We have had our “educated” speculation last couple of weeks and we now have it all out in Episode 10 Quality of Life: Axe has known Donnie was sick. He sees something is seriously wrong with him in the meeting where Donnie does not see the matrix and follows him to the men’s room.
“Cancer.” “Yeah.” “Shit.” “Pancreatic.” “Shit.” I would probably say “Double scoop of shit” Wags-style. Axe will make sure Donnie sees the top oncologist in the country. He should put himself together and see Axe by the end of the day.
We learn Donnie was closeted until he met Walter. He feels guilty about his wife so gives her all he has and starts back at zero with a plan to make the money his kids would need for a comfortable future in 10 years. Alas, life intervenes. He wants his kids to live a comfortable life. Axe offers “rewards of paradise” on earth: 40 million dollars pre-tax. But there is a downside. His last months will not be his own. Donnie is in unless he is going to jail. Axe assures him lawyers will take care of that part.
We still do not know the details but this is probably the story: Axe, knowing Chuck is on his tail, gives Donnie 200K shares of Rubinex and lets him get the feds’ attention while the rest of Axe Capital goes with usual business under the radar. Donnie saves Axe a bit of time to add further insulation to his business and will not live long enough to give Axe to the feds: A guy that has always been a mid-level player is now becoming Brian Doyle — a Yankees player, a reserve for years, who plays a wonderful game at the 1978 World Series — playing one single epic game.
I know. This seems like a pretty cold-hearted play: Axe is basically using a sick man, a man that has been loyal to him for years, to save his ass. You may call Axe a predator. Using his sick friend to save his own ass. But you may also call him a rational man. Offering his sick friend an option to leave the world in peace. Axe is not tricking Donnie. What he is doing is just to keep his own quality of life and provide an equally good quality of life for Donnie’s family when he is gone. You may call Donnie a victim. But you may also call Donnie a rational man. He knows he is dying and he is making a deal with his boss to have a “game changer” in his hands for his family… Remember how Walter White starts his “blue” business in Breaking Bad? People may do things that they are not proud of just to make sure their families are okay after they are gone. It is rational. And it is painfully human. Donnie wants his family to be taken care of. And Axe is giving him that. I would call this a win – win situation. Hope I do not sound like an insensitive asshole. I am just a game theorist that believes in rational choice.
I don’t know about you but Chuck certainly would sympathize given the way he addresses his own troops about why they are losing the Axe case. When you play a game — a setting in which the outcome of your action depends on the action of your opponent — you always have to take your opponent’s action seriously and give your best response given what your opponent does. Chuck knows this and he screwed up because he still has that weakness he had when he was 14 and on his way to be a grandmaster in chess — a Boris Spassky in his prime. Young Chuck got obsessed about total destruction and forgot to play the game when he believed his opponent did not respect his game, or him, or for whatever reason was not worthy. And he was beaten and bathed in anger and defeat. He now knows he needs to respect the game of the “bloodless man” who used his dying friend to play them. Chuck is apologetic to his people. He knows the case is going off their hands now and sees the press describing him as ‘sloppy, driven, unhinged.” Well, I can imagine Mike Dimonda calling for a comment 🙂
Adam De Giulio tells Chuck the case is going to Eastern District and Chuck seemingly respects the decision. He would do the same should he have been sitting in the AG’s chair. Still, he wonders if the AG’s concern about negative publicity is because she is considering a Senate run or a return to private sector. I just love these writers who, time and again, highlight how politics, business and law go hand in hand in this country. They do not try to moralize it but show what is going on. Brilliant. Chuck suggests Adam it is time for a walk and talk about musical chairs! Well, I have not played the game for 30 years or so but when I did, friends, believe me, I was the master of musical chairs. I still remember the day how I, a skinny kid, pushed a good friend of mine, with my ass to get that last chair! So I just wonder what kind of musical chair party Chuck and Adam are planning 😀
Chuck gets news from Bryan that Judge Wilcox has not bought their argument about Dollar Bill “bastardizing the fair market upon which this country is built” and set Bill free with a message to Chuck that Southern District should think twice before wasting government resources to settle “personal scores.”
Chuck needs to turn impediments into blockers. He suggests Bryan and Kate take some fall air. Well, it takes a romantic fall day to tango: The two end up on Kate’s non-Ikea couch which, in fact, works the same way 🙂
Chuck arrives home to find Chuck Sr. I don’t know if Chuck ever misses his dad but I do! Chuck Sr or the king of classy old school NYC restaurants as I call him (anniversary at La Grenouille, and now on his way to Peter Luger), is upset that the press is clubbing Chuck like a baby seal.
Papa Seal is losing hope that baby seal will ever reach the great seal of the state of NY. They would not have been at this point if Chuck had not blown the deal with Axe but now Chuck Sr has to bring up plan B: Chuck should take a year off and move the family up to their farm in Mount Kisco. Wendy can open a practice that “bored housewives” could use and Chuck can write a book and establish a residency in the area so he could run for Patrick Esposito’s senate seat. Chuck, for the first time, shows dad the finger.
Chuck and Lonnie take a walk in my most favorite place on earth, Central Park, as Lonnie serves Wilcox’ head to Chuck on a silver platter: The judge passes on white collar crime but is fine with giving young latino/black kids 20 years in jail for petty crimes. He is investing with a group that runs a for-profit prison company charging prisoners $1 a minute for phone calls and netting $17K per prisoner a year! His record is complete with an off shore bank account and a condo in Dominican Republic where he fucks his house keeper.
Chuck talks to Wilcox. He will resign for undisclosed personal reasons and Southern District will not prosecute. And they do not. But Eastern does. A few drinks and a round of “he’s a jolly good fellow” at his farewell party ends in Lonnie and the Feds crashing the party to put the cuffs on Wilcox. And, I admit it really works well when Chuck’s personal interests and public good overlap.
Bryan makes an “educated” guess about the new blocker: Chuck’s plan is to have Adam move to the NEW vacancy on federal bench with hopes that he will leave a friendly behind in the AG’s office. Ha! That’s the musical chairs Chuck is setting up but they need all pieces to fall into right places. Chuck may have lost the battle but he is IN to win the war!
Lara and Axe are in the hospital with Walter when Donnie dies. Lara will help Walter make phone calls and she is taking on Donnie’s Secret Santa project.
Wendy brings a casserole along with her condolences to Walter. As Walter is telling her how sad Donnie was that he could not talk to Wendy about his illness, words that surprise Wendy, Lara arrives with a truck. And she is a mother hen with Walter while an ice queen with Wendy.
These two hug and kiss, at least formally, first time we see them together in Episode 5. They at least smile the second time we see them in Wendy’s office in Episode 9. Now they don’t even fake a smile. Instead Walter is a strong contender for BEST fake smile award: His “we’re fine” to Wendy means “you’d better go.”
Wendy looks like the loneliest person in the world right now. She’d better call Chase?
Axe needs to take care of business before the funeral. Word travels to him the three rats Carly, Channing and Hlasa have set up shop downtown: Ionosphere Fund. They have 200 million under management: 40 million is their money and the rest is coming from some Axe Capital clients they have stolen. Axe first tries to convince clients to give up on Ionosphere at one of my most favorite NYC restaurants Maialino but when he sees Plan A does not work (bad publicity may be the reason) he goes directly to Plan B which is pure brilliance.
A surprise is waiting for Dollar Bill now aka Keyser at Axe Capital as he arrives in the office as a FREE man. Axe wants his ass immediately in his office… just to get his ass kicked by Bill: Well, Axe’s office is soundproof so outsiders see but do not hear the conversation inside. Axe tells Dollar to pretend they are having an argument. He needs Bill to help him give Carly, Channing and Hlasa a good fucking! Come bonus time he will show him enough love he could start a third family! 🙂 This scene easily goes into history as my most favorite TV moment. Original. Hilarious. Genius.
Axe: “I love you like a brother.”
Bill: “I fuckin’ love you, too, man.”
Me: “I fucking love YOU TWO!”
The rats take the bait! Dollar Bill feeds them good information at the outset followed by false information that make them lose a bit too much money. HOBBLED! The rats find Axe in their office as they mourn their losses.
Axe’s offer is brutally simple and simply brutal: 250 million seed money. Revenue sharing agreement. On-going rate is about 25% so what about 40%? 😀 Non-compete and non-solitation agreements to be signed. Total transparency. Trade files sent to Axe every night. They can never manage more than 999 million dollars. No buy-out to eliminate revenue sharing agreement and no lock-up on his money. He can pull the plug anytime. The deal will go off the table once he counts to five. He is at 1 and they have a deal.
Operation Secret Santa is ON and Lara does not let Axe bypass her this time. He is not allowed to bring interns to wrap the gifts. They will wrap with their own hands, as a family, to help the less fortunate. And yes, Bobby, it is education for both YOU and the kids. This guy can drive a woman crazy, ok, in every meaning of the word 🙂
The memorial service for Donnie takes place at Wave Hill, a fantastic public garden and a cultural center in the Bronx. Chuck’s arrival is the last thing Wendy needs today. Not just because she has recently discovered he has been lying about his recusal. Not just because she is losing her work family thanks to him. But also Chuck’s presence is just plain awkward. You cannot go to any funeral just because you know the man. Wendy urges her husband to leave right away.
Chuck agrees but before he does, he goes and extends his hand to Axe. Well, he shakes it. Some may call it a simple handshake. But, no, it is two generals recognizing each other, if not respecting. And they both know the game is not over.
Chuck: “It is a real loss.”
Axe: “For both of us.”
I said it before, I will say it again. The pissing contest between Axe and Chuck reminds me of the Cold War. Big players fighting their wars through small players: Korea. Vietnam. Donnie Caan. Not so different.
Remember Axe the general from Episode 6 The Deal where he orders his troops to “live free or die” the day after the Feds come and put the cuffs on Dollar Bill? Axe is that general again today honoring a fallen soldier: He’s not one that attends funerals. He is not the type to grapple with it. But there was no way he could skip this one. Because Donnie grappled with it all.
“Let’s do this. To Donnie.”
Wendy is not having a good day. Axe is keeping silent with her. Wags, on the other hand, cannot keep his mouth shut. Wendy regrets she patched Donnie and kept him at Axe Capital while he could have been much happier returning to academia… to which Wags responds: “University professors are broke as fuck and bitter, too.” Which is not true 🙂 And he slips out Donnie leaves with 40 million which he would never be able to do in academia. Which is true 🙂 When Wendy asks about 40 million, Wags just says it’s hyperbole. You know, Wags, Wendy is smart enough to put 2 and 2 together. She now knows she has been left out for so long by both her families.
We find out about the story that gives the episode its title Quality of Life in the last few minutes of the episode.
As Axe and Lara are taking their leave, Walter thanks them for their help with Secret Santa project. It would have been too overwhelming for him. Donnie loved doing that so much and he really wanted to be around until Christmas so he could do it again… which takes Axe back to the day he and Donnie see the top oncologist Dr. Gilbert who is also at the funeral and seems slightly surprised when Walter thanks him for trying so hard.
Dr Gilbert tells Axe Donnie’s cancer is spreading fast. He has a few months. Gilbert knows of some drug trial in Pittsburgh that may buy Donnie a few more months. Axe questions the quality of life Donnie will have under this new treatment and suggests they not bring this up. Is he thinking about Donnie’s quality of life or his own? Not to justify Axe’s action but this is a discussion that the medical world is having as well, if a few more months of life is meaningful enough to make the medical costs worth, but yeah you just don’t know what those few months could mean to the dying person or his family. Besides, what to say about Dr. Gilbert? He obviously keeps mum because Axe has been funding his research. Where do you draw the line?
This story may be the reason WHY Axe could not skip the funeral. I just imagine his wish: asking for his friend’s forgiveness. Then he stands tall and walks away as Chumbawhamba sings Tubthumping: What a song to end this brilliant episode — anarchy meets capitalism — it goes directly to my running playlist! It’s a one-hit wonder. Like Brian Doyle. Like Donnie.
“I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down”
Bobby Axelrod could be the lonelist person on the planet.
Wonderful recap for a wonderful episode. I love the idea that Axe is asking for Donnie’s forgiveness. I seriously doubt Junior misses Senior, but I know how much you love him. Senior looked genuinely stunned when Chuck spoke to him that way.
I like the first lines of the song which are “I thought that music mattered, but does it bollocks. Not compared to how people matter.” I thought this was appropriate.
Thank you! Axe does make the doctor not even raise the drug trial with Donnie. The drug trial will keep Donnie in Pittsburgh which means the deal is off the table. He may live 6 more months instead of a few months, but deal will be off and 40 million dollars will not go to Donnie’s family. Now, if Axe asks Donnie his opinion, I believe Donnie would still take the deal over the drug trial just because it’s still buying a few months for him, not years with his family. And I don’t think he would give up on the deal just to make it to Christmas. This may be Axe’s reasoning, too, and his justification for what he did. But I am not saying this to make a case for Axe. I am just trying to figure out his reasoning. Now, having said that, ultimately, it should be Donnie and his family’s decision to go ahead with the trial or not but they cannot even find out about their options. The top oncologist must tell Donnie his options but his research is being funded by Axe who thinks not raising up the idea of drug trial might be better: Conflict of interest. Discuss. As much as Axe has peace with his decision (as with every decision he has made, I think he has a very resilient defense mechanism) he does feel the guilt when Walter tells them about Donnie’s wish to see Christmas.
I am really curious if this 40 million dollars transferred somehow to Walter and family (do we know how it is being transferred) will come back and haunt Axe at some point.
OMG the song is amazing. I have heard it maybe 150 times since I heard it on the episode. Never heard of it before and I am in love <3
I’m in agreement here damianista.
Lots of moral & ethical issues swimming about Billions.
Yes, I beleive Axe should have given Donnie the last word in his health care. I agree he would have went without the trail. But who knows?
For me, I could only wish that some boss would offer me 40 million for my family I know I’ll be leaving behind. One thing for sure, Donnie wasn’t looking for accolades & pats on his back and higher government office career moves for his ” doing bad for the greater good”. Axe, he may have some severe disassociation issues. He went into that seize the opportunity mode he does well in crisis. He did it at 9/11 and he did it with Donnie. I see a guy trying to be normal with his short stack. His upbringing probably has a lot to do with it ( as with us all). I still feel he wants to be a normal, functioning human being but just might not have had the right synapses firing.
Also, one other point- I respect the way Axe ‘hobbles’ his adversaries as opposed to how Chuck just destroys those in his way. Axe, pardon the pun, wants to griping his own axe. Chuck wants to obliterate. Yeah, I’m team Axe. Whatta you gonna do about it? LOL!
Freakin auto correct. Meant to write ‘axe to grind’.
I just love that the writers are making us think and think hard about such a wide range of issues.
Axe is funding the doctor’s research so that he keeps mum about the drug trial. HUGE conflict of interest here. Even though Axe says so, does the doctor have the right to keep the drug trial hidden from Donnie and his family? I’d say, as a rational person, Donnie would choose the deal over drug trial since it would give him only a few months and the 40 million dollar deal would be off the table. I don’t think Donnie would give up on the deal just to see Xmas. He is a man that wants to leave a comfortable life for his kids. But still it should have been his choice. He did not even know about his options. And, Axe gives Donnie 40 million but not just out of his good heart. I think it is a contract two rational people make. Some may call Axe a predator and Donnie a victim. But I just see two rational people making deal that would work for both of them.
Axe certainly has issues and I also think there should be some traumas in his earlier life (maybe losing parents at a young age like Bookworm suggested earlier in her post) that could explain a bit more about his erratic behavior. But I am not saying this to justify the guy’s behavior. I just want to understand the root of the problem, and understand why he operates on auto pilot in severe situations. Why doesn’t he know how to deal with them? Or why can’t he? I agree with you that we are all shaped by our life experiences and I hope the show gives us more about Axe’s past.
I am Team Axe, too. All the way. Having said that though, for some reason, I sort of like Chuck, too. He has deep insecurities — who would not have them with that father? — that I feel a bit for. But I agree Axe seems to be more straightforward in his ways to deal with people. Haha his simply brutal take it of leave it offer to the 3 rats was EPIC! Gotta love the guy!
All in all, Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis are just wonderful together.
The long camera shot of Axe walking away at the end of this episode reminded me of the end of the last episode of LIFE, as Charlie Crews stood in the field, sort of a finale to it all. This could almost have served as the last episode of this season of Billions, but I’m glad there are 2 more to come. Axe and Dollar Bill arguing in Axe’s office was fantastic! Axe looked close to having a stroke and what he can do with his eyes !!! But of course we knew that.
Hi Connie, I love the way you liken the last shot to the final scene in Life. True, it could easily be a season finale shot. I am also very happy that we still have two episodes to go.
Oh that office scene between Axe and Bill was both hilarious and genius at the same time. “Come bonus time I will show you such love that you can start a third family.” “Two is plenty!” I am still giggling as I think about it. Oh yes we knew what Axe could do with those eyes! I think this episode is the best we have had so far and set the tone for the rest of the season. It will be an intense ride! ENJOY!
Thanks for visiting us and hope you keep the feedback coming!
know Connie,she is one of the first fan of Damian, She knows many things about Damian, I believe that she has even, met thetrue Major Winters!
Happy to read you Connie!
monique
Oh, I definitely know Connie! That she was there rooting for Damian before most of us have even heard about the guy and I genuinely salute her and all other Damian “old-timers” here. And yes she, in fact, in one of her comments earlier today, said that she met Major Winters himself.
Well, I did not know about Damian until Homeland. I had no idea. And I was this regular academic doing her own work until… this red-headed Brit just came along as Nicholas Brody and turned everything upside now! As I said many times on the blog and also in private conversations (and I told this to Damian himself, too) that Brody made me a Damian Lewis fan for life and a blogger, too! And the rest is history. I have never had this much fun with any other hobby of mine, so big thanks go to Damian for the inspiration! <3
you’re right, no matter if we know Damian, for more or less long, the important thing is love him like we love him!
I know him since Life in France in 2009, others have known before, other after, but we are all the same, fans of Damian United behind him
Damian United. Like a football team. Love it! <3
OK, we need to get Damian United jerseys made!!
And to add to Damian’s coolness, his wife is the amazing actress Helen McCrory. She is a force of acting nature. Check out her recent foray into Penny Dreadful land as the head witch in a coven.
So true. What a couple! I have not seen Penny Dreadful, but I love Helen as Aunt Pol in Peaky Blinders – a force of nature indeed! She will be on stage in Deep Blue Sea in London this summer for some lucky people to see! 🙂
Great recap of a great episode (but we say that every week, don’t we?).
First thought: When Chucks says he is off Axe, he sounds like a junkie saying they are off heroine. Not believable for a minute!
There were so many scenes in this episode where there were only two characters on the screen, and the interaction was so intense: Axe & Donnie in the bathroom; Wendy and Chuck at the funeral; Axe and Chuck at the funeral; Chuck and the judge; Lara and Wendy, etc. Great writing and great acting all around.
That scene with Dollar Bill and Axe was classic! I loved it. But, my favorite scene was Axe putting it to those 3 rats. He got them, and got them good. Larry Ellison (CEO of Oracle) used to be my spirit guide; it just may be Axe after that! He basically owns them now! I have no problem with analysts/traders leaving firms to start their own fund; it happens all the time. But these 3 left like thieves in the night, and deserved what they got. Show no loyalty to Axe, and you’re done. I believe that if they had came to him, told him they wanted to branch out, he may have helped out, even seeded them. Come to him like a man, and he’ll deal with you like a man. This is the many ways Axe sometimes reminds me of a mob boss. Loyalty and respect is what is important. Once you don’t show it, you’re dead. And, let’s give a big round of applause for DL and how he played that. You could feel how sweet the revenge was in him! Throughout this series, he has shown the intensity of a man on a mission, and kept it up!
Can someone explain to me why Chuck thinks he is any better than Axe? His methods are almost the same! He has no shame in getting into the mud to get what he wants. We know Axe does that, but why does it seems so slimy when Chuck does it? Again, hats off to PG! I loved him as John Adams, and he is just the polar opposite in Billions when it comes to honor and character! At least we know Axe is doing it for the money. Chuck is doing it for his ego. I don’t know which is worse!
Thank you! And yes we say “great episode” every week. For me, this episode has been the best so far. I love your observations with GREAT scenes with two actors. And you know scenes with two actors are usually difficult to do because if the two actors are not equals the scene may go anywhere. But with this cast you can’t do wrong. I just love how Billions is taking advantage of shooting in NY: So many ridiculously talented stage actors are bringing it on the show that makes the so-called “side characters” all very remarkable. And, of course, with Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti in the few scenes they are together – and they are two completely different actors in the kind of performance they give – is just a powerhouse! Excellent. And, hey, I loved Giamatti in John Adams as well!!!! Yeah, I think he thinks he is better because he is on the side of the law but exactly these two guys are no different when it comes to scheming and intrigue. And Chuck sometimes seems to be sneakier than Bobby! I think it works well when his personal interests overlap with the public good: I was happy to see that judge going to jail 🙂 But no one would touch him should he have not stirred the pot in Dollar Bill case. Sigh.
I am not surprised about your favorite scene! I LOVED it, too! And, yeah, those three were the first to jump ship – a type that I despise in real life. Loyalty does not need to be “ride or die” in every context but it needs to be there in human relations at least to an extent. I think what loyalty means to Axe has something to do the street honor code that he grew up with in Yonkers. That is why we all feel that he is sort of a “Tony Soprano” at times. I remember you did not like the revengeful side of Axe when he did his “16” piece with Eads Family. But you love it with the three rats 🙂
Thank you! And yes we say “great episode” every week. For me, this episode has been the best so far. I love your observations with GREAT scenes with two actors. And you know scenes with two actors are usually difficult to do because if the two actors are not equals the scene may go anywhere. But with this cast you can’t do wrong. I just love how Billions is taking advantage of shooting in NY: So many ridiculously talented stage actors are bringing it on the show that makes the so-called “side characters” all very remarkable. And, of course, with Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti in the few scenes they are together – and they are two completely different actors in the kind of performance they give – is just a powerhouse! Excellent. And, hey, I loved Giamatti in John Adams as well!!!! Yeah, I think he thinks he is better because he is on the side of the law but exactly these two guys are no different when it comes to scheming and intrigue. And Chuck sometimes seems to be sneakier than Bobby! I think it works well when his personal interests overlap with the public good: I was happy to see that judge going to jail 🙂 But no one would touch him should he have not stirred the pot in Dollar Bill case. Sigh.
I am not surprised about your favorite scene! I LOVED it, too! And, yeah, those three were the first to jump ship – a type that I despise in real life. Loyalty does not need to be “ride or die” in every context but it needs to be there in human relations at least to an extent. I think what loyalty means to Axe has something to do the street honor code that he grew up with in Yonkers. That is why we all feel that he is sort of a “Tony Soprano” at times. I remember you did not like the revengeful side of Axe when he did his “16” piece with Eads Family. But you love it with the three rats 🙂
You are so right! The thing with the Eads family bordered on the petty. But these 3! Axe made them what they are! And, not only did they sneak out in the night, but stole files and clients. That is just taboo on Wall Street. We Italians have a saying: we don’t get mad, we get even. And THAT is just what Axe does to those 3!
A day later, and I’m still thinking of that scene with Dollar Bill and Axe. I want to have a fake fight like that! How much fun that must have been to shoot! I’d love to see outtakes!
He first gets even and then a bit more than even! Oh I am completely with you. Every profession has its norms and acceptables and no-no’s and stealing files and clients is a no-no at every level and in every kind of business. I am so glad he puts them in their place.
Now… I am letting you know when I am coming to NY. And we are meeting. And we pretend we are having an argument 🙂 I will poke you and you will poke me back 😀 I love you like a sister. And you know what you are saying as you are punching your fist on the table and leaving! 😀
I literally spit my tea out on that one!
That was the intention! 😀