Consider Succession . The Roy children are trapped by an invisible contract that states: "You may have wealth, access, and power, but you will never be the king. Your job is to fight for the throne, knowing it will kill you to sit on it." Logan Roy never has to say, "I don't love you." He just moves the goalpost. Great family drama storylines weaponize these unspoken agreements. The drama occurs when one member tries to rewrite the contract without the others’ consent.
Complex relationships in fiction often rely on established archetypes to create immediate recognition and conflict: The Sibling Rivalry: Consider Succession
Succession demonstrates that complex family drama does not require likable characters. It requires comprehensible psychology. The audience understands why Kendall betrays Roman, not with approval, but with recognition. It requires comprehensible psychology