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The biting socio-political satire in Succession Season 4, and all its inspirations

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Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulMay 17, 2023 | 08:30

The biting socio-political satire in Succession Season 4, and all its inspirations

From opulent mansions to cutthroat power struggles, the hit series Succession has captivated audiences with its larger-than-life portrayal of the wealthy and dysfunctional Roy family. However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies a surprising truth – the show's creator, Jesse Armstrong, drew inspiration from real-life families to craft this scathing satire on media empires and family dynamics.

As Succession continues to enthrall viewers with its gripping narratives and morally bankrupt characters, it becomes increasingly evident that the extravagant world of the Roys is not a mere work of fiction. Showrunner Jessie Armstrong has peeled back the curtain, disclosing that the series is heavily influenced by actual individuals and organisations who possess immense wealth and power. With its sharp wit and biting social commentary, Succession holds up a mirror to the out-of-touch billionaires who dominate our society, revealing the alarming reality behind their opulence and influence.

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Here's a look at all such parallels thus far in the Succession's final season:

Logan Roy

The parallels between Logan Roy in Succession and Rupert Murdoch are unquestionably striking. Both are powerful, aging patriarchs leading lucrative media empires and facing the challenges of finding a suitable successor. They share similarities in their family dynamics, with multiple children from different relationships, and the involvement of their children in the family business.

One notable connection is the resemblance between Logan's right-leaning ATN network and Rupert's Fox News. Both media outlets have been known for their conservative slant and have played influential roles in shaping public opinion. Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which includes Fox News, has been regarded as one of the largest in the world, much like ATN within the fictional world of Succession.

Additionally, the decision made by Rupert Murdoch to sell the majority of his empire to Disney rather than appointing one of his own children as heir resonates with the overarching theme of succession in the show. The Roys, much like the Murdochs, grapple with the question of who will inherit the family business and continue their legacy.

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ALSO READ: Succession Season 4 Episode 7 Review: The Scorpion, the Snake and the Indian thorn in the Viking’s side

Lukas Matsson

Lukas Matsson, the fictional character in Succession, shares similarities with real-life figures such as Elon Musk and Daniel Ek. Like Elon Musk, Matsson is portrayed as a charismatic and influential tech CEO, representing the pinnacle of success in the industry. Both characters have a certain level of sleaziness attached to them, which adds to their complexity and makes them compelling to watch.

Matsson's role as the CEO of GoJo, a streaming powerhouse, draws parallels to Daniel Ek, the co-founder and CEO of Spotify. Both Matsson and Ek are depicted as influential figures in the streaming world, possessing a keen business acumen that allows them to navigate the complex dynamics of the industry.

Elon Musk is known for his various roles, including being the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, among others. Matsson's portrayal as a tech giant with numerous responsibilities and ambitious projects mirrors Musk's real-life endeavors and the public's perception of him as a larger-than-life figure.

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ATN Network

The portrayal of ATN, the conservative news network in Succession, draws clear parallels to Fox News, a real-life media giant. The episode titled "America Decides" reflects the show's take on Fox's slogan "We Report, You Decide," highlighting the influence of real-life events and people on the series.

In the fictional election between Democrat Daniel Jimenez and Republican Jeryd Mencken, the authoritarian nature and affinity for conspiracy theories of Mencken, reminiscent of certain political figures, strike fear in the less cynical characters of the show. This echoes the real-life influence of media empires and their ability to shape public opinion through biased reporting and sensationalism.

The episode also explores the manipulation of information by ATN, resembling the tactics employed by certain news outlets. Roman, one of the show's characters, successfully pushes ATN to follow fringe right-wing networks in prematurely calling Wisconsin for Mencken, despite the destruction of ballots due to a fire at a voting center. This manipulation reflects the real-life concerns regarding the integrity of elections and the potential impact of media outlets on shaping public perception.

The character Mark Ravenhead, a firebrand opinion host on ATN, shares similarities with real-life figures such as Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News anchor known for promoting controversial and conspiracy-laden narratives. Ravenhead's on-air conspiracy-mongering and his urge to raise questions about the destroyed ballots mirrors the tactics used by certain media personalities to fuel controversy and sow doubt among their viewers.

Living+

The concept of Living+ in Succession, which involves a media company branching out into real estate and creating branded communities, bears resemblance to real-life examples, particularly Disney's ventures. In the series, Living+ offers residents luxurious homes, tight security, and access to Waystar's characters and entertainment offerings.

To draw analogies to real-life events and people, we can compare Living+ to Disney's own initiatives. One such example is Disney's Golden Oak, a residential community located within Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Golden Oak caters to Disney enthusiasts, providing them with the opportunity to live in upscale neighborhoods with exclusive access to the park, a shopping center, and various Disney benefits.

Another relevant comparison is Storyliving by Disney, which showcases Disney's immersive storytelling approach. Although not specifically focused on real estate, Storyliving provides guests with unique experiences where they can interact with Disney characters, visit themed locations, and be part of the narrative. This concept shares similarities with Living+'s promise of residents interacting with Waystar's movie and TV characters.

In the Living+ neighborhood, you may not encounter iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, but you would come across Waystar's own puppy mascot, which Cousin Greg famously vomited on in the pilot episode of Succession. This highlights the presence of branding and mascots, mirroring the use of characters and mascots in Disney's parks and communities.

ALSO READ: In Succession Season 4 Episode 8, the personal is the political

Election coverage

The events in Succession that depict the media company's involvement in an election bear a striking resemblance to real-life events and people. For instance, the portrayal of ATN as a news network that tries to influence the outcome of an election is reminiscent of Fox News, which has been accused of favoring Republican candidates and promoting their false claims about the election.

The Wisconsin call in Succession is analogous to Fox's decision to call Arizona for Joe Biden in the 2020 US Presidential election. The network's decision desk, led by Arnon Mishkin, made the call, which led to a backlash from viewers who were angry at Fox for not favoring Donald Trump. Similarly, the characters in Succession seem to believe that ATN can influence the outcome of the election and decide who wins, just as Fox has been accused of doing in the past.

Furthermore, Succession's election episode also draws parallels to Fox's handling of the 2000 Presidential election, when the network's decision desk, led by George W Bush's cousin, was the first to call Florida for the Republican candidate. This call turned out to be wrong, and other networks later retracted their calls.

The texts made public during Dominion's recent defamation lawsuit against Fox suggest that the network's leadership and top stars promoted false claims about the election, despite knowing that they were untrue. Similarly, ATN in Succession ignores reports of voter intimidation at polling locations, highlighting how the most powerful cable news networks in the country can manipulate the news and influence the public's perception of events.

Jeryd Mencken

In the world of Succession, Jeryd Mencken's presidential election draws clear parallels to real-life events and people, particularly in relation to the Presidency of Donald Trump. Mencken's portrayal as a far-right nearing alt-right politician with extreme positions and divisive rhetoric reflects the controversial nature of Trump's Presidency. Like Trump, Mencken has gathered a fervent and sometimes violent base of followers who align themselves with his radical ideology.

However, Mencken's character also incorporates elements from real-life figures who have emerged in the political landscape after Trump's Presidency. While Trump was known for his bombastic and confrontational style, Mencken adopts a more reserved demeanor while still espousing far-right views. This aspect of his character aligns him more closely with politicians like Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, who has been associated with bigoted conservative policies and positions. Mencken's reserved yet overtly far-right attitude can also draw comparisons to Richard Spencer, a prominent figure on the right known for his white nationalist views.

Last updated: May 17, 2023 | 08:30
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