Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 10: Liberty

Ladies and Gentlemen: WOW. WOW. WOW.  I called last week’s episode as the most Billions-y in a while, and as a game theorist, I declare this week’s episode the most game-theoretic to date. Hats off to Billions writers who are at the peak of their powers. I cannot imagine better or smarter writing.  And since alliances shift like sand in this show, I really cannot see where we will end up by the end of this season, but I know we are in for an epic roller coaster. Bring it on!

They gave the first hints of Covid-19 hitting New York in  Episode 9 Implosion with Chuck telling Kate to “go home and stock up on canned food for the coming plague” and Swerdlow (I cannot bring myself to call that man Dr. Swerdlow!) telling Chuck it is great Senior is having his operation before the hospitals are overrun because of the “Chinese bug”. And now Covid-19 has arrived at Axe Capital. Continue reading “Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 10: Liberty”

“From the Trader’s Desk” – Horsemen are Drawing Nearer! Billions S5 E9 Implosion

The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
The Four Horsemen – Metallica

Happy Friday from the Trader’s Desk. Once you add Wendy (who I think will be majorly pissed at Axe for his role in Tanner flying the coop) Chuck, Prince, and Taylor will officially become the Four Horsemen who will be riding to finally bring Axe to his demise. I’ll get into why I believe that the bullseye on Axe’s forehead is rightfully earned, but first the tranya!

Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk” – Horsemen are Drawing Nearer! Billions S5 E9 Implosion”

Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 9: Implosion

This fast-paced and very clever Billions episode gives us an extremely fun and most Billions-y hour this season. All the characters have to read their opponent and make decisions very fast. It is like watching a wild boxing match – punch, punch, punch, and a big knock out. That said I am sure there will be a thrilling rematch!

It has been 24 hours since they acquired a bank. However, it seems Axe is focusing on everything but the bank! Continue reading “Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 9: Implosion”

“From the Trader’s Desk” – We’re Back! Billions S5 E8 Copenhagen

All day long I think of things, nothing seems to satisfy
Think I’ll lose my mind if I don’t find something to pacify
I need someone to show me the things in life that I can’t find
I can’t see the things that make true happiness, I must be blind
Paranoid – Black Sabbath

 

Welcome back to the Trader’s Desk. What a long, strange trip it has been over the last 15 months. I hope that this post finds you healthy in both body and mind.

Now, without further ado, let’s get into “Copenhagen”, albeit a tad differently. The name of the episode may be the Danish capital, but this Trader’s Desk is going to Spain. Instead of the typical recap, I’m going to just give a few observations, tapas style, as there was no real “fin-speak” this time around.

Do you even read? Somebody doesn’t know their Shakespeare. Mike Prince says he loves the “delightful demeanor” of the Danes. Well, I have one name for you – Hamlet. A more depressing Dane there never was! Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk” – We’re Back! Billions S5 E8 Copenhagen”

Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 8: Copenhagen

And just like that – THEY ARE BACK!

Episode 8 picks up soon after Axe decides to go to war with Mike Prince. It sets the tone for the rest of the season, and  is packed with Billions-y twists and turns, wonderful cameos, and some serious punches in the face!

So what is Mike ‘Thomas Aquinas’ Prince doing, in full costume, rehearsing  lines before the mirror??? Look at his face, he can not have enough of himself in the mirror with that ridiculous hat… Continue reading “Billions on Showtime, Season 5 Episode 8: Copenhagen”