Whether fans knew what to expect from Kendall Roy in season three of HBO's Succession or not, chances are every die-hard fan is thoroughly pleased. After all, there doesn't appear to be a current show that is as consistent as the one that depicts how excessive wealth and unchecked capitalism has corrupted and destroyed the American family. While shows like the Real Housewives and even things like Dynasty satirize the extremely rich, they also spend an equal amount of time glamorizing them. That's not Succession at all. Unlike those shows, Succession knows precisely what it is and has never strayed from that while still ramping up the tension that exists between each of the incredible characters.
While the cast of the show may not be as wealthy as the Roy clan, each of them more than sells their character to the audience. Never do they feel inauthentic to the story world that they inhabit. Never do they appear as though they are phoning it in. And for that reason (as well as the absolutely excellent script), every character on the Jesse Armstrong created dark comedy is beloved by fans. But who is the best character on Succession? One could make an argument for each and every one of them. However, some astute fans believe that the greatest character on the show is one we haven't actually even met yet.
The Characters Succession Has Yet To Introduce
Let's face it, there are near-endless characters that show can introduce to the audience. The world that the Roys inhabit is much, much, much like our own. That means there can be any number of equally horrible individuals in the financial, entertainment, news, political, or familial world that can find their way into the story.
Extended family members also seem to be an area the writers can spend some time in. Who are the rest of the Roy cousins? What about the rest of Marsha's family? That seems as though it could be interesting to get into. It would certainly help flush out some of the mystery surrounding her character.
While there are certainly characters that have yet to appear on the show, these are not who some fans are referring to when they claim that the best character isn't even on the show.
The Camera Is Truly The Best Character On Succession... Here's Why...
Even though it may seem a little gimmicky to say, there's no doubt that the camera is the best character on Succession. It's one that's technically not on the show and yet the most important part of it. As observed in an excellent video essay by Thomas Flight, the camera in Succession acts like an observer in the events of the story.
This is similar to how a documentary filmmaker films their subjects as well as close to the style of such sitcoms as Parks and Recreation and, of course, The Office. The often hand-held, fast-zooming, approach is overused in today's television and cinema landscape but it does wonders for Succession. Mostly because the show is not meant to be a mockumentary. Therefore, the camera moving and acting in the way it does almost signifies that it is an invisible character within every scene. And like a person, it swiftly or incredibly slowly decides who or what to focus on or give importance to at any given moment. This is the opposite of what an omniscient camera perspective would does in police dramas, Harry Potter movies, or basically everything else that's not Succession or a mockumentary.
In most shows and movies, we're presented with what the script or director tells us to focus on as they are all-knowing. It's formally styled, balanced, and visually consistent. But the camera in Succession moves as though it's a person who isn't able to capture every moment or simply doesn't want to. It sees what it wants to see. It's subjective.
Instead of wide, sweeping shots of luxury, which are only occasionally featured on the show, the camera focuses on the absurd, the uncomfortable, and the oddly heartbreaking reactions each character has in any given scene. This is incredibly important for a show like Succession as it is, ultimately, a satire. Yet, it's a satire that takes itself incredibly seriously.
It's also all about the dramatic irony and the inability of each character to actually be authentic or without motive. Usually, the characters of Succession reveal what they want in their subject which comes alive in their reactions and in their body language. When the camera suddenly zooms out of an important exchange to a secondary character reacting in a way that is usually the opposite emotion of what the energy of the scene is.
Additionally, given that the show features a lot of people sitting around and talking, the moving camera adds kinetic energy that adds to the tension, drama, and sense of unease. And since the show is built around power plays and shifts in hierarchal dynamics, the sense of unease is vital to the authenticity of the story.
While the camera is not an actual character in the show, it absolutely acts as though it is. And it's the one we see the entire show through. Therefore all of the obscure moments, reactions, and exchanges that make us laugh or cringe are ultimately due to its subjective and erratic behavior.
