Succession

Going into this I thought there was no way Succession could ever live up to all the hype surrounding it but then I watched it. It not only lives up to it but surpasses it in every way. This really is one of the best shows of all-time. I heard such great things about it and saw all the awards it's won but still put it off until recently. I can't believe how much I was missing out on, I binged the entire series within a week. I have to admit that you have to give it a few episodes before you really get into it because it starts off pretty slow but before you know it you'll be addicted. I can't say enough about this cast either, the entire cast is unbelievable, not a single bad actor on the entire show. Every actor/actress on the show have been nominated for their performances in this, thats unheard of for a show. Here's the list of all the actors/actresses that have been nominated and or won an Emmy for their performance: Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Strong, Brian Cox, Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfayden, Nicholas Braun, Alan Ruck, Alexander Skarsgård, James Cromwell, J. Smith-Cameron, Adrien Brody, Hope Davis, Sanaa Lathan, Cherry Jones, Harriet Walter, Hiam Abbass & Arian Moayed. That's ridiculous and unheard for any show. That's how good this show is, 17 different actors were nominated for an Emmy, almost all of them multiple times and in every season the show was on. Succession absolutely deserves all the awards it's won and more.

I bore easily. When we steam series, my wife often has to remind me to "let it build" during the first season as the groundwork for the story is being laid out. There were probably 3 times during season 1 where I asked her "another one?" when an episode was over and I'm really glad she encouraged me to be patient. It took me nearly the whole first season to connect to the show but once I did, there was never a point that I was bored again. We have watched a few series with more seasons leading up to this one and I often remarked about how they were dragging things out, but I did not feel that during Succession. The series length was perfect. The episodes were filled with quality without a ton of needless filler and irrelevant dialogue.

On its surface, it's about a billionaire business legend near the end of his career and the impending question of which of his kids are going to take over as CEO. The tension this creates really drives the show.

Underneath, it's really about an incredibly dysfunctional family dynamic. The parents are cold, manipulative, and lack empathy and compassion. The father has mastered the ability to triangulate in order to keep his children divided to prevent them from undercutting him.

The children, who are now adults, at their core are emotionally deprived and traumatized kids who are incapable of dealing with emotions in a productive manner. Yet they find themselves repeatedly getting into intensely emotional situations.

Yes, they are incredibly wealthy and out of touch with the working man. They all have aspects about them that make them easy to dislike at times. BUT if you watch through the lens of understanding what they've been deprived of in terms of love and emotional connection, it gives you an empathic outlook which makes the show what it is.

There is a constant longing for intimacy and zero understanding of HOW to achieve it or what to do with it when they do.

I thought the final episode of the show was awesome. There was so much love, hate, misplaced anger, and self loathing flying around that it really illustrated how unstable they were. The final scene was brilliant. So uncomfortable but so good.

Acting was outstanding. Cox is a beast. I had no clue how good Culkin was but I was blown away by his performance throughout, and his acting in the final episode was gold. Same thing with Jeremy Strong as Ken. My favorite character from start to finish was Tom (Jeremy McFayden), and Greg was a perfect addition to the show.

9 stars. Top 10 all time for me and gets very close to cracking my top 5.

Succession stands as one of the most striking shows in modern television, and a key element that elevates its narrative is the unforgettable, grandiose soundtrack composed by Nicholas Britell. From the moment the iconic opening theme begins, you're instantly immersed in the world of unimaginable wealth and power. The score is elegant and luxurious, echoing the sophisticated, high-class realm the Roy family inhabits. Britell's music feels almost like another character in the show, effortlessly embodying the themes of ambition, betrayal, and cold opulence. Jeremy Strong's performance as Kendall Roy is nothing short of mesmerizing. His portrayal of a man battling inner turmoil while trying to escape the shadow of his powerful father is captivating. Strong brings a raw emotional depth that makes Kendall both tragic and compelling, solidifying him as one of the most fascinating characters in recent television. Visually, "Succession" is just as grand as its soundtrack. The breathtaking cinematography - from convoys of luxury cars to sweeping helicopter shots of towering skyscrapers - reinforces the immense wealth and power of the Roy family. Every shot exudes an almost overwhelming sense of grandeur, allowing the audience to feel the weight of their influence and the isolation that comes with it. The show's brilliance also lies in its exploration of how wealth, bad parenting, and childhood trauma shape adulthood. The Roy siblings, each scarred by their father's toxic influence, struggle with personal demons and fractured relationships that drive much of the show's emotional tension. In addition, "Succession" offers a sharp critique of the media's role in shaping public narratives. As owners of a global media empire, the Roy family controls not just wealth, but information - underscoring the dangerous influence of mainstream media on society. Overall, "Succession" is one of HBO's finest creations. With its rich soundtrack, brilliant performances, stunning visuals, and sharp commentary on power and media, it is a must-watch for anyone intrigued by the complexities of wealth and family dynamics.

I actually enjoyed Succession but it's definitely a show that's not for everyone. The majority of the people I know end up loving up but there are those who don't like it too. You'll have to judge for yourself. What can you say about it that hasn't already been said? First off this show has won the Emmy for Best Drama every season it's been on and literally every major character has been nominated or won an Emmy for their work on this show. It's also one of the highest rated shows here so it's not only a hit with the critics but the fans love it too. Bottom line is this is one of the best shows ever created. It's one of the rare shows where every season is just as good as the others. There's no let down or weak season. This show is not for everyone though. If you are looking for action and a fast paced show then this isn't for you. What makes this series so special is the writing and acting. It will suck you into their world and won't let go. I can't recommend this show enough but again not everyone has is going to like it.

I'm not sure I can say anything about this television series that hasn't been said. It really is on a completely different level than most shows. It took me awhile to really sit down and get into it - I thought I wouldn't like it or it wouldn't be for me but I was so wrong. You like business? This is for you. You like politics? This is for you. You like rich a-holes? This is for you. You like backstabbing? This is for you. You like relating to characters on a surface level about their family problems? This is for you. HBO continues to be at the forefront of delivering the highest quality of one hour television blocks. Every single person I've talked to about this show has a different favorite character and I think that speaks to how well written not only the show is but the characters as well. Just when you like them, you will hate them and the cycle repeats. Succession truly is a top 5 show of all time and I doubt we ever get anything like it again. "Information is like a bottle of fine wine. You store it, you hoard it, you save it for a special occasion and then you smash someone's f-king face in with it."