‘Billions’ Season 3, Episode 9: Bear Market

Enough with the comparisons to HOMELAND and the “cancel BILLIONS already!” comments. I stopped watching HOMELAND a couple of seasons ago too, only to hear from various corners that this season is one of the best yet. So you never know. All it takes is good writing, and this series has had some great writing this season and last. One weakish episode doesn’t change that. But I have to agree that the casting of Malkovich is disastrous, and a rare misstep in the taste and acumen of the creators of BILLIONS. So let’s watch the last quarter of the season, shall we, and reserve our season epitaphs for post-episode 12?

Wow, such hostility by some viewers. I like the direction the story line is taking. The very flawed good guys just my end up doing the right things. For those who are upset...sorry, this is real life.

Again you disparage Blue Lives Matter to the extent that you create extra characters in the episode that were in fact, not present. You mention Jeffcoat's Blue Lives Matter-branded jackboots, then state even the correction officers who killed the inmate are backed by the U.S. government. The inmate was killed while being transported from prison to court. That would've meant that correction officers, not police officers, were transporting the inmate when he died. Yet, despite this you manage to blame cops. I guess you don't accept the facts when drawing conclusions in real life, why shouldn't you also extrapolate fantasy from a t.v. show as well to create fantasy to fit your flawed accusations? When you have all these hideous characters why is it necessary to blame cops when they weren't even characters? But because of your flawed perception, you have them commit the most hideous crime in a piece of fiction detailing the flaws of the rich and powerful. Why do you feel the need to attack civil servants working under extreme duress while straining to make ends meet for their families?

Some cameos from other prestige cable shows: From The Americans: Lev Gorn, (who plays Arkady) As the guy telling Axe how he lost his fortune, and his arm, to the bad Russian guy. And another alum of The Wire: Kima's girlfriend Cheryl, here as the boss at the FBI who hires Bryan and is familiar with the film Pi. Speaking of The Americans... Thanks to that show, viewers know a legit. Russian accent when they hear one. Showtime should have plucked their bad guy from that cast as they did for Homeland. I like John Malkovich, but watching him in this role is like nails on the chalkboard. His attempt with the accent is so bad it's distracting.

If it’s possible for a series that was so compelling this season jump the shark from one episode to its last, Billions has done it.

I hate the show; I hate everything about it. The only good thing about this episode was the Dylan song. Given the underlying anti-Trump vibe, why didn't the writers let "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" play until the lines, "But even the president of the United States/Sometimes must have to stand naked"?

In that parable at the end, it seems like Axe was supposed to be the little boy -- "If you try to manipulate Andolov, this is what you get." And yet, that line "no one knows" -- does it mean that no one knows what happened to the boy? or did Andolov mean, "everyone asks me that" -- which, along with his final gesture, almost suggests he was making the whole thing up.

Billions has gone from a well written show to nothing but a cesspool of vile. The final sentence from the Russian oligarch of allowing the guards to have their way with the child's mother, was the most revolting and disgusting dialogue Billions has used to date. What once was a brilliantly and intelligently written show, has veered off course and crashed. I can't help but think the male writers on this show, were giving the #metoo movement a push back. For women who have been sexually abused by men (of which I am one), this episode was exceptionally insensitive, unsettling and dark. That was the last Billions I will ever watch.

Maybe it was coming down from the high of the previous story-line, but I found this latest episode (dare I say it?) dull. Evil Russians and corrupt government officials - how very original! [Yawn.] The highlight for me was spotting actors who also appear in "The Americans." Last night I spotted three: Lev Gorn, Kelly AuCoin, and Susan Misner!

I think Andolov's placement is necessary. Yes, the characters have drifted from the original Chuck/Axe feud. However, the placement of bigger 'Fish' in the pond just shows that predators can never truly be satisfied. They have to keep moving up the food change because that drive is a part of their DNA. They can never get enough. Isn't that the reason people are billionaires? The show obviously hints that Axe's greed is sending him on an unnecessary and dangerous path, like the boy in Andolov's story. The characters live off a blood-fueled game, and neither Axe nor Chuck have suffered serious losses. The very end of this episode taunts us, like Andolov's story. We know that the characters are flawed, and we do not know what will happen to Axe or Chuck although we sense a dark outcome.

I'm really hoping Malkovich is not going to be around too long. Between his torturous posturing and that accent I don't know which is worse. There are certainly more believable Russian actors available who don't feel the need to chew up the scenery to make the story compelling.

As both a fan of Billions and a fledgling writer, this episode left me wondering if the show has "jumped the shark" - that "shark" being the introduction of a Russian oligarch, aka Malkovich. Surely there are other plot pivots that would be more original and intriguing. Perhaps Wendy and Lara's paths could have crossed in a shockingly surprising way? Or Bobby does Chuck a solid in a stupendous fashion that only makes itself clear many episodes later? I hope I'm wrong, but this Russian turn just feels like a lazy plot twist combined with a stereotype villain actor. We'll see how it plays out.

Couple of observations. Axe. After this episode, it might be seeing how all the years of Axe's high performance were a big, team effort. Sure. He was the genius driving force. But, other than The Wagster, he's alone now. And as Wags retorted to Taylor, "Axe is never wrong." But we don't believe that he believes that. He's wary now. Axe had a huge symbiotic support system before: Wendy, Lara, Wags, Hall. He could even get centered by going back to the neighborhood and having a "coke and a slice" and shoot the breeze with his old friend. Lara always had some hard truths. Wendy? Gone--she's even ridding herself of Axe's visible gifts. Wags is hanging in, but not being heeded. Hall? More below. Now? He's alone. Rudderless. Wags is there and trying. But hey, he's only one person, as the old saying goes. And Taylor could be supportive, but he's alienated them and they are going off book to get some things done. Not a time to diss your true in house genius. So, Axe as genius is back and in high gear, but he's like a runaway train with no brakes and no direction. It is being revealed just how much of a group effort his success since the attack on the Trade Center really was. He's weaker than we thought. The best case in point: Even Hall has told him he cannot help him against this new Russian guy if it goes bad. Hey Axe! When Hall tells you you're in so deep not even HE can bail you out, what does it take to get through to you?

Guess I'm in the minority reading the comments thus far, but I loved Episode 9 and Malkovich's acting in it. (Lewis's, too.) I replayed the last scene with those two over and over because I found their work so compelling. I disagree with Collin's take at the end of the recap though. Andolov says he asks the question of people, "What happened to the boy, and no one knows." He then does that funky thing with his hands like Scheider playing Fosse in ALL THAT JAZZ ("It's showtime!"). To me, Andolov is telegraphing what a monster his character is because I think he killed the kid. Destroyed him because he's a beast. Nobody ever "knows" the answer to his question because they don't WANT to know. Axe certainly didn't. He's horrified that he's in bed with this guy. Rewatch that scene and watch Lewis's right cheek twitch when asked if he knows what happened to the boy. Axe is a daddy: He doesn't want to know. But he knows. Loved this episode--one of my favorites, actually. It helps that I'm a guitarist who loves Boy Dylan.

AND a KD cameo just as the Dubs are killing the Rockets....coincident but wonderful timing thank you!

It's interesting how Connerty, during his interview for a FBI position, alluded to Aronofsky's film "Pi" when talking about what he went through with Chuck, as if to explain how he emerged from that as a stronger person (the interviewer lent a pretty sympathetic ear I thought). Perhaps as equally striking was that during the night before, Connerty expressed his disinterest in what Kate was trying to say and the dilemma she's been facing. Their friendship is definitely ruptured at this point.

Taylor is rocking those Chesterfield coats. And John Malkovich is so good one forgets who he is. Also, he is not over the top. Those oligarchs are part of the Russian mob.

This episode could have been titled, in the words of Wise Wags, “Don’t Do It.” But you know they will anyway. And they do. They always do. I never enjoy this type of set-up episode. Too chopped up, too utilitarian (with an implied “to be continued” on each new plot twist). This one nearly had be bailing when it opened with the execution of a coyote. I get the metaphor, but did the camera need to linger? These days horrible people are going to look,at that as something cool to copy. Other annoyances include: John Malkovich’s silly, pseudo-Russian accent, which went missing occasionally. Blatant product placement (the Fiji water was obvious, the Maserati perhaps less so, but it was also an ad). Too many manly “peeing” contests. Favorite scene: Dollar Bill’s dollar found, everyone is called to the principal’s office for a talking to, and the dollar snatcher is taken down. T’was a Madeleine moment for me. I pictured myself in third grade, when a boy stole something from my desk and I told the teacher about it. She dramatically and thoughoughly eviscerated that poor boy in front of the class. I got my stolen item back, but I didn’t want it at such a cost. But Dollar Bill wants his lucky dollar back, and he revels in the taker’s neutering. This is the Billions I love — people revealed as their most basic, vulnerable, greedy and petty selves. Small stakes, but the point is who wins.

Just had another thought on that story about the woman in the Moscow Christmas market. I think it was intended to be a thinly veiled threat against Axe himself, as well, as Axe’s children. It’s meant to throw him off his game. Instill doubt. Earlier in the episode Andolov (stock Russian oligarch character version #5) says something to Axe about being invited to the place where his children sleep. Axe makes it clear that his kids are not to be mentioned again. So if you parse the rape story as metaphor, the mother (who clearly “knew someone,” to be so buxom in lean times) goes off with a stranger (we assume it was willingly, initially, because she is a prostitute), and is gang raped and possibly killed. The greedy boy, who just wanted what he wanted and didn’t care where his mother went, is deeply engrossed in the pleasure of his ill-gotten treasure, his “drunken eyes” gleaming. Who is Axe in this scenario? Is he the prostitute? Is he the child? He could be either. And I think that is what the question is supposed to mean: what happen to that boy? What will happen to Axe, and those he has thrown aside in order to get more for himself?

Undisciplined NYT reviewer just HAD to throw in the requisite Trump Russia Collusion swipe. When everything becomes political (and in this case, in a flaccid, rote manner), everything becomes boring. Impressive that the prissy NYT can manage to tut-tut and moralize smack dab in the middle of a simple television review. Lighten up and have some fun, Miss Grundy! This is what escapist TV is about.

Snooze. The last 2 episodes were so boring in comparison to what came before. The Ax/Chuck "resolution" (temporary?) felt like a season finale. The introduction of an evil Russian mirrors too much of what has been on countless other shows. And Malkovich? C'mon, we've definitely seen this before; I couldn't concentrate on the character without being hyper-aware of Malkovich's acting. The episode felt so contrived that the usual stunning verbal banter was more like listen to how brilliant the writers are.

Good grief, reading the comments thus far, you all seem to forget it's television -- escapism, fun, a distraction.... With all of the Monday morning quarterbacking going on, it's any wonder we are not brimming with new shows produced by all of the "experts" here. I love Billions, love the addition of JM. Clancy Brown seems to be associated in my head as a playing bigoted characters usually, so I'm less of a fan.

Surprised that Malkovich would want to play another Russian bad-guy.. immediately reminded me of "Teddy KGB" (with better clothes)

Another great episode. The look on Axe's face when he realized what he had gotten himself into was priceless.

The producers of this series have perhaps unwittingly taken their characters to the caricatures of Wall Street & Washington DC: soulless, immoral creatures better cast as Morlocks in The Time Machine. Maggie sold her soul to stay out of jail. Her character needs to be written off. Maybe bring in Katey Segal to finish her off just like in Sons of Anarchy. Nearly all of the characters have become repulsive, Chuck moreso than anyone else. Good thing Chuck never did time in the military, he's an REMF who would've been fragged. I'd love it if they all went down in flames, but we know that's not going to happen. Just like in real life, these creatures will use their money and power to feed off us, the Eloi, just as the Morlocks will do in 800,000 years.

Let us not forget that Clancy Brown played The Kurgan in the first Highlander movie. As cheesy as that movie could be, the villain was a guy with real menace. That said, to all the haters down below, teaming up with a guy like the Russian oligarch, spinning in, as it does, Russian corruption, insider trading, probably an outright Ponzification of Axe Capital (since he cannot lose the guy's money) and stuff so shady that even Hall was warning him off, is sure to bring Axe back into Chuck's orbit.

John Malkovich is a disappointing addition. His shtick is old and always the same.

I concur with the 2 commenters already here that there was little to enjoy in this episode with the focus being moved to new characters. I enjoy John Malkovich but this current character is repulsive. Where's the fun with a brutal psychopath? In writing a character with absolutely no moral or seemingly human limits, it's like the writers are throwing the intellectual and macho jousting between Chuck and Bobby out the window. Will Chuck or Bobby (or Wendy) do something so bad they can't live with the guilt? With the Andolov character, the guy has no limits about anything whatsoever so there's nowhere for him to go except brutality. Trouble for Bobby. But so nasty I don't want to watch. In addition, the show loves nasty, pithy pop culture references. But Dollar Bill's comment about Teddy Pendergrass, the great soul singer who became a quadriplegic after a car accident when he was 32, was too much for me. I understand these guys are supposed to be extremely irreverent, aggressive jerks, but that was revolting.....

Last nights episode was terrible. Billions is an amazing show that should have wrapped up this season. The Russian oligarch story line put me to sleep.

Billions has been such a great show, one of the best of all time. But with this episode, it has gone with new characters and storylines that are very uncharacteristic of Billions themes, and are also boring. Who wants to see Axe and Chuck fight enemies that just showed up in Season 3? Tonight's episode went completely off the rails. As a huge fan of the show, this is very disappointing. Most series seem to have this same fate, with so few exceptions, that it's not worth investing the enthusiasm. Wendy's changed character was the early warning sign. How are we supposed to believe that the ethical and good Wendy was so quick to let someone else go to jail to keep her out of trouble, not to mention play a trusting friend for a fool? And further, that she makes lame attempts to assuage her guilt? Makes no sense. The Russian violent character's story at the end was repugnant and definitely not in keeping with Billions. I don't want to re-watch the episode at all. The first 3-4 episodes this season took forever to get the usual "greatness" going. Then the middle episodes were full of what people love about Billions - great scenes, extremely clever storylines that all hold together. Now - this episode is an all-time low from the writers. Such great actors, but not even one great scene in tonight's entire show.

I hope the producers do the right thing and let this be the final season of a great show. This will help Iit avoid the fate of Homeland, whose increasingly melodramatic plots beggar belief. Let the characters’ lives remain unresolved. Let them avoid closure, that awful term. Let the show end in a lifelike way with everything up in the air.