Print Media – Page 2 – Damian Lewis

‘Billions’ Is Over. Its Creators Still Don’t Understand Why We Loved Axe

On October 30, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

The Art of the Long Con

by Miles Surrey | The Ringers | October 30, 2023

Showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien sat down to discuss the series finale, the art of the long con, and the public’s changing perspective on billionaires.

Throughout the course of Billions, characters have conspired to take down their enemies with comically elaborate schemes. It’s only natural, then, that the series finale, “Admirals Fund,” hinges on one last con. With self-made billionaire Mike Prince (Corey Stoll) shaping up to be the next POTUS, longtime adversaries Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) work together to take away the one thing that legitimizes Prince’s candidacy: his wealth.

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Is Over. Its Creators Still Don’t Understand Why We Loved Axe

Billions Print Media Recap

‘Billions’ Settles All Accounts With an Epic Series-Finale Showdown

On October 30, 2023October 30, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Evolution From Mortal Enemies to Grudging Allies

by Brian Lowry | CNN | October 30, 2023

After seven twisty seasons, with more double and triple crosses than you can shake a stock certificate at, “Billions” successfully landed the plane (OK, private jet) with its series finale, in a satisfying finish that reassembled the key players and even gave them time to take individual bows. For a show with so much bite and venom, it was oddly sentimental in generally the best of ways.

The final season found a way to raise the stakes above high finance, with billionaire Mike Prince (Corey Stoll) running for president, exhibiting enough problematic qualities and questionable beliefs to inspire those within in his inner circle to turn against him and try to thwart his bid.

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Settles All Accounts With an Epic Series-Finale Showdown

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 12: Admirals Fund

On October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Magnum Opus

by Damianista | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | October 28, 2023

May I just say I will miss Billions so much? Thanks to Paramount+ releasing the new episodes Fridays at midnight, I watched the show two times until 2am taking notes. Then I slept on it and wrote all day Friday taking a lot of pleasure in putting together what I see, what I read between the lines, and my favorite part, speculating about what could happen next in this crazy ride! And I thank all my readers from the bottom of my heart for reading my recaps and or your kind support and feedback.

I give standing ovation to all brilliant minds behind and in front of the camera for this brilliant season and a very satisfying series finale full of Easter Eggs for die-hard Billions fans! Special thanks go to series creators and executive producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien for giving me my dream show for seven years. It has been amazing to have interactions with the best ensemble cast ever over the years. Thank you Kelly AuCoin, Chris Carfizzi, David Costabile, Daniel K. Isaac, Stephen Kunken, Toby Leonard Moore for being so down to earth on social media.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 12: Admirals Fund

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How Axe, Chuck, Wendy, Taylor, Wags and More Find Their Way Home

On October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admiral’s Fund

by Cynthia Littleton | Variety | October 27, 2023

“Billions” ends where it began. At the close of “Admirals Fund,” the series finale of the Showtime drama series, Bobby Axelrod is scheming once again to make a new fortune with his merry band of alpha-male traders, who are revved up by his leadership to kill in the name of capitalism.

The closing segment of “Billions” was unabashedly designed to appeal to fans of the sudsy drama, which turns on the crazier-than-fiction tales of hedge fund managers and traders. Axelrod, played with gusto until the final frame by Damian Lewis, winds up on top. His most recent foil, rival trader/investor Michael Prince (Corey Stoll), has been defeated, publicly humiliated — although he is destined to rise again. “As it has ever been for men like you over the centuries,” Prince’s loyal confidant Scooter (Daniel Breaker) tells him in their parting scene.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How Axe, Chuck, Wendy, Taylor, Wags and More Find Their Way Home

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: The Last Battle

On October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | October 27, 2023

Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale: ‘Admirals Fund’

Am I at a loss for words over the series finale of “Billions”? That depends. Do hooting and hollering count as “words”?

There’s no other way to put this: In its final hour, “Billions” delivered, and delivered, and delivered. It saw what it needed to do — spend 45 minutes beating the living snot out of Mike Prince, and the remaining 15 minutes depicting beloved characters being really nice to each other for a change — and by God did it. In the process, it gave us that rarest of prestige-TV commodities: a happy ending.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: The Last Battle

Billions Print Media

New York City Was the Real Star of ‘Billions’

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Neighborhoods Where Characters Lived
Served as Shorthand for Their Personalities

by Dodai Stewart | New York Times | October 27, 2023

As the Showtime series airs its final episode, the showrunners look back at the essential role the city’s restaurants and neighborhoods played.

New York City has been the backdrop for many TV series over the years, from “Law & Order” to “Sex and the City” to “Succession.” But the Showtime series “Billions,” which ends on Sunday after seven seasons, may have been the New Yorkiest of them all.

Continue reading New York City Was the Real Star of ‘Billions’

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Creators Wanted Finale to Feel Like West Wing

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

It’s a Thrill Riding Shotgun With These Avaricious Characters

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | October 27, 2023

The markets have closed for Billions, the high-stakes financial drama that concluded its run after seven adrenaline-filled seasons. With one last flawlessly executed final scheme, longtime rivals Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damian Lewis) banded together to topple self-righteous billionaire Mike Prince (Corey Stoll). In one fell swoop, Prince turned pauper and Axe’s most loyal sycophants lined their pockets. “Admirals Fund” provides the veneer of a happy ending, with Axe reclaiming his old hedge fund and career lawman Chuck reasserting his mission to bring criminals to justice, but that doesn’t signify growth, co-creators and co-showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien tell Vulture. “They can’t help themselves!” says Koppelman. “You’re taking on the language of evolving, maybe, but that doesn’t mean you’re evolving.”

Continue reading Billions Creators Wanted Finale to Feel Like West Wing

Billions Print Media Recap

‘Billions’ Director Talks Series Finale Scheme and Gives Update on Spinoffs

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Happy Endings for REAL Billions’ Fans

by Ileane Rudolph | TV Insider | October 27, 2023

Who’d have thunk? Billions, Showtime’s smart and cynical hit show about the intersecting worlds of NYC’s financial and law enforcement goes out with a happy ending.

TV Insider talked to Neil Burger, a producer and director who helmed, among many other episodes, the inaugural episode and the series finale. (He also has a feature film The Marsh King’s Daughter debuting on November 3.)

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Director Talks Series Finale Scheme and Gives Update on Spinoffs

Billions Print Media Recap

‘Billions’ Bosses Break Down That Electric Series Finale

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Ending Was Crafted for the Billions’ Obsessives

by Josh Wigler | The Hollywood Reporter | October 27, 2023

Series creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien tell The Hollywood Reporter that the ending was crafted for the “‘Billions’ obsessives” who stuck around with the finance drama for seven seasons, and potentially into multiple spinoffs on the other side.

“Bobbie Sue took the money and run” is not exactly the same as saying “Bobby and Chuck took the money and run,” though “Sue” is not a bad nickname for the crusading lawyer played for seven seasons by Paul Giamatti. Still, the vibes are very much on point as Steve Miller Band’s “Take the Money and Run” played viewers out in the opening and closing moments of the series finale of Billions, which ended a seven-season run with one last signature heist and one last big score for basically every single character — everyone, except for late-game antagonist Mike Prince (Corey Stoll).

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Bosses Break Down That Electric Series Finale

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Series Finale: Creators Explain Ending, Pop Culture Analogies and Why Axe Didn’t Hook Up With Wendy

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Lynette Rice | Deadline | October 27, 2023

It’s the end of the road for Bobby Axelrod and his team: the drama created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien ended its seven-season run Oct. 27 with a tidy finale that keeps Axe (Damian Lewis) in the game of making money.

Here, Koppelman and Levien reflect on the finale, how the writers strike impacted production on the finale, and why they couldn’t say goodbye without including a few more pop culture analogies (like Phil Spector with River Deep!) in the episode.

Sadly, questions about Billions spinoffs were verboten.

Continue reading Billions Series Finale: Creators Explain Ending, Pop Culture Analogies and Why Axe Didn’t Hook Up With Wendy

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How it Ended and Who Wound Up Really Rich

On October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Breanne L. Heldman | People Magazine | October 27, 2023

“You learn a lot facing a man, battling against him. But when you throw them together…”

After seven seasons, Showtime’s hit drama Billions made its final bow Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime. (The series finale will air on Showtime on Sunday evening, so if you are waiting to watch it then, stop reading now!)

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How it Ended and Who Wound Up Really Rich

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: Take the Money and Run

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | October 27, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the warmest and fuzziest episode of Billions ever!

Sure, co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who wrote the series finale, gave us the expected tension-filled hour featuring a super-elaborate scheme, a Steve Miller Band soundtrack, and no shortage of double-, triple-, and quadruple-crossings. But, “Admirals Fund” also wrapped up Billions with a heavy dose of respect, kindness, and gasp, HUGGING. So much hugging.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: Take the Money and Run