The first season of the HBO original series Succession played out like a modern King Lear as a mix of corporate satire, family drama, and perverse dark comedy with a savage edge. Brian Cox stars as corporate monarch Logan Roy, a media baron of the Robert Murdock type trying to decide which of his siblings will take over his empire, then holding on to power as they scramble among themselves.
The second season opens after the failure of Kendall (Jeremy Strong), his business-savvy son, to wrest control in a hostile takeover. The chastened Kendall becomes his father's ruthlessly loyal hatchet man, a sycophant who executes orders with dead-eyed efficiency.
Meanwhile, Logan gives his daughter, the appropriately named Shiv (Sarah Snook), the nod that's considering her as his new heir apparent; the impulsive, hedonistic youngest son Roman (Kieran Culkin) enrolls in the company's management training program to show dad that he is also a serious contender; and the utterly out-of-touch eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck) announces a run for President with an ill-conceived campaign.
On the periphery of the inner circle are Shiva's husband Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), desperate to move ahead in the Roy family business, and cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun), who plays the rube but carefully watches the power dynamics play out.
They are all tested when Logan makes a play to purchase a rival network, which the owner (Cherry Jones) sees as a bastion of responsible journalism in contrast to the tabloid journalism of the Roys. The negotiations play out over a circus of dirty dealings, secret negotiations, and scandal.
The show, created by Jesse Armstrong, is a savage and often darkly funny portrait of a damaged family led by a coldly manipulative patriarch who has taught his children that success is more important than morality or loyalty. There are no characters to root for here—there are all horrible, unlikable people—yet it is fascinating to watch their dramas play out.
The writing is so sharp it draws blood and the performances are unflinchingly committed. Cox is brilliant as the severe Logan, who alternately encourages and humiliates his children, and Strong makes Kendall the show's tragic figure.
The first season was critically acclaimed and earned two Emmy awards. The second season took home seven awards, including Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and for lead actor Jeremy Strong, out of eighteen nominations, plus Golden Globe awards for best television series and for actor Brian Cox.
The DVD includes ten short "Inside the Episode" featurettes and the longer "Invitation to the Set" featurette. Highly recommended.