the way the world works.
usually ipo" cannot be shorted for 30 to 60 days, maybe hedgies have other options, but I owned a broker dealer for 15 years and never could.lets get real.
Are we missing something here?
This show, and especially this season, and especially this episode, is full-out camp!
It's Dynasty and Dallas, with even more unlimited money to play with!
Maggie's fortune cookie pronouncements are hysterically obvious, but so incongruous in the context of the show that they're laugh-out-loud funny.
The Charles-Chuck show is always a game to see who is telling the truth at a particular moment in time, and folks? shorting the stock of a company that's just suffered a lethal setback isn't profane, it's what your IRA-handlers do every day.
The show is a compendium of the compromises we all make every day to get by. Lawyer in the Justice Department? You're still going to cross a line sometime. Miss Moral PhD still wants her one-night stand with a stud, bypassing portly hubby. That hubby plays games with his dad, and the law, in a quest to go after the villain with a heart of gold, real gold, Bobbi.
Relax and enjoy the show for what it is. But, hey, don't pretend this is Breaking Bad.
6
Is it me or was there something between Taylor and the venture philanthropist? Did he offer to take Taylor out for dinner if they were ever in Silicon Valley?
3
That kiss was absolutely terrifying. Now that is acting! Such malevolence!
However, I think the writers have gone down the wrong road this season by working in too many snippets of quirky humor. Bobby’s “Frick and Frack“ errand boys, for instance, or the wonky and cartoonish angles used to film Dake’s face. Wags...pretty much all of Wags. The risk is that characters become cartoons, and that brings the show down. This series is about people with no moral compass, after all. That’s not funny.
5
The writing, acting and music is sophisticated entertainment that makes you think outside the box!
7
Although an excellent comedian, Mike Birbiglia is a poor actor--easily the worst in this episode.
The snarky "shudder" reaction to venture philanthropy suggests that too many remain unfamiliar with the creative, high-leverage tools of impact investing. Here's a case study (addressing recidivism and food stamp access) where those tools were used to help Bloomberg Philanthropies generate social impacts of 1500x their philanthropic capital https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/real-impact-leverage-realized-garrett-melby/
1
So disappointed that the review left out the frightening scene of unbridled joy following the incineration of the human and the space capsule.
7
first adressed in the movie wall street.
1
Wow! This episode really had it ALL! *Loved* Wags and Axe’s graveside, “hell of a ride” convo!
*Loved* the perfectly rolled-out back and forth between Chucks Jr. & Sr!! Great balance of extreme-but-believable action, and just enough suspense to keep me worried until the last scenes. *Love* Mr. DeMun/Chuck Sr. So talented and perfectly cast. I love his eyebrows and dark, rolling eyes that telegraph his every next devilish move! It took me all of season 2 to figure out he reminded me of those old guys on The Muppet Show who sat in the balcony. Love Chuck Jr. too. Not a surprise coming from Giamatti, but still so well played.
Taylor may be all about the money but remains a level above the rest at Axe Cap. Is it my imagination or does Taylor not “school” Wendy, somewhat regularly, in their sessions? Their comments fly just enough below the radar to stay there but also give Wendy some free enlightenment of her own.
Wardrobe note: Taylor is too important and too chic to be rocking that high-collared blue sweater one day then wearing a floppy tie and man-waist-belt the next. Give them a YSL vibe to go with that fab watch... a silk tie and tailored ;) clothing that *fits* them...no matter where the waistline falls. Additionally, Is Wendy’s wardrobe restricted to black and navy? And *love* the days when Axe’s shirt has a *collar*!!! ;)
THANK YOU for this fantastic show!!!
7
I don't think Taylor is meant to be "chic" but rather someone still settling into their gender identity and sudden elevation at Axe Capital. Much of Taylor's bravado seems feigned - Taylor's hero-worship of Heidecker while at the same time cynically betting against his survival was an indication that Taylor is bifurcated in many complicated ways - some unhealthy or deluded. Assume Axe understands Taylor's vulnerability but is willing to use Taylor's problems to keep Axe Capital afloat - Axe is a shark. Taylor is brilliant but assume Taylor understands the cost of all these choices at your own risk. Taylor buying that flashy watch in emulation of their dead hero they made a fortune betting against is evidence of coming trouble - coveting material rewards on "Billions" is often a sign a character is losing touch with their better judgement - see Chuck's signed Churchill books. Wendy recognizes that Taylor's intellectual brilliance and apparent confidence is not commensurate with emotional intelligence or self-knowledge. Bryan Connerty repeatedly warning Taylor about loosing touch with your own soul and trying to bring Taylor to the other side are a gun on the wall. A reckoning is coming for Taylor.
5
Loved this episode. Are we sure Matthew Weiner didn't have a hand in this?
I think the conversation between Wendy and Taylor in the aftermath of the explosion said it really well and I just watched it again to get it right. In essence, she says that conflicts must be resolved or you languish and miss opportunities. It's normal to feel two things at once but "when you are here, mind the truth that makes you money."
Conflicting feelings are everywhere, and with every episode characters are exploring how to resolve them, except maybe Dollar Bill who with no ambivalence whatsoever voiced what many were likely thinking when he shouted payday for the beautiful short just after the hero blew himself up. People tailor (taylor) their persona to the needs of the situation- we mind the truth as it appears to us, but rarely are we mindful of that. Tonight's episode was a graduate course in characters being mindful about using the tools at their disposal to gain their best results. Bobby is kicked off the board but not before enriching himself and perhaps pushing it to do something less selfish and self interested. Chuck "humbles" himself at the alter of his abusive father and when that doesn't work, he threatens that which his father believes in. It may not always be "right" but it is always fascinating. At least to me...
7
Too many words. My head hurt after that episode.
2
Or as the emperor told Mozart in "Amadeus," too many notes. Um, right. This is Sorkin dialogue, a banquet of dialogue with so many flavors and textures, unlike the pre-chewed pablum of "regular" TV scripts. When played by outstanding actors, this approach sizzles and satisfies. Enjoy. Or return to McScripts and ill-nourishing banality.
11
The first 2 seasons show repeatedly that Charles Sr. will do anything to help Chuck and always has; that he goes above and beyond with unquestioned loyalty. Chuck turns around and intentionally tanks the family fortune, showing no respect for what his father spent a lifetime building or expanding. If that weren't enough, Chuck thwarts his father's remaining wish to be "done with" Chuck, by blackmailing him through the very channels his father set up to make him governor. All Charles Sr. has ever wanted was for Chuck to appreciate what he's been given and for the two to share a close father/son bond. Then when Charles Sr. finally hears those words at the reunion dinner, he knows it's all a farce. Charles Rhoades Sr. realizes there's no hope now. His kiss is a final goodbye before Charles Sr.'s death, as well as an expression of the travesty Chuck has made of their lifelong father-son bond. A reverse Judas kiss. A reflection of the horror show Chuck has brought things to. There have been plenty of hints that Charles Sr.s' days may be numbered. Charles Sr. is unapologetically a man of his times. It's crude at times for sure but sometimes hilarious. The acting of Jeffrey DeMunn and Paul Giamatti is a joy to watch. Season 3 is finally now as good as the first 2 seasons. All the actors on this show are truly excellent.
5
Wendy to Charles Sr. about Chuck: "He's the man you made him."
3
Charles Sr wants Chuck to succeed so that Sr. can bask in the glory. Sr. is a nasty self absorbed man who views everything through the lens of "what's in it for me?" It's the "family name"; his role as "pater familias" and how he will be perceived by the powerful people that motivates Sr. This sniveling, less than a man of a son who refuses to play the script Sr. writes for him that enrages Sr.
5
I'm often impatient with "Billions" but thought this was the best show of the entire series. The estrangement between Chuck and Charles and it's perversity was beautifully brought home with the kiss. The nastiness between these blood relatives contrasted with Chuck using all his powers - proportionality, language and patience - to continue to repair his relationship with Wendy. There's hope for Chuck yet. All the actors were given a chance to show their best last night. If I could change one thing, it would only be more screen time for the great David Straitharn.
15
One of the few disappointments of the show has been how quickly and easily Taylor has given over to the dark side. Given their permanent outsider status and the clarity that comes with it, you'd think they would be the one person who can transcend the endless quest for money and power that consume Chuck and Axe. Did we just see a first glimpse of that in this episode?
We've never seen Taylor so happy and hopeful as when she was watching the launch. She was radiant. And in the aftermath, it really drives home how disgusting the culture of Axe Cap are, that everything is filtered through lens of transaction. I'm hoping when the series ends, we'd find Taylor finally free of this, and embarking on a meaningful venture (with Mafee and Kim of course).
13
Taylor has not been "given over" to the dark side, they/it has been there since the beginning. Taylor has the same interests that Bobby does Power/Money, everything else is secondary.
6
Finally! "Billions" is starting to heat up and become increasingly exciting to watch. The dark and dangerously delicious side of Bobby Axelrod is beginning to emerge but the dynamics between Chuck and Charles Rhoades is outstanding. That final scene gave me chills and simply blew me away. The intensity of Jeffrey DeMunn, especially in this episode is so compelling. He is definitely Emmy award material. I am spellbound where and how this relationship will continue to unravel.
And thank you Mr. Collins for mentioning Michael Kostroff. He was so memorable in "The Wire" playing that "sleazy lawyer Maurice Levy". He can play "sleaze" better than most. I think it's his voice. Too bad he his character isn't a major player for he is awesome to watch.
17
Jeffrey DeMunn did a fantastic acting job as Robert Oppenheimer in the Showtime docudrama "Hiroshima" (1995) a movie that was very underappreciated and deserves to be seen.
2
Thanks Rob, I'll check that out. Mr. DeMunn has such an extensive and impressive list of credits. My favorite role was in "Citizen X" where he played serial killer Andrei Chikatilo. Such a chilling and scary performance.
2
And don't forget "Coach "
Maggie speaks with such authority over all things behavioral like she is yoda.
It's a fantastic portrayal of what doesn't actually exist in the real world. A psychiatrist she is not.
13
And it was Wendy who disqualified the promising candidate for the mission so Heidecker had to pilot the ship himself. I wonder if she feels any guilt over that?
4
@David Ho Los Angeles
I thought Maggie felt guilt and/or remorse for dumping Heidecker and going back to Chuck. I find her entire character's position so out of place and odd for this show. It's such a weird guru/woman behind the curtain with all knowledge of employees' inner most deep feelings, especially Bobby Axlerod. What companies actually employ someone like that? Strange. But I love the woman who plays her (who I suddenly can't recall her name). Apologies.
9