Discussion
Is anyone else watching the HBO series 'Succession'?
Shot, movie-style, with very good production values, it follows the tribulations of a huge, family-run US corporation - led by the elderly father who is has failing health.
The thing is, the programme is unusual in that there isn't a single, likeable character. No-one you'd feel any empathy for, let alone any sympathy for. It's seriously dark, as it explores just how dreadful family members can be to each other. After each episode, you feel like you've been through an emotional wringer.
Yet it's still pretty compulsive!
Shot, movie-style, with very good production values, it follows the tribulations of a huge, family-run US corporation - led by the elderly father who is has failing health.
The thing is, the programme is unusual in that there isn't a single, likeable character. No-one you'd feel any empathy for, let alone any sympathy for. It's seriously dark, as it explores just how dreadful family members can be to each other. After each episode, you feel like you've been through an emotional wringer.
Yet it's still pretty compulsive!
Finished Season 1 last week. Wow. Just wow.
Absolutely the most most beautifully directed, shot and, in several places, acted drama serial I've seen for a long time.
Stark, brutal, agonising, but also an outstanding insight into the human psyche, particularly within the realm of families.
Can't wait for S2.
Absolutely the most most beautifully directed, shot and, in several places, acted drama serial I've seen for a long time.
Stark, brutal, agonising, but also an outstanding insight into the human psyche, particularly within the realm of families.
Can't wait for S2.
Yes, I watched it. I tend to record things and then watch the episodes back to back so I have to avoid threads on here in case there are any spoilers. I might have been alright with this one. 
Brilliant series. Usually you end up "supporting" a character, but this lot were all conniving rotters.
Last night I finished "The truth about the Harry Quebert affair" which was very good too. There's no thread about that either. Is everyone watching Strictly?
Brilliant series. Usually you end up "supporting" a character, but this lot were all conniving rotters.
Last night I finished "The truth about the Harry Quebert affair" which was very good too. There's no thread about that either. Is everyone watching Strictly?
RicksAlfas said:
Brilliant series. Usually you end up "supporting" a character, but this lot were all conniving rotters.
Initially, yes, they were all rotters. But by the end of the season, I was absolutely captivated by the depth of the Kendall character. The study of the strengths and frailties of the human disposition that his character presented was palpable.I was also very impressed with the writing for the Shiv character. Whilst she started out as a complete b
h, she is being slowly promoted as the most clever and cunning (in a good way) of the lot of them.Just did all of this over the last couple of weeks, brilliant.
As said, the characters have all developed massively, its probably got me the most hooked of any show I can remember in recent times, maybe since Breaking Bad or similar.
The English chap is pretty good too, Tom, I hate him, but he's great.
As said, the characters have all developed massively, its probably got me the most hooked of any show I can remember in recent times, maybe since Breaking Bad or similar.
The English chap is pretty good too, Tom, I hate him, but he's great.
Yep - I've never known a TV programme to reach the end of an episode and for you to have to remind yourself to breathe. The tension creeps up so slowly and quietly, you just don't feel yourself being dragged into their torrid lives.
Jeremy Strong, in particular, presents an acting masterclass, especially in Season 2. But, for the viewer, they all mix moments of admiration with heaps of revulsion.
The attention to detail is just remarkable, e.g. look how they behave around helicopters. Us plebs would dip our heads when under the blast of the rotors; 'rich' people, who use choppers every day, walk as if the aircraft isn't there.
Jeremy Strong, in particular, presents an acting masterclass, especially in Season 2. But, for the viewer, they all mix moments of admiration with heaps of revulsion.
The attention to detail is just remarkable, e.g. look how they behave around helicopters. Us plebs would dip our heads when under the blast of the rotors; 'rich' people, who use choppers every day, walk as if the aircraft isn't there.
Edited by V8mate on Thursday 10th October 12:25
Really enjoying this - the characters are all awful but just have about enough to redeem them buried deep - it's quite compulsive.
I didn't realise until recently it was created and produced by Jesse Armstrong, he of peep show and the thick of it (hence i guess the creative swearing)
I didn't realise until recently it was created and produced by Jesse Armstrong, he of peep show and the thick of it (hence i guess the creative swearing)
I was recommended this series from a colleague and having got through 1/2 of the 1st episode, I must admit I was 'struggling' to like it, though.
Thanks to you, V8mate, I'm going to persevere with it.
Oh and having "worked for the Murdochs" for 30 years at Sky News, it really is 'near the knuckle' .....! Even more incentive for me to stay with it....
Thanks to you, V8mate, I'm going to persevere with it.
Oh and having "worked for the Murdochs" for 30 years at Sky News, it really is 'near the knuckle' .....! Even more incentive for me to stay with it....
JONSCZ said:
I was recommended this series from a colleague and having got through 1/2 of the 1st episode, I must admit I was 'struggling' to like it, though.
Thanks to you, V8mate, I'm going to persevere with it.
Oh and having "worked for the Murdochs" for 30 years at Sky News, it really is 'near the knuckle' .....! Even more incentive for me to stay with it....
Yes, you do have to stick with it, its comical how trite some of the characters are in the beginning but they quickly become much more.Thanks to you, V8mate, I'm going to persevere with it.
Oh and having "worked for the Murdochs" for 30 years at Sky News, it really is 'near the knuckle' .....! Even more incentive for me to stay with it....
okgo said:
Yes, you do have to stick with it, its comical how trite some of the characters are in the beginning but they quickly become much more.
Yep - don't regard it as 'entertainment'. It's a clinical window into a world none of us will ever know: the thoughts and behaviours of the super-rich inhabitants of dynastic conglomerates.
But the writing, cinematography and acting are simply world class.
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