Television Review: Billions (Season 1, 2016)

Growing popularity of socialism among American public, especially among younger generation, is a trend that was slowly but steadily developing in past few years, in many ways fueled by huge resentment over the aftermath of 2008 global financial crash. This trend was recognised even by Hollywood, with increasing number of films and TV shows trying to exploit "anti-1%" sentiment. One of the TV shows that took inspiration from those events and the debate between followers capitalism and socialism is Billions, drama which had its premiere in 2016.

The protagonist are two strong, capable, hardworking men who happen to be on the opposite side of such debate and become each other’s bitterest enemies. David "Axe" Axelrod (played by Damian Lewis) is a stock broker who founded investment fund that made immense profits following the years after 9-11 and allow "Axe" to become one of the richest and the most charismatic tycoons in New York. Charles "Chuck" Roades Jr. (played by Paul Giamatti) is US attorney for Southern District of New York, a prosecutor who never lost the case and whose specialty is white collar crime, namely putting illegal stock market manipulators behind the bars. Even city as big as New York is too small for such two egos, so Roades decide to start investigating Axelrod for various crimes he might have committed while building his financial empire. Matters are, however, complicated due to two men being connected by the same woman – Roades’ wife Wendy (played by Maggie Siff), who also happens to be Axelrod’s therapist.

Two of the series creators – David Lieven and Brian Koppelman – are known for Rounders, film dedicated to professional gambling, while the third – Andrew Ross Sorkin – became famous for book Too Big to Fail dedicated to 2008 crash. Despite that, Billions doesn’t deal much with the (often complicated) subject of modern finances and their wrongdoings and instead opts for archetypal and simplistic characters, often compromised by subplots and details more appropriate for trashiest of soap operas (like the Roads’ BDSM lifestyle). General impression is, like in many such shows, rescued by fine acting, especially Giamatti in the role of deeply flawed public crusader.

Starring: Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff
Created by: Brian Koppelman, David Lieven & Andrew Ross Sorkin
Number of episodes: 12

Pro: important real life subject, very good acting
Contra: underdeveloped characters, too many bizarre and "soapy" elements in the plot
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RATING: 6/10