Five years ago, HBO debuted the premiere of a new show that would captivate audiences with its complex characters, witty writing, and shocking plot twists. This was the first year I chose to watch it in expectation of the series’ fourth and final season. At first, I mildly enjoyed it, but after a while, after that first season’s finale, I was locked in. I knew I was watching a masterpiece in the making, and sure enough, it was.

The series concluded yesterday, and I was blown away by the series’ commitment to retaining the narrative that the Roys are horrible people. There were no redemption arcs, no heroic moments; this was a story about terrible people doing terrible things and dealing with the consequences of those actions. I loved that!

Succession is the type of show that can inspire essays; that’s how masterfully written it was from start to finish. Every decision, every minute detail, and seemingly insignificant action added to a powerful conclusion that felt both poignant and perfect.

There is so much I want to say, but doing so would take a while, so I’ll keep this brief.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!