Logan Roy’s death in the third episode of Succession season 4 was a bold move that paid off, setting the stage for an exceptional series finale that stayed true to the cutthroat world of the Roy family. Despite being an ending fitting for characters with the world at their fingertips, Succession’s final season marked the bloody end of a family’s fractured relationships that has always been the hallmark of the show.
The final season began with the three Roy siblings united, but as the season progressed, they became more divided than ever before. The show’s backstabbing moments were never dull, with the Roys always putting aside their differences to change direction at the drop of a hat. However, the finale saw Kendall Roy lose his chance at the top, leaving viewers with a dark but hilarious irony that only a character like Kendall could provide.
Succession’s characters are often unsympathetic due to their unethical behavior, but the show’s dark humor and cynical tone captivate viewers. The series handles politics astutely, capturing contemporary anxieties with effectiveness while setting parallels to Fox News in a terrifying way. Succession’s occasional moments of vulnerability, like the episode “Connor’s Wedding,” are some of the best-directed TV episodes, capturing raw intensity that viewers would crave more of.
Even with Brian Cox as a formidable force of an actor, Succession creator Jesse Armstrong used Cox’s pre-taped videos effectively following his character’s demise, providing viewers with memorable moments. Armstrong kept the show’s themes fresh by ensuring it didn’t get repetitive, a trap that many exceptional shows have fallen into, and instead, ending it before this occurred.
Succession’s final season tells a story within a short timeframe, keeping the show’s intensity and moments of change as monumental or life-changing, like Tom and Shiv’s marriage or the bloodbath between the Waystar Royco office. And while it’s impossible to choose an MVP character since all of the actors have given brilliant performances, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin’s portrayal of their characters’ complexities was unforgettable.
Succession’s final season cemented the show as one of the greatest in television history, providing viewers with a satisfying and memorable finale. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s a must-watch show that you won’t regret investing your time in.