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Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 12: Extreme Sandbox – June 9, 2019

Peace, Love and Understanding do not live here

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | June 9, 2019

May I just say I will miss Sundays? Thanks to Showtime releasing the new episodes Saturday midnight, I adjusted my weekend program this year. I have watched the show two times until 2am and took notes. Then I slept on it and sat down and wrote all day Sunday taking a lot of pleasure in putting together what I see, what I read between the lines, and my favorite part, speculating (I have hits and misses!) about what could happen next in this crazy ride! I give standing ovation to all brilliant minds behind and in front of the camera for surpassing all expectations! And special thanks go to my husband for bearing with me for the last couple of months and keeping my mother, who has been visiting for the last six weeks, entertained Sundays! ❤️

While the season is coming to an end, we still have so much to say about it. We are currently updating the dining guide which we will publish next week followed by a FUN Best of Billions Season 4 post, a locations guide and more. We hope you stay with us between seasons! Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 12: Extreme Sandbox – June 9, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Entertainment Weekly – June 3, 2019

There can be only one left standing

by Kyle Fowle | Entertainment Weekly | June 3, 2019

Much like “Golden Frog Time” before it, the penultimate episode of season four is Billions at its best. It’s a twisty, sometimes confusing, always entertaining episode that establishes the season’s endgame while also asking “are you surethat’s the endgame?” There are so many story threads here, so many different character motivations, that it can be difficult to parse what’s really going on — and that’s half the fun. Add in every character’s propensity for lying and you get a glorious episode that deals in unreality, shifting perspectives, and perfectly sets up a finale where loyalties and relationships will be tested.

The episode begins in a panic, as Chuck Sr. has discovered that his home is bugged. He visits his son at the crack of dawn to deliver the news—Chuck has no interest in the details of booze, drugs, and floor sex that led to the discovery—and they hatch a plan. Chuck Sr. goes on the lam, updating his son on his situation via burner phones, and Chuck Jr. decides he has to kick his moves against Jock into high gear. So, he calls in favors with multiple people, and sends them on a hunt to discover why Jock is so desperate to prevent blockchain voting. Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Entertainment Weekly – June 3, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Forbes – June 3, 2019

Dirty Deeds, Collateral Damage and a Mysterious Idiot

by Dana Feldman | Forbes | June 3, 2019

David Costabile, Kelly Aucoin, Condola Rashad, Toby Leonard Moore, Damian Lewis, Jeffrey DeMunn, Asia Kate Dillon, Maggie Siff, Paul Giamatti

Damian Lewis and Nina Arianda in Billions.

PHOTO BY JEFF NEUMANN/SHOWTIME.

The penultimate episode of the fourth season of Showtime’s hit series Billions saw some finally tell the truth, as others went even deeper into the dark side. There are plenty of dirty deeds and collateral damage at play. Oh, and there’s also an unnamed idiot at the heart of the Rhoades’ land deal that could take down the father-son duo. Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Forbes – June 3, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Vulture – June 2, 2019

Bad for Business

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | June 2, 2019

I welcome Billions’s confounding nature if it means a satisfying payoff, and if this entire season is any indication, I have a feeling that’s what awaits us.

“Lamster” is riddled with ambiguity, which is exactly why it’s so enthralling. Major plot points are left wildly open-ended — like, what is the status of those incriminating documents locked in Senior’s safe? Bryan Connerty and his safecracker brother, Jackie, do indeed break into Senior’s apartment so Bryan can photograph every page of the smoking gun, but he hasn’t revealed to anyone he has hard evidence against both Rhoades men. Also, the Connerty brothers only think they completed this mission undetected. In addition to helping himself to a pair of Senior’s cufflinks, Jackie rehung the painting that conceals the safe in an askew manner. We know this because mere seconds after the brothers leave the building, Hall enters, hired by Axe as a favor to Chuck, to procure the documents before the FBI seizes them. Axe’s fixer notices the lopsided artwork, but other than that, we’ll have to wait for the third and final act for the documents’ next appearance. Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: Vulture – June 2, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: New York Times – June 2, 2019

Trader, Taylor, Lawyer, Spy

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | June 2, 2019

Chuck Rhoades has issued his own mission statement. “I myself will be doing my usual boogie,” he tells the gaggle of favor-trading power brokers he’s assembled to help him take down Jock Jeffcoat. “Inducing mistakes through temptation, misdirection, obfuscation and conflation-slash-corruption of the ideals that built this great nation.” A brief pause for breath follows, before he adds, “For a good and noble purpose, of course.”

The assembled bigwigs all nod in the affirmative and concur. Why wouldn’t they? For one thing, they’re all in on Chuck’s shady attempt to expose Jeffcoat’s even shadier collusion with a voting machine manufacturer to rig elections. That “good and noble purpose” is ostensibly one they share.

But you don’t need to be part of criminal conspiracy to recognize the underlying sentiment. Chuck’s merry men all agree that this self-admitted liar is telling them the truth, in the familiar manner of people who’ve decided to humor someone who’s full of it because disagreeing would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Fortunately, we here are under no such obligation.

“Lamster,” the penultimate episode of this season of “Billions,” sure does seem to have taken Chuck’s credo to heart as its own. Temptation, misdirection, obfuscation, conflation-slash-corruption of ideals: All of the above are in play.

Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 11 Recap: New York Times – June 2, 2019

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Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 11: Lamster – June 2, 2019

The Sun God

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | June 2, 2019

I admit I have looked up the dictionary for this week’s episode title Lamster. And as I was thinking that the lamster is probably Bryan’s brother Jackie, it turns out to be Chuck Senior of all people!

Chuck Senior, whose wife is enjoying weather and shopping in Palm Beach, is the new Dollar Bill – two families – with Roxanne and little Bess staying with him in his apartment. And who knew the dad had as rich a fantasy life as the son? 😀 Thanks to a “hide-and-seek” followed by drugs and sex, Senior discovers he is bugged and knocks on Chuck’s door in the wee hours.

While his dad tells him he discovered the bug while making a home repair, Chuck can imagine what was going on in the apartment. As they have a division of labor where Senior should become Whitey Bulger, and even better, D.B. Cooper, and Junior should speed things on Jeffcoat, Junior realizes if they have a bug permit on his dad, they may have a bug permit on him, too! Senior will now literally play “hide-and-seek” with the Feds and use a burner to let his son know he is fine every 8 hour. Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 11: Lamster – June 2, 2019

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The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs from Billions Season 4 Episode 10

Billions MVP Fanbook

by Gingersnap | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | May 29, 2019

Welcome back to our ‘Billions MVP Fanbook,’ a compilation post commemorating all those in honor of achievement for the utmost brazen, uber shameless, ultra scheming, unmatched bad asses to date – from sports references, music, and tasty food to pop culture remarks, shocking twists and ultimate paybacks.

In case you missed our previous awards, you can catch up with season four episode one, episode two, episode three, episode four, episode five, episode six, episode seven ,and episode eight. and episode nine. Now, let us continue with that tradition as we award our Most Valuable Players (MVPs) this week.

Here are our Billions awards for Season 4, Episode 10, “New Year’s Day.”

Continue reading The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs from Billions Season 4 Episode 10

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Billions Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: Forbes – May 27, 2019

It’s All Work And No Play On ‘New Year’s Day’

by Dana Feldman | Forbes | May 27, 2019

In the world of Billions, it may be “New Year’s Day” but vacations are cut short and everyone is back at work. As they say, there’s no rest for the wicked. Especially when there are intricate plots, secretive cases and dubious defenses to be dealt with.

Wendy (Maggie Siff) is preparing to face off with the medical board in a faux interrogation with Axe (Damian Lewis) and the gang. In order to save her license, she must convince the board that her work with those at Axe Cap isn’t part of her medical practice. Her sessions, she must convey, are performance coaching sessions and Taylor was not a patient, but rather a client. In this scenario, doctor-patient confidentiality isn’t an issue. Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: Forbes – May 27, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: Vulture – May 26, 2019

The Moment

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | May 26, 2019

At first listen, the use of U2’s classic 1983 track “New Year’s Day” to open this episode seems like a cross between laziness and eagerness to once again show off Billions’ music budget. But the energetic bassline and corresponding piano riff actually provide the right amount of blood-pumping energy to kick things off. Because all is not quiet on New Year’s Day in the Billions world — not when there are medical board hearings to prep for and international banking laws to circumvent.

Wendy’s review is looming, so a mock panel is staged at the Axe Capital offices, with a crackerjack legal team consisting of Chuck, Axe’s personal counsel Orrin Bach (Glenn Fleshler), Ira, and — groan — Spyros presiding. But it’s presented as a fait accompli, even after Axe surprises Wendy by interrupting his Fiji vacation to be by her side: All four attorneys, including Chuck, think Wendy is guilty.

The mock panel scenes are fantastic, because I agree with the all-male lawyers that Wendy has done wrong, and that her career is based on a dangerous concoction of psychiatry and performance coaching. However, I take issue with their condemnation of her difficult behavior. It’s another infuriating reminder that we live in a world where it’s okay for Brett Kavanaugh to throw a tantrum in front of the Senate, but heaven forbid a woman gets frustrated in a legal proceeding.

Adding to Wendy’s resentment is the fact that her medical-license troubles are messing with her husband’s to-do list. Instead of supporting his wife, Chuck would rather see her take a deal so he can focus on far more pressing concerns, like his father’s latest real-estate financing snag. Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: Vulture – May 26, 2019

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Billions Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: New York Times – May 26, 2019

New Year’s Irresolution

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | May 26, 2019

Season 4, Episode 10: ‘New Year’s Day’

“All is quiet on New Year’s Day.” Fat chance, Bono.

U2’s wintry hit “New Year’s Day” may kick off the “Billions” episode it shares a title with, but Bono’s opening line certainly doesn’t describe it. Directed with verve and humor by Adam Bernstein and written by the series creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien — always a sign that the game is well and truly afoot — “New Year’s Day” has the feel of a turning point for the season. Nothing shocking or momentous takes place, but the air is electric.

This, despite taking place on a traditionally low-key holiday. On a day when the rest of the world is nursing hangovers, watching bowl games or simply kicking back and chilling out, these workaholic characters are preparing for the fight of their lives. Or the fight of their year, anyway. (They do a lot of fighting.)

The focus of the episode falls on Wendy, who has become the show’s protagonist since Bobby and Chuck declared a cease-fire on her behalf. Her license to practice is on the line because of her unethical handling of Taylor Mason’s personal information, and her normally professional facade is being eaten away before her colleagues’ eyes.

Taylor sails smoothly through a mock medical-board hearing, augmented by Chuck and Wendy’s one-time friend Lonnie Watley (Malachi Weir). But Wendy flunks her practice session royally. Recognizing his wife’s dire straits, Chuck suggests a bargain: accept a suspension and probation in exchange for eventual expunction. When he advises her to take the deal instead of make a deal, though, the jig is up.

Continue reading Billions Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: New York Times – May 26, 2019

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Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 10: New Year’s Day – May 26, 2019

Deliveries, Shakedowns and Cuddles

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | May 26, 2019

A phone conversation between Chuck and Krakow lets us and the US Attorney’s office know that Qatar State Bank is going back to the restricted list 😀 This means Chuck Senior may lose his sweet deal with the bank and so Chuck and Krakow agree to meet on New Year’s Day.

And as the U2’s “New Year’s Day” plays in the background, the opening sequence of iconic New York landmarks reminds me that of Manhattan, one of my favorite New York movies.

New Year’s Day at Axe Capital

Helena and Peach had to cut their vacations on St. Barths and Turks and Caicos, respectively, short to be at the office on New Year’s Day. But they are still smiling since should they have not had these jobs, they would have seen those beautiful islands only on TV – if they could have afforded cable! Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 4 Episode 10: New Year’s Day – May 26, 2019

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The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs from Billions Season 4 Episode 9 – May 15, 2019

Billions MVP Fanbook

by Gingersnap | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | May 15, 2019

Welcome back to our ‘Billions MVP Fanbook,’ a compilation post commemorating all those in honor of achievement for the utmost brazen, uber shameless, ultra scheming, unmatched bad asses to date – from sports references, music, and tasty food to pop culture remarks, shocking twists and ultimate paybacks.

In case you missed our previous awards, you can catch up with season four episode one, episode two, episode three, episode four, episode five, episode six, episode seven and episode eight. Now, let us continue with that tradition as we award our Most Valuable Players (MVPs) this week.

Here are our Billions awards for Season 4, Episode 9, “American Champion.”

Continue reading The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs from Billions Season 4 Episode 9 – May 15, 2019