I really enjoyed Succession but completely agree that it is "engaging but superficial." I never could get on board with the many breathless think pieces I have read over the years that praised this show as brilliant social commentary. I also think it's not particularly good as character study either. What many take as "complexity" or nuance really I think is more about building suspense and tension in the plot.
Yeah, that's just it. Entertaining and funny, yes. But insightful and profound? Meh. I guess what I'm trying to point out--and this is obviously debatable--is that the "breathless think pieces" (great phrase!) are not arbitrary or half-baked but, rather, part of a "canned" journalistic strategy. After all, if you're an intelligent person, and if you hear that SUCCESSION is intelligent, and if its intelligence involves critiquing this or that person or worldview, then naturlich "all intelligent people" should agree that SUCCESSION is great and smart and critically incisive. And this is just the sort of "integration" that Ellul prophesies...
I think it is a beautiful show and fun to follow. I guess many of us like to watch villains because it makes us feel better about ourselves. And I agree it simplifies the reality of what really happens in this world. As do most stories.
I really enjoyed Succession but completely agree that it is "engaging but superficial." I never could get on board with the many breathless think pieces I have read over the years that praised this show as brilliant social commentary. I also think it's not particularly good as character study either. What many take as "complexity" or nuance really I think is more about building suspense and tension in the plot.
Yeah, that's just it. Entertaining and funny, yes. But insightful and profound? Meh. I guess what I'm trying to point out--and this is obviously debatable--is that the "breathless think pieces" (great phrase!) are not arbitrary or half-baked but, rather, part of a "canned" journalistic strategy. After all, if you're an intelligent person, and if you hear that SUCCESSION is intelligent, and if its intelligence involves critiquing this or that person or worldview, then naturlich "all intelligent people" should agree that SUCCESSION is great and smart and critically incisive. And this is just the sort of "integration" that Ellul prophesies...
Yessss! Agree completely.
I think it is a beautiful show and fun to follow. I guess many of us like to watch villains because it makes us feel better about ourselves. And I agree it simplifies the reality of what really happens in this world. As do most stories.