'Succession': The Complete Series DVD Review - An Unbelievable Achievement In Modern Storytelling (2024)

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Power, politics, money…it’s all in the family in this provocative, satirical series about a highly dysfunctional dynasty. When the aging patriarch of one of the world’s largest media conglomerates considers retirement, his family members position themselves for a takeover. But tensions rise as corporate battles threaten to turn into a family civil war in this sharp, scathing, binge-worthy series.

Includes all 39 episodes from all four seasons, plus all the bonus materials that have been lovingly created over the years.

For previous thoughts on Succession, please see our previous overviews here, here and here.

Video Quality

Succession comes to DVD with 39 episodes over 12 discs, each season receiving three discs, which offers a fair amount of room to avoid compression issues. Unfortunately, the full series was not afforded an HD option like the first season, which received a Blu-Ray release back in 2018. Due to the limitations of the format, these episodes are not going to look as good as they do in high definition, but the presentation is top notch within the DVD format. Even without the added definition, this is still a sleek show with fine details easily visible. Skin tones look natural, and close ups look quite good. Black levels are a little more problematic here, as nighttime scenes lose some of the outlines of objects within the shot. Colors are rendered favorably, and there is a whisper of texture in the clothing. This is the type of show that you want to see in the best quality possible, but consumers are increasingly less likely to spring for a Blu-Ray of a television show that is not a big spectacle. If you want to physically own these episodes, this set still offers up a pleasing presentation.

Audio Quality

This DVD collection comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds great for the type of show that it is. Dialogue is rendered clearly with a focus in the center channel. The wonderful score for Nicholas Britell is presented beautifully here. Amongst all of the arguing and backbiting, sound effects and background chatter never overpower the dialogue causing lost information. The rear speakers create a dynamic atmosphere as the sound of various urban environments envelops you at all of the appropriate times. The mix has a good sense of directionality so that nothing ever feels like it is coming from the wrong place. This track executes all of the key elements of a dialogue-driven drama perfectly. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.

Special Features

Season One

• Succession Wedding Featurette: A nearly nine-minute piece which explores the dramatic finale including the lavish locations, the costume designs and more that give you insight into how everything came together.

Season Two

• Invitation To The Set: A two-minute look at where the characters are after the events of last season with insights from the cast and crew. It is quick, but it gets you up to speed on certain character motivations.

• Inside The Episode: All ten episodes are given a two to three-minute featurette in which the cast and crew members break down all of the developments in a particular episode. These do not go super in depth, but it provides a welcome perspective that enhances the enjoyment of the episode.

Season Three

• Succession – Controlling The Narrative: Two episodes are given a featurette in which the cast and crew members break down all of the developments in a particular episode. These do not go super in depth, but it provides a welcome perspective that enhances the enjoyment of the episode.

• • Episode 2 – Mass In Time Of War (3:31)

• • Episode 4 – Lion In The Meadow (2:53)

• Who Said It? With Sarah Snook & Alan Ruck: A quick three-minute quiz with the two stars about who said certain lines from the show with humorous banter between questions.

• Who Said It? With Nicholas Braun & Matthew Macfadyen: A nearly four-minute quiz with the two stars about who said certain lines from the show with humorous banter between questions.

• Roy Family Food Chain: A three-minute discussion with the cast members about what they believe the order of the family food chain is when it comes to power.

Season Four

• Succession – Controlling The Narrative: All ten episodes are given a four to seven-minute featurette in which the cast and crew members break down all of the developments in a particular episode. These do not go super in depth, but it provides a welcome perspective that enhances the enjoyment of the episode.

• Who Said It?: A quick quiz with two stars about who said certain lines from the show with humorous banter between questions.

• • Logan & Gerri (3:28)

• • Tom & Greg (3:23)

• Scene Swap – Tom & Greg: A three-minute piece in which the two actors perform a scene while switching the characters they typically inhabit.

• Character Recaps: All of the main characters are given brief featurettes giving an overview of their arc.

• • Logan (2:17)

• • Tom (2:02)

• • Connor (1:42)

• • Kendall (1:52)

• • Shiv (1:32)

• • Roman (1:35)

• • Greg (1:35)

Final Thoughts

Succession is one of the absolute gems of modern television which delivered from the first episode to the last. Every element from the plotting to the acting to the technical construction of each episode is perfectly executed. You may not fall in love with these characters, but you will love watching to see what they get into next. If you are looking to get into one of the finest dramas on television, now is your time to watch the full story. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has delivered a DVD set with a fine A/V presentation for the format and some brief special features. We feel this show deserves a complete Blu-Ray release, and we will double dip in a second if we ever get one. Recommended

Succession: The Complete Series is currently available to purchase on DVD and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the DVD.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.