Every day I sit and wonder
How my life it use to be
Now I feel I’m going under
Now my life is hard to see
So tell me people, am I going insane, insane?
Am I Going Insane – Black Sabbath
Greetings from the Headbanger’s Ball, oops, I mean the Trader’s Desk! It will never get old for me, but once again I’m starting my post with lyrics from Black Sabbath. This episode had me yelling at my television, and asking if Axe is going insane. He is making all the emotional decisions that have brought him to the brink of disaster.
A triumphant Axe parades into Axe Cap to the tune of “Never Say Die” by Black Sabbath! What else would a victorious kid from Yonkers wear but a Black Sabbath “Master of Reality” t-shirt to confirm his bad-ass self is back! Of course Axe is a Sabbath fan; in Season 1, he showed his love for Metallica and in Season 2 his appreciation for Megadeth. He’s now going old-school, as Sabbath is considered by many the fathers of heavy metal (don’t come at me with the Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple argument!) Axe has lived to fight another day. It’s nothing but high-fives and cheers for the returning King.
There is one slight problem this homecoming causes: interrupting Taylor’s meeting with the PMs and analysts to discuss the good performance of the main fund. Taylor seems to be surprised by Axe’s jubilant return. Ari spoils the joyous mood by jumping on the conference table and switching from Ozzy Osbourne to Walt Whitman to greet his Captain. Nobody, least of all Axe, is impressed!
Axe takes over the meeting, as if Taylor no longer exists. His CIO, who has held Axe Cap together while Axe was under the cloud of indictment, gets an obligatory nod for beating the benchmark, then brushed aside. Now that Axe is back, he is going to be in complete control. From the moment he gave up trading (and let’s face it, he never really did), Axe has been itching to get back to this: unwinding all current positions and building new ones that will all be run through El Jefe. This is such a slap in the face to Taylor!
To top off the sundae, Taylor needs to kill their pet project, the quants. Mafee tries to stick up for his CIO and friend (a good man, that Mafee!): some of their bets have been good and are about to pay off. Axe doesn’t want to hear it. He is Axe Capital, and wants a “fresh” start. I think he needs to prove to himself and to his employees he still has the “Axe Touch”. This is not a good sign for Taylor.
As Axe is getting his Bloomberg Terminal set up in his office, he is meeting with his Big Three: Wags, Wendy and Taylor. Axe wants to be like the Beatles when they finished their first American tour: instead of sitting on their laurels, they went straight back to doing what they did best – make music! (If you haven’t seen the documentary, “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years”, I’d highly recommend it, it’s what Axe is referring to.) They pressed their advantage of a successful tour, and he wants to press his, by going on a capital raise. $20 Billion in 6 months! That is massive by any standards. And, he wants the clients lining up, begging him to take their money! How does his ego fit into that room?
Wendy tries to put a pin in his balloon – things are different now, and Taylor agrees. Axe wants to bring Taylor along on this raise so they can see “the other side of the job”, i.e. the schmoozing part! Wendy and Taylor know this isn’t going to be as easy as 2015. Yes, the legal issues are in the past, but investors will have tough questions and reservations. If I were at a pitch meeting, I’d be asking these questions: Could something like Axe getting indicted happen again? If your CIO did such a great job, why are you clearing all their positions? If they are staying with the firm, how do they feel about these whole-sale changes? I get that Axe wants his own stamp back on Axe Capital (he is a total control freak!), but why not wait a few months? Clients and investors hate uncertainty and upheaval. Axe is again, making decisions with his emotions. Those never work out well.
Axe gets a text message from someone called Muresan, who was one of the tallest players ever in the NBA. Who could that be? Well, none other than one of the shortest Treasury Secretaries in the history of the United States, (I’m not 100% sure about this, but I’m probably close.) Todd Krakow.
In a basement vault filled with precious art, Todd has an offer for Axe. Todd’s role in the government gives him access to the goings on at the FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), and would like to have someone who could trade on this access, and give him a taste of the returns. Axe, doing his best Captain Renault impression, is shocked Todd would come to him with this! Axe would never trade on non-public information (said no one ever)! Todd gives Axe his Cayman Island off-shore bank account card, and this tender nugget: the EPA is about to rescind a regulation that will be very beneficial to the natural gas industry. If Axe decides to trade on this info, Todd will take his cut in crypto (what is it with everyone wanting to get paid that way? Dollar Bill’s bags of cash are going the way of the dinosaur!). Axe keeps his cards close to his vest; he hands the bank card back to Todd without saying a word. Axe just got out of the government’s “fucking web”; why would he do anything to jeopardize that? It’s pure lunacy! But Axe can’t walk away from a win.
Buying expensive gifts as a sign of his gratitude is what Axe does with most of the people in his life; why would Taylor be any different? Axe takes Taylor to a Range Rover showroom to buy them a truck to show his “love” and appreciation for their hard work under tough conditions.
Taylor isn’t easily bought. Spock, I mean Taylor, is rational and logical, and knows the changes Axe is making at the firm are emotionally driven. He is asking investors to trust him with their money while making drastic changes in the portfolio. It will look erratic to the outside world. Axe wants to do things his way (shocker!) and tells Taylor they shouldn’t worry – they are getting paid. Axe just doesn’t understand people whose motivation is not money or material based.
Taylor wants something other than a truck; they want their own book of business: $1 Billion to manage with no interference from Axe. Axe agrees (a bit too quickly if you ask me). Oh, and on second thought, Taylor will take the truck as well!
Axe is in a very musical state of mind this episode. Along with his heavy metal t-shirt, and his wanting to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles, now he has the Traveling Wilburys on his mind. And not just any Wilbury, one who was also a Beatle, George Harrison. (Another documentary suggestion: to see how the Traveling Wilburys formed, watch “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream”. It’s a wonderful film about the life and career of one of my favorite musicians, Tom Petty.) Wags says it best: only legends become Wilburys. Bob Dylan and Tom Petty would make a game of it – throw out a name and decide if that person was worthy of “Wilbury Status” Factors for reaching that status: wit, cool and credibility. Jack Nicholson – Wilbury! Richard Dryfuss – not a Wilbury.
This wonderful story is being told to Ari by Axe and Wags because (and I think we all knew this) Ari is not a Wilbury. And just like that, compliance no longer needs to be complied with. Ari, you’re fired. (Insert sad, but not surprised emoji here). Again, I understand the why of firing Ari, but the timing is too soon. Drastic changes are not what you do or need before a cap raise!
Ari is not going to go into the night quietly. He is desperate to be to part of the “cool kids” at Axe Capital; he’ll figure something out.
I would expect nothing less from Dollar Bill than the gloat session he has in Ari’s office. But Ari is not bitter – he offers up some prime intel to Bill, the type of intel that is right up Bill’s alley. Bill’s not interested in Ari’s play, or is he? Just as the elevator doors are closing on the Axe Capital career of Ari Spyros, Bill jumps in. He’s a cheap mofo, but a greedy one too! Ari still has access to the list of SEC investigations into publicly traded companies that have not been disclosed to shareholders yet. Dollar Bill can use this info: he can short the companies he thinks the investigations will hurt, and long the companies he believes will come out clear after the initial bad press. Bill detest Ari, but he loves money. And there you have it folks, it’s the new Odd Couple!
Lara is in the city to take Gordie to the dentist, but needs to handle her finances at Axe Capital first. She wants to know why she is being charged the standard 2 and 20 on her account. As far as Axe is concerned, Lara is just another client and will not get special treatment. (Harsh, even for Axe!) Lara has the choice of moving her money, but if she wants the “Axe Touch” and the type of returns that generates, 2 and 20 is the price.
Oh, and it’s not just business, it’s personal. Lara crossed a red line with Axe that there is no coming back from: the threat of taking his kids away from him. The thought of Axe not seeing his boys while in prison cut him to the quick. Stop complaining about the fees and focus on the money you are making and move on Axe tells her. Well, ladies, Axe just might be on the market after all!
The promise to Taylor of their $1 Billion to trade isn’t all it seems to be. Axe has set up a Discretionary Investment Account (DIA) for Taylor to trade, but has only funded it with $250 Million – a quarter of what was agreed to. Taylor needs to confront Axe about this, and since Axe Cap is a fish bowl, Wags sees Taylor march into Axe’s office, and is immediately at his side.
Taylor did 100% of what Axe asked of them – cleared the accounts and fired the quants – why are they only getting ¼ of the funding for their account? Yes, Axe agreed to the $1 Billion, but not all at once. In pure disrespect, Axe tells Taylor the CIO is “an advisory” role! What? Taylor held that firm together the past few months while Axe schemed and brooded in his high-rise mausoleum! Axe wants to “oversee” (control) Taylor’s investments. Wags clarifies: “they’re suggestions!” First suggestion: natural gas and pipeline companies. Todd’s info comes into play.
Taylor does not want to touch that space. Regulations are unpredictable. Taylor catches on fast: they may think the regulations unpredictable, but Axe doesn’t, which means he has inside info.
Axe won’t confirm or deny (kind of like his SEC settlement agreement!) Taylor’s hunch, but it is written all over his face. Taylor needs to establish themselves apart from Axe, so they turn down this “suggestion”. Taylor has enough confidence in their ability; they don’t need that kind of edge.
Taylor does not understand why Axe would be taking this kind of risk; it is not logical or rational. For Axe, it’s all about ego and power. He wants his firm to be untouchable, unbreakable, “Too Big To Fuck With!” Taylor is horrified by those words and that Axe would say them. This is not the Axe that Taylor abandoned Business School for. As Taylor leaves his office, you can see Axe no longer sees Taylor as a disciple, but perhaps as a rival.
In one of the two (or several for all we know) of Dollar Bill’s garages, we find our new Dynamic Duo doing their homework, and going through SEC investigations. The combination of Ari’s access and Bill’s knowledge of companies and their management could make this idea “gold Jerry,gold!
Axe isn’t feeling the long lasting euphoric feeling he thought he would now that he has beaten the government. He goes to Wendy to figure out what is wrong. He tells her that initially there was the excitement at the dismissal, but then nothing. Axe needs a bigger fix!
He is realizing that the war he is waging can’t truly be one (perhaps because it’s against himself?), and that the residual damage he has done can’t be undone. Wendy understands about causing damage as well. They are all scarred by the recent events and they are not stronger from it, but rougher.
Wendy can’t give the same advice as she once could. She feels tainted, especially about how she used Mafee. A minor discretion like that doesn’t even register in Axe’s world. However, Wendy is not built like Axe and has not gone through the wars Axe has. She has a conscience. So, Axe will now give Wendy advice: don’t dwell or feel bad about doing something that puts you in charge, and you are stronger now for walking through fire. I think Wendy only feels the heat, not any power from that walk.
Can it be? Dollar Bill vouching for an Ari Spyros deal to Axe? Why yes it is! Ari’s “unique investment strategy” and his prior work experience make him very valuable to Bill, and to Axe Capital. Axe is intrigued, so he is giving Ari a second change at Wilbury Status! Good luck Ari, and don’t fuck it up! (I have a feeling no matter what Ari ever does, he will never be a Wilbury!)
Lara is back at the office and lets Axe know his sons will be waiting for him for dinner. Axe has thought about it, and he is now willing to give Lara a discount on the 2 and 20 fees. He will only charge her 1.5 and 15, if she signs an agreement of a 7-year lock up of not only her money, but her children as well. Lara agrees, but her price is 1 and 10. Done, as Axe already had the paperwork written up. There is a reason he is a titan of the hedge fund world! Lara signs the agreement, and that just may be the end of their marriage.
Todd’s correct call on the EPA’s change in regulation has gas stocks popping! Axe Capital has made a nice chunk of change and Todd will get his cut sent to the Caymans.
Taylor comes in to congratulate Axe on his “hunch”. Axe is feeling all sorts of generous this night, so even though Taylor didn’t take his “suggestion” he’ll release $100 Million to their DIA. Taylor will be heading out, but needs to finish up a few things. Even though his kids are waiting for him, Axe will stay as well. He needs to be the last man standing, whether at the gym or at the office.
In proving to himself that he is still “Bobby Fucking Axelrod”, no cost is too high – even blowing off dinner with his boys. All the desserts in the next 7 years are not going to make up for the damage he is doing to them. And he really doesn’t seem to care.
For the second week in a row, I’m going out with Black Sabbath lyrics and good advice for Axe, Wendy, and basically everyone:
Forget all your sorrow, don’t live in the past
And look to the future ‘cause life goes too fast, you know
Hard Road – Black Sabbath
Do you think it coincidental that they brought Krakow back into the story just as Bobby and Taylor are seemingly at odds? This episode was interesting in that you had the two rising stars, Bryan and Taylor, both get taken down from their perch at the end of the last episode, and in this one you see them seemingly at odds with their boss. On the business side, Bobby is keeping Taylor but keeping them close to the vest – how long can that last? On the public service side, Chuck absolutely destroys Bryan with no apparent thought of an possible ramification. Will that come back to haunt him? How much you want to bet when the AG has Chuck go after Lugo, that Bryan takes up Lugo’s defense? How fun would that be!
Oh, and I hear you about Sabbath, but I would take LZ for their musicality, and their acoustic work.
If there is one thing we have learned about this show is that there rarely are coincidences, so I agree with your observation regarding Taylor and Krakow. I think at some point (we only have 4 more episodes!) Taylor may strike out on their own, or maybe take up that offer that Krakow gave them to run his firm. I think the show may have to go in the direction of Axe and Chuck having nemeses other than each other, so the Axe/Taylor, Chuck/Bryan stories will be the ones going forward.
I don’t know how familiar you are with Sabbath’s music but I love LZ too, but think at far as metal, BS are the founders. Here is a BS song that is a change of pace for them, which may surprise you!
Very cool! I had never heard that from them before.
“How does his ego fit into that room?”
VERY WELL SAID.
Axe is such a know-it-all in this episode. Outside money should not worry about his legal issues, they are in the past. Taylor should not worry because they are getting paid. Wendy should not worry because what she did to Mafee barely registers as bad in Axe’s world. Kids should not worry because dad may not be there for them but all the desserts are. What does this man want? Understanding THIS Axe is beyond me!
Ah I would really have loved to see you ask the questions you list in your post to Axe. He may be Van Doren but I am not sure if his answers would be satisfactory for you! He would probably tell you that you would not have to worry because Axe is there at the helm of Axe Capital with a fresh start and so everything would be just fine. His ego is bigger than ever, isn’t it? And the pissing contest he is about to get into with Taylor? I really wonder if Taylor will still be at Axe Capital by the end of the season… and whether Wendy will be able to deal with her guilt. She is not built either like Axe or Chuck and cannot move on like nothing has happened.
Yes, Axe’s ego is in rare form in this episode. But its Taylor’s ego that I have always had trouble with. Taylor’s nose is always in the air, as if detecting a bad odor. That has been the case, with few exceptions, from square one. Never a smile, too rigid to be at all personable. Yet I’ve seen Asia Kate on a talk show and there was a charming personality. So obviously what turns me off is a product of the writer’s work, not the person. That is what they want Taylor to be apparently. But I would not miss the Taylor character if it leaves the show.
I actually feel sorry for Lara. I know everyone hates her but I like her. The writers have done a lot to destroy her story arc since Season 1 but I still have a soft spot for her. Axe is so petty and such an egomaniac. He doesn’t even spend time with his kids. He just wanted to take back some of the power Lara had over him. I predict a major custody fight once Lara finds out that Axe doesn’t even see his kids even though he wants them around.
Poor Taylor. She does a good job and yet Axe will punish her because his fragile, little ego can’t take being shown up by anyone. He should be grateful their help but can’t put his pride aside.
I’ve had enough of Wendy. She’s as tainted as the rest of them but at least Chuck and Axe don’t mope around feeling bad about themselves when they do underhanded and dirty stuff.