Exploring the Legacy of Inheritance and Succession in Popular Culture
Stories revolving around inheritance and succession are deeply rooted in cultural narratives and have stood the test of time. The premise is universally recognizable: an aging patriarch or matriarch presides over a vast empire, while their ambitious heirs engage in a fierce battle for dominance. This classic setup often leads to shifting loyalties, betrayals, and chaos. The Gospel of Luke presents the parable of the prodigal son, highlighting the contrasting paths of two siblings regarding their inheritance. Similarly, Shakespeare’s tragic King Lear descends into madness after making a fateful decision to disinherit his youngest daughter, only to be betrayed by her older sisters.
Yet, in recent years, this theme has surged in popularity, particularly within the realm of television. The airwaves seem positively flooded with succession-themed narratives. Notable examples include:
- Empire – A tale of ambition and treachery within a musical dynasty.
- Yellowstone – A gripping saga of land, power, and familial conflict in the American West.
- La Maison – A drama centered around a prestigious family business and the rivalry among heirs.
HBO has added to this trend with a trifecta of hit series: “Succession,” which delves into the power struggles of a media empire; “The Righteous Gemstones,” focusing on a family vying for control of a religious empire; and “House of the Dragon,” exploring the fierce battles for control of a dragon dynasty.
This fascination with succession isn’t limited to scripted narratives; it also permeates documentary filmmaking. Two recent documentaries exemplify a growing archetype in these stories: the arrogant, self-important patriarch whose overwhelming devotion to his empire often trumps basic human decency.
Released in September, the six-part Netflix documentary “Mr. McMahon” delves into the life and legacy of Vince McMahon, a pivotal figure in professional wrestling. He inherited the World Wrestling Federation from his father, Vince McMahon Sr., and transformed it into a colossal global enterprise. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the newly branded World Wrestling Entertainment (W.W.E.) was raking in massive viewership by dramatizing the intense rivalry between McMahon and his two children, Stephanie and Shane, both of whom were eager to inherit and dominate their father’s empire.
Professional wrestling is notoriously a blend of reality and performance; the feuds played out in the ring often mirror real-life conflicts. “Mr. McMahon” uncovers the extent to which the scripted rivalries within the W.W.E. were rooted in genuine familial tensions. Shane McMahon, in particular, found himself at odds with his father during the height of what is known in wrestling lore as the Attitude Era. This culminated in a dramatic showdown at WrestleMania 17 in 2001, where the storyline focused on the future direction of the W.W.E. The match, billed as a “street fight,” took a dark turn as Vince unleashed real punches on Shane, breaking the usual code of staged violence. This moment is both disturbing and compelling, illustrating the complexities of familial relationships intertwined with the chaos of power struggles.
