I'm pretty shocked that people think this is the worst season. It has some of the best writing and character moments in the series so far. Admittedly it doesn't have the exciting moments like season 2's ending but overall it's the strongest imo.

The best, most heartbreaking moment was Roman being unable to think of ONE happy memory of Logan, but remembers Connor taking him on a fishing trip as a kid. It just goes to show that while Connor MIGHT be a deluded idiot, he's more of a father figure to Kendall, Roman and Shiv than their actual father.

Disagree with this assertion wholeheartedly. The show has only gotten better with each season. I think a lot of the flack season 3 has gotten is because it didn't pan out in the way people wanted. Kendall wasn't the badass, Logan wasn't brought down. But that's exactly what makes this season so great. We saw the characters developing this season more than any of the other 2 season. And their progress felt incredibly true to their characters. Not to mention, the birthday episode and the finale are two of the most monumental episodes in terms of the story. The writing was great, the dialogue was stellar, and do not even get me started on the acting. Every single actor's performance is Emmy worthy.

I'm actually surprised that this season received flack at all if I'm honest, I was left impressed and eager to see more after every episode. 'Too much birthday' is probably the most emotionally scathing and earnest episode in the whole series, to see how these siblings have become so infected with loyalty to excess and the imaginary position that they all yearn for, attack their emotionally distraught brother on his birthday was brilliant (in the writing sense of course).

Season three is admittedly my favorite. It could be because I watched it episodically instead of in a binge, it could be because I think the performances are some of the best we ahead seen or more likely it’s because every episode made me literally laugh and cry. The way the actors and story tapped into emotions so deeply to a point where I felt hung over after each episode is something I crave.

I think the second half of season 3 is the best the show has ever been. From What it Takes onward it was an absolute masterpiece. Before that it was still great but I do feel like the first half was weaker than season 2. Those final 4 episodes tho, fucking incredible.

Judging by the title I assumed this was actually going to be about season 1. I stopped watching the show for weeks after trying to stomach s1 ep2 that’s entirely set in the hospital. The show doesn’t let you choose your pace and it felt grueling to watch before I was invested. Of course once you get hooked it’s much easier to watch the characters berate each other in a single room for 45 minutes… that’s really all it is, isn’t it? (At its most basic). And I can’t believe how much I’ve grown to enjoy it.

OK, i'm not gonna bash this video before watching but I wanna let you know, I did let out a audible "what!?" when I saw worst season on the title.

Commenting on the title (haven’t seen the video), but I’m usually surprised when people consider season 1 a great season compared to the other ones since 2 and 3 are much better in every department, specially in its writing. My experience with season 1 is very mixed, it wasn’t until episode 6 when I got on board with the show because of its meandering pacing and structure. And even then I thought episodes 7-9 were good but not great. That finale, tho 🌚

The Tom and Gregg betrayal build up is the best part of the show for me. Absolutely satisfying!

Wonderful video as always, Taylor, but for me personally, this was the best season yet. Those last two episodes especially were pure excellence.

Season 1 is good but a mixed bag trying to find itself, Season 2 is sharp tack, Season 3 is the ultimate slow burn.

such a good video! this season was a lot different than season 2, but i was left in awe at that season 3 finale, just like the first two finales. i can't wait to see what happens in season 4!

I’m surprised ppl didn’t like it, I just binged the whole show for the first time and I think all 3 seasons are on the same level quality wise

Great video as always! Although I gotta say personally season 3 was by far my favorite season

Great analysis! You put a lot of things ive had trouble grasping into words! I can tell this was well thought out!!! Thanks

What you're explaining is why I tell people they can watch any season in isolation and enjoy them. Other shows that I've watched like Atlanta and Mr. Robot share some of these elements: episodes that feel unique, and seasons that explain and conclude themselves adequately.

I personally thought season 2 was weaker. I had trouble getting on board with the “ATN acquiring Pierce” narrative, felt too far-fetched considering how grounded so much of the show is (even with all the corporate greed in our universe, could we really ever fathom something like Fox acquiring CNN?) The Cruises scandal was always compelling, and Kendall’s betrayal and Season 3 arc in his trying to “do the right thing” was, for me, much more interesting and grounded than Logan’s obsession with Rhea and the Pierce acquisition.

If the third season is the "worst", most TV shows wish their best could measure to Succession's "worst".

this video essay is really good it deserves more views & likes

Worst? I found this the best season of Succession, I'm sure I'll re-watch this season many years down the line

Honestly loved this season and your analysis was great. Just finished it now

Succession has no Worst Season, it´s the most solid show out there to these days.

season 3 was my favorite season i didnt know people disliked it

The title put me off but then that opening 30 seconds confirmed it, this is not the channel I'm looking for

This show ruined all other contemporary series for me simple as that

People didn't like season 3?!?!

great video! pretty weird how so many people say this is the show's worst season though. I kind of think it as its best, and not only as its own entity, but in the way it perfectly built on what the show already established. basically all s3 plot lines either neatly led to the final act or started up new developments that made perfect sense for this universe and characters. it also utilized all of the work the writers already did in terms of characterization in the first 2 seasons, making the final episode as compelling as possible, in a way that it just couldn't be, say one or two season ago, because the story just wasn't there yet, chronologically, plot-wise or in terms of emotional accuracy. even with that continuity, if ep9 happened without any of the development done in previous 8 episodes, it wouldn't be nearly as effective.

“COVID shooting” is something I never noticed watching this season, as I wasn’t even aware it was effected by the pandemic. So I don’t think it’s too noticeable to the ignorant viewer.

I think that Season 3 is two things: 1. the most flawed season 2. the best season

I don't know how people can watch this show and think season 3 was worse than season 1... this whole video is full of some bad takes that more or less can be summarized as "it's not as exciting as season 2 so therefore it's not as good"

I genuinely think season 2 is the best cause it had so much entertainment value but I think the show needs to go into what the business does more and show their operations some more cause I'm sometimes not really sure what they're fighting for or the full impact of their roles on the world at large. Sometimes every episode playing the same beats gets a bit old. Im really enjoying the show though.

yo, i didn’t know you uploaded again! with a succession video too? WOOO!

SPOILER ... the way S1 is a setup for s2 to being amazing is the same way i feel S3 will be the set up for S4 Tom and Greg backstabbing the blood family left me with my jaw dropped and ready for s4 the dynamic will never be the same and S4 has so much stride to use at this point

While granted the season felt like episodes were drawn out into longer than needed, when looking back at the condensation of time - literally the first two S3 episodes happen from yacht to Bosnia to Kendall’s kid’s room in the course of a DAY, it is fun to watch these almost superhuman people manage such a situation without falling asleep. And from there to the stockholder meeting is like a week, so it’s a crunch. I like the vibe of “people talking in rooms” as much as the grand scapes (New York, DC, UK, Adriatic, Bosnia, and Italy) are fun to watch. I felt as compelled to see what happens next - S4, as I did for this current one.

i know people have been kind of dragging this season for how slow paced it is but LISTEN that finale made up for all of it. best episode of television ive ever watched

Binged all the show at once and didn't even realise season 3 was filmed during the pandemic I personally found all of S3 so investing that it was my favourite season

First season was “the worst”, although least good might be a better term, because it was still finding it’s dialogue rhythm, building characterizations/plot setup, and overdid the zoom-ins [imho].

Season 4 started so strong that I am scared breaking bad got a competition

taylor, your writing is some of the most uncompromisingly high quality work that i’ve come across on this site. really, really good stuff.

I loved season 2 so much, I binged the whole thing in a few days, but it took me two weeks to get through Season 3 because I watched the first few episodes and just didn't feel it the same. It didn't grip me the same way that season 2 did, but the last four episodes were brilliant. I

Season 3 isn’t as fast paced as the rest but its still amazing and clears s1 in every other way

The first 6 episodes drag it out a bit, and they probably should have been compressed into 5 episodes. But the Season is still FAR BETTER than most normal shows, and it's still Succession, both in spirit, and in quality

Season 3 is easily better than Season 2, for me. I didn’t understand how the majority of this fanbase views this season, but I’m happy you broke it down

Always happy to see High Maintenance mentioned...kinda

I could not care less about the irony of casting Dasha, at the end of the day they gave a wretched human a paycheck, fed her ego via the bizarre dialogue surrounding her, and offered her the spotlight.. took me out of the entire season.

I thought I was the only one that didn't enjoy Season 3 as much as 1 and 2. It was still unbelievably amazing though, which is insane lmao.

Worst? I think you meant BEST! and that ending...

I loved this season.. Saying it's the worst or the best, isssssss.. I dunno, it's just more good- of good.

"Worst season of Succession"? There's no such thing.

season 4 is so good that it retroactively made season 3 better. e.g. Tom's arc makes much more sense

Worst season?! Hell no!! :d

I'm sitting here like what made any seasons unpopular?? It was all really good to me but hey I guess

This really feels more like it's about your issue with how COVID compliance impacted the industry than a critique of one if the most Shakespearean of seasons.

I think the word worst in the title needs to be in quotes.

Season 3 was really good so I have no idea what you're on about Taylor! With Tom and GREgg's positions now being solidified to potentially take the lead in the end I thought it was brilliant that they're finally adding a new arch to the story as it had been the exact same story every season as in season 1 Kendall was in the running, season 2 Shiv and season 3 Roman, but now we know it could easily be Tom and Gregg so I CANNOT wait for season 4! Season 1 was by far the worst one in comparison if we're really going there as it wasn't funny at all, most of the characters were unlikeable in season 1 as we'd only mostly seen their awful side in season 1!

Give me more of this, hbo!!!!!!

uhhh..... worst? i think it might be the best..... logan and kendall's final confrontation? kendall breaking down and confessing? roman at his most vulnerable? Matsson? it broke new ground in every way and was every bit as satisfying, deepened the relationships within the family, emphasized their essential love for one another while heightening the tension between them.... it was an astonishing season on all fronts. dont know wtf ppl are on ab

What r u talking about?! Season 3 is maybe even the best one!

I think after seeing the first half of season for we can all say this show has lost none of its momentum and I think it will be difficult to say goodbye to this show riding so high. Didn't think I'd see anything that topped better call saul for me, but in catching up on this show, I think it may be the best character driven comedy drama I've ever seen.

Succession is my favorite show on tv, and I think it’s the best show being made on tv. I’d say retired janitors of Idaho, is the best episode of the show so far, or chiantishire or this is not for tears. Season 2 finale redifined how good a season finale can be.

What an unfounded argument

I liked how they all teamed up by the end of s3, however after s4 ep2, i understand why Roman would turn on them, again, because Kendal and Shiv went back to being selfish again and forgot their promis to each other. But i hope they come around, i just want to see them be there for each other

I enjoyed Season 3!

8:46 Watching this video made me realize I'd missed A Lion In The Meadow. So I paused and watched. I would say that the interactions on the walk back when Kendall covers for his dad and ultimately helps his dad help us see that Kendal loves Logan deep down. But not vis versa. Where I saw love for Kendel was at that beautiful supper table over laid with great, restaurant chief level, probably 3 Michelin stars or more level food, that is barely touched and not eaten at all by the Roys, I noticed that after Logan's loving I guess but definitely condescending speach about Kendel being A Good Kid, afterwards there's a pained slight grimace on Logan's face, as if it pains him to admit that he uses both talk of loving his son and a speach calculated to make his son look weak yet and unready for the top job--it pains him that he uses professions of love for his son as tools of manipulation. Toying with his son's emotions and real need to feel loved after he was shockingly passed over in the first episode. Brian Cox appeared after midnight on the CNN New Years special. He was charming as hell, and warm and smart and unselfishconscious in the way of an older person without being garralous. Anderson Cooper asked Cox if he likes Logan and both men said they did in a certain way like him and Cox said he has some sympathy for the character, whom he called a misanthrope and deeply unhappy. (You can find part of this in my channel.) So the actor is tuned into Logan's sadness. And I think that slight, pained grimace was the first sign I've seen or maybe caught where I can infer Logan's love for one of his children. Even with Shiv...he implies he'd let the cabal or the Illuminati or whatever evil MKUltra weilding organization have her killed since they apparently want to. That is preternaturally cold blooded. And she has seemed to be his favorite! It sometimes seems like Logan could feed his children to hungry dogs and not care. But there may be some human being left in there somewhere. That's the way Brian Cox sees the character, and he would know how to play that with the utmost subtlety. Glimpses of humanity don't often play across the face of a monster like Logan. Even if they're in there, somewhere.

It’s only the worst season because Dasha’s in it

Worst? Nope didnt think so. But even if it is the worst it still is so good

I thought this was by far the best season 🤷‍♂️ season 1 I could take or leave episodes, like I think it took me a month to watch it all. I watched season 3 in 2 days

Worst season? Maybe this is the best season

...... how is this the worst season

Having seen the show in full after it’s run I will say season 3 felt off for me. Specifically Kendall’s story, which I felt overdid making him less sympathetic. Looking back I do agree that many things were done well and progressed naturally but it did feel like filler and aimless at times even if the dialogue and shots were as good or better than the previous seasons. In all it’s probably my least favorite season. However it’s far from being a bad season, just not perfect like 2 & 4

Can you make a video on Twin Peaks? Or The Leftovers

"worst" FUCK NO

I think anybody might consider the season as "the worst" because it wasn't what they imagined, which is kinda weard since S02 is a clear department from S01. I think many tought Ken will be a promident opponent towards Logan when how can people expect with this level of writing to just fix Kendall for season 3. Like the dude was totally traumaticed in S02 and Didn't leave the drugs. Why would he now that he can use more so all out and in open without his father being over his shoulder, his girlfriend being an addict, him masking the pain and lastly thinking that he has no time to go into withdrawal mode and navigate thru that while he tries to hijack the company. As Logan likes to say, he was not a serious people and the important shareholders had for sure heard about Ken's adventures with going full on with coke and for it enchanching his ego he made even the dumbest mistakes to underestimating of not needing to buy Greg or even giving the giant rabbit some bagel.... so in the end he obviously felt defeated and wanted out. I loved the season, it was even better the second watch. It highlighted a lot of the siblings differend weak points and it was very cool how they gave kinda down low Tom much more humanity and an own arc without it being obvious at all that he was ready to screw Shiv that hard. It explained even more why they are together (were). The end was great aswell as like Logan having an full on psychosis in the middle of important things culminating together and say the choosing of president. I would have loved more for Alexamder Skarsgård to do since he can act like a mofo, so only having very vaque sense of the guy as a character would have been great. Because he is kinda a mysterious wildcard so it would be cool to get more an inside look, really even with the negotiations we only saw the start of it because knowing what was talked about would have ruined the plot. The Roman Mattson Scene was good, aswell as Adrien Brody's scene with Logan and Ken outside talking.

I can't think of a disappointing or boring season, episode, or moment in Succession. It's themes and performances and writing are too strong. This is Evil. This is Intergenerational damage and Sadism. And Sadness. This stuff is important. All the youngsters and other actors are great, and Brian Cox is Brian. Cox. A naturally magnetic and gifted man. He makes no effort to soften the ugliness that is his barbaric sadist character. But he's Brian Cox, so we're charmed watching him so willingly rend and shred his charm. The Intelligence mutual to actor and role shines through. Even though Logan's is a primative, destructive Intelligence.

S3>S2

A lot of Kendall fanboys butthurt because season 3 isn't focused on him anymore! Go watch the Joker or breaking bad or mad men or just about any other effing show in hollywood that is centred around 1 white man instead of crying about the succession! It's an ensemble not a rich sad boy story

Whaaat? Honestly this was my favorite season, like the highs and locations and performances we're on their peak

I like how we all disagree with this assertion, and we all thought he was talking about season 1. It really feels like this guy is replying to some specific subreddit and mistaking it for the general reception of the season. Most people consider it the best season of the show.

Why would you even care about what terminally online twitter people say about the season. I've literally never heard anyone say this season was bad because it's just postable moments for twitter. It's a bit of a self report

5:54 LOL

Nice job.. I don’t know..About all that sophisticated analysis but was glad I had a show to look forward to after GOT ended. Along with his dark materials and industry …good tv watching

Who thinks season three is the worst? It was different from the other 2 but just as good, if not better.

Never watched succession, just here to hear you talk haha

One of my friends started watching succession by watching season 3 first, then season 2, and season 1 last. Absolute psychopath behaviour

The writers not outdating the show with the existence of covid like so many other shows did was the smartest choice, it it would had been so hacky to have Logan being like an antimasker or something lmao I would say the weakest part of the series was definitely the whole character of Rhea just showing up and suddenly being the number 1 for the throne, i felt that just went too fast and then ended just as fast which felt kinda pointless? like you have this woman falling for the most ovbious tricks and showing he knows nothing about Logan while the kids just laugh at her, it felt like a filler arc

I loved every episode of this season. I don't get the criticism

Why is season 3 the worst again?

Tom's my favorite character too, though he can be over the top heinous. My late husband was a powerful person with a big, screwed up family. The most neurotic players react to newcomers as if they're committing robbery by joining the family. And Matthew McFadden was so indelible as Mr Darcy. Actually as memorable in his own way as Colin Firth. Now I want him to have a great career even as those romantic leading men roles likely slip away. (We should definitely give good actors more chances to keep staring in films as they get older. Beauty doesn't vanish when you hit 40.) Now that I'm used to how deranged Tom can be, I even really like the water bottle throwing scene. It shows how desperate and unhinged the character can be. His position is so insecure he volunteered to go to prison. That vulnerability is fascinating to watch. Not sure why so many assume we all identify with Greg. He's a great character but not necessarily the audience surrogate.

"Is the golden era of Succession over?" Happy to report absolutely, positively no.

i honestly think there is no worst season of succession, and i am very surprised that people think that the 3rd season is the worst, wild.

imbd the episodes are 9.6 and up i prefer this season than the firzst one

First of all, I was prepared to cynically hate on this video, assuming the title was just engagement bait and it would be another pretentious video essay with shallow analysis. I am also a simp for s3 and a mild critic of s2, going to the extent that I’ve sought out internet arguments to defend it. You can write really well though! And I loved the video footnotes (that’s what they appear to be to me). I agree with all of your critiques related to the COVID constraints for the first episode, and maybe a few other bits and pieces of the season. But I also think they were able, very early on, to turn this weakness into a strength. Secession is a fairly weak episode for the show, leaned a lot on comedic phone conversations with dramatic irony and there was a noticeable release of dramatic tension for those of us who had just rewatched season 2 prior. But I think they’re back into the swing of things right after that, in Mass in a Time of War. This semi-bottle episode is a parallel to the hospital episode in s1, Mass in a Time of War, but is much stronger than that episode in my opinion. Everything is refined: the dialogue, the sibling dynamic, Logan’s looming presence on them via a box of donuts he likely didn’t even send. This episode is essential to setting up the season finale and brings back the momentum and tension like it was never gone. Kendall’s abusive rant at the end is just viscerally a shocking moment-he’s done worse for sure, but it’s similar to Tony trying to hit Carmella in Whitecaps, our brains respond differently to rage and abuse than other forms of evil. Now, here’s my defense of where they took Kendall this season, since I’ve seen many critiques of it out there. Kendall, if not bipolar, certainly acts manic through a combination of drugs and whatever else. But this season isn’t another one about Kendall’s drug addiction, but his addiction to stunts and spectacle. He gets the very same rush out of the press conference at the end of s2 as the viewer, and as such tries to replicate it time and time again. That’s why many feel he’s spinning his wheels all season, he kinda is, but this isn’t a rote repeat of the “Kendall gets continually thwarted” plot structure. Too Much Birthday is great partially because it resolved Kendall’s storyline in a way novel for the series: he has a realization that these stunts are ridiculous, retreats inward, in many ways going from mania to depression on the screen. I think his many ridiculous stunts were a great way to show him riding a sin wave of seeking public validation.

Frankly, I used to agree that season 3 was the worst so far, but I’ve come to really love it. I don’t think any season is worse or better, they all feel different but similar.

I thought Mattson was meant to parody Jack Dorsey not Elon Musk

I’m sorry I think you made a mistake at the beginning you said “use twitter” and “normal person” in the same sentence.

Worst? I think it was arguably the best along with season 2

This season has the best character development of the show. 👌🏽 I think people want to see Logan lose, and I understand them. But I have concluded that when Logan loses, that's moment the show is going to end because the war against him is the conflict that moves the plot.

5:54 nice

HOLY SHIT ITS ADAM FRIEDLANDS EX I NEVER NOTICED