Reviews

As someone who was coming of age in this time frame, I felt that the director nailed it. The casting was realistic, raw, and told an important story within a story. I disagree with the other reviewer who said that the script was afraid to go deep and remained cliché. There are not enough movies like this. Everything is trying to preach to us nowadays and that's not what this was - and its refreshing. If you look at the parallels between the ethics class and the statement made by Doris, about only understanding ethics or knowing what we believe when we are actually in that moment is so true. There is so much empathy for the character of the mother, but more so for the character arc of the daughter. Remembering what it would be like to be 17-year-old not wanting to miss out on all the important things to an average teen, but also having to deal with end of life is just something that may not resonate with everyone but its a human story. And you don't have to agree with the issues, but you have empathy for the character and nonetheless.

Nobody sets the tone from the intro better than HBO and characterizes the series by their clever theme music and opening sequence. Succession is no exception. The Roy's are everything that we need to be enthralled, their story may seem far fetched to some, but it is American dynasty in a nutshell. You want to hate the characters, but their layers make it impossible to do so. Every character is so brilliantly casted and writing consistent from episode to episode and season to season that it is one of the best ensembles I have seen since The Office. If you haven't seen this show, you are missing out. It is Game of Thrones in suits and helicopters vs battle armour and dragons.

The Roy family is as dysfunctional as any other family but somehow more present than most. The relationships between father and children is only a part of it, but the sibling interactions are also paramount as well as the outsiders who want to break down a legacy. There is little importance to those outside the family as they are clearly obstacles or accessories, including the government! This shows how narcissism comes in all forms from ultimate power, self-loathing, under performing, to indulgence. Yet, you cannot help but love the Roys. I find myself rooting for Greg, feeling sorry for Tom, being annoyed with Shiv, despising Roman, perplexed by Kendall, respecting but reviling Logan, and laughing at/with Connor. Each actor plays their character with such precision you understand the reason for all the Emmy nods.

What I cannot decide if it is just the perfect ensemble or if each actor is that good in their own right.

Either way Succession has succeeded whether or not any of the Roy children will end up doing so!

American Horror Story is interesting, unique and has a clever way of twisting Americans and making one examine perception vs reality under the guise of horror. The better seasons were Season 1, and season 5 Hotel, and of course there are cool concepts in others including Freak Show. The last several seasons have not even attempted to mask their social message and political opinions and frankly it's getting old. We get it, move on. Many of us want good old fashioned story telling with more subtle messages, but that's not what we see. Many of the main cast have moved on, that we loved to see in different but predictable roles and that has dimmed the lustre. I would honour the roots of the show and go back to what worked. I must say the new American Horror STORIES is a bit more palatable and I enjoyed several of these episodes including Dollhouse, Facelift, Necro, and Game Over amongst others. This is a modern Twilight Zone!

American Horror Story writers- don't bank on cult following to have viewers continue watching - Perceiving as long as you have some gore and an iconic theme you can avoid good story telling and saturate us with political agenda. We can flip on the news, we want entertainment and your viewers are smarter than this. This is a good way to kill a show, and unlike many of your characters it won't come back to life and the series will go out in flames like Dexter!