The critically acclaimed “Succession” has been compared to HBO’s other major hit, “Game of Thrones.” And to be fair, both shows revolve around the heirs of a patriarchal family structure fighting for dominance over a perceived birthright. But where “Game of Thrones” was a product of the Obama era, when the arc of justice was supposed to bend towards justice, “Succession” is very clearly post-Trump storytelling. This was, it seemed, an anti-fantasy, where the only people more awful than the rich were the toadies chasing them for a crumb of clout.
(Spoilers for the series and series finale below.)
The final trio of “Succession” episodes added up to a stunning repudiation of the era that birthed it.
However, in what has been the series’ strongest season yet, the final trio of “Succession” episodes added up to a stunning repudiation of the era that birthed it. It’s an impressive thematic pivot most political shows never manage. Sunday night’s tragic ending also added an extra twist. Shiv, the daughter Logan spent his life undermining, was handed a pyrrhic victory of sorts — or at least, less of a losing hand than her brothers.
Political series that hit it big with audiences usually subconsciously (or sometimes consciously) help viewers process their contemporary landscape. From “Murphy Brown” to “Spin City” to “Veep,” these shows have worked as long as the actual political climate they’re commenting on remains stable. “House of Cards” and “Scandal,” two shows that allowed viewers to mock Washington’s most venal and stupid instincts, struggled and ultimately ended when Obama’s relatively stable eight years abruptly smashed into Trump’s corrupt chaos.
Inspired by the real Murdoch clan, “Succession” debuted two years into the Trump presidency in 2018. The Roy family was full of miserable, rich, dysfunctional jerks who audiences could pity and hate in equal measure. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and company were based…
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