Succession- The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
Blu-ray at last!
After the complete series hit DVD and only the first season was released on Blu-ray, it seemed as if that was the end of the story of “Succession” on home video. After nearly a year, we now have the complete series release on Blu-ray at long last.
Created by Jesse Armstrong, “Succession” is an HBO comedy-drama series that ran 4 seasons (although it probably should have ran longer). The story revolves around the dysfunctional backstabbing Roy family. Logan Roy (the patriarch) is the CEO of a media empire known as Waystar RoyCo. The mystery of who will be the successor in the event of Logan’s death is the central story throughout the series. Will it be one of Logan’s children (Kendall, Roman, Shiv and Connor) or possibly one of his employees (Tom, Frank, Gerri, Greg, etc.)? No spoilers here. Elsewhere in the series are plots involving health scares, scandals (cruise line, Kendall’s drug addictions and accident), Waystar business (acquisitions, sales, debts), a potential Waystar takeover, Tom and Shiv’s marriage (and marriage woes), Connor and Willa’s relationship, ATN news, family events, birthdays, and getaways, Kendall plotting against his father instead of being a scapegoat, Marcia (Logan’s lover), private-equity investor Stewy, the GoJo company, a pregnancy, and Connor running for President. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
From the very first episode, it was clear that “Succession” was something special. The Shakespearean esque satire (that takes shots at certain real-life media moguls) immediately grabs your attention and never lets go with its funny and smart dialogue, compelling storytelling, and layered, despicable, yet always fascinating characters who are constantly feuding and backstabbing. It also happened to be a story that constantly leaves you guessing. Until the finale, it remained quite up in the air as to who the successor would be. It was a real Game of Thrones as it were.
“Succession” also happens to be a rather deep series that tackles politics, capitalism, business, news, family, and wealth. The series never pulls any punches as it digs into this unsavory world all while making you deeply invested in it at the same time.
As good as the direction, production values, and writing are, the cast is ultimately what makes this series such a rewarding viewing experience. We all know Brian Cox crushes it in every role and his performance as the grouchy and cutthroat Logan Roy just might be his finest. The rest of the ensemble, however, is just as magnificent. Kieran Culkin has been in the movie biz for awhile now, but he became a bonafide star as Roman and deservedly so. He steals every scene he’s in. Jeremy Strong is an intense method actor whose dedicated work pays off. He became an overnight star as Kendall. Sarah Snook (who really caught my eye in “Predestination”) is getting the attention she rightly deserves after playing Shiv. Matthew Macfayden was a relative unknown before playing Tom and now his career is also justifiably taking off. Much like Culkin, Nicholas Braun has been around awhile now, but he was very much catapulted into the limelight as the dopey Cousin Greg.
Simply put, “Succession” is one of the best series of the best decade. If you have yet to watch it, now is the perfect time to binge it with this Blu-ray release.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The hi-def transfer is significantly better than the DVD release.
Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The crisp audio allows you to catch all the snappy dialogue.
Extras:
* Season 1- “Succession Wedding Featurette”- An 8 ½ minute behind-the-scenes featurette on filming the wedding in the UK.
* Season 2- Inside The Episode extras for all 10 episodes of the season (which contain interviews, set footage, and discussions about the episodes), “Invitation To The Set” (an overview of set 2), “Meet The Roys” (clips from season 2), Character Recaps for Tom Wambsgans, Shiv Roy, Logan Roy, Kendall Roy, Connor Roy, and Cousin Greg
* Season 3- “Controlling The Narrative” featurettes for episodes 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 (basically the same as the “Inside The Episode” extras with interviews, clips and episode discussions), “Who Said It? With Nicholas Braun And Matthew Macfayden” and “Who Said It? With Sarah Snook and Alan Ruck” (cast members play a game of which character said which line), and “Roy Family Food Chain” (cast members rank the Roy family).
* Season 4- “Controlling The Narrative” extras for all 10 episodes, “Advice For Your Character” (what advice would cast members give to their characters), “The Best Of Logan Roy” (clips), “Who Said It: Logan And Gerri” and “Who Said It: Tom And Greg” (more games), “Scene Swap: Tom And Greg” (the actors read a scene and swap characters), Character Recaps for Logan Roy, Tom Wambsgans, Cousin Greg, Roman Roy, Shiv Roy, Connor Roy, and Kendall Roy.
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