Throughout "Succession," I experienced a range of emotions for each character at various points in the story. During the first two seasons, I admired Kendall; he was my favorite brother. However, after the third season, Ken is psychologically deconstructed, piece by piece. He undergoes such a remarkable arc that I now question whether I truly appreciated him at any point. He is a man drowning in his own ego, to the extent that he is unable to acknowledge it, and he becomes overwhelmed by his insecurities and fragility. He serves as a weak representation of Logan, which frustrates him; it has always frustrated him. His actions and attempts to wrest control of the company from his father come across as nothing more than childish tantrums. Yet, this complexity makes him an incredibly well-written and developed character.
This is what makes "Succession" exceptional: it is populated by real characters whom you both love and hate simultaneously. None of them are neutral; they are amoral, ambiguous, and act purely out of self-interest, always considering their own welfare. Consequently, the series features opportunistic characters seeking their big break in a business world dominated by sharks, leaders who show little to no concern for their employees or for the suffering caused by their decisions. A prime example of this is the man who shoots himself in the Waystar offices; the executives seem indifferent to his plight.
Beyond the corporate bubble in which "Succession" unfolds, it intelligently addresses sibling dynamics and how their father pits them against each other for his own gain. I find this aspect of the series far more intriguing than the billion-dollar deals, business strategies, or legal machinations. For instance, when they are deliberating on who will be the next president of the United States, they consider sending Connor to be an ambassador to some country, as if it were a game from which he could choose at his convenience.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the upbringing and family environment of these characters. Each decision is rooted in a twisted aspect of their psyche, leading us to explore childhoods scarred by the undeniable absence of both parents. I believe "Succession" is more about the perils of a family fractured from within and across generations than about the grand empire of Waystar Royco. Nevertheless, it is an experience that one must witness firsthand.
