One of the absolute best shows on television, Succession, has released its latest (third) season and The Movie Mensch was given a free DVD copy to review by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to review in this post. The opinions I share are my own. This is one home video release to treasure, putting it simply.
It is almost as if we are taking the Jesse Armstrong created show for granted while it was away during the bulk of the pandemic. The last episode of season 2 aired almost two years ago and it took until October 17, 2021, for season 3 to hit HBO’s airwaves and streaming service, HBO Max. All it takes is a few minutes of season 3’s episode one and one is immediately reminded of the fact that there is something incredibly special about this show. From top to bottom, Succession may be one of the best things that have ever aired on television.
The show follows the family Roy, led by patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox), who owns a slew of newspapers across the world, not to mention the leading cable news outlet, a television and film division, and in season 3, they even dip their toes into the online-only market. But at the end of the day, the show’s title tells you all you need to know about the crux of what this program is about. Logan is getting up there in years, and the decision over who will take over when he either retires or dies seems to fluctuate on the week, depending on who did what to who.
Succession is Shakespearian in its familial scope as the four children of Logan Roy each play their cards as to why they should be the ones to lead the family business into the next century. There’s the oldest, Connor (played by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off scene-stealer Alan Ruck), who doesn’t give off the vibes that he is all that interested in being “the guy.” In fact, he lives in the American Southwest and is consumed with making his former escort his bride. But the minute that he is not in the conversation about the future of WayStar RoyCo, Connor is right there—knife out and ready for combat.
Then, there’s the show’s MVP, i.e., Kendall (Jeremy Strong… so deserving of that Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy in 2020). He has had issues with substances, but from the outside, it seems that Ken is the logical and smartest choice. Toss in a complicated relationship with his father—leading a mutiny to take the company from him will do that—and his hold on being in the catbird seat is not as strong as it once had been. He’s divorced and has a couple of children he adores, so the motivation to stay sober is there, unfortunately, the reality is an entirely different tale.
Shiv is Logan’s sole daughter. Played by Sarah Snook, Siobhan (Shiv’s “legal” name), is commanding and not necessarily the name that rolls off the tongue when talking about the future of WayStar RoyCo. She has a fallback gift and that is being a wizard of political posturing and has made quite the name for herself across the country.
Kieran Culkin is Roman and he’s the youngest and someone who is as ruthless as he is loyal to his father. Roman has some personal demons himself, but Logan knows at the end of the day, his youngest will always have his back… or will he?
See, that’s the crux of season 3 is what you think you know about how this program will progress, the further from what actually occurs becomes clear. There are few television experiences that will keep audiences guessing in terms of his narrative path than Succession. That is made crystal clear in season 3. There are also in-house candidates, such as Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron), who have Logan’s ear and has for decades—i.e., assurances that the company will continue in a Logan Roy way of thinking.
Although he may not be in the running for leading the company, a fan favorite is Nicholas Braun’s Greg Hirsch. He’s related but in the cousin realm. Greg can be counted on, as he has shown repeatedly over the show’s run. He is of particular importance to Shiv’s husband, who also works at WayStar RoyCo, Matthew Macfadyen’s Tom.
Season 3 also brings outside interests, such as a surprising turn by Alexander Skarsgård as the tech billionaire Lukas Matsson and Holly Hunter’s Rhea Jarrell.
All of the above contributes to the weekly guessing game that is the Succession experience. Season 3 turned up the flame on its characters as threats and burning issues seem to pop out when you least expect them. Deals that were done, suddenly become unraveled. There is no way a single viewer out there could predict the way that season 3 progresses, and thus, concludes. Again, no spoilers here at The Movie Mensch, but let’s just say that not only the viewers, but several major cast members close out the season with their jaws agape.
The performances continue to be spellbinding. Cox leads the way with a command that rattles with power and panache every moment he is onscreen. One can see why Braun’s Greg is a fan fave, there’s an awe-shucks meets utter brilliance stew that brews inside his brain. The four siblings are each bloody fantastic in their own way and season 3 will allow each of them to have repeated spotlight moments that will undoubtedly demand the attention of Emmy voters. Strong, in particular, had a banner season that finds his Kendall running the emotional, professional, and personal rollercoaster.
One can argue as to if this is a fictionalized version of the Murdoch family (Fox, Fox News), with Logan Roy serving as our Rupert Murdoch. By the close of season 3, it really doesn’t matter what inspired this series. It exists in its own vacuum and when you’re in it, you never want it to end. Season 4 cannot come soon enough.
When it comes to bonus material included on the DVD, one must start with Who Said It? It features the pairing of cast members, each being quizzed on quotes from the series and yes, who said it. Some of the answers will surprise you, just like the season itself. It’s an utter blast witnessing this bonus featurette and it winds up being as entertaining as it is enlightening.
We recommend diving into the Roy Family Food Chain next. This featurette finds the electric ensemble discussing their characters and where they think they land on the Roy clan’s food chain. Their answers, and the discussion itself, will spotlight much about the show, the actors and actresses who comprise the ensemble… and the writers.
Lastly, take in Succession: Controlling The Narrative which focuses on season 3’s episodes 2 and 4. Once you experience those particular episodes, you’ll see why filmmakers felt it important to devote an entire featurette to Controlling The Narrative.
Show Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A