The Poem That Influenced Succession (Part 1)

The first part of a series exploring the connection between Succession and John Berryman's The Dream Songs, the poetry collection that inspired several of the acclaimed series' episode titles. Turns out there are deep thematic parallels between the two works, or that's my (extemporaneous, rambling) argument, anyway.
Twitter:
/ whduryea
Video Sources:
• John Berryman: There S...
• John Berryman at the B...
• Kendall Tries Negotiat...
• Logan fires half the b...
• Logan Roy Apologizes |...
• Shiv's Plan To Takedow...
• Succession: (Season 2 ...
• Succession's Coldest I...
• Succession Opening Cre...

[@beccaisnotonfire8412]

great video! i also feel like the reveal in the funeral episode about rose provides an interpretation where logan relates to henry/berryman with the lingering impact of her death + never knowing concretely if it was his fault or not and never being forgiven by her if so, letting that guilt sit heavy on his heart all the way to the grave, being similar to the death of his father in the poems

[@WilliamDuryea]

Awesome observation! I hadn't even considered how Rose's death and Logan's guilt might connect to the poem.

[@victormendes6523]

Great analysis, keep going!

[@WilliamDuryea]

Thank you! I really appreciate the encouragement.

[@indiefairy09]

I obsessed over dream song 29 even though it didn’t know anything about Berryman to see if I could figure out the ending of succession and who would the successor and ended up being correct. But I totally used a different interpretation bc I didn’t have context for the collection. However, this video made me think about how the entire funeral episode was about not desecrating Logan’s legacy at the funeral from trying to stop ewen from speaking to Roman breaking down to Kendall (who in many ways is most like Henry) putting aside his rage and still finding a way to speak in his own way highly of his father same with shiv acknowledging how his misogyny impacted every woman around him but she still found love when he shown his light on. Even Greg having to roll in the casket last min. It felt like the episode was always on the edge of something falling apart bc of how complicated all the children’s relationships were with Logan. Glad I found this video. I’m such a succession nerd

[@WilliamDuryea]

Really fascinating take! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@georgechan9258]

Awesome video, looking forward to the next one

[@WilliamDuryea]

Thanks! With any luck, part 2 should be up in the next week or so.

[@brunohirschmann]

Wow! Great analysis! I don't know if you are aware of the Succession Podcast, but in the last episode, in which they interview Jeremy Strong, the actor directly references Berrymans poem, specifically the "Henry could not make good" part, to explain a little bit more his character, kendall

[@WilliamDuryea]

Interesting! I've had the podcast pop up in my feed a few times, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. I'll have to give it a listen.

[@pitchforkcustom]

i don’t really know about succession but i know about berryman and yet this was interesting that someone is using his work as a basis of further art

[@WilliamDuryea]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@renatogalvezbarbieri49]

Good analysis, lookIng forward the next comparisions.

[@WilliamDuryea]

Thank you!

[@dbob3405]

One of my favorite collections of poetry ever-the odyssey of “Huffy Henry” is remarkable

[@WilliamDuryea]

Yes! A deeply underappreciated collection.

[@nolliewells]

You’ve piqued my interest to seek a copy of the Dream Songs collection!! I would definitely enjoy more content 😊

[@WilliamDuryea]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy the collection. It's one of my absolute favorites.

[@essam909]

Amazing video
thank you so much

[@WilliamDuryea]

No, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mycoolnameis]

This video is so awesome. I'm happy I just found your channel because..... wow, this is pretty spot on. Also I'm gonna go read John Berryman right now, I feel like I'm back on my English literature classes in college. Well, first I'm gonna watch the rest of your videos. So so so so interesting, thanks!☺

[@WilliamDuryea]

Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy The Dream Songs. It really is a masterpiece.

[@noheroespublishing1907]

"Life, friends, is boring; we mustn't say so."

[@WilliamDuryea]

So many perfect lines in The Dream Songs!

[@PoemDream]

Well wisher thanks Bangladesh ❤

[@curiewilhelm5062]

You are genius！❤

[@WilliamDuryea]

Wow. Thank you! Sincerely.

[@kemcmanus]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@WilliamDuryea]

No, thank you!

[@pitchforkcustom]

each dream song please in sequence.. 🎉

[@WilliamDuryea]

I would love to, but I think the youtube algorithm might hate me if I did that.