounds, I don't think that will happen. This show has been pretty true-to-life, so I'm expecting there may be major disappointments over who actually gets to run the company, but everyone will be just fine in the end because they're filthy rich. An unhappy ending for the audience

[@memicoot]

Wow I feel the opposite! I want to cry for them all and mourn the loss of their last chance of changing and healing. I feel like I’m watching people slip down the edge into a pit they will never be able to climb out of.

[@PourItIn_MyTrophies]

This video just broke my heat as the oldest son of four boys. I’m Connor, but I’m also the most successful (right now anyways, who knows what life has in story in the future)….. my brothers don’t love or respect me lol and I’m the only who would kill or die for them. But now that I’m older, I get it. I do.

[@spewter]

Humblebragging in KZbin comments. Maybe you don’t have their respect because you’re up your own hoop?

[@memicoot]

Even if they don’t see it now I hope someday they see the impact your love had on them!

[@gostavoadolfos2023]

Stay away from them, envy is a major negative emotion which can destroy you and them... in certain cultures Envy has the power the send strong brain wave to affect the victim body. We quite often focus on the emotion of Love Hatred and Vengeance but we neglect Envy.

[@shironerisilk]

Eldest sister here, similar situation. I'm surely wouldn't kill or die for them, but I really cared and tried to do my best as long as I could, but only got competition, coldness and resentment instead. I'm aware it's fully not their fault though, it's mostly our parent's doing. What is funny is that even if I'm a bit ''more successful'', I'm the most disliked by my parents, because I achieved what society values, but my parent's love isn't conditional like that. They simply love some more and others less. My brother is loved because he's the only boy and my sister is ''the problematic one who needs more love and care'', even though the favoritism ruined her in the first place. I've been told ''you can take care of yourself', that's why we don't pay attention to you' and since all of them know I will be there for them, parents and siblings, I'm the least valuable in the family.

[@carmencollor1224]

​@@shironerisilkI am baffled. Yours, could be my story. I just read it to my husband and he, too, is amazed. It is good not to be alone. Thanks.

[@CarterMcartmart]

It occurs to me now that Roman’s joke about Connor sexually abusing him as a child is likely a super on-brand reframing of the genuine affection Connor gave him, but Roman can’t seem to understand or process real love without twisting it in some way (no doubt thanks to the abuse he suffered from Logan)

[@qwerkywriter7134]

6:36 Connor recalling the fishing trip might be my favorite Connor moment from the whole show. It’s comedic and tragic, and I can really feel the love Connor has for his brothers in his recollection of the story. He calls them “assholes” but if he really thought that, he wouldn’t have taken them on the trip. It feels like a real memory of a family trip, and the was his voice rises as he defends himself is so authentic. I had to pause the episode and launch because it just felt like it came from a deep part of Connor. He tried to do something nice for them, failed, and then it was used against him for a joke at his expense. And man, that just sucks but it’s also so funny. For me, it’s the most human Connor has ever been.

[@jenniferbuchanan6562]

Any thoughts about Connor playing the video for Roman, Shiv and Kendall when he was with Logan at a dinner where he opened up and was singing? His half siblings seemed appreciative of watching that moment.

[@kamoheloiannk617]

Honorable mentions would be the balloon debate at the end of Season2 the way Rome looks at Kendall when Logan tells the table Kendall is taking the fall.. Season 1 Episode7 when HE went to go pick Kendall up from the druggies he was with ... It's just that roman wants so much to impress his dad , when he acts genuinely he loves his siblings

[@NellVell9]

Succession is a study in narcissism in the family dynamic....absolutely hands down the best thi g on TV just now.

[@contemptman3646]

Am I the only one sick of the "Connor was interested in politics from a very young age" stuff in youtube comments? Feels like it dismisses and meme-ifies a very good and nuanced character. I'm glad videos like this exist to shed a light on him because people don't tend to give him the time of day.

[@easschung9442]

The internet overdoes it, it is indeed very aggravating.

[@memicoot]

Im over it. It’s concerning that Succession is getting to that level of meme-dom and popularity. I don’t want to be nasty but I feel like the point of the series is misunderstood by a lot of people. Like there are actually folks rooting for “their guy” to “win and be CEO”. If you understand this show you know there is no prize to be won other than getting out with your head still attached to your shoulders.

[@memicoot]

Im over it. It’s concerning that Succession is getting to that level of meme-dom and popularity. I don’t want to be nasty but I feel like the point of the series is misunderstood by a lot of people. Like there are actually folks rooting for “their guy” to “win and be CEO”. If you understand this show you know there vis no prize to be won other than getting out with your head still attached to your shoulders.

[@contemptman3646]

@@memicoot that's just what happens with popularity, man. Can't let it bother you otherwise it'll drive you insane.

[@carmencollor1224]

Me too. It diminishes such a great character!

[@seanyrobbo1]

This is a beautiful breakdown, your recap of the sleeping bag scene made me realise that on the surface it's hilarious, but underneath, it's actually incredibly sad and traumatic dialogue when you actually learn these story arcs.

[@meleronnef8411]

Your music uses for Succession videos is amazing, lots of violin and somber tones which fits perfectly.

[@cilajoao1]

Your analysis was very touching. Thank you.

[@AddyGoesPlaces]

In the episode when Logan dies, Roman makes a point to physically touch all his siblings.

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

This and the previous video really helped me enjoy Connor more man, thank you.

[@gznoodle]

that hand grab roman did will always break me

[@jasperr4284]

any chance you might make a video on gerri and roman’s relationship? this video made me think about how he would only let her talk to him through the door, bossing him around, and thats also how he sought out comfort in his dad’s death (via the voicemail). loved the video and con and rome’s relationship through this lens!

[@Aleczandxr]

I don’t think so, I feel like their relationship is already adequately discussed on here so I don’t have a ton to add. Glad you enjoyed!

[@TopFlightFamily]

Such great analysis

[@soccerstuff8071]

Catching up to your videos and honestly I love the content but seeing the music you choose is just as much of a treat.

[@ninjasaurxd]

man it’s not even Hidden anymore. after this finale it’s even more evident that the whole show has always been a tragedy

[@billclinton5888]

Connor definitely did win in the end

[@retsila4750]

Fantastic video! Connor is my new favorite character.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@Tosspoet]

this is the most interesting take I've seen. truly is a tragedy

[@WildShadowsZA]

Excellent video. Much appreciated and beautifully motivated. Well done.

[@Julian-jd5yj]

Prediction: it's Frank in the end or it dies in flames

[@OMGanger]

The hidden tragedy that is the center and at the complete forefront of the show

[@raymondsims7042]

Lmao 😂😂

[@JenLight]

I'm gonna say the thing I've been thinking here. It's crazy and I'm sure I'm wrong but I keep getting this feeling that Roman is going to actually die. I don't know why. Again, I am sure I'm wrong. I just can't shake it.

[@PeskyPorpoise]

Yep, I've had the same feeling ever since Logan died, but to me, it is either Ken or Roman. Ken is so self-destructive and has been close to death two times that I can remember, and suicide has been hinted at previously with him standing atop the Waystar tower and his father installing glass at the top to prevent anything from happening. But yeah, agree 100%; someone could very well die in the two last episodes.

[@JazzyChain24646]

I just wrote that to a friend, I really really think he is!!

[@CosmicFist78]

It doesn't feel like that kind of show. Even Logan's death, as heavy and dramatic as it was, still has a huge sense of realism.

[@JazzyChain24646]

@@CosmicFist78 yeah, that's what putting me off, I totally agree but I just feel somethings gonna happen

[@CosmicFist78]

@@JazzyChain24646 I think Logan is gonna pit the main three against each other with something in his will. And i think that will result in one of them or Connor distancing themselves from the family for good. I think Ken might be the one to do it because he's showing signs of going too far but not being completely over the edge. He might prove to us all in the end that his children are not just an afterthought.

[@capnbug]

I wonder how hard roman roy would laugh at this video

[@snailnda]

this video really open my eyes on roman's need of love, i never saw it during the show because i binge watch it and didn't even have the time to think on what i just saw

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@frankjennings4489]

I don’t think Roman calling Connor a joke was the last straw in their relationship. Connor is used to it and handled it perfectly.

[@Aleczandxr]

Him handling it perfectly doesn't mean it wasn't the last opportunity for them. I think it was.

[@frankjennings4489]

@@Aleczandxr That’s fine, but I definitely disagree. In a dysfunctional family people get used to taking crap like this. Connor and Roman are both used to it more than most people.

[@Aleczandxr]

To clarify, I did not say it was the last straw in their relationship. I said it was the last straw for any hope of them being loving brothers. And hey If the last two episodes offer evidence that Connor and Roman will have a loving relationship then I stand corrected. As it stands, that last dispute was the final proof to me that they won’t ever have that.

[@yutikoo]

started my watch if succession can’t wait to get back to this once I’m caught up

[@benwilson7560]

9:28 Lukas in the background hahah

[@williamhenning4700]

He’s a Conhead confirmed.

[@Baslium]

I don't Connor is as innocent as it seems. Imao,Roman has ED because he was molested by Connor when he was a child. Roman always made horrible incest jokes. Once he said he was molested by a scoutmaster on a trip. The most bizarre thing about Connor is that Kieran Culkin who plays Roman, said in an interview that he thinks Conner was the evilest person in his family, worse than Logan.

[@Aleczandxr]

Connor hasn’t molested anyone.

[@gmagoo7415]

Kieran said Connor was the most evil because he built a golden gate for Willa and kept her inside the golden cage...

[@capnbug]

New succession channel

[@benjaminduval6054]

Thanks for the insight. Much appreciate.

[@rika7625]

When you explain it like this it actually doesn’t seem to be so hidden

[@johanneslundvoll2555]

Wow, What a video! Amazing

[@jimmyichigo7410]

Great video! Hoping for maybe one more, but that may be too demanding.. ha.

[@strykerdh]

damn. con just became my favorite character now i think. well except for his unhinged political idiocy

[@williamhenning4700]

Political brilliance*

[@earnthis1]

Shit licking idiot, like them all.

[@strykerdh]

@@williamhenning4700 maybe, just maybe 🤔

[@earnthis1]

They are all so privileged that they can be forever insanely rich, with no consequences. So, they will continue to be hateful.

[@mannysynth1664]

The NOT disgusting brothers

[@eddiee8478]

love this show. love the connor character. great video.

[@Stryfe52]

Sending all these to my dad, he loves this show!

[@ClaudiaBoleyn]

This is an incredible video. I've thought similar things about Connor and Roman's relationship, but you explained it far better than I could. I wonder if Logan was aware of this potential as well? Do you think that played a part in Roman being sent away? He also makes a lot of homophobic comments, and that's bad on its own, but I also feel like maybe it's teaching the three boys not to connect on that level. I think he wanted Roman to feel angry at Kendall for being the favourite (and he was mostly successful), but he's also trained Roman to see affection from men as something shameful, which is exactly what gentle Connor offered. I think the only reason Logan never bothered doing something like this with Roman and Shiv is that he never thought Shiv would be real competition, only a stick to beat Roman with (as in, even the girl, your little sister, is better than you!).

[@ClaudiaBoleyn]

Also I might be misremembering, but in one of the first episodes I think Connor is talking to the daughter of Roman's girlfriend and he says something about how he's going to buy up all the water supplies ready for the apocalypse, but not to worry because he'll share it with her. The context is very Royish and disturbing, but one of the first things I recall of him is Connor speaking kindly to that little girl.

[@carmencollor1224]

Connor is my favorite character, maybe for the reasons you' ve mentioned...

[@caydenrichmond9551]

The conheads are gonna love this

[@keneisner3445]

Lots of great insights here, and well assembled, too. The one thing that could improve it, though, would be to match the audio on your chosen clips a bit more closely with the volume of your voice-over. I found myself jumping back to the keyboard to crank the sound up and down fairly often, and that distracted somewhat from the main thrust. Thanks!

[@sabastioncarver3743]

Okay, this was the wake up call I needed to change this dumb profile pic I chose when I was like, 12 😂. Appreciate the shout-out, though

[@Truthseeker371]

On the whole, non of Logan's children grew up to be spiritually independent person. They were emotionally and psychologically caged and ebslaved by the toxic father and mother. When the father dided, the children shouod have gone to live in the own way. It's best the father's empower was bought out.

[@Wellnessdrinkingbuddy]

Great analysis 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@TurrettiniPizza]

Who else thought this was a Succession War arc video

[@sogekingsniper4637]

No one who actually looked at the thumbnail.

[@raymondsims7042]

@@sogekingsniper4637 lmao

[@memicoot]

It never occurred to me that this might be the end of Roman and Connor’s relationship :/

[@brandond.johnson167]

Spot on analysis.

[@easschung9442]

I really have no idea where the show will go in the last two episodes. What are Shiv and Mattson even going to do??

[@RiC_David]

I like this video because it strikes the right tone when it comes to psychoanalysing and understanding people who aren't good people. Succession does a fantastic job of playing with our feelings towards the characters, and this has always felt most pronounced to me with Roman (Greg second). He's entertaining, with this alone often being enough to engender fondness, but he's also clearly a former victim. One of our biggest struggles, individually and collectively, is reconciling how to feel about people who are both the abused and abuser. If I knew him, I'd forever despise him for his sadistic life-altering cruelty in the first episode (the million dollar challenge), just like I'd think Connor was a piece of shit if I ran his kitchen and was being fired and un-fired every time his mood changed. We're desensitised to their casual acts of callousness, so then we're eventually hit with Roman eagerly supporting and assisting a bonafide Hitler admiring white supremacist (not in question, rewatch his earlier scenes, this isn't some fan theory) in becoming President of the United States of America. As noted in some of the valid criticism of the recent Dahmer TV series, it's extremely dangerous when you cross that line from learning how someone came to be as terrible as they are and wind up excusing them. I could talk at length about the curiously inconsistencies I observe here - which actions/behaviours get downplayed or dismissed, who is allowed this benefit, which actions are deemed irredeemable and whose background is treated as irrelevant. It's akin to the 'main character syndrome' where their inner complexities matter, whilst others are just collateral. If you help put a neo-nazi in charge of a country, no amount of understanding that your dad hit you as a child and never made you feel loved is going to balance that out. Many of the people who'll be impacted by that had far worse childhoods, so now they get that same origin story plus further suffering. To reduce crime and repeat offences, we need to understand those who offend, plus it generally helps to know why things are as they are, but let's not relieve them of their own responsibility and judgement. This is not some starved and tortured dog.

[@memicoot]

I don’t think the net results of compassion can ever be negative. I believe we can cry for the victim while still saying “we won’t allow you to inflict this pain on anyone else”.

[@Aleczandxr]

I didn’t relieve him of his responsibility and judgment. In fact I did the opposite in this script.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your videos man!😊😊❤❤

[@sowavypisceslady9591]

Connor & Greg are my guys 😂😂😂😂

[@justmyopinion79]

Poor Coonor.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Excellent, very cool.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Thank-you

[@JL_Lux]

Love isn’t gonna heat any of them lol

[@atlntcostv7293]

Deep.

[@PeachesandCream225]

Connor the real MVP

[@dhavaldesai6202]

Wow is connor sidelined again

[@mumenjorge]

awesome awesome video!!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@luffydsid]

Kieran Culkin who plays Roman was asked how would you rate a character from good to evil, he quotes "Connor is most evil... Connor is quite a terrifying and unpredictable man who basically purchased a woman and put her on a ranch... i don't wanna say against her will. he created a lovely golden cage for her and she feels trapped and he knows it and just, you know says I'll try to make your dreams come true. its kind of actually terrifying. So, him." Source ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHuVkGyVbNF6b5I ) 2:34 this doesn't have to be neccessarily true or false its all to interpretation ... this was at the time of second or third season where Willa definetly was unsure of him and obviously only in season 4 we can say Connor is the only one with a stable and happy relationship out of all characters which is saying something as definetly everyone thought of connor and willa as superficial till season 3 atleast i did.... but its good insight to how roman sees connor despite connor being the kindest ... i think that all charcters in succession judge each other based on thier actions in thier work life or how successful one is or how in that moment is of use to them ... i dont know just rambled based on the interview i saw and what he said...but what kieran said is defintly worth noting in how he sees connor atleast up till season 3...

[@Aleczandxr]

I’ve heard that podcast and while I do think it’s notable, I don’t consider anything he said to contradict anything said in this video, nor do I think it has a factor on their relationship. Kieran Culkin’s criticism of Connor there seemed to come from a very personal place and while I have said that there are some concerning elements to Connor’s taking in of Willa early on, I fail to see him as evil or terrifying, and certainly not as much so as his siblings or father.

[@luffydsid]

@@Aleczandxr 🙂 agreed nothing contradicting in the video was just sharing as these are quite heavy words .. but u already knew about it so yeah didnt matter... though now that u said it i also see it that it came form a personal space...

[@memicoot]

Doesn’t this really downplay Willa’s agency? She made a choice, she decided she could be happy enough with Connor. No one is holding a gun to her head. She’s still young and attractive - she could go off and fine a more authentic love if she wanted to. Women have been making this trade off basically forever. It’s just that today some women (women like Willa) actually have the choice to say no. Willa decided not to.

[@memicoot]

Can you explain the sleeping bag / shitting the bag newspaper joke at Kendall’s party? I don’t think I understand or remember it?

[@JoJoJoker]

Greg continues to inch his way to the top! Royco is a news organization and Greg Roy* has the inside scoop. S1E1 foreshadowed all of this. Greg is doing the bidding of Ewan to avoid becoming the world’s tallest dwarf. The wasabi and LeCroix were not accidents. Also: Roman has become cartoonishly evil at this point. The writers sometime struggle with nuance.

[@VictorIV0310]

Greetings

[@michaelyu6250]

TGAA MUSIC

[@user-yo7fx2xn8m]

It’s hidden but it’s not a tragedy - u want to get rid of him 👆 One of u two played the queen’s card 😏

[@cliffordbates]

But does the events in episode 8 of season 4 slightly backtrack things between Conor and Roman?

[@Aleczandxr]

On the balance of things, not at all. Of course they’re still going to interact, but the point is that I don’t think they’ll ever be as close as they could’ve been.

[@barbcarroll5265]

nice....

[@Zecamilleo]

Hidden😂? The whole point of the story is tragedy

[@Aleczandxr]

??? The obvious point of the video isn’t that the series is a tragedy, it’s that this relationship is one of the most understated and subtle tragedies in the story.

[@gooeymon8146]

Great video! This guy should try watching anime or something.

[@Ronam0451]

Nah

[@memicoot]

I don’t know if this is supposed to be a joke but 💯 agree

[@gooeymon8146]

@@memicoot Dude come on

[@memicoot]

@@gooeymon8146 oh sorry I just love his succession videos, didn’t realize he does primarily anime

[@mmmuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiirrrrr]

Roman wanted his girlfriend to NOT get wet because a dead body can't WANT SEX, and he wanted to have sex with a body that wasn't enjoying it. ROMAN IS NOT GOING TO THRIVE IF HE'S PROPERLY LOVED.

[@Aleczandxr]

Think about Roman’s life, the person he’s become, the interactions he’s had with his father and siblings, and how he’s spiralled as a RESULT of not having love and then read your last sentence. Absolutely wild. He has twisted sexual desires that are outright stated to be dysfunctional BECAUSE of his lack of love.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

It's genuinely concerning how much you missed the point.

[@mmmuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiirrrrr]

Now, with Logan gone, will Roman seek love, at all, anymore? Has he forgone all hope? If so, who will he become?

[@mmmuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiirrrrr]

Perhaps he'll finally stop looking for love where he'll NEVER find it, and start looking at all those around him who CAN love him.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

@@mmmuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiirrrrr Literally no, just like the video explained, he's avoiding that due to his layers and walls that he's set up. Connor was someone who CAN love him, and he spurned him. What're you talking about?

[@geargeekpdx3566]

It's a lot closer to Seinfeld than Shakespeare and because the acting is so good the story itself isn't really doing anything to be honest. It has become a character based media not story based. Disagree? Well, the story has not changed at all over 4 seasons. Like Seinfeld it's a "show about nothing" -- a group of empty people who hate themselves in more or less degrees and their portrayals all reflect that damage over the course of the seasons in all settings it is the same. LIke Seinfeld, there are three main guys damaged in the same rough way (ie The Three Stooges etc) and one women who also doesn't care but imbues female persona and a lean to the political left slightly but not acting out on it. LIke Seinfeld, they are shamelessly self centered, seemingly unencumbered with normal human fears and needs and unpretentious enough to express that lack of morality willingly; in the case of Succession, dramatically, darkly. In Seinfeld it is comedically, darkly. It will end the same too: they will all be the same and in it for themselves and faced with jail and public outrage because of it.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

Not at all. The character arcs in Succession directly parallel King Lear and Henry IV in multiple seasons through multiple characters, to downplay that is denying reality.

[@raymondsims7042]

@@bobbyzamora6389 yeah op is being completely disrespectful to succession 😂

[@memicoot]

I get what you mean. The plot is really just the background to watch these interpersonal relationships play out. I’m not sure it would be as compelling if the acting wasn’t just supernatural.