Categories Billions Recap

From the Trader’s Desk: Recapping S3E11 ‘Kompenso’ – June 8, 2018

Is Axe Ares, The God of War?

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | June 8, 2018

Source: Showtime

Rivals all across the land
He kills them with his knife in hand
He’s the meanest guy around his town
One look and he will cut you down
Johnny Blade – Black Sabbath

Hello and welcome to the second to last week of Billions from the Trader’s Desk. This week I’ll be breaking down “Kompenso” in 3 Acts: Comp Day, The God of War, and Revenge of the Quants.

Before I get into my analysis, I’d just like to say that I love the casting of Patti D’Arbanville as Momma Axelrod. She’s a born and bred NYC girl, and that comes across in her accent and mannerisms playing Axe’s mom. Perfect casting Mr. Koppleman and Mr. Levien!

Continue reading From the Trader’s Desk: Recapping S3E11 ‘Kompenso’ – June 8, 2018

Categories Billions Recap

Billions on Showtime 3.11: Kompenso – June 7, 2018

“A Win Isn’t a Win Unless It’s a Kill”

by JaniaJania | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | June 7, 2018

Source: Showtime

Billions, Season 3, episode 11, “Kompenso” was an episode built around annual comp reviews, those pesky one-on-ones with the boss where you justify your existence/paycheck, hope for good reviews of your work while fearing the worst. Who woulda thunk such events make for good drama?

This episode felt smaller, tighter, and therefore richer than the wide net thrown over oligarch intrigue and government-for-the-chosen shenanigans in the past few episodes. Lots of sit-downs, therefore lots of chance to build real connection between characters. All stories benefit from at least a couple episodes of close attention paid to the people, the balance and counter-balance of human connection, particularly for those characters who freakin hate human connection. If you hadn’t guessed already, you know for sure in this episode, that Bobby Axelrod is just not a people person.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime 3.11: Kompenso – June 7, 2018

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Superlatives: Best, Worst, Most from S3E10 – May 28, 2018

Maria Sharapova, Pee Fright, and Ivan Ramen

by Miles Surrey | The Ringer | May 28, 2018

Here is the best, worst, and most from the 10th episode of Season 3

Three seasons into Billions, it’s clear that Axe and Chuck constantly need to sate their inflated egos by challenging someone and, ultimately, brutally crushing them (sorry, Connerty!). But even these accomplished dick swingers seem to be approaching obstacles that may be too high to hurdle, with Chuck hoping to topple Attorney General Jock Jeffcoat and Axe agreeing to invest billions of dollars for an intimidating Russian oligarch.

Still, our, um, heroes (??), rise to those respective challenges in Season 3’s 10th episode, “Redemption.” Also, there is food porn aplenty, Chuck roasts Jeffcoat in the best way possible, and Ben Kim … well, you’ll see. Let’s go through this week’s superlatives.

Worst Inconspicuous Meeting Place, Redux

Continue reading Billions Superlatives: Best, Worst, Most from S3E10 – May 28, 2018