The Next Level of Excellence: ‘Succession’ Season 3 Review

A SUPER EDITOR’S CHOICE

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In 2020, when Succession's second season swept the 72nd Emmy Awards, winning the "Grand Slam" of Best Drama, Best Writing, Best Directing, and Best Actor, it was hailed as an "underestimated masterpiece."

In 2022, Succession's third season emerged as the biggest winner among the nominees for the 74th Emmy Awards, receiving an impressive total of 25 nominations. It's clear that the show continues to captivate audiences and industry insiders alike with its compelling storytelling and exceptional performances.

Typically, sequels struggle to surpass their predecessors, with the majority of works experiencing a decline in reputation and influence after the first installment. However, Succession defies this trend and stands as a remarkable anomaly. One can't help but ponder: why does a tale of power struggles within a business family continue to captivate audiences? In Succession, there is a substantial element of "domestic drama," where a few individuals engage in lengthy conversations, often accompanied by protruding bellies. Yet, why do viewers remain enthralled rather than growing weary?

For a considerable period, when one mentioned television dramas, what came to mind were the "settings" – a constant interplay of changing locations, shifting lighting, and relentless challenges to visual limits. This concept became synonymous with "television storytelling," and its consequences were the decline of dialogue, performances, and metaphors. Under the cover of fast pacing, recycled and clichéd plots were rearranged, complemented by exaggerated expressions that required little acting prowess, resulting in a new series. However, when a story can no longer be confined within the walls, it signifies a detachment from the essence of "dramatic spirit." Perhaps the value of Succession lies in its preservation of this tradition.

The truth is, as the narrative unfolds, Succession becomes increasingly captivating and immersive. Storytelling itself possesses a kind of magic, and the creative team behind Succession can be hailed as masterful magicians who skillfully manipulate this magic.

The portrayal of the plot cannot solely rely on a simple narrative, otherwise, the plot will wither away.

Succession clearly alludes to media mogul Murdoch; the original script was even titled "Murdoch," and it is said to have incorporated references to Deng Wendi. Murdoch, like Logan Roy in Succession, went through great lengths to determine the succession, whether it would be his eldest son or his second son, and managed to offend both of them with one fell swoop. The show draws parallels to Murdoch's corporate history, encompassing legal disputes, conspiring with the vice president, various scandals, and takeover battles.

Succession portrays the delicate family dynamics of one father, three sons, and one daughter. The aging patriarch, Logan, is losing his judgment but becomes even more infatuated with retaining power. As the head of Waystar Royco, his charismatic personality is his talent. Like most charismatic leaders, Logan is decisive, resolute, courageous, and has a keen eye for talent. He often erupts in anger but remains adaptable, capable of swiftly regaining control of the situation.

Logan knows that what underpins his aura is his secret relationships with politicians. This instills both fear and dependency in others, but he must transform these connections into attitude and character, making others submit to him.

Logan carries the imprint of the era of primitive capital accumulation, displaying dominance, ferocity, cunning, and a willingness to do whatever it takes with a full dose of aggression. After enduring numerous hardships, he regards suffering as a constant in life and a source of nourishment, calmly passing it on to his children. Logan is assertive, exerting his presence in every social setting, but behind it lies an extreme self-pity resulting from his own deprivation. He even envies his four children for not having experienced the same level of hardship as himself but enjoying the same rewards.

Under Logan's "violent rule," each of the four children has found their own way to distance themselves from their father. The eldest, Connor Roy, avoids the turmoil and indulges in a romantic affair with a minor celebrity, neglecting any meaningful pursuits. Kendall Roy, the second-born, is efficient in his actions but commits a fatal mistake due to drug addiction. Roman Roy, the third-born, possesses vision but has eccentricities in character, is selfish by nature, lacks any sense of responsibility, and struggles to gain trust. Shiv Roy, the youngest daughter, is smart and capable but finds herself torn between two men and actively rebels against her father.

On the surface, Succession appears to be a "power struggle drama," with various factions resorting to ruthless measures in their pursuit of inheritance rights. However, at its core, Succession is a "zombie drama" that reveals the astonishing power of capital to transform people into zombies. In this game, all participants are victims, but only the one who least resembles a human can ultimately emerge victorious.

But what's even more terrifying is that the zombies dare not venture outside their circle due to the presence of numerous carrion creatures lurking around. Shiv's husband, Tom Wambsgans, endures silently, repeatedly ridiculed by family members and forced to seek validation through Roy family's distant relative, Greg.

They are forced to forget their personalities and search for remnants of their humanity amidst debauchery and excess. They have every reason to hate each zombie, as whoever is left vulnerable becomes the target of merciless attacks.

Everyone is a villain, both prey and predator. This elevates Succession beyond the realm of simply "telling a good story" and instead uses storytelling to unveil the underlying logic of the world. That's why its narrative will never run dry.

The most vivid stories are those that unfold naturally

Not all stories are the same. Having a similar structure, genre, characters, or plot does not mean they are identical. The diversity of naturally evolving stories is what makes them captivating. Succession is visually appealing precisely because of its diversity. Even though nearly half of the scenes take place indoors, the dialogues carry wit and serve not only the plot but also the character development, eliminating any sense of sluggishness or repetition.

Take, for instance, Episode 2 of the third season. The children conspire to betray Logan, but he effortlessly diffuses the situation by allowing someone to bring a box of doughnuts to the meeting. The "coup meeting" quickly dissipates as everyone refuses to align with Kendall. The doughnuts serve as a reminder that their father is aware of the meeting and who might waver in their allegiance, being the first to be ousted.

Initially, the participants cautiously test, waver, and hesitate with each other, almost forming an alliance with Kendall, only for the situation to abruptly reverse. Everyone tries to conceal their connection to the doughnuts and concocts their own excuses, leaving Kendall confused.

This scene spans nearly 10 minutes, including the parts where the conspirators make phone calls or plot with their confidants, yet it doesn't feel dragging. Such a plot cannot be predetermined, but it naturally unfolds along the character growth arcs of Connor, Roman, and Shiv. They organically "grow" within the story, possessing inherent vitality.

The material concocted purely is one-dimensional, while the material that grows naturally possesses diversity.

In the dialogues of Succession, four aspects are often intertwined:

Intervention in reality, which propels the plot forward.

2) Personal judgments, revealing the characters' inner worlds. The characters in the series are all outsiders, offering unique perspectives on issues.

Satirical commentary on reality, showcasing character traits.

4) Saying what needs to be said, displaying the characters' hypocrisy.

With all four aspects simultaneously present and the participants constantly changing their masks, the storytelling breaks free from reliance on settings and stories. Although it may explore familiar themes, Succession maintains its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

While the story itself may not be flawless, the world depicted through the narrative has the power to astonish.

Succession may not focus on intricate plots, but its storyline is beloved by audiences. Among the various praises, "a good story" takes up a significant portion of the accolades.

In reality, the story of Succession may not be exceptionally outstanding; it revolves around the power struggle between father Logan and his second son Kendall. Kendall's tactics involve persuading the board of directors, engaging in stock acquisitions, and using revelations as leverage... Similar plotlines have become the formula of "corporate warfare" show.

However, Succession brings a fresh twist to this formula. Firstly, viewers are intrigued by characters like Logan and Kendall, eager to see how they perform within the familiar framework. Secondly, the conflict between the two parties is irreconcilable. Logan fights for his dignity, unable to accept the damage Kendall inflicts on his pride, which shakes his core values. Initially, Kendall fights for the company's interests, fearing that his outdated father will lead the company to ruin. However, as the power struggle unfolds, he gradually realizes that what he truly needs is his suppressed self, concealed by his father for years. To attain freedom, Kendall is willing to destroy the company.

Kendall can never defeat Logan because, at crucial moments, he automatically loses his judgment, unable to escape the deep-rooted fear within him. When Logan unexpectedly loses control and shouts at his son, Kendall's facade of tolerance and gentleness instantly crumbles— in that moment, the dormant Logan hidden within Kendall takes control of him.

Characters are the masters of the plot, and the same storyline can become captivating with different characters involved.

Moreover, the plot of Succession is inherently multifaceted. On the surface, it appears to be fast-paced and densely packed. However, it can also be enjoyed in a non-linear manner, skipping certain plot points without hindering the overall comprehension. In other words, many of the plotlines in Succession serve purposes other than advancing the main narrative. They tell different stories, eliminating any sense of similarity. Audiences witness not only the power struggles but also the awkwardness between Kendall and his ex-wife, Shiv's self-healing journey between two men, and the strategic maneuvers of Logan's current wife, Marcia. While seemingly focused on serving Logan dutifully and staying out of internal conflicts, she slyly maximizes her own power and interests, playing the role of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The allure of Succession lies not solely in its plot but in how it utilizes storytelling to unveil an entire world.

As the final season of Succession approaches its conclusion, another groundbreaking and timeless masterpiece is about to come to an end. Do you enjoy Succession? Follow me and leave a comment to share your thoughts on this HBO Max series.