This is the first Unherd article by Sarah Ditum I’ve read that’s not about feminism—and I enjoyed it. She provides an insightful review of Succession.
My wife and I gave up cable TV 20 years ago because it’s such a rip off. My entertainment mainly came from rented movies. During the covid year of 2020 I caught up on almost 20 years of popular TV series via DVDs available in my public library. Succession is one of the shows I viewed recently.
I consider it a scathing parody of the financial elite. I almost stopped watching after the first episode because the characters were, as Sarah Ditum notes, ‘grotesques’ and I felt they were too crudely drawn. But the series grew on me not least for the searing humor. And as the author notes, the rich in Succession are quite different from those in Dallas which, imo, was little more than good-natured satire. Really, can anyone have been appalled at the scheming of Lucy Ewing, famously dubbed The Poison Dwarf by Terry Wogan, in Dallas? They were harmless antics compared to the emotional lacerations members of the Roy family inflict on each other.
I think Succession answers a deep need in our current age to view the 1% in an unfavorable light and see them get their comeuppance. I left the series where Logan Roy has been betrayed by his son and appears to be done for. But, like the beleaguered elite of 2021 who are now the target of Biden and the progressives, I sense he won’t be finished off so easily.
The article isn’t telling anyone to despise the rich. Read it again.
Neven Curlin
2 years ago
A well-written article with more depth than one would think at face value. Thank you, author.
I think the rich are definitely to be pitied (everyone is up to a point, given the human condition). They are presented as some superhuman heroes, but their possessions possess them, which also makes them victims. It’s very interesting psychologically, and as an idea might prevent a future where guillotines are the precursor to inevitable violence, suffering and the vicious cycle of wealth concentration starting all over again.
Last edited 2 years ago by Neven Curlin
Galeti Tavas
2 years ago
I am sure it is as woke and real as a Superman movie.
But for knowing the mega-Rich go right to the real expert, David Icke. Not the Lizard ones – but the actual Global Elites who own you (you may not know that yet, but in a couple decades you will…).
This is the first Unherd article by Sarah Ditum I’ve read that’s not about feminism—and I enjoyed it. She provides an insightful review of Succession.
My wife and I gave up cable TV 20 years ago because it’s such a rip off. My entertainment mainly came from rented movies. During the covid year of 2020 I caught up on almost 20 years of popular TV series via DVDs available in my public library. Succession is one of the shows I viewed recently.
I consider it a scathing parody of the financial elite. I almost stopped watching after the first episode because the characters were, as Sarah Ditum notes, ‘grotesques’ and I felt they were too crudely drawn. But the series grew on me not least for the searing humor. And as the author notes, the rich in Succession are quite different from those in Dallas which, imo, was little more than good-natured satire. Really, can anyone have been appalled at the scheming of Lucy Ewing, famously dubbed The Poison Dwarf by Terry Wogan, in Dallas? They were harmless antics compared to the emotional lacerations members of the Roy family inflict on each other.
I think Succession answers a deep need in our current age to view the 1% in an unfavorable light and see them get their comeuppance. I left the series where Logan Roy has been betrayed by his son and appears to be done for. But, like the beleaguered elite of 2021 who are now the target of Biden and the progressives, I sense he won’t be finished off so easily.
“Beleaguered elite”? “Target of Biden and the progressives”?
Really? Beleaguered how? Which sections of the elite are you thinking of? Didn’t they mostly vote for Biden?
Oh yay, an article telling us to despise the rich.
Nope. Sorry. Not into that. Hate is boring.
Why can’t we have shows that encourage us to respect people?
The poor, for example ? Heaven knows, they don’t get much respect.
And please don’t forget that the 1% despise us – despise you.
The article isn’t telling anyone to despise the rich. Read it again.
A well-written article with more depth than one would think at face value. Thank you, author.
I think the rich are definitely to be pitied (everyone is up to a point, given the human condition). They are presented as some superhuman heroes, but their possessions possess them, which also makes them victims. It’s very interesting psychologically, and as an idea might prevent a future where guillotines are the precursor to inevitable violence, suffering and the vicious cycle of wealth concentration starting all over again.
I am sure it is as woke and real as a Superman movie.
But for knowing the mega-Rich go right to the real expert, David Icke. Not the Lizard ones – but the actual Global Elites who own you (you may not know that yet, but in a couple decades you will…).
Your tin hat has fallen off