What Was Succession All About?

[@jrrtalkin]

You can't make a Tomelette without breaking a few Greggs...and you can't make review videos without spending time and money - if you're here over a year after the Succession finale (who isn't still rewatching Succession...), you can support this channel via a very nascent patreon: www.patreon.com/jrrtalkinpatreon/membership

[@secret.dog.powers]

“I sorta see Colin as Logan reaching beyond the grave, not to save his son from death, but to sentence him to life, an utter non-life” oooooooof 🔥🔥🔥

[@romijane]

Best line!

[@jaimicottrill2831]

I think Shiv's moment of betrayal started when they went to Logan's old office and Kendall sat in the chair. Rather than get down to work, he swung back and forth, like a child in his father's chair. I think it hit Shiv (and Roman a little bit too) that Kendall was a child pretending to be their father.

[@belle8732]

yesss this is what i thought too, as soon as he sat there you could see it in their eyes and it was in the back of my head until the betrayal scene. Brilliant turning point

[@endlessfreedomful]

i don't think that slight move could not possibly trigger such a 180 degree turn in such short notice. must be something else

[@jaimicottrill2831]

@@endlessfreedomful That was on top of her just not supporting Kendall in the beginning.

[@joaoalegria7578]

Not only sat in the chair but put his feet on the table, this immediately repulses Shiv and Roman, even though they don't say anything at that moment.

[@Crumbyofficial]

In season 1 Shiv spurns the notion of Ken taking over during Logan's illness in favor of Tom. In season 2, she throws Ken under the boat to Logan in order to spare Tom. Shiv was never going to vote for Ken, even if she thought she was.

[@julianasilveira4806]

I am in no way as eloquent as you or the other people in this comment section, but I did want to thank you for this incredible video. I specifically want to thank you for your section on Shiv. She has easily become one of my all-time favorite characters due to her complexity. It is so, so easy for me to sympathize with her, only to be slapped across the face with her ability to act like a monster a moment later. I've been quite frustrated with the videos I've watched about Succession disregarding Shiv or not wanting to get into her character due to not being able to make sense of her true intentions. She is so, so interesting precisely because she (via the phenomenal writing and through Sarah Snook's monumental acting) doesn't spell her thoughts out to us! It was refreshing to see someone delve into her character like you did, so... thank you so much!

[@Superplin]

This is one of the best discussions of a television show I've ever seen. As a media scholar, I tip my hat to you for how you organized, constructed and presented all of your arguments. I truly enjoyed it and will be showing it to graduate students as an exemplar.

[@jrrtalkin]

honored, thank you!

[@nicholasbarelli6399]

Totally agree!!!

[@nagoldfulness]

Agreed!

[@Danothebaldyheid]

Aye - really engaging analysis

[@thrillcollectors]

Agreed this video breaks this show down better than most. Most other channels seem to purely speculate on some of the themes and metaphorical aspects of the show where this video seems to really have a grip on what is trying to be shown in the series

[@econmachete]

This is the golden age of video essays

[@vikingthedude]

In the golden age of TH

[@da3m0nic_79]

True

[@lorenzomizushal3980]

lol no. This is like the post golden age where everyone with an opinion and have written some college essays think they can write some deep meaningful content while they just, consciously or unconsciously, give the most uninspired takes you can find in forums and subreddits.

[@thebigcapitalism9826]

@@lorenzomizushal3980what would you say was the golden age and why? Would you say this video or its creator is mediocre?

[@christopherrainwater991]

So the golden age is now?

[@DashaDexter]

I really wish we saw more of Stewy. He was like a breath of fresh air in the show because he always added great commentary and different perspective

[@harshals482]

I believe him and Kendall graduated from the same school or something? Would love to get more lore on that guy

[@Светлана-п1п3м]

@@harshals482 they both graduated from Harvard

[@Lizzie-ve7kt]

One thing I realized watching your video, though I don’t know for sure if it was intentional, is that Shiv’s pregnancy in season 4 even further mirrors the Nero and Sporus anecdote as one detail in that story that Tom didn’t mention was that Nero pushed his pregnant wife down the stairs in order to castrate and subsequently marry Sporus. I feel like the ending of the show really cemented everyone’s roles in this story with Tom as Nero becoming the “emperor” of Waystar/Royco as its CEO and Greg’s betrayal of Tom and then his hiring on as Tom’s right hand man shows that in a business sense, his upward mobility is castrated in the corporate world since he can go no higher while Shiv, being pregnant and pushed down the metaphorical stairs that she’d climbed on her way to the top of the corporate ladder by Tom’s ascendency as CEO and her being relatively insignificant in the company. I feel like with how masterful the writing is that the show did make this intentional but even if they didn’t it’s a very nice callback to the story from last season.

[@DeeTeaDee]

Paragraphs?

[@acuteal9068]

Not to mention the much more visual confirmation of this when shiv falls down (albeit only 2 or 3) stairs in S4 E4x

[@safi6749]

I feel like Shiv will still find ways to reach the top

[@quinny98]

​@safi6749 I agree. In my mind, her baby with Tom has a chance to be the next CEO and Shiv can use that opportunity to play her child like a pawn, and battling the urges of motherhood. Then Tom decides to name someone else as his CEO to spit in her face. But Shiv will fight on somehow. She's a Roy after all.

[@romijane]

I thought your comment of Shiv possibly having an ED is interesting, since Kieran did comment in an interview that he always played Roman as if he had an ED. It's not adressed directly on the show, but it fits so well and if you rewatch you notice he barely touches food. So, I think because the cast was so talented and commited, there are lots of tiny details open to interpretation. So, your view is not far off...

[@thompsonnoel]

I've just started rewatching the show these past few days and one of the things I've noticed is the criticism you highlighted in the video. They shower you with a firehose of plot (like Marcia's role in the trust during the first few episodes) that ultimately never goes anywhere. On the one hand I do find it frustrating as a viewer, but on the other, it highlights something important about these power worlds (business, politics,...). They live in a state of perpetual crisis and stress. Every detail seems entirely relevant (it's very apparent to anyone who follows politics for even a month) and yet its relevance is only meaningful as long as people keep mentioning it. For example, Kendall's accident/murder could have gone away by the next episode but because Logan uses it and keeps using it until his death to loom large over him it stays at the foreground. Meanwhile, Cruises is forgotten until it pops back up or Hugo's insider trading is entirely forgotten because no one talks about it or uses it in any way to hurt him. Every plot point in those worlds is meaningless until someone imbues it with meaning by using it.

[@natalie651]

I love your take on the "power vacuum" - you're the first one to mention it in the videos I've seen. Kendall is happy to be with his siblings and away from the office and it's the subsequent episodes - when he finds his father's maybe-will that says his name, maybe, where the potential for power sucks him back into evil. This reminded me more than anything of Lord of the Rings. The Ring of Power and how it makes everyone evil but they still want it. That strange addiction to something so terrible.

[@williammccormick984]

Kendall even admits to the siblings that it's the "job that kills you." Kendall begging for the curse and not getting it is one of the most tragic things because even his best case scenario is to live a toxic and self-destructive life.

[@gusleybighusley6062]

Power feeds a certain kind of meagnerss in men - basically Ewan's speech

[@shogunwarlord5390]

We don't talk about that trash show Rings of Power sir

[@AW-uv3cb]

@@shogunwarlord5390 very true, but I think they meant the original Lord of the Rings books (I'm on a mission to not allow the LotR heritage be erased by the RoP trash haha)

[@brennaleeann213]

something i’ve noticed and found really endearing and relatable about kendall is how much he loves being loved. While all the Roy siblings are needy love sponges as Connor said, Kendall genuinely seems to light up and revel in it more so than anyone else when actually experiencing it, which makes the ending where he bulldozes over every relationship he has in order to get something that will ultimately make him miserable that much more tragic.

[@thismikewillnot]

Marcia was Logan's 3rd wife. We never actually meet Logan's first wife.

[@amanidiotdo]

Connor(‘s mom) being forgotten again..

[@jrrtalkin]

all i know about connor roy is that he was interested in politics from a very young age...lol my b thank you!

[@iAmMrMarch]

@@jrrtalkin comment gold

[@celeritas2-810]

Yeah I'm still guttered she didn't turn up to chaos at the funeral

[@Kaigirl27]

Didn’t they insinuated that she was crazy? (Connors mom) or something like that?

[@axelpool8776]

I have listened to most of the succession commentary/analysis and yours is mind-blowingly THE ABSOLUTE BEST- so tragic that so few have heard it / liked becauseyou are so much at the level of the creators in intellect, literacy, just sheer brilliance. I have a phd from harvard and your analysis is up there with the best minds i have been privileged to learn from. What a gift u are and i hope it gets wider exposure. What do u do " in real life?" Your scorpion analysis! With all the great analysis out there, noome comes close. I hope Jesse A. is aware of you, he would be honored to see what you have accomplished here. Thank you so much - you gave this miraculous show the analysis it deserves.

[@jrrtalkin]

a very heartfelt thank you for this comment!

[@GiantPetRat]

"Because to be meager is to shy away from the true difficulties of life: empathy, kindness, forgiveness, values perhaps traditionally associated with femininity, and even weakness, but they should be universal."

[@toaderdaniel6790]

I like the fact that Roman Roy is narrating this video. That's so cool!

[@therogue1542]

16:35 another example is when shiv makes a successful deal in season 3 episode 5 to get stewy and sandi to back off while logan is senile bc he forgot to take his uti pills, and when logan becomes lucid again he ignores shiv and belittles her

[@xavier-michaelmuli165]

Shiv gets too much hate imo. The eldest girl has always been one of my favourites lol

[@axelpool8776]

I forgot to mention that noone captures the most important theme of the show as you have- the economic thrust/ thirst for power in our culture- what has to be " shedded " what the " meager," forego- all the humane values, the connection between the personal and the societal. Congrats and heartfelt thanks , again

[@soloar2007]

The word is avarice

[@ramvenni7922]

This was the best video essay I've seen on Succession yet. Beautifully articulated a lot of thoughts I couldn't put to words and opened up a lot more interpretations and more ways to look at this amazing show. Thank you

[@Wray62]

Thank you for making the point that we never really have proof of Logan’s “genius” and that his kids do show promise in outsmarting him several times only to lose steam because they don’t really want to hurt him. Logan is just poisonous, but not the same as a business genius. This is the brilliance of Brian Cox. We believe it because of the sheer weight of his presence and force of his personality.

[@Kolya-chu]

I like the way you trust your audience.

[@roscotoob]

Thank you, that was so well written. Informed and well structured, I feel smarter after having watched.

[@marcosbelczak6216]

Beautiful analysis friend, you actually get this show. I've seen so many dumb/misplaced takes online regarding this show, even from bigger channels and famous critics, that i thought no one really paid attention to what they were seeing.

[@amymarquess8188]

Having watched probably 50? videos of Succession commentary or analysis, this is one of the best. Bravo.

[@DrRestezi]

This is the best commentary that I've seen so far on a complex show that will be discussed and mulled over for decades to come. Fantastic job!

[@GINGI9519]

This is a great in depth video, immediately watched it twice, your hard work did not go unappreciated

[@timeforlaurynsopinion5138]

this was absolutely brilliant. amazing analysis, and i learned a lot about shakespeare! one tiny thing i'd add is that marcia is logan's third wife, not his second. his first wife, connor's mother, is never named but we know from little pieces of dialogue that logan had her institutionalised when connor was a child. i think that exemplifies the transactional nature of logan's relationships, the fact that he can't fit a whole woman in his head, and both connor's ability to show genuine affection to his siblings (he wasn't raised by a cold person like caroline) and his feelings of abandonment and neglect. i look forward to watching literally anything else you decide to make!

[@joshuabarry8119]

you killed this shit. succession and veep are both all time greats imo. this group of writers are unbelievably talented

[@sssf55]

Great analysis. One thing I'd disagree with is Mattson winning per se. I think he almost wins because his plan was to have the acquisition go through to hide his own fraud and sell the business for parts to recuperate his investment. He gets what he wants except for the fact that he's paid 33% premium on an already overpriced company that he can't afford. He will ultimately go bust because of his own hubris, desperation and greed. He in many ways is no different from the Roy siblings in terms of being too emotional even though he is more tactical then them. The point of Mattson in the story is to tell the audience that even the "new rich" are just as fallible to the same tropes our characters suffer from.

[@enzomarcano4911]

Great video essay. My only comment is that I think it actually makes sense that they can reference highly academic works because they would have had the best possible education.

[@Zaza_Grady]

I just have to tell you that this is so well written, well researched, and so thoughtfully put together. Excellent, excellent job.

[@gigaofheck]

One of the best videos on succession I've seen!!!

[@seen921]

I love how you structured this video to cover everything from story and intent to characters and payoffs I also loved how you went so far as to quote Shakespeare accordingly. You speak with a great eloquence. Excellent job.

[@dylangaines5443]

Easily one of the best video essays I’ve seen on the show as an actor and writer myself. Great work!

[@w1ckedn0nsense34]

I think Tom might be a window into some of the information that we're missing about Logan. So much is lost because of pride, shiv literally had the throne handed to her and dropped it out of insecurity and ego. Even the Pierces who are portrayed as being better than the Roy's in many ways, though at their core not that different, end up having to eat humble pie when they sell to the Roys for much less than was originally discussed in the first deal. Not only does Tom marry an upper class woman for status just like Logan, Tom has shown to have a similar level of pettiness and cruelty to the siblings but he directs it in a much different way. All three of the siblings blow it by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, meanwhile Tom acts subservient while pouring malice into Greg and other lower people on the totem pole. Logan might have achieved success in the same way, sucking up to the right people while domineering those he could. I think your observation that Logan doesn't actually seem to be smart is on purpose. One of the first things I noticed was that all of the siblings are essentially attempting to mimic their father. "Fuck off/fuck em" "you're fired" etc etc but they don't seem to understand why it works when their father does it. It usually works because the people around him snap into focus and do everything they can to make the stupid plan work, because he's the big boss who can't fail. It's not directly quoted but someone says that Logan once said that his favorite employee was someone who ate shit without him knowing. They're trying to be their father but they can't because A. Logan literally has no one above him to accidently mouth off to and B. He's the one who holds all the cards and might screw you over. Tom demonstrates and understanding of his place in the hierarchy, he scrambles to the top viciously but you aren't going to catch him contradicting the boss. Also, shiv is not a feminist by any stretch of the imagination. But I love how her femininity is ultimately her downfall, the only time she really brings it up is when she's trying to use it as a sledgehammer to get pity points. But ultimately she refuses to actually reject patriarchal power schemes, in fact she attempts to act like her father and her brothers by being cruel and vindictive. In the end, I choose to believe that she has realized that her place on the totem pole is (excuse my crudeness) to be fucked, literally. Matteson rejects her explicitly because he loves her as a candidate but surely whoever is LITERALLY fucking her, is somehow better. In the end her only access to power is through a man, explicitly this is patriarchy. Rule of the Father, before her only access to power was through her father and now it is through the man who is fathering her child. It might be a little reductive of me to think that, and you definitely proposed some good alternatives but that's just what I think.

[@w1ckedn0nsense34]

​@@forpraxisI'm not sure what you mean by "who is better." I don't imply that anyone is better and in fact I don't think that any single character is "better" in any respect.

[@forpraxis]

@@w1ckedn0nsense34 Within the third paragraph of your comment when talking about Shiv you said, “[…] but surely whoever is LITERALLY fucking her, is somehow better.” - This is what I was was confused about, as it was unclear as to who exactly you were referring to.

[@kpinthebubble]

I LOVED this analysis, especially on Shiv. I believe she sabotages the deal partly because she can’t stand the thought of her brother taking the lead role, partly because Kendall actually would be a terrible CEO, and partly because of what you said: her proximity to power would now be the closest with her husband. Shiv is an incredibly complicated character and I both love and despise her for it.

[@javierarreaza5601]

You write beautifully. Thanks for the thorough analysis. SUPPORT THE WRITERS ❤.

[@Jules2439.5]

This is top 10 video essays I’ve ever seen on KZbin. I’ve watched it 3 times already, thanks for your hard work!

[@thrillcollectors]

What a great breakdown. You seem to have a real idea of the intended themes and metaphors, whereas most other channels seem to be grasping at straws. At least for me.

[@yavnevanderraaf7456]

I always wondered why Marcia was so outspoken about having depth with Logan, when we as viewers never got to see any of it. I really love your take on this!

[@helicopter_traffic]

this review was almost as good as a new episode of succession-almost ;) really wonderful. this show seems to bring the best essayists out of the woodwork, and their best work out of them. i’ve found some of my favorite essay channels just because at some point they talked about this show thank you for making this

[@tomaitoe]

This video is a breath of fresh air! Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into it!

[@wsox20005]

I love your analysis of each character as well as the show as a whole. Great essay!

[@ReuvelMusic]

Exceptional essay, loved every second of the series and of this video as well!

[@rachels.8051]

Excellent analysis.

[@antoniohinojosa8370]

Incredible video my friend. One of the best shows I have ever watched and one of the most in depth analysis videos I have found on youtube.

[@ellarieee]

you are a FANTASTIC analyst. i am so jealous of this talent. love this so much.

[@Lyopea]

man this dude really knows what shes talkin bout, rad content!

[@abramova.a_style]

You've created a fantastic essay, and please continue because your thoughts are clean, precise and very complex and I can't wait to see more form you

[@joaoalegria7578]

Amazing analysis and breakdown, well done!

[@solwilliamsmusic]

omg that was such an incredible video!! amazing work!!

[@omg9261]

"Pregrieving" 😂😂😂 That was an amazing and effortlessly funny beginning 😂❤ loved your humor!

[@jenanne31]

Fabulous breakdown and treatment of this complicated and nuanced series. Well done!

[@GulienIthilmir]

I LOVED this video, you made a beautiful summary of the masterpiece "Succession" is, kudos to you!

[@xzxzojkeymtzxzx7712]

i really like your analysis. none of the characters are particularly talented or smarter, but they have the access and knowhow to be able to make a gamble. and for some of them, it paid off. there's an immense amount of determination and work put in, but ultimately circumstance allowed them to be where they are, and its just how the world works, and its brilliant

[@blaqdrag_9936]

This is excellent. The deep dive into the writing, the Shakespearean analysis, and the breakdown of each character what they represent is fantastic. Immediately subscribed 🙌🏾😮‍💨

[@jrrtalkin]

thank you!

[@calebduarte5255]

stellar work. absolutely elegant literary analysis of what may be my favorite tragedy of the television medium in recent years.

[@l.legrys9568]

Wow! What a brilliantly composed video essay! Thank you for giving me more literary angles with which to rewatch Succession. Absolutely loved your analysis. New subscriber!

[@adyantsharma5753]

Fine I'll watch succession again

[@epefania]

THANK YOU FOR THISSSSSS! What a great essay!!!

[@UdyKumra]

This is the best Succession video essay ever made

[@colmlynn]

What a great analysis. Seriously underrated!

[@richardgray7060]

This is really good! The best analysis of these characters I have seen.

[@karlalandaeta6569]

amazing video

[@d.zidane7850]

Your channel is a hidden gem.

[@bielbl5124]

It's all about the complexity of the characters and their self-interested toxic boundaries. The importance of the discursive line to an extend in showing the deepest and most vulnerable emotions and next behaviours. A proper Shakespearean tragedy. Hats off.

[@danielasoledadramos]

This analysis is pure perfection. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Mixolydio]

I’m watching this again. Thank you for it. I’m in, subbed and all the buttons

[@ElFumaderodeQuetzal]

Amazing video, I love Shakespeare, I love Succession, you did a perfect job.

[@CanelaAguila]

Amazing deep dive, very well presented! Thank you, you helped with my post-grieving

[@AW-uv3cb]

Clicked "like" after the intro on why Shakespeare still matters. Not sure if I've ever heard such a succinct summary of the point, and the comparison to Succession is very valid, I think - ultimately, Shakespeare was popular entertainment in his own times, before he was enshrined on the altar of high culture.

[@LoganRoy1997]

“He’s actually frequently rattled and cornered… He typically triumphs because of someone else’s mistakes instead of his own actions.” I think this is still part of the reason Logan was the guy running things. Perhaps he didn’t have too many strokes of business acumen or genius, but I think a lot of the times it can be more about what you “don’t do” rather than what you “do do.” Avoid catastrophic mistakes and foolish blunders that could take down empires, etc

[@stolensentience]

do do

[@toddhalfnight2280]

Excellent analysis, thank you.

[@farahgiovanna]

I enjoyed your analysis so much your podcasts are always so insightful and interesting to listen to, succession was my all-time favorite series as well

[@drawingsticks5333]

I really liked finally finding a Succession video that attempts an interpretation of the show! I don't agree with all of ti course but that's the whole point :)

[@josefina_c]

what an incredible video, thank you for this

[@amanidiotdo]

I love the contrast between Stewy and Nate.. never thought of it before. Brilliantly put essay, enjoyed the whole video

[@gn-dp9yp]

Love channels like this! Keep making videos like this cause I seriously search for these kind of video essays!! I just subbed :)

[@0x1723]

this review is the succession of succession reviews! thank you

[@marianamendes3425]

excellent video!!! 👏👏

[@Grgonaldo]

Tank you for this brilliant video!! i dont ave anything else to say but i must comment something to get you more engagement from the algorithm

[@EddyTheMartian]

Amazing video. I hope you make a follow up discussing the other side characters you wanted to discuss. Subbed.

[@SahilRaj-tw2xb]

What the hell did I just witnessed!! Keep it my man🎉

[@mohauwamorena]

This is BRILLIANT WORK!! WOW. Thank You

[@charmsz566]

I never watched succession but once i found that i couldn't escape the headlines i gave in and binged it over the last 2 weeks. holy moly what a MASTERPIECE! I saw this youtube video come up on my algorithm and bookmarked it because I knew I would want to watch it once I finished the series and I'm so glad I saved this -- this is everything my nerd-brain english-class-loving-ass lives for. The analysis!! the connections you point out!!! This show was so rich with material to discuss, I regret watching it alone, but thank you so much for creating such a well-made deep-dive into, what I agree to be one of the best shows of all time. BTW -- when you said Jesse Pinkman I got chills just from remembering what a legendary character he was. I have no doubt that when I hear the name Kendall Roy, I'll have the same feeling.

[@charmsz566]

also -- omg THANK YOU for addressing the stitches scene!!! By that point in the finale I was well aware that the writers, actors, cinematographers, etc, all knew exactly what they were doing, and so I knew they intentionally made it unclear what was really happening. I just figured I would have resign to fact that we're never really meant to know. Definitely some Fredo Corleone vibes. Brilliant.

[@jrrtalkin]

No one watches Succession alone...thank you for watching this vid and being part of the channel! (PS I meant Jesse Armstrong, but your point still stands)

[@omgkthxbi]

Their academic language, despite not being academics, is pretty common amongst their class. Like they're all educated at the "best" schools even if they aren't in academia. Reminds me of being around my wealthy grandmothers (one was an heiress, the other was married to an oil man), neither of which went to college. I grew up with adults making references to greek mythology and shakespeare all the time.

[@assianeu197]

You're an amazing analyst and you got me wanting to study my shakespeare texts

[@dramacomum]

This is a beautiful video. Thank you.

[@fisayoadegoke2887]

You're brilliant.....wish you the best

[@reneetmp]

Loved it!!! Thank you for taking the time to make this

[@BothTeamsPlayedHard]

Fly content, subbed

[@ebrozo]

Your wrap up thoughts were brilliant and quotable. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@louistracy6964]

Thanks. A very thoughtful take that adds to the show.

[@beckajanse754]

Great essay, thank you!

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

Fantastic and intelligent breakdown. Rome was my favorite character the entire series.

[@scarletibis3158]

Allow my to say BRAVO, well done. i bend the knee.

[@michaeltrue6202]

best analysis i have seen

[@filmterzisi]

great video essay. my only issue is the monotonous & unrelated music. thank you.

[@noneofurbusiness906]

love the channel name

[@themarias8350]

thank you so much for this video, it was so eloquently said!

[@soloar2007]

They aren’t protesting Logan’s funeral. They are protesting the Mencken “election“ the night before. Great vid though.

[@LeeRichardson808]

Love this analysis, thank you