Billions

A battle of two equally dirty worlds and two implacable rivals on opposite sides of the barricade. From the perspective of a study of two interesting protagonists, it's actually quite an impressive series. Both Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis' characters have charisma, and both are well written and expertly acted. The depiction of a functioning universe around them is less well done, and often some of the moves on the imaginary chessboard are very simplistic. Speaking of cinematic metaphors, of which there are a dozen in every episode, it's safe to say this is Neil McCauley vs Vincent Hana, but if the you are willing to accept something a level or two below, this series will be watchable once finished. It's a great shame that the last 2-3 seasons slide heavily into mediocrity and come across as tired, generic and unnecessarily drawn out. Four stars for the first half, barely three for the second. (10/02/2024)

Perfect focus and demystification of good and evil. An exceptionally accurate recreation and dissection of the American political-legal-judicial apparatus, the philosophy and pseudo-mission of these institutions, and the nastiness and sassiness with which they go after the scalps of people who have often done nothing more than be successful, because if it's not about money on their part, it's about influence and power at the very least. On the other hand, a fascinating cross-section of stockbrokers and primarily a detailed portrait of a billionaire and all that goes with it. That is, his thoughts, problems, lapses and the fact that every billionaire didn't just "make" money, but had to do something dirty, or at least on the edge, one or more times. A blurring of the difference between these two worlds in a perfect psychological and emotional war – that's what at least the first season of Billions offers. The only weakness I perceive is that there are so many names and the plot moves forward so fast that the viewer tends to get lost in it, especially in the beginning. But the main characters are perfect, the creators took their time and care with them. Hands down, a first class series. (25/04/2020)

Absence of good guys, unpredictability, machinations and intrigues in the world of big finance. The characters will probably go a long way in future episodes, and the whole thing will probably go back and forth 20 times, but the pilot already lays it out so well that it will be fun to watch every twist and turn. Let’s get on with it, then. (14/04/2020)

A traditionally slower second episode, where multiple new characters come in and out in the blink of an eye, so that the viewer starts to get outrageously lost midway through, with names flying in all directions like a treadmill. The puzzle can be put together, but it will take effort and time. (21/04/2020)

A battle of (desperate) wives that was apt, well timed and perfectly to the point. At the same time, it's a great showcase of influence and power through position, status and, of course, money. (21/04/2020)

An unforgettable cameo by Metallica; the compulsion to do something that could brutally backfire and the strength not to do it in the finale – all depicted in an excellent, almost "from life" realistic way. (21/04/2020)

Excellent maneuvering, but something tells me that real trading is a bit different and the speed and dynamics were a flaw. The uninitiated viewer is completely at loss about what is going on, or should be going on. (21/04/2020)

Naturally, the brilliantly staged meeting of the titans is a major highlight of the episode and was handled brilliantly, with the appropriate level of drama. (21/04/2020)

After the high bar set by the previous episode, this is an overly cinematic, tidy and purposeful episode that understandably has its merits and will certainly find fans, but lacks a stronger story line and more meaningful decision-making by the main characters. The opening, in particular, gives the impression that something sensational is going on, just so something new can be played out. (21/04/2020)

An episode that shows loud and clear that the US General Attorney is a spineless piece of shit and the system around him (meaning the state apparatus) is set up to create more spineless pieces of shit who are actually often much worse than the bad guys in question. (21/04/2020)

Much more interesting than the spiritual digression of one of the protagonists, which looks like a rusty nail in a realistic procedural drama about killer brokers, is the excellent work with media influences and the crowd psychosis that starts the moment the unfair information about Axe surfaces. (22/04/2020)

An excellent episode that stands out thanks to the precise work with time zones and excellently edited flashbacks. (22/04/2020)

The best episode so far. It uses psychological minutiae to dissect and map the mind and thought processes of a billionaire entrepreneur who, by necessity, has to do most things differently than others to get where he is. The writers have created a very interesting character in Axe. (22/04/2020)

The twelfth episode is the best. Thrilling manoeuvres of all the main characters, tense pace and no chance of victory, although one of the characters is a bit closer to it than the others. But that will very likely change in the coming episodes, of course. The figurative iconic finale automatically goes to the second season. (22/04/2020)

Text-book second season. More elaborate, with new and engaging characters, all kind of leveled up. But the first season was better. It was more focused on the main characters and their motives and motivations, it was better balanced dramaturgically and with a stronger emotional impact. The second season season is too much off kilter, and that doesn't help it. Still damn engaging, clever, and superbly acted on all fronts. (03/05/2020)

The second season starts in quite the opposite direction of the first. That is, the antagonist of the main character (Rhoades) gets much more space than his stockbroker friend, and the situation around him doesn't turn out well at all. (25/04/2020)

The intrigues and schemes against AG and the new characters of a masculine woman and a psychologist are controversial to say the least, and spice up a somewhat monotonous office battle full of intrigue and subplots. (01/05/2020)

Pokor never disappoints, so there are plenty of exciting situations. Although it all seems too starched and "serial", it's still quite fun, as long as you don't take it too seriously. (01/05/2020)

The reference to Blade Runner is the most memorable scene of the entire episode. Otherwise, it's a classic middle episode of a big puzzle that only slightly shapes the characters and sets everything up for a well-founded finish. (01/05/2020)

The middle part of the second season is not entirely boring, but there are no great moments or twists, either. When both protagonists run out of ammunition, the story turns to a big business called Nigeria. Why not, it had an interesting twist in the end. But it will be far more interesting to watch the slow development of the marital problems of the other power couple – the Axelrods. (01/05/2020)