Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Biting, profane satire about the obscenely wealthy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Succession
What's the Story?
In SUCCESSION, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his family run a global media company, with business ranging from TV networks to amusement parks. His son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is preparing to take over as CEO, but Logan doesn't quite trust him to run things. Loudmouth Roman (Kieran Culkin) steps in as COO. Older brother Connor (Alan Ruck) and sister Shiv (Sarah Snook) have pursuits outside of the company, but their privilege and wealth are inherently tied to their access to their father. On his 80th birthday, Logan gathers his family to tell them that he's decided to stay on as head of the company for a few more years, and that he's giving his partner, Marcia (Hiam Abbass), a significant portion of the company upon his death. This begins a series of negotiations and manipulations among the family that only get more complicated as the different siblings compete for Logan's favor in hopes of being named his successor.
Is It Any Good?
This dark but very funny series is an American comedy of manners that's as entertaining as Veep or its British predecessor, The Thick of It. The comedy in Succession comes from the fact that each member of the Roy family is a profoundly terrible person who's consciously manipulative and money-hungry, but also stunningly socially awkward.
It's worth wondering what the point is of watching a show about obscenely wealthy people doing awful, sometimes cruel things with money. How much mileage is there in laughing at these people who, nonetheless, are thriving in the United States? Creator Jesse Armstrong provokes viewers to consider these difficult questions throughout the series. From the start, the jokes are funny, and the performances are on point. But the ongoing success of Succession's satire depends on viewers' ability to also see the abuse of power and toxic relationships that accompany the Roys' wealth.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about satire. Succession's characters are almost universally unlikable people. Why would people want to watch a show about them? What is the show trying to say about the Roy family and how they behave?
What are the family dynamics in Succession? What motivates each of the characters? What do they want from each other, and how do they go about getting it? Who do you find yourself rooting for, and does your allegiance change over time?
What is the role of money in this show? How is the characters' relationship with money similar to or different from yours? How do they use money? Just to buy things? Or do they use it in other ways?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 3, 2018
- Cast : Brian Cox , Jeremy Strong , Sarah Snook , Kieran Culkin
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : June 27, 2024
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