HBO’s Succession: A Culinary Critique of Wealth and Power

New York, NY – HBO‘s acclaimed series Succession captivates viewers with its portrayal of a dysfunctional family embroiled in a media dynasty. The show, which concluded in May 2023, is a dark satire exploring wealth, power, and the quest for control of the family business as patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) ages.

The series centers on Logan’s children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (Sarah Snook), who grapple with their father’s looming mortality and their own ambitions. Their cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun) and Shiv’s husband, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), provide additional tension as they navigate the family’s power dynamics.

One intriguing element of Succession is its treatment of food, which serves as a symbol of the Roy family’s relationship with wealth. Throughout the series, the family is surrounded by opulent dining options, yet they rarely indulge in the food presented at business events and family gatherings. This abstention highlights a cultural detachment from the ordinary pleasures of life, suggesting that enjoying food is beneath them.

“Eating is a sign of weakness in this world,” a cultural critique in the series underscores. The Roys want to appear impenetrable, even as the need for sustenance is a fundamental human trait. Logan’s blue-collar background contrasts sharply with his children’s aloofness towards the meals that surround them.

In contrast, Tom’s character is emblematic of a more humble perspective. He revels in the luxuries afforded by his association with the Roys. His appreciation for fine dining and wine illustrates the disparity between him and the Roys, who take such indulgences for granted. “Having food around is about demonstrating wealth,” notes writer Lauren O'Neill. “The truly rich don’t eat because they’re above it; those who do simply expose a weakness.”

This dynamic plays out in scenes where food functions as a weapon of power. For example, in Season 2, Logan humiliatingly makes his business partners play “Boar on the Floor” during dinner. Tom’s embarrassment over eating a fish taco at Logan’s wake became a viral moment, showcasing how food choices can be laced with social commentary.

The tension escalates when Logan sends donuts to his children while they scheme to depose him, serving as a reminder of his control. In the finale, Roman and Shiv’s humorous yet humiliating smoothie incident with Kendall captures the show’s complex relationship with food as both bonding and manipulation.

Ultimately, Succession reveals that for the ultra-wealthy Roy family, enjoyment is not just stymied by status; it’s a conscious display of superiority over the very human act of eating.