Succession: The Impossible Game (Season 3 Video Essay) 

CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 02:18 Shiv's Path to Waystar 04:31 Siblings Self-Sabotage 07:58 Season 3 Finale Revisited 10:55 Logan's Motive: The Cycle of Abuse

I've yet to see anyone mention why it is that Logan's abuse has caused him to only have two, rather than more, grandchildren. Connor is in his late 40's and has no children. Shiv's in her early 30's and has no children. Roman doesn't sleep with anybody, instead addicted to self-gratification and self-release rather than letting have any woman be physically close to him. We see how absent Kendall is as a father in season 3, the show really drives it home with the rabbit-wrapping-birthday-present Kendall never finds and when Logan utilizes Kendall's son to taste-test dinner. It's also important to notice that the only one who had children is also the only one who has any substance abuse issues and is the only one who spends time with 'regular people' as a result of that substance abuse. Kendall feels he can relate to the everyman because he has an 'everyman' problem: Drug addiction. He can spend all day hanging out with Meth Heads, doing blow with the waiting staff, drinking double-Vodka's with a secretary to some third-tier law firm, and he can get along with people when he's inebriated. It's a lack of self-control. This lack of self-control provided him a failed marriage and two children, whereas the other three have all remained childless. They remain childless because they've spent their entire lives being programmed by their father to become their father- and on a conscious level every child of Logan Roy knows that if they have children they will continue the cycle you touch upon at the end of your video. Kendall continues this cycle of abuse, albeit unknowingly, by being as self-absorbed as his father. The fact he feels terrible that he treats his children this way does not change the fact he *does* treat his children as a distant afterthought. There's a scene where Kendall is in the middle of 'business' at a hotel and its his son knocking on the door, and Kendall absolutely loses it and screams at his son. Once he realizes who it is, he hugs his son and says "I thought you were someone else-" Which perfectly encapsulates that Kendall has all the exact same trappings as Logan and that his 'I am a good person' mantra is total nonsense.

I have watched so many of these in the wake of season 3. But this is my favorite. The others would hit on one or two of these points and then drop it. This is the first video that concisely hit every point about every kid in regards to Logan and the abuse they suffered and why Logan shouting at them to "make their own pile" was particularly ironic and cruel. He not only incentivized that they not make their own pile, he actively sabotaged Kendall and Shiv's attempts to.

This is such a brilliant essay and I think you understand the show perfectly. I feel like a lot of people think Succession is some kind of Game of Thrones-esque show in a corporate setting, with a bunch of genius characters constantly trying to outwit each other, and they miss the point of the abuse that drives the core family dynamic. "Logan declares himself the winner of a game he rigged" is such a perfect way to sum it up - Logan is constantly contradicting himself wrt what he wants from his children ("Make your own pile", but when Shiv was building a career away from Waystar, he pulled her in; when Kendall wanted to break free in season 3, he didn't let him; etc), because at the end of the day he does not want them to surpass him. He wants them to stay under his thumb and control. He wins because he's the one making up the rules, basically. Thank you for your brilliant work! I'll definitely subscribe.

Yes! This is amazing, you've hit every subtextual mark. It's even more ironic when you actually think about the company's legacy and conflicts throughout the series. Everything Ken and Shiv said was true. Everything Ken wanted to change and tried to make happen in season 1 for the company, eventually happened under new leadership. The gojo deal, the modernization and media shift in Waystar was already a move by Ken. Shiv solved like majority of the company's biggest scandals. The victim, press conference etc. And every move logan made business wise actually backfired. It is his money and social standing that saved him and his game. In actuality his business tactics aren't rooted in logic anymore but rather ego and influence. You see this contrast with his children, most of their suggestions and ideas have and would've saved the company.

My favorite part of the Kendall speech where he pins down Logan so well and is no longer afraid of him is that he is ganked out of his fucking mind. Great essay!!

This is so well done!! I often think about Logan's own experience with abuse growing up, as you've touched on here. As terrible as he is, I can't help but feel Logan's character is deeply tragic - he tried to leave that abusive past behind him, but he only succeeds in perpetuating the cycle with his own kids and grandkids. I wonder if we'll ever get to learn more about Logan's history in the show or if it's something that will die with him, with his kids (and we, as the viewers) only ever really knowing what we can glean from hints and allusions to that part of his life.

This essay has some pretty intriguing, convincing, and brilliant commentary. I have to watch this show again. And between the background music & that voice, this video is crazy easy to listen to.

Excellent, excellent. The best video on Succession ( and I have seen a lot of them). Yes, the best, most revealing scene is where Kendall tells Logan that he envies his children and competes with them. The "nobody ", in reality, is Logan. Someone that, deep inside, is forever unhappy and that always feels belittled by everyone and everything.

Thats interessting viewing the Show not only threw the lens of who succeeds in wealth but also in trauma and abuse. So the real winner would be the one who can overcome and end this abuse in his line of succession.

This video is like the ASMR of Succession video essays.

I can't help but watch any video essay about succession I find on youtube

Thank you for making this. So many people, when talking about this show, cannot get even a minute into analysis without asserting that "every character is evil" or "it's a fun show about horrible characters getting what they deserve" or something of that sentiment. To me, it has never been a wonder how we are able to empathise with the characters of Succession, because they have never come across to me as evil - a concept I don't even really believe in to begin with - at all. To me, it is not a show wherein every character is a villain, but wherein every character is a victim. Yes, often of themselves, but those selves are shaped by their own abusers, whether it be their spouse, their mother, society, or - as is the top of the chain of abuse for all the characters in Succession - Logan. Logan himself, of course, has his uncle Noah, and Noah had his own Noah before him.

i really loved this video! succession is excellent but i feel like a lot of the video essays ive seen miss out on a lot. you've managed to go in depth so efficiently. sub!

i went to check your channels to see if you had more content and was saddened to see you didnt. I think many people would love to see more of you work. This was such an incredible video essay! Thank you!!

This is such a good video and unique insight into Logan's game. Great work!

That's really cool! I can't wait for the next chapter-it's really well written!

I love Austerlitz for this reason. It reveals a lot of the reasons for the underlying tension. I also think the swimming pool scene is a metaphor for Logan at some level knowing what hes doing and wanting to change. To first hear Shiv say earlier Logan doesn't swim because he doesn't even trust water then to see him try with the help of Marcia while also revealing his past of physical abuse. Its a shame he pushes Marcia away later as I think, despite her flaws, she is a good partner for him.

so well written! cant wait for more!!

Great commentary- only one tiny correction. Waystar-Royco is the (fictional) FIFTH-largest media-entertainment-news conglomerate in the world.

Excellent man, keep up the good work.

Love this! I'm actually hoping to see more of logan's background next season. I enjoyed this video a lot.

This is such a good analysis!!

such a thoughtfully written review!

Great great great video! Appreciate the hardwork.

Happened upon this video this morning. Well done! New subscriber saying "Thank you!"

Very insightful

This was a very good video! Good stuff

Good analysis! Great video!

Nicely done

Bravo my friend

This is brilliant

dope af!!

Very interesting!

Man you talk like a melting kitten it’s so relaxing

Wow this is really cool!!!!! 💜💜

I think one thing that Logan really hates about his children is the fact that they are still somewhat love each other at least deep down and care too much about Logan's approval and he thinks it's a coward's way taking power by sucking off the powerful person. If at lest one of them without any shame or second thought buldozed through every one the way he does, like when Kendall threw them under the bus. He would respect that (still would use any tool at his disposal to crush you). Logan wants them to not give a shit abou him or anyonr else. Especially about stupid shit like being liked or praised or even loved. Man is a piece of shit, but he has a solid vision of what he wants.

I loved this

Thanks for using and crediting Beethoven and not using some shitty modern fucked up remake of it. Honestly it's refreshing.

Please make more you are best of all

logan is the worst father ever.

Robert maxwell springs to mind.

No no no, Tom is Minnesotan! I had no idea this man was British, holy shit. I have a weird feeling of being impressed and a bit sad

Hate to be picky but it's the 5th biggest not the biggest

Shiv..Ken .roman ..they showed there weakness..dad see 👀 it

Easy times creates weak men. This is why Logan never saw the ruthlessness that he has in his children, coz he knows that the world outside is ruthless and to run a empire even you have to be like them which he doesn’t see in his children.

Why the voice tho

omg it sounds like you're trying to eat your microphone while talking

Your voice is hard to understand. Are you too close? It sounds like it's clipping.

Bro, why are you whispering? It feels like you're recording this in a closet.

Please get someone else to do the voiceover next time. This guy’s voice isn’t capable of doing why he’s trying to do. I got so frustrated trying to hear and understand I stopped it a few mins in.

People are not abused enough