Note: This piece contains spoilers for the HBO Max series, Succession. Please ensure you’ve watched the final episode before continuing.
As the successful HBO Max series, Succession, draws to a close, the fate of Waystar Royco, the powerhouse company at the heart of the series, is finally unveiled. However, the lingering question remains: Do the show’s protagonists emerge victorious, or is it a defeat?
Since its premiere in 2018, Succession has etched its place as a leading corporate drama series on television. Jesse Armstrong and his adept artistic and technical team have crafted an essential jewel in the television landscape.
Power Struggles and Sibling Rivalry
The fourth season begins with Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan “Shiv” Roy (Sarah Snook), and Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) forming an unlikely alliance to prevent the sale of Waystar Royco that their father, Logan Roy (Brian Cox), intends to execute with Lucas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård).
The narrative takes a jarring turn in the third episode, reshaping the trajectory of subsequent episodes and shaking the characters to their core.
Mourning and the Battle for the Throne
In the aftermath of their father’s death, Kendall, Shiv, and Roman grapple with their loss and legacy. All three yearned for Logan’s approval, and their quest for his acknowledgement transformed into a competition for the coveted title of “heirs.”
As the final episode, ‘Wide Wide Eyed,’ unfolds, it becomes clear that none of them will inherit the throne.
The Consequence of Ambition: Who Prevails?
In this contemporary rendition of a Shakespearean tragedy, the reins of Waystar end up with Lukas, while Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) is named CEO to placate a potential future president.
Yet, has Tom really triumphed? He may appear to have the upper hand, but Lukas essentially appoints him as a ‘straw man’ — a figurehead set to bear the brunt of any potential attacks on the Swedish tycoon.
Meanwhile, Kendall, Roman, and Shiv stand to earn a fortune from the sale. But was money ever their true desire? Kendall’s emotional outburst, Roman’s visible defeat, and Shiv’s unfulfilled ambition underscore the emptiness of their financial gain.
Unresolved Relationships and Future Prospects
Shiv continues her relationship with Tom, a man she doesn’t genuinely love, who now occupies the throne she sought. Their turbulent history of betrayals hints at a tenuous future together.
Connor (Alan Ruck), seemingly unchanged, retains his relationship with Willa (Justine Lupe). Despite their differences, their bond strangely appears to be the most stable among the cast.
Finally, Lukas emerges victorious: he gains his coveted prize and prepares to dismantle the empire Logan painstakingly built, preserving only what serves his expansion plans.
Succession, at its core, isn’t a tale of winners but a portrayal of how an individual’s success can breed mediocrity and discontent among his heirs. Laden with ambition and wealth, these flawed characters stumble down a path of their own making.
To quote Homer Simpson: “You will have all the money in the world, but there’s something you’ll never be able to buy… a dinosaur.” Perhaps the characters in Succession could indeed afford one, but Jesse Armstrong leaves us yearning for more.
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