Tag: Glenn Fleshler

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: I Learned It From Watching You, Dad! – April 15, 2018

Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: I Learned It From Watching You, Dad! – April 15, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: I Learned It From Watching You, Dad! – April 15, 2018

Charles and Chuck Fathers-and-Sons Tour de Force

by Nicole Cliffe | Vulture | April 15, 2018

Source: Showtime

Hell of a Ride

Dust off your Harry Chapin albums, ditto Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill,” and get your dad feelings ready. This episode is the Charles and Chuck fathers-and-sons tour de force we’ve been waiting for. It’s done a LOT less hackily than these arcs often are (a well-timed flashforward helps set a good tone of ambiguity) and teaches us a whole lot about Chuck’s childhood, which … explains plenty. I was also glad to see Wendy get more work to do this week, she’d been a muted presence this season and Maggie Siff really got the opportunity to swing for the fences and put in a beautiful, moving performance.

Wendy usually spends way more time dealing with the strong negative emotions of others than she does with her own self-care, and here she must deal with the unexpected and tragic death of the man who Mad Men fans still think of as Bob Benson, but on Billions is Craig Heidecker, a cuter/nicer Elon Musk type and Wendy’s onetime lover during her separation from Chuck. His loss, in pursuit of space travel, guts Wendy, but also has a real impact on Taylor, who (sensibly) had placed a major bet against his chance of launching successfully. Obviously this cannot be the first time Taylor has realized that their work is not always aligned with the path of furthering human happiness and scientific advancement, but it definitely seems to be the first time they feel it with any acuity.

Continue reading Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: I Learned It From Watching You, Dad! – April 15, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: Venture Philanthropy & Space Colonization – April 15, 2018

Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: Venture Philanthropy & Space Colonization – April 15, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: Venture Philanthropy & Space Colonization – April 15, 2018

“Wags knows that everybody in this world has a closet full of skeletons; all he has to do is channel his inner Randy Travis and get to digging up those bones.”

by Kyle Fowle | Entertainment Weekly | April 15, 2018

Source: Showtime

Hell of a Ride

Billions knows how to use time jumps and flashbacks better than most shows. The trick is that the show understands when to use them for maximum effect. “Golden Frog Time” might be the best example of the craft, but “Hell of a Ride” certainly ranks up there. The episode begins with Dake and Connerty offering Chuck Sr. full immunity in exchange for testimony against his son. They, or Connerty more specifically, want to know, on the record, that Chuck directed his father to use his trust money to invest in Ice Juice, therefore luring Axe into a trap before purposely sabotaging the IPO.

Then, the episode flashes back to three days earlier. It’s a wonderful setup, immediately establishing the stakes of the episode. What’s even more intriguing is that there’s truly no way to know what Chuck Sr. will do. We assume Chuck Jr. will find a way to sneak out of harm’s way, but considering how much the father hates the son in this moment, there’s no guarantee. Plus, Connerty is feeling more and more betrayed by his boss and mentor, and that means he’s seriously driven to combat his corruption.

Continue reading Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: Venture Philanthropy & Space Colonization – April 15, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

From the Trader’s Desk: Billions Recap, S3 Ep3 – April 13, 2018

From the Trader’s Desk: Billions Recap, S3 Ep3 – April 13, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on From the Trader’s Desk: Billions Recap, S3 Ep3 – April 13, 2018

Attack of the Quants

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 13, 2018

Source: Showtime

Greeting’s from the Trading Desk! This week’s recap will be broken down into three parts: the first part will be a bit of a rant before the actual recap, the second, on Axe Capital and the attack of the “Quants”, and last, but not least on the dealings of Axe and in keeping with his God Complex, how he gave two people their “lives” back.

Rant: I need to address Ira and his girlfriend. I usually don’t veer off into the non-financial aspect of Billions, but it was the opening scene, and it pissed me off and had me yelling at my screen.

Ira, if that chick doesn’t want to marry you when you’re broke, why the hell would you want to marry her when you’re loaded? She basically told you she was a gold digger! And, she knows you are in financial trouble, but still orders those damn truffles? GTFO with her. Maybe your revenge was giving her that fugly ring? Ira, go out and get yourself a real woman, not a money grubbing Barbie. It’s women like that who give us GOOD women a bad name.  OK, end of  first rant. (If anyone who knows me and just read that in my 100% Brooklyn accent, thank you!!)

Continue reading From the Trader’s Desk: Billions Recap, S3 Ep3 – April 13, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions on Showtime, 3.03: A Generation Too Late – April 11, 2018

Billions on Showtime, 3.03: A Generation Too Late – April 11, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions on Showtime, 3.03: A Generation Too Late – April 11, 2018

When he’s hungry, he’s a jaguar. When he’s hunting, he’s a shark. When he’s ready to strike, he’s a viper.

by JaniaJania | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 11, 2018

Source: Showtime

Billions Season 3, with “A Generation Too Late,” just got real dark, folks. Not the sort of dark that takes you weeping to a fetal position when it’s done, your poor heart bleeding from the pain of it. No, this episode is the kind of dark that makes you mad, even when you thought the madness had already reached its upper limit. I don’t mean the characters have become unrecognizably hateful and ugly and you want nothing more to do with them ever. Quite the contrary. This episode instead shows you how real breathing people in technicolor reality sometimes need to go monochromatic, all black and white, when those are the only colors left available to see the world. You feel sorry for them for losing their color a bit and you know it’ll come back eventually (it always does, it has to!) For this hour, though, it’s gone, baby, gone.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, 3.03: A Generation Too Late – April 11, 2018

Categories Billions Gallery Trailer Video

Photos & Videos: Next Time on Billions Episode 4 – April 9, 2018

Photos & Videos: Next Time on Billions Episode 4 – April 9, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Photos & Videos: Next Time on Billions Episode 4 – April 9, 2018

Season 3, Episode 4: Hell of a Ride

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | April 9, 2018

On the next episode of Billions ‘Hell of a Ride,’ Axe explores the new arena of venture philanthropy and looks to neutralize old accomplices. Connerty’s scrutiny of Chuck intensifies. Chuck tries to reconcile with his father. Wags pursues an intensely personal real estate acquisition.

Source: Showtime

To view more sneak peek photos, please visit our Gallery

Official clip of episode 4: “What Has the Stronger Pull?”

More videos:

Continue reading Photos & Videos: Next Time on Billions Episode 4 – April 9, 2018

Categories Behind the Scenes Interviews Media The Goat or Who is Sylvia? Video

Video: Damian’s Most Challenging Role in The Goat Play – April 9, 2018

Video: Damian’s Most Challenging Role in The Goat Play – April 9, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Video: Damian’s Most Challenging Role in The Goat Play – April 9, 2018

Talking With Giants of the Stage

by Charlie Gray Photography | British GQ | April 9, 2018

From Bryan Cranston’s night-by-night breakdown in Network to Damian Lewis falling in love with a goat, British theatre walked tall on the world stage last year. We talked to some of the giants of the stage ahead of the Olivier Awards. Damian’s portion is at 3:23 into the video.

Source: British GQ YouTube Channel
Secondary Source: Twitter @JeremyIronsNet

Categories Billions Recap Review

Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 3: A Generation Too Late – April 9, 2018

Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 3: A Generation Too Late – April 9, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 3: A Generation Too Late – April 9, 2018

Truffles to Hot Dogs to Burgers: There is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 9, 2018

Source: Showtime

Talk about twists and turns — Billions is on fire!

As Ira and his fiancee are having dinner at Craft, the new Halls are sitting at the next table recording their conversation. We do not know if it is her ordering of $14 a gram white truffles, 20 grams of them, on her Tagliatelle with Guffanti Butter from Emilia Romagna — the region of Italy which I believe has made the most sacred contributions to human kind: prosciutto, parmigiano-reggiano, and balsamic vinegar —  but Ira hesitates to propose because of the financial mess he is in. Since he has lost all his savings, he cannot give his fiancee the wedding she deserves, cannot take her to the honeymoon they discussed and cannot even afford the engagement ring he has picked for her. He can barely give her truffles! Ira is in love and probably expecting his girlfriend to say she would marry him no matter what, but guess what, she wants to wait.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 3: A Generation Too Late – April 9, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap Review

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Boss Moves – April 8, 2018

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Boss Moves – April 8, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Boss Moves – April 8, 2018

“Funny and fast-paced though it is, Billions likes it quite dark indeed.”

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | April 8, 2018

Source: Showtime – photo by Jeff Neumann

A Generation Too Late

“Is that what being a boss does to you?” When the stand-up guy Bryan Connerty asks this of his superior, Oliver Dake, contempt drips from every word. Dake, previously a stand-up guy himself (albeit a bit of a stiff), has just shut down an interview with Ira Schirmer, a lead witness in their case against Bobby Axelrod … because Schirmer is now offering testimony against his former friend, and their colleague, Chuck Rhoades, instead.

Ira’s cooperation has been bought and paid for by Axe, who sensed the man’s financial and emotional desperation the way a shark smells blood. Dake is refusing to listen because of the back-room deal he made with Rhoades to get this job in the first place. Bryan has no way of knowing any of this. He sees the situation for what it is: His boss is putting a personal agenda over the pursuit of justice — perhaps even conflating that agenda with justice.

Continue reading Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Boss Moves – April 8, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: White Truffles – April 8, 2018

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: White Truffles – April 8, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: White Truffles – April 8, 2018

“All of God’s creatures like getting money for nothing and their chicks for free.”

by Nicole Cliffe | Vulture | April 8, 2018

Source: Showtime – photo by Jeff Neumann

A Generation Too Late

If you had told me a month ago that I would say, “Finally, an episode with more Ira in it,” I would have laughed at you. Ira has always been on the wrong end of Billions, whether he was getting manipulated by Chuck or condescended to by Chuck’s dad or left by his wife or being merely tolerated by nubile young women who care only about his wallet. So, seeing him get a chance to step into the spotlight and belt his own version of “Rose’s Turn” is unexpectedly welcome AND delightful.

Reader, I laughed so hard I wept as the sweat ran off Ira’s panicked face while his girlfriend allowed the waiter to luxuriously grate white truffles ($14 a gram) onto her pasta, each fat flake costing Chuck’s poor broke idiot ex-bestie more money he no longer has. His humiliation not yet complete, she politely brushes aside his attempt to (sort of) propose to her, making it clear that Ira’s gonna need to crawl his way back up a few rungs and bring her a ring worthy of her high-quality body and blonde hair before she’ll be on board.

Continue reading Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: White Truffles – April 8, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Big Sharks and Little Minnows – April 8, 2018

Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Big Sharks and Little Minnows – April 8, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Big Sharks and Little Minnows – April 8, 2018

“Great job of expanding the scope of the story of Billions, making this a show that’s not solely about Axe and Chuck’s feud.”

by Kyle Fowle | Entertainment Weekly | April 8, 2018

Source: Showtime – photo by Jeff Neumann

A Generation Too Late

There’s a very distinct difference between the big players in the world of Billions and those who are just feigning at being big players. There’s a ton of money and influence flowing through the halls of both the hedge funds and the government, and money can only breed corruption and arrogance. Capitalism is competition, and where there’s money, there’s ruthlessness. The system is designed that way; it promotes the violence.

The difference between the big sharks and the minnows is evident in the opening scene of “A Generation Too Late.” Ira sits down for a dinner at a fancy, expensive restaurant with the woman he’s hoping to make his fiancée. He’d planned a proposal for this night, but after the Ice Juice crash and burn, he has no money to spend. He can’t give his far too young and beautiful fiancée the “wedding she deserves,” and he suggests they wait. She agrees all too quickly, all while adding more than $200 worth of white truffles to her pasta entrée. Ira’s face says everything it needs to. He’s not a big shark. He’s a minnow.

Continue reading Billions Season 3, Episode 3 Recap: Big Sharks and Little Minnows – April 8, 2018

Categories Billions Recap

From the Trader’s Desk: Billions S3 Ep2: Young Grasshopper vs Master Po – April 6, 2018

From the Trader’s Desk: Billions S3 Ep2: Young Grasshopper vs Master Po – April 6, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on From the Trader’s Desk: Billions S3 Ep2: Young Grasshopper vs Master Po – April 6, 2018

Has the Student Become the Master?

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 6, 2018

Happy Friday from the Trader’s Desk.

The title of my post comes from the TV series “Kung Fu” which features a student (Grasshopper) and a teacher (Master Po). I couldn’t help but think back to this reference throughout, and especially at the conclusion of this episode. Has the Student become the Master?

Axe behaves like a full blown addict in this episode. Some people are hooked on drugs or booze. Some on food or shopping; Axe is addicted to the trill and control that trading, and making the big moves brings to him. It’s late at night, and he can’t sleep. It’s his first night of withdrawal, and he’s aching. You can see it on his face “what did I just do?” He needs to talk to the only person who can get him through this, and that is Wendy. Wendy is his sponsor in the AA of trading.

Continue reading From the Trader’s Desk: Billions S3 Ep2: Young Grasshopper vs Master Po – April 6, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions on Showtime, 3.02: The Wrong Maria Gonzalez – April 4, 2018

Billions on Showtime, 3.02: The Wrong Maria Gonzalez – April 4, 2018 Posted On Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Billions on Showtime, 3.02: The Wrong Maria Gonzalez – April 4, 2018

You Can’t Always Get What You Want, You Get What You Need

by JaniaJania | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 4, 2018

Bobby and Chuck are a set of twinsies this episode of Billions, Season 3, Episode 2, “The Wrong Maria Gonzalez.” Where we saw Chuck mildly relishing in his win in the first episode and Bobby not-so-mildly wondering what to do about his loss, in this episode the two foes are on more equal footing.

Bobby can’t act on his investing instincts about the earthquake on the coast of Africa, which he knows will lead to a tsunami on the coast of South America, leading to losses for Axe Cap investments in Brazil, specifically flooded sugar crops and interruptions in shipping.

On the other side, the wheel of fortune doesn’t roll in Chuck’s favor to be awarded the judge sympathetic to his cause in Eastern v. Axelrod.

Both Bobby and Chuck have obstacles set before them, both master their obstacle du jour, in essentially similar ways.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, 3.02: The Wrong Maria Gonzalez – April 4, 2018