Billions Reviews

The series itself came into existence prior to Donald Trump’s ascendance to the presidency, and its piggish swagger felt like almost too much. Now it is the perfect pleasure, encapsulating all that we loathe about the hyper-wealthy and the ruthless calculations they make to consolidate power while allowing us to appreciate the brazen, strutting might and certainty with which these titans operate.

Season four of Billions charts a middle path, shifting around enough of its usual architecture to feel fresh, while also continuing to follow most of its original characters and stories. ... It’s fun to keep the game board mostly the same while swapping all the usual allegiances. It’s especially satisfying to watch Chuck and Bobby scheme together.

Billions is a show that delivers day in and day out. Just when you think there's nothing left on the palette another truck pulls up and delivery some more. The settings is complex but not hard to follow. The characters are visceral, eclectic, deep, almost relate-able but just out of reach for the common viewer. The writing is superb. Billions, at least for myself, is an addictive commodity that day-trades the hell out of my interests, playing every angle and waging every bet strategically so that when I think one plot development is going to tie everything up to my satisfaction things turn and up comes another important cog to a significant wheel. But, unlike many shows that will add in plot swings to attempt to keep the viewer at arms-length of what they've been waiting for all-along, Billions organically hedges my expectations because this isn't about a straight forward cat and mouse game of law vs. lawless, it's what I fully expect in the real world when self-interest gets in the way of what should be and it's effing amazing. Billions almost never leaves me feeling like I've wasted some time with an episode. Even in the slower, seemingly-insignificant moments the show is making viable efforts to keep me aware of who these people are and why I should care about them. I'm very invested in the show and I love how things have developed over the show's first few seasons. Granted, it can't go on forever but I fully expect Showtime to make a calculated effort to keep the drama and mental suspense going as long as it possibly can before recognizing this show's proper end. Whether that's with a 5th, a 6th, or 7th season is inconsequential - it's going to end and I fully expect to be fulfilled by whatever finality this show offers because I care about it entirely, but I don't feel like I dwell on it for days and that's an experience to have in a show with this much draw. I don't want to wear Billions on my sleeve I just want to appreciate it and laugh as I think about how there are people like this that are real and have gone through or are going through similar experiences.

Season 4 was very good but not great like prior seasons. There were some noticeable plausibility issues that hadn't surfaced before. Some plot elements were rushed, like Chuck regaining power/influence as NY AG in the span of one or two eps. And the Musketeer-esque dialogue that characterized "Wags" has now spread to Ari Spyros who utilizes Shakespearan lingo more to comedic than dramatic effect. Sometimes the dialogue seems like it's from 1700's euro-military. And our crew continues their banter peppered with pop culture references, mainly from film. One element that I do still like in this show is that bad things still happen to our primary characters, they're not immune from problems, both petty and large, so that helps to "keep it real". The season finale made for a good launching point into next season which has been confirmed, just have to wait another freakin year, ugh.

Billions has the posture of sociopolitical expose, the mechanics of a soap opera and the morals of grave robber. In other words, it’s irresistible.... The biggest reason to watch Billions is the acting talent, something which even the endlessly expository dialogue and absurd characterizations can’t totally quash.

Despite some flaws that distract from the drama, a stellar cast help make Billions an intriguing show.

The conceit--power players duel against a backdrop of ambition, greed, corruption and really good bourbon--feels bulletproof enough, but in practice, the show careens into cartoon territory almost immediately, thanks in part to the absurd contrast between Axelrod and Rhoades.... [But] Billions is exactly the sort of show that, if you don’t reject its over-the-top tactics in the first three episodes, will hook you by the sixth.

It’s a mixed bag, but one that generates real sparks between the rich man and the man tasked with investigating him.

It’s all nutty, and much of it defies logic as it flies by with the help of sleek production values and fast editing. But the bigger problem is the acting, or should I say over-acting.

This show and its writing are ridiculous, once you get past that its a pretty good watch. Lots of drama, intrigue, and backstabbing to go around. It seems to be gettin more and more silly as the seasons go on, but Paul Giamatti makes this a cant miss.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Woke kills all. Killed another good show. Please get eaten by sharks instead of jumping them.

Season 1-5 gets my highest rate. But season 6 RUINED EVRRYTHING! EVERY THING. Haven't seen any tv show turns that blank that quick.

I don't understand how this is the only show this season to put a mid season break in it without announcing dates for the future episodes. I mean surely the episodes were shot before they started airing it. I'm getting tested to get into work every day, would it really be that hard to test the editors before they came into the studio to edit the show? What an unsatisfying end to a mid season finale.

Production Company:

• Showtime Entertainment
• Best Available!
• Lightnin' Production Rentals