When Jesse Armstrong declared Succession season 4 as finale
Inside Succession creator Jesse Armstrong decision to declare Season 4 the end, reflecting on the show’s legacy.
Succession (Source: HBO)
A story that began with the corporate Shakespearean drama of the Roy family, Succession has been captivating audiences since its debut. Jesse Armstrong, the maestro behind this masterpiece, revealed why season 4 was the curtain call for this engrossing saga. Today, let's take a look back at the journey that led us here and the impetus behind Armstrong’s decision to draw it to a close.
A plot worthy of the ancients
The series was, from the start, a gripping cocktail of power plays reminiscent of historical dynasties and modern media empires. The Roy family's internal struggle for power was as relatable as it was repelling, exposing the vulnerability that even the mightiest in society could not evade—whether it be personal shortcomings or something as mundane as traffic congestion. Armstrong’s narrative genius was in finding the profound in the prosaic, letting viewers savor the spectacle of the super-rich caught in life's unpredictable snarl-ups. Remember the riveting scene where Kendall Roy's power move was nearly thwarted by gridlock? Such moments stitched together the grand tapestry of Succession.
Armstrong's decision to conclude the tale
Armstrong divulged to The New Yorker, "The end has always been kind of present in my mind." It was a decision not taken lightly, teased out over deliberations with his writing team and the daunting prospect of outstaying their welcome. The show's promise of an eventual succession was a narrative debt Armstrong felt compelled to honor.
"I hope that no one ever thinks that we are outstaying our welcome," Armstrong stated, a sentiment shared by audiences who have seen too many shows diminish with drawn-out departures. The creator's commitment to authenticity steered the decision, coupled with an understanding of the viewer's desire for a conclusive journey. "I wouldn’t like to be bullshitting anyone when I was talking about it," Armstrong remarked, highlighting his stance against the artifice that often shrouds the entertainment industry. As the show ended in May 2023, we're reminded of the narrative of Succession evokes a blend of nostalgia and admiration for a series that has, in its brief reign, cemented its legacy as a cultural touchstone of our times.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)