Succession Revelations from the Series Finale
The HBO show Succession recently concluded its fourth and final season, and I must say, it delivered a thought-provoking conclusion. Considering the deeply flawed nature of all the major characters and the central theme of seizing control of a morally questionable company, the ending was as “happy” as it could have been.
[Spoilers Ahead]
The series revolves around a world fixated on the idea of crowning kings, immersing us in the complex psyches of the three siblings vying for control of Waystar Royco, the publicly traded conglomerate that operates media, entertainment, parks and cruises, and others. Through their journeys, we witness the destructive nature of this toxic environment and find ourselves unexpectedly empathizing with the choices they make.
Matsson and Tom will Do Less Harm Than the Roy Siblings
In the final episode, we reach a critical juncture where the characters' decisions and realities converge, as they shed the façade shrouding their lives. While Matsson and Tom may not be epitome of virtue themselves, they possess a slightly greater capacity to steer this empire. It’s the best outcome that the situation could have come to because Kendall and his siblings would have caused and have in the past caused, more harm than I believe Matsson and Tom will.
In the series finale, as characters shed their facades and realities converge, it becomes evident that Tom possesses a greater capacity to lead with less harm than Kendall and his siblings.
The three Roy siblings, on the other hand, embody a distinct toxicity that, in my view, surpasses even Matsson. Though Matsson grapples with personal demons, Kendall committed the ultimate transgression by taking another person's life and evading justice, a truth known to his siblings throughout the entire season.
Related: Roy Family Dynamics: Succession “Church and State” Review
This revelation hung over our viewing experience, leaving us to wonder when and if the truth would come crashing down. And when it finally did, I was simultaneously taken aback and fully comprehended the weight of its consequences.
Disturbing Physical Abuse Endured by Roman
The latest episodes brought forth startling revelations of underlying emotions. The dynamic between Roman and Kendall took an even darker turn, as we witnessed the disturbing physicality of Kendall deliberately reopening Roman’s stitches just moments before the crucial board meeting.
Kendall's deliberate act of reopening Roman's stitches moments before the crucial board meeting revealed a disturbing level of physicality in their dynamic.
This shocking display made us question the extent of physical abuse that Logan and Kendall may have subjected Roman to during their formative years.It also shed light on Kendall's manipulative nature, as he attempted to assert physical dominance over Roman when the latter was in a vulnerable state. The complexity of their relationship left me perplexed by the power dynamics at play within this troubled family, and made me feel sorrow for Roman.
The Morally Bankrupt Kendall
Kendall is exposed as an utterly lost, desperate, and morally bankrupt individual. It became evident that allowing him to evade any consequences for his actions and ascend to the throne would have dire repercussions. His behavior escalated to alarming levels, as he physically lashed out when Shiv delivered the ultimate rejection in the boardroom.
Related: Succession Deep Dive: Season 4 Episode 8, ‘America Decides’
Kendall's aggression extended beyond Roman, even resorting to laying hands on Shiv herself trying to physically stop her from walking back into the boardroom and vote the GoJo acquisition through. This demonstrated the extent of his volatility and the potential harm he could inflict if granted power unchecked.
While it is clear that Kendall was never suited to wield such immense power, it remains challenging to wholeheartedly celebrate Matsson and Tom's ascendancy. In reality, I would likely despise the Roy siblings and revel in their downfall. However, since we have been on this journey with them, we cannot help but develop a sense of empathy towards them, particularly Roman and Shiv.
Colin as Haunting Symbolism of Kendall’s Past Sins
Colin, portrayed by Scott Nicholson, served as a poignant symbol throughout this season of Succession. He represented the haunting presence of server Kendall tragically took the life of in their drunken and drug-filled car accident. In the series' closing shot, we witness Colin's ghostly figure lingering over Kendall's shoulder, symbolizing the skeletons in his closet that he will spend the rest of his life trying to exercise.
Kendall's moral bankruptcy is laid bare as his desperate actions escalate in the series finale.
It brings to mind the conversation Logan had with Colin, where he expressed their close bond and called him his best pal. One could speculate that Logan sought to solidify Kendall's safety by forging a deep connection with Colin, ensuring his unwavering loyalty in keeping Kendall's secret concealed.
However, the question arises: What about Marsha? Did she also possess knowledge of the incident? One could argue that she was complicit, but perhaps Colin's status as an employee rendered his involvement in the cover-up less incriminating. Regardless, Colin's character serves as a vivid embodiment and constant reminder to the audience of Kendall's past transgressions, and his presence concludes the show in a profound way showing that Kendall has committed the ultimate sin among a show full of wrongdoers.
“You can't be CEO. You can’t. Because you killed someone.”
In the end it was this ghost of his past that put the nail in the coffin of Kendall’s dreams of becoming CEO, as Shiv made clear by saying, “You can't be CEO. You can’t. Because you killed someone.”
The intricacies of Succession, particularly its final episode, leave us with a wealth of material to analyze. At this moment, I am inclined to consider this show among the top five greatest of all time, but I must acknowledge my proximity to it, which may cloud my judgment.
As time passes and recency bias fades, a more impartial assessment can be made. However, for now, I personally rate this episode a remarkable 9.4 out of 10.
What do you think?