Wow! Tom reaching out his hand in the final scene feels like the turtle begrudgingly saying “well, let’s get across this river then” after the explanation. Love that
Listen man please keep these coming. As someone who misses literature since I went into politics, these videos are so helpful and interesting in adding depth to a series already so layered with references. I know you probably need a break from succession essays, but the show really left a lot to be analyzed and this content may actually get more engagement given the hype around the show and its finale. Will b following whatever you continue to do though and you've earned another subscriber already!
Thank you! I'm going to try to do a mix of Succession content and other film/TV/lit criticism moving forward. There's definitely more I want to say about Succession's literary roots.
I think I’m just adding to the choir here, but as long as you have videos like this coming, we’ll be back! I haven’t really been exposed to analysis of Shakespeare (even if only certain themes and characters) and having this exposure be within the context of succession is incredible. Love the channel!
Absolutely love your analysis and video style. And I don’t think the Turtle substitute for Tom is a stretch at all! He has such a high tolerance for Shiv’s “poison” that he, in the end, appears to accept. Huge fan!!
Great to hear something by someone that can teach us an interesting few! Without being boring, you bring insight to some of us who have no clue! Keep them coming. Love Succession even more. Thanks!!
The scorpion and the frog thing was so apparent to me I wasn't sure if it was directly explained in the show or if I was just thinking about that fable so hard I mixed the memory into the show.
@@WilliamDuryea The "oh I get it! She's that scorpion!" moment for me was when she betrayed Kendall. She had no good reason to do it besides "fuck you, that's why".
Love your videos! Whatever you choose to talk about next I’ll be watching. Your enthusiasm really shines though and makes your content an infectious joy to watch.
@@WilliamDuryea Please consider analyzing that “nudie turtles” dinner for one of your future videos. It’s fascinating how the writers used food as a theme throughout the series, and that dinner between Tom & Greg is a perfect example (especially coming immediately after Greg’s dinner with Ewan). Greg’s two dinners that night were hilarious, and revealing, each man trying to initiate him into the the world of wealth. I didn’t see anything that reminded me of Shakespeare in it, but the giant eyes on the restaurant wall were straight out of Great Gatsby! I feel like food was such a clever way to represent different characters attitudes toward money/wealth.
I personally love the Shakespeare connections in the show as an English nerd and this is no exception. Something that just occurred to me and I'm toying with (haven't seen it before) is the potential parallels between Kendall and Hal from Henry the IVth pt. 1, specifically with his speech patterns. One of my favorite aspects of that play is how Hal switches between formal verse when he's in court and prose when he's out carousing with Falstaff and the like. Kendall very much tries to be hip and cool and has his own particular cadence when he's speaking casually or trying to fit in, but adopts many of his more buttoned up business vernacular when working with his dad or when in the spotlight (I think of some of his more moving speeches later in the show). Furthermore this seems to be a choice he more makes compared to Roman who is perpetually filter less and Shiv who is seemingly on her guard all the time. Not sure if there's more to it than that, but liked the thought at least. Great vids, love hearing your analysis!
The scorpion and the tom perfectly symbolisess Shiv betraying Kendall, destroying her own entire future because she cannot stomach Kendall, Shiv really lived up to her name. Great analysis. No reason not to make another succession video as long as you have stuff you want to cover!
how did she destroy her future? If Ken became the CEO, she would have no say in the company except for her shares and her vote on the board and whatever she managed to talk him into (going by their history, it wouldn't be much). With the deal going ahead, she's still keeping her shares and her vote on the board (if I understand correctly), she's also in the position where she can at most persuade the new CEO into doing things, but on top of that she gets a ton of money for the sale. She can walk away much richer than she ever was and go back to her own political strategist career that she pursued before Logan roped her into the company by dangling the carrot of her possibly becoming the CEO. The ending is kind of tragic if you look at it from the perspective of "oh the lost family heritage" and "now Shiv will be the one to play second fiddle to Tom", but if we look at it objectively - it's the second best win for her. If she's not going to be the CEO, then at least she gets the money.
@@AW-uv3cbShiv has to sell half of her shares to GoJo in the acquisition (that's where the payout comes from), so her ownership percentage will be much lower especially considering the combined valuation of GoJo/Waystar. She's most likely losing her board seat as well because it's Matsson's/GoJo's board now (if Matsson even has a board at all, if he is the majority shareholder then he can just dissolve the board, like Elon did with Twitter), he definitely doesn't want her anywhere near the company and the only reason she had it to begin with was due to nepotism. Tom is CEO in name only to serve as Matsson's puppet, so he probably won't get to make any big decision on his own. Anyway, the show has firmly established that the Roys don't care about money, and all three of the kids want to be CEO as that position represents their father's approval/love. So it's definitely a huge loss despite them all getting a few billion each from the deal.
@@AW-uv3cb I think Shiv destroyed her future by choosing to side with Tom. That final loveless hand hold is probably what her future is gonna be, a loveless marriage in wich she lives in the shadow of her CEO husband and will probably be a cold and distant mother to a child shell resent because of her husband. In the end Shiv will probably turn into her mother.
@@jkhcu I concede the point about the shares and possible board - that one I wasn't sure about. Otherwise I stand by my point, Shiv was never in the company in the first place, she only joined when Logan kinda tricked her into it. Of course emotionally it's a huge loss for them all, but on the other hand - she got to assert herself by making the final choice, and honestly, getting out of that toxic obsession about Waystar is probably going to be the best thing that's happened to her and Roman, IF they try to work it out. Personally I hope she gets the rest of the money to proceed with the Pierce buyout.
@@SillyFrenchKing I'm on the fence on that one. This was also my initial reading of the scene, but then... She'll always have the upper hand over Tom because she can always say: "I put you there". She also had her career before Waystar, so why wouldn't she be able to go back to it or start another with the money she got? Don't think anyone believes she'll be a stay at home mum, so I don't think she'll turn out like lady Caroline exactly, though I also don't see her being very cuddly haha. As for Tom... I'm rewatching the series now and it's almost surprising how much good will and intentions there are in their relationship in the beginning - the one thing ruining it is Shiv always assuming that he's the one that needs her more than she does him. And also at the end there's still clearly something between them. So in the best case scenario, the change of the power dynamic between them could actually be good for their relationship. But that's only if Tom doesn't change into a huge dick towards her, which I can easily see happening now haha. Anyway - a complex ending that might lead to many outcomes? Definitely. But Shiv destroying her future? No, I seriously don't think so.
It's an excellent episode. I feel like it got a little overlooked coming a few episodes after "Connor's Wedding" and before the incredible final three episodes.
@@WilliamDuryea Enjoyed your insightful deepdive into an awesome episode! You are so underrated, hoping for more in depth analysis of any fiction you set your eyes on.
Tom and Shiv are def inspired by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth and Tom are insomniacs, Tom blows up at his guests at the party (remember when he told everyone to get out)?
Yes! The scene where Tom tries to chase his guests out feels a lot like how Lady Macbeth sends all the guests at the banquet away after her husband's meltdown. I wanted to mention this in the video, but couldn't make it fit. You're totally right about the insomnia too. The episode even ends with Tom lying awake in bed, and Macbeth's "scorpion" rant includes multiple lines about how Macbeth's paranoia and guilt are preventing him from sleeping.
Absolutely brilliant dissection, spot-on. Have been comparing the final shot of Tom and Shiv to a hollow Thane of Scotland and Lady M. since the finale aired, and your analysis totally reminded me why. My only question is who then is Greg in this analogy, but that's a discourse for another time. Thanks so much for sharing your insightful viewpoint.
I immediately thought of the fable when I watched Tailgate, but really enjoyed your diving into the Macbeth parallels. Congrats on the success of your channel, so well deserved! You could be heading away from the endless middle, and towards the bottom of the top.😉
I think I watched it years ago, but I need to give it a rewatch. I was cracking up at the Banquo/shotgun-cocking scene. Only Stewart could have pulled that off.
Thank you! I'm definitely still figuring out the right level of lighting. My first few videos were under-lit and this one is over-lit. Have to keep experimenting until I figure it out.
Just perfect analysis. I look forward to your every word linking Shakespearean drama to Succession. I wonder if ultimately Prince Harry becomes a frog.
OK so confession time: my little theater kid brain rotted head thought that the scorpion was an allusion to the original Phantom of the Opera story written by Gaston Leroux So for the uninitiated in the original novel published in 1909 the phantom kidnaps Christine in his underground dungeon, and he also traps Raul (and another person) in a separate room, and reveals that he has stockpiled the whole underground of the opera full of kegs of gunpowder. The phantom presents Christine with two figurines on the mantle one is a grasshopper one is a scorpion. He tells her that the scorpion represents himself, and the grasshopper represents Raul. If she chooses the scorpion, the gunpowder will be flooded with water and thus the opera house not blow up. However, choosing the scorpion means that Christine then condemns herself to a life living under the opera house with him, giving up her love interest, Raul, and any type of happy life she has on the surface. (it’s a little Hades and Persephone esque but that’s not the point) All of this to say, when I saw the scorpion, I was like “oh, like the Phantom of the Opera, because that symbolizes choosing your toxic lover, for the betterment of others” 😂😂😂 but yeah, mostly I saw it as symbolism of Tom telling Shiv that he chooses her And then all of the other analysis videos came out and they’re like “the famous scorpion and frog Aesop‘s fable” and I was like ooohhh I am a fucking idiot
Weird! Did TH-cam ever let you subscribe? I've picked up some subscribers since your comment, so I don't think it's an issue with my channel. Or at least I hope it's not.
It's obviously a reference to the fable of the Scorpion and the Frog. Shiv will use him and sting him again because it is in her nature to betray him or is that the other way around. Tom claiming the scorpion position in the end? Could be that Shakespeare too though I guess.
WILLIAM BACK WITH ANOTHER BANGER
Also it’s pronounced like “flaw” it’s weird lol
Damn, I wasn't even close, lol.
Wow! Tom reaching out his hand in the final scene feels like the turtle begrudgingly saying “well, let’s get across this river then” after the explanation. Love that
I love the futile acceptance in that scene.
God this dude freaking rocks. I love it when I find a new, genuinely good TH-camr.
Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words!
Listen man please keep these coming. As someone who misses literature since I went into politics, these videos are so helpful and interesting in adding depth to a series already so layered with references. I know you probably need a break from succession essays, but the show really left a lot to be analyzed and this content may actually get more engagement given the hype around the show and its finale. Will b following whatever you continue to do though and you've earned another subscriber already!
Thank you! I'm going to try to do a mix of Succession content and other film/TV/lit criticism moving forward. There's definitely more I want to say about Succession's literary roots.
I think I’m just adding to the choir here, but as long as you have videos like this coming, we’ll be back! I haven’t really been exposed to analysis of Shakespeare (even if only certain themes and characters) and having this exposure be within the context of succession is incredible. Love the channel!
Thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying the channel.
Absolutely love your analysis and video style. And I don’t think the Turtle substitute for Tom is a stretch at all! He has such a high tolerance for Shiv’s “poison” that he, in the end, appears to accept. Huge fan!!
Thank you! Glad you like the videos!
Love this analysis! Also love your new background!
Thanks! Figure now that I have a few subscribers, I should at least try to disguise the fact that I'm recording in a shed, lol.
Great to hear something by someone that can teach us an interesting few! Without being boring, you bring insight to some of us who have no clue! Keep them coming. Love Succession even more. Thanks!!
Thank you!
the frog and the scorpion drowning together… hand in unloveable hand baby
F.
Thank you for being wonderful and for your brilliant literature discussions and comparisons. Keep it coming.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the kind words.
I enjoy these analysis so much, thanks🙏🏻
No, thank you!
The scorpion and the frog thing was so apparent to me I wasn't sure if it was directly explained in the show or if I was just thinking about that fable so hard I mixed the memory into the show.
The fable isn't directly mentioned in the series, but Tom's "you kill me and I kill you" line seems like a pretty explicit reference to it.
@@WilliamDuryea The "oh I get it! She's that scorpion!" moment for me was when she betrayed Kendall. She had no good reason to do it besides "fuck you, that's why".
ooh the verbal homicide section is so on point
Thank you! It's a thought that has been stuck in my head for awhile and I'm glad I finally had an excuse to work it into a video.
Love your videos! Whatever you choose to talk about next I’ll be watching. Your enthusiasm really shines though and makes your content an infectious joy to watch.
Thanks so much! I'm having a lot of fun talking about these topics and I'm glad that joy translates to the videos.
thinking of tom saying “we’re all just nudey turtles” way back in earlier seasons
Good catch! Wish I had remembered this and included that clip in the video.
@@WilliamDuryea Please consider analyzing that “nudie turtles” dinner for one of your future videos. It’s fascinating how the writers used food as a theme throughout the series, and that dinner between Tom & Greg is a perfect example (especially coming immediately after Greg’s dinner with Ewan). Greg’s two dinners that night were hilarious, and revealing, each man trying to initiate him into the the world of wealth. I didn’t see anything that reminded me of Shakespeare in it, but the giant eyes on the restaurant wall were straight out of Great Gatsby! I feel like food was such a clever way to represent different characters attitudes toward money/wealth.
I personally love the Shakespeare connections in the show as an English nerd and this is no exception.
Something that just occurred to me and I'm toying with (haven't seen it before) is the potential parallels between Kendall and Hal from Henry the IVth pt. 1, specifically with his speech patterns. One of my favorite aspects of that play is how Hal switches between formal verse when he's in court and prose when he's out carousing with Falstaff and the like. Kendall very much tries to be hip and cool and has his own particular cadence when he's speaking casually or trying to fit in, but adopts many of his more buttoned up business vernacular when working with his dad or when in the spotlight (I think of some of his more moving speeches later in the show). Furthermore this seems to be a choice he more makes compared to Roman who is perpetually filter less and Shiv who is seemingly on her guard all the time. Not sure if there's more to it than that, but liked the thought at least.
Great vids, love hearing your analysis!
Fascinating idea! I hadn't considered this parallel before, but I think you're definitely on to something.
The scorpion and the tom perfectly symbolisess Shiv betraying Kendall, destroying her own entire future because she cannot stomach Kendall, Shiv really lived up to her name. Great analysis. No reason not to make another succession video as long as you have stuff you want to cover!
how did she destroy her future? If Ken became the CEO, she would have no say in the company except for her shares and her vote on the board and whatever she managed to talk him into (going by their history, it wouldn't be much). With the deal going ahead, she's still keeping her shares and her vote on the board (if I understand correctly), she's also in the position where she can at most persuade the new CEO into doing things, but on top of that she gets a ton of money for the sale. She can walk away much richer than she ever was and go back to her own political strategist career that she pursued before Logan roped her into the company by dangling the carrot of her possibly becoming the CEO. The ending is kind of tragic if you look at it from the perspective of "oh the lost family heritage" and "now Shiv will be the one to play second fiddle to Tom", but if we look at it objectively - it's the second best win for her. If she's not going to be the CEO, then at least she gets the money.
@@AW-uv3cbShiv has to sell half of her shares to GoJo in the acquisition (that's where the payout comes from), so her ownership percentage will be much lower especially considering the combined valuation of GoJo/Waystar. She's most likely losing her board seat as well because it's Matsson's/GoJo's board now (if Matsson even has a board at all, if he is the majority shareholder then he can just dissolve the board, like Elon did with Twitter), he definitely doesn't want her anywhere near the company and the only reason she had it to begin with was due to nepotism. Tom is CEO in name only to serve as Matsson's puppet, so he probably won't get to make any big decision on his own.
Anyway, the show has firmly established that the Roys don't care about money, and all three of the kids want to be CEO as that position represents their father's approval/love. So it's definitely a huge loss despite them all getting a few billion each from the deal.
@@AW-uv3cb I think Shiv destroyed her future by choosing to side with Tom. That final loveless hand hold is probably what her future is gonna be, a loveless marriage in wich she lives in the shadow of her CEO husband and will probably be a cold and distant mother to a child shell resent because of her husband. In the end Shiv will probably turn into her mother.
@@jkhcu I concede the point about the shares and possible board - that one I wasn't sure about. Otherwise I stand by my point, Shiv was never in the company in the first place, she only joined when Logan kinda tricked her into it. Of course emotionally it's a huge loss for them all, but on the other hand - she got to assert herself by making the final choice, and honestly, getting out of that toxic obsession about Waystar is probably going to be the best thing that's happened to her and Roman, IF they try to work it out. Personally I hope she gets the rest of the money to proceed with the Pierce buyout.
@@SillyFrenchKing I'm on the fence on that one. This was also my initial reading of the scene, but then... She'll always have the upper hand over Tom because she can always say: "I put you there". She also had her career before Waystar, so why wouldn't she be able to go back to it or start another with the money she got? Don't think anyone believes she'll be a stay at home mum, so I don't think she'll turn out like lady Caroline exactly, though I also don't see her being very cuddly haha. As for Tom... I'm rewatching the series now and it's almost surprising how much good will and intentions there are in their relationship in the beginning - the one thing ruining it is Shiv always assuming that he's the one that needs her more than she does him. And also at the end there's still clearly something between them. So in the best case scenario, the change of the power dynamic between them could actually be good for their relationship. But that's only if Tom doesn't change into a huge dick towards her, which I can easily see happening now haha. Anyway - a complex ending that might lead to many outcomes? Definitely. But Shiv destroying her future? No, I seriously don't think so.
love the succession vids. keep it up!!
Thank you!!
Amazing analysis
beautifully done
thank you vey much
No, thank you!!
I really enjoyed this! great video, thank you!
Glad you liked the video!
Just rewatched tailgate party today, perfect timing
It's an excellent episode. I feel like it got a little overlooked coming a few episodes after "Connor's Wedding" and before the incredible final three episodes.
@@WilliamDuryea Enjoyed your insightful deepdive into an awesome episode! You are so underrated, hoping for more in depth analysis of any fiction you set your eyes on.
Really great video, love your analysis!
Thank you!
Tom and Shiv are def inspired by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth and Tom are insomniacs, Tom blows up at his guests at the party (remember when he told everyone to get out)?
Yes! The scene where Tom tries to chase his guests out feels a lot like how Lady Macbeth sends all the guests at the banquet away after her husband's meltdown. I wanted to mention this in the video, but couldn't make it fit.
You're totally right about the insomnia too. The episode even ends with Tom lying awake in bed, and Macbeth's "scorpion" rant includes multiple lines about how Macbeth's paranoia and guilt are preventing him from sleeping.
Absolutely brilliant dissection, spot-on. Have been comparing the final shot of Tom and Shiv to a hollow Thane of Scotland and Lady M. since the finale aired, and your analysis totally reminded me why. My only question is who then is Greg in this analogy, but that's a discourse for another time. Thanks so much for sharing your insightful viewpoint.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video. I can't think of a fitting parallel to Greg in Macbeth either.
Love your videos
Thank you!
I immediately thought of the fable when I watched Tailgate, but really enjoyed your diving into the Macbeth parallels. Congrats on the success of your channel, so well deserved! You could be heading away from the endless middle, and towards the bottom of the top.😉
Thanks so much! Love that "endless middle" line.
It's not too far. @BujNick said it. Tom the Turtle!
🐢
Wish I'd had an English teacher like this.
Thanks so much!
Hi William love your videos
Thank you! Glad you're enjoying them!
I have to see the PBS version of Macbeth with Jeremy Irons and Patrick Stewart.
I think I watched it years ago, but I need to give it a rewatch. I was cracking up at the Banquo/shotgun-cocking scene. Only Stewart could have pulled that off.
Also, ain't nobody sleepin'.............
Incredible content. Keep it up no matter what. Fix the lights in your face.
Thank you! I'm definitely still figuring out the right level of lighting. My first few videos were under-lit and this one is over-lit. Have to keep experimenting until I figure it out.
😮
Just perfect analysis. I look forward to your every word linking Shakespearean drama to Succession. I wonder if ultimately Prince Harry becomes a frog.
Thanks so much!
OK so confession time:
my little theater kid brain rotted head thought that the scorpion was an allusion to the original Phantom of the Opera story written by Gaston Leroux
So for the uninitiated in the original novel published in 1909 the phantom kidnaps Christine in his underground dungeon, and he also traps Raul (and another person) in a separate room, and reveals that he has stockpiled the whole underground of the opera full of kegs of gunpowder. The phantom presents Christine with two figurines on the mantle one is a grasshopper one is a scorpion. He tells her that the scorpion represents himself, and the grasshopper represents Raul. If she chooses the scorpion, the gunpowder will be flooded with water and thus the opera house not blow up. However, choosing the scorpion means that Christine then condemns herself to a life living under the opera house with him, giving up her love interest, Raul, and any type of happy life she has on the surface. (it’s a little Hades and Persephone esque but that’s not the point)
All of this to say, when I saw the scorpion, I was like “oh, like the Phantom of the Opera, because that symbolizes choosing your toxic lover, for the betterment of others” 😂😂😂
but yeah, mostly I saw it as symbolism of Tom telling Shiv that he chooses her
And then all of the other analysis videos came out and they’re like “the famous scorpion and frog Aesop‘s fable” and I was like ooohhh I am a fucking idiot
Interesting! I've never read the original Phantom of the Opera novel. I'll have to correct that.
It won’t let me subscribe to you. Please fix that
Weird! Did TH-cam ever let you subscribe? I've picked up some subscribers since your comment, so I don't think it's an issue with my channel. Or at least I hope it's not.
It's obviously a reference to the fable of the Scorpion and the Frog. Shiv will use him and sting him again because it is in her nature to betray him or is that the other way around. Tom claiming the scorpion position in the end? Could be that Shakespeare too though I guess.
Yep, I discuss "The Scorpion and the Frog" near the end of the video. Chapter is "The Scorpion and the Tom" if you want to skip the Shakespeare stuff.