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Billions: Latest Episode is a Hell of a Ride – April 16, 2018

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Recap Plus David Costabile Talks About Graveyard Scene with Damian Lewis

by Dana Feldman | Forbes | April 16, 2018

Source: Showtime

Showtime’s hit series Billions continues to keep fans hooked with a third season that shows no signs of slowing down. As show creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien promised in a recent interview, this season things are ramped up even more than last.

The season three premiere was the show’s highest-rated ever, with the March 25 debut up 23% from last year. Billions is the network’s No. 2 drama series behind Homeland, averaging 4.5 million weekly viewers across platforms.

In the latest episode entitled “Hell of a Ride,” Axe (Damian Lewis) entertains the new arena of venture philanthropy, as he simultaneously looks to neutralize old accomplices. Things don’t go as planned when, due to his legal entanglements, he’s booted off the World-Aid Consortium Board of Directors. In this world, $10 million donations don’t go very far. Connerty (Toby Leonard Moore) continues his scrutiny of Chuck (Paul Giamatti), his boss and mentor, as he struggles with his loyalties versus the law, to which he remains faithfully devoted. Chuck attempts to reconcile with his father, though his motives aren’t solely based on love. He’s aware that his father could have an immunity deal if he agrees to cooperate with the opposition.

Continue reading Billions: Latest Episode is a Hell of a Ride – April 16, 2018

Billions Print Media Recap Review

Billions Has Become TV’s Sharpest Critique Of Toxic Masculinity – April 16, 2018

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Billions is the Best Show About the Worst Kind of Masculinity

by Alison Willmore | BuzzFeed News | April 16, 2018

Source: Showtime

In its third season, Showtime’s Billions has snapped into focus from being a blurry series about power to an infinitely sharper one about gender. Spoilers through last night’s episode, “Hell of a Ride,” below.

Dick is a multipurpose metaphor in Billions. Most of the characters in Showtime’s hedge fund drama talk about their work, their success or lack thereof, and their stature as an extension of their virility. They aren’t all men, but they do all circle a luxe locker room of an industry that’s been overwhelmingly defined by men. Any observation you might feel inclined to make about Wall Street being dominated by bros vying to prove who has the biggest balls, Billions makes for you. In its very first episode, without the hint of a wink, a trader describes his issues at work to performance coach Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) by using the language of erectile dysfunction: “I hear it happens to guys my age.”

Exactly a season later, Wendy shakes a bottle of Viagra at an audience of hedge fund types, telling them that while some of them rely on it, none would admit that: “The thought that someone might know you need help is worse than not getting the help you need. Still, when the time comes, when you need to pull the trigger on the buy or sell order, you better be hard as a rock and ready to go” — no Freudian subtext necessary. More recently, to really underscore the erection connection and the fragility that accompanies it, a character insists he would part with a fraction of his — “an inch off my dick” — if it meant he and his failing fund could get back in the game.

Continue reading Billions Has Become TV’s Sharpest Critique Of Toxic Masculinity – April 16, 2018

Billions Recap

Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 4: Hell of a Ride – April 16, 2018

On April 16, 2018April 18, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Eventuality Bookends One Hell of a Ride

by Damianista | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | April 16, 2018

Source: Showtime

From a tragic death, to people trying to dig themselves out of their own grave, to those searching for the ultimate resting place, and to kiss of death, eventuality, literally and metaphorically, is at the heart of this episode.

Three Days Ago

Chuck drives his Porsche, which was probably bought by Axe Capital money, into a private garage only to find Dake waiting for him with bad news: Connerty knows about Chuck Senior’s involvement in Ice Juice and Chuck needs to make sure his father will not testify against him. And when Chuck Senior does not answer his son’s calls, Chuck decides to go to his 25th year class reunion at Yale, which he RSVP’d no earlier, because it is celebrated together with his dad’s 50th year class reunion and Chuck Senior will be there to receive an award. We hear an extremely worried Wendy not only telling Chuck to convince him but also to do it for her.

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 3 Episode 4: Hell of a Ride – April 16, 2018

Billions Print Media Recap Review

Billions Season 3, Episode 4 Recap: Sealed with a Kiss – April 15, 2018

On April 15, 2018April 16, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

“It’s Oedipus all the way down, folks.”

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | April 15, 2018

Source: Showtime

Hell of a Ride

Chuck Rhoades Jr. and Charles Rhoades Sr. are at war. They have been since the last season of “Billions,” when son betrayed father as part of a plot by Chuck to ruin his nemesis, Bobby Axelrod. But the most powerful weapon wielded in the conflict so far hasn’t been a legal threat or a stock swindle. It’s the kiss that Charles plants square on Chuck’s mouth, hands locked on his son’s head to prevent him from pulling away.

That kiss is the climax of “Hell of a Ride,” this week’s aptly titled episode from the writer Randall Green and the director John Dahl. In a series that has made a study of the physicality of the rich and powerful, the scene is a graduate-level course.

On one level, and like so many of these characters’ other words and actions, it is very likely a reference to a work of macho pop culture: the kiss of betrayal that Michael Corleone plants on his disloyal brother Fredo in “The Godfather Part II.” (Bobby quoted the first “Godfather” film earlier in the episode when he instructed his philanthropy guru, Sean Ayles (Jack Gilpin), to “use all your powers and all your skills” in support of his latest stealthy venture.) But like the best such moments on “Billions,” the context transforms the reference into something new and unique, and in this case uniquely disturbing.

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Billions Print Media Recap

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

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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

Billions Print Media Recap

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

On April 15, 2018April 16, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

“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.

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Billions Print Media Recap

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

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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!!)

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Billions Print Media Recap

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

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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

Billions Gallery Trailer Video

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

On April 9, 2018May 19, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

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?”

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

On April 9, 2018July 26, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

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

Billions Recap Review

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

On April 9, 2018April 15, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

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.

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Billions Print Media Recap Review

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

On April 8, 2018April 9, 2018 By Gingersnap Comments Off

**“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