For a guy who was introduced as kind of a nebbish, Donnie Cann apparently has ice water in his veins as he wears a wire and worms his way into Axe's confidence. Seems odd.
1
People keep asking why Wendy would be interested in Chuck, as he is apparently not her "equal" from a looks perspective.
Isn't it all about the power? I used to work on Capitol Hill, and the powerful people (usually not the prettiest) always had first pick of all of the young, beautiful hangers-on.
Wendy surrounds herself with powerful people; hubby is the one with the most!
Isn't it all about the power? I used to work on Capitol Hill, and the powerful people (usually not the prettiest) always had first pick of all of the young, beautiful hangers-on.
Wendy surrounds herself with powerful people; hubby is the one with the most!
6
The people in the prosecutors office actually make the financial guys look good. Hard to do , eh?
4
Interesting to me that this episode began with a reckless man putting Axe's kids in a car when he shouldn't have and ended with Axe as the reckless man putting his kids in a car when he shouldn't have.
8
Oh, NO! Lying about milk shakes. Get a life.
My wife and I are done with this show. There are so many implausible story lines and no one to root for because everyone is unlikable at best that we find ourselves frustrated at the end of every episode. It is too bad because we both really like Paul Giamatti. As a lawyer, not only should Chuck recuse himself, he should remove the case from his entire office because his wife works for the investigative target. In, addition, his hapless assistant would be required by the rules of ethics to report Chuck for his ethical lapses. It is hard to believe he would risk losing his license to placate Chuck. And Bobby's lawyer would face criminal charges for his attempt to destroy evidence of the video as he suggested when he first discussed it with Bobby. And why did the neighbor have Bobby's kids in the first place? And words alone would not be enough to tank a case where someone gets sucker punched. Maybe I just know too much to enjoy this show.
8
John Carroll Lynch also had a good arc on The Americans.
To me this show (or episode) is not as much about the marriages as this recap suggests. Maybe someone who is married sees it from that perspective.
The other thing that makes this show so far a bit hard to believe is that no matter how big Axe Capital is, he seems so hated that other funds would probably have ganged up on his to bring it down.
To me this show (or episode) is not as much about the marriages as this recap suggests. Maybe someone who is married sees it from that perspective.
The other thing that makes this show so far a bit hard to believe is that no matter how big Axe Capital is, he seems so hated that other funds would probably have ganged up on his to bring it down.
1
It just doesn't ring true. It feels very actorly (the whole series).
I don't like when they just spring things on us that should have been developed, like Donnie becoming a mole. That sort of came out of nowhere, and I even checked a few other recaps to be sure. It seems to be an epidemic in shows recently.
I don't like when they just spring things on us that should have been developed, like Donnie becoming a mole. That sort of came out of nowhere, and I even checked a few other recaps to be sure. It seems to be an epidemic in shows recently.
2
I found it refreshing that the police didn't cave and were going to follow the evidence and prosecutorial recommendations. The former police chief who acted as a broker of sorts can be seem accepting a clear plastic case loaded with cash at the end of the episode. Irony?
The couple dynamics: Even the same-sex dynamics in the office were riveting tonight. Chuck had to dominate his second-in-command repeatedly throughout the episode (in contrast to his relationship with Wendy where she's the dominant one.) More irony?
Loved the soundtrack, too.
The couple dynamics: Even the same-sex dynamics in the office were riveting tonight. Chuck had to dominate his second-in-command repeatedly throughout the episode (in contrast to his relationship with Wendy where she's the dominant one.) More irony?
Loved the soundtrack, too.
2
Wondering if the trader that 'gifted' Axe with the boxing trophy will feel any heat for it. It was actually a great moment for Axe, as his reaction was in a way he never reacts.
Usually, either he plays along with the joke, maybe even topping it - or he lashes out. Here he just walked away.
Usually, either he plays along with the joke, maybe even topping it - or he lashes out. Here he just walked away.
Guess what?
In Westport it's still the Long Island Sound.
:-)
In Westport it's still the Long Island Sound.
:-)
Lara really is a tough mom, forcing her sons to dig for clams without buckets. Even in the long shots, not a bucket in sight. How are they supposed to carry their catch — clenched between their buttcheeks?
This may be the funniest unintentional comedy series since "Smash," and that's a high benchmark indeed.
This may be the funniest unintentional comedy series since "Smash," and that's a high benchmark indeed.
2
Wendy is the most interesting and complex character so far. Wendy knows almost as well as we do that Chuck isn't telling her the whole truth about the breakdown in the settlement discussion with Axe; she will certainly bring it up again, but will wait for the most opportune time. The slap after the dinner was delivered for three reasons: "I know you still haven't told me the truth about the settlement", "did you really have to be so obnoxious at dinner?", and "I'm going to make you pay for all of that!" (All of that aside, she definitely loves the S&M.) She's talking to the head hunter for her own reasons, and doesn't want to concede the point to Chuck, even with his announcement about his recusal, which she also isn't buying 100%. She wants to regain control of her own life, and not become collateral damage in Rhoades v. Axe fight-to-the-death. I'd love a pre-quel show about Wendy - there is so much going on there.
9
I suppose a lot of NY marriages are so messed up, that folk want to tell themselves this is a great one.
At last Axe is showing some cracks. He still seems too good and the evils of corrupt financial markets remain vague- despite Rhoads passionate riff on damage to pensioners. Why can't this show be more explicit about the ruthless avarice of hedge fund managers and HOW their profits are ultimately at the expense of people who have worked all their lives and hoped to have a little nest egg in the end ? Playing the market is NOT productive work, yet Axelrod looks like a Horatio Alger hero...
Wendy's version of a psychiatrist seems preposterous. That she married a pudgy masochist is psychologically incoherent.
Did Aaron Ross Sorkin give this show the taint of an apologist ?
Wendy's version of a psychiatrist seems preposterous. That she married a pudgy masochist is psychologically incoherent.
Did Aaron Ross Sorkin give this show the taint of an apologist ?
11
It's *Andrew* Ross Sorkin. And he is a NYT journalist.
1
The individual members of the Police Pension Fund benefit from investment with Axe. So far, no actual evidence that Axe has broken the law; but a lot of admitted evidence of unethical behavior by Mr Rhoads.
4
Hi Sara: Did it occur to you that her husband was probably not pudgy when they married so many years ago? And even if he were, so what? He also likely had more hair.
as for her "version" of a psychiatrist -- she's no longer in private practice so there's a lot of latitude there, and room for interpretation for what she does. she's a smart chick, but also very flawed.
and "playing the market" isn't necessarily what Hedge Fund managers do exclusively. They do a lot of other fun and illegal things. I remember (I'm retired wall st) a life before hedge funds when a trade rode on a handshake. Those days are long gone. Just ask the boys at Long Term Cap.
as for her "version" of a psychiatrist -- she's no longer in private practice so there's a lot of latitude there, and room for interpretation for what she does. she's a smart chick, but also very flawed.
and "playing the market" isn't necessarily what Hedge Fund managers do exclusively. They do a lot of other fun and illegal things. I remember (I'm retired wall st) a life before hedge funds when a trade rode on a handshake. Those days are long gone. Just ask the boys at Long Term Cap.
4
This episode could also be titled: Restaurants, Lies, and Video.
Major developments are pushed forward in restaurants. At an Italian restaurant, Axe makes a video disappear from public viewing. At a French restaurant, the Rhoades learn the essence of love in the digital age: have the same password. In a shady restaurant, Chuck's deputy effectively intimidates a reluctant informant.
Lying is the groundwork of not only a working marriage, bad or else. It's also the basis of the relationships of an informant to the U.S. attorney and his boss, a reporter to the public and a boy scout to his leader.
And think: What would have happened if the phone video (no tape necessary, anymore) had taken in a restaurant and not at a private BBQ? Just asking.
My bull moment: Watching Chuck becoming a motivational speaker of sorts with a variation of the Robert-Keating-maneuver (not on but at the desk).
Major developments are pushed forward in restaurants. At an Italian restaurant, Axe makes a video disappear from public viewing. At a French restaurant, the Rhoades learn the essence of love in the digital age: have the same password. In a shady restaurant, Chuck's deputy effectively intimidates a reluctant informant.
Lying is the groundwork of not only a working marriage, bad or else. It's also the basis of the relationships of an informant to the U.S. attorney and his boss, a reporter to the public and a boy scout to his leader.
And think: What would have happened if the phone video (no tape necessary, anymore) had taken in a restaurant and not at a private BBQ? Just asking.
My bull moment: Watching Chuck becoming a motivational speaker of sorts with a variation of the Robert-Keating-maneuver (not on but at the desk).
"At a French restaurant, the Rhoades learn the essence of love in the digital age: have the same password."
---------
Actually that took place at Babbo, Mario Batali's restaurant on Waverly Place.
---------
Actually that took place at Babbo, Mario Batali's restaurant on Waverly Place.
1
Right, thanks. So being in an Italian restaurant does the trick. ;)
Last night's episode veered a little too close to becoming the soap opera version of "Liifestyles of the Rich and Famous".
The series is best when it has a mix of the workplace and their intimate lives to show how the one influences the other. Veering too much into either realm can destroy the interest.
The conflict of interest angle with the Rhoads really needs resolution for the story line to continue in any believable fashion. It really makes Wendy the pivotal character in the narrative. I'm not sure that is what the show is about.
Truth can be stranger and sometimes more interesting than fiction. The battle of the inflated egos between Axe and Rhoads is more amusing than watching the battle of the egos of Trump and the rest only because we know that Rhoads and Axe are fictional. But if screenwriters had attempted the dialogues in the last debates, they would have been fired. It is interesting to watch how the untamed ego and narcissism can force even the most intelligent into action with the most catastrophic and predictable consequences.
The series is best when it has a mix of the workplace and their intimate lives to show how the one influences the other. Veering too much into either realm can destroy the interest.
The conflict of interest angle with the Rhoads really needs resolution for the story line to continue in any believable fashion. It really makes Wendy the pivotal character in the narrative. I'm not sure that is what the show is about.
Truth can be stranger and sometimes more interesting than fiction. The battle of the inflated egos between Axe and Rhoads is more amusing than watching the battle of the egos of Trump and the rest only because we know that Rhoads and Axe are fictional. But if screenwriters had attempted the dialogues in the last debates, they would have been fired. It is interesting to watch how the untamed ego and narcissism can force even the most intelligent into action with the most catastrophic and predictable consequences.
2
John Carroll Lynch also recently played Eastman on The Walking Dead episode Here's Not Here, a superb performance in one of the best TWD episodes ever.
3
Thanks for pointing this out...That's my favorite TWD episode so far.
Last episode when the Axe and Jenny got into the chic basement pool spa I almost turned it off. Implausible without further explanation (which surely must be coming).
This week Billions redeemed itself. What made the two antagonists great will probably do them in. Loved the demented Axe pulling his kids from camp in the middle of the night and look forward to the blowout(s) with Lara about how to raise their now-spoiled rotten kids.
This week Billions redeemed itself. What made the two antagonists great will probably do them in. Loved the demented Axe pulling his kids from camp in the middle of the night and look forward to the blowout(s) with Lara about how to raise their now-spoiled rotten kids.
I loathed Axe for defying Lara and picking the kids up. They are spoiled and soft. Couldn't help but wondering why the Scout Master wasn't worried that someone just kidnapped the Axelrod boys.
1
All for showing at the Watusi Rodeo"
The music says it all.