Billions (TV Series) The Conversation (2016) User Reviews

entertainment larger than life

[A_Different_Drummer · 9/10 · 29 June 2016]

If you check the episode reviews, some members were disappointed. This one was not. Every story since Genesis has a beginning, a middle and an end. The end is always the hardest part. This one was fine.

More interesting (to this reviewer) is that while watching Billions I could not help thinking of the larger issues:

1. Lewis keeps evolving as an actor. If you can, try to find a DVD of his early series LIFE where it is entirely his personal charm that moved the cop series along for its two season run. With Homeland, he took his career and his craft up a notch. By the time Billions rolls around, we take for granted his ability to take over a scene and mesmerize the viewer. But he worked at it. And worked hard.

2. Maggie Siff with hindsight now seemed lost in Sons of Anarchy, now that we know (from this show) what she is really capable of. I look forward to her next project, whatever it may be. Serious acting chops.

3. Critics have said that the hit series Deadwood can be considered in two ways -- either as pure entertainment, or as a metaphor for the formation of America, from chaos to order. I think that Billions in many ways is the natural sequel to Deadwood, showing us how the America we know has gone from chaos to order .... to outright greed. Just like the dialog Siff delivers in her final scene, we can kid ourselves all we want. But at the end of the day, this society is not exactly what we were hoping to grow up in.

A classic clash between Capital and Government

[ransom-pete69 · 9/10 · 11 April 2016]

SPOILERS AHEAD!!! You have been warned.

In terms of how much 'The Conversation' meant to me, it would be enough to say that this is the first ever review I post here. Furthermore, IMDb is a website I use on a regular basis since probably around ten years.

First off, I have to congratulate both Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti for the exceptionally skillful and tense acting at the end of the episode. Their performance empowers the message behind the final scene in an unforgettable way, underlining the importance of what is being said. The eternal battle between capitalists and government has been a social issue for decades, especially in the US, where in our times that conflict has been taken to a whole new level. (The current 2016 presidential election campaign represents just that.)

The exchange between Chuck and Bobby reveals the hatred between the two pillars of modern society. Yes, Bobby is right, without him the world cannot function. It is capital that produces any need people (the consumers) may have and capital satisfies it accordingly. It is a vicious circle into which the government does not hold any place, since it does not produce anything material of value. Still, this does not mean that the people who are in the business of governing will prefer to stay idle while the capitalists fill their banks, safes and bellies. The difference is simple – the capitalists offer trinkets, the government – 'security and justice'. The similarities are way too many to count.

Later on, Bobby states that he 'does nothing except make money, (and) succeed'. Again, true, because in a world which encourages competition, 'there will always be a place' for the likes of Axelrod. Chuck responds predictably that capitalists are no better than Wild West criminals and are capable of even more destruction if left to their own devices to 'make money, (and) succeed'. Mr. Rhoades is right from a moral point of view, but we all know morality always tends to bend at those heights. The problem is that the government is not an efficient way at dealing with the capitalists/criminals as rules and regulations are nothing more but a politicians' move and obviously cannot stop corruption, erosion of principles and the destruction of lives. The fines don't go to feed the hungry, they merely help the expansion of government branches, like an octopus which needs its tentacles in order to survive. Governments always tend to create more and more 'tentacles' until there is no capital left to feed off.

The torn apart office of 'Axe Capital' has been obviously selected for this scene quite intentionally to show how in the end the power of the government and that of capital collide to do nothing good, but leave only ruin behind. Both of those forces are destined to destroy each other, but the ones who wage that war will still drive away in expensive vehicles and simply abandon the battlefield, while the people will pay dearly with their lives for the damage.

'The Conversation' is an episode I was waiting for ever since I watched the Pilot. I knew it was coming and oh, did I enjoy the clash! Thank you!

What a way to close out a season!

[missesluvjones · 9/10 · 22 July 2023]

All season there's been this slow burning building between Axe and Chuck. Many were sacrificed throughout the season. Some were left jobless others periled and ultimately lost, but in the end it all came down to the intimate triangle of a relationship between Axe, Wendy and Chuck and as we come to see in this episode all of them are willing to do what it takes to protect themselves and their assets.

I think the difference in this episode is we get to see just how heated things can get when Chuck becomes desperate and begins not only believe but also see Wendy as slipping away... right into the warm arms of Axe.

The conversation that closes out the episode was everything!!

This season was an incredible ride. I'm looking forward to see how things fair in season 2!

Worth Your Time

[licoinvestments · 9/10 · 1 September 2017]

Paul Giamatti at his Absolute best. The lead roles excelled beyond in this episode. The supporting roles put out their utmost effort, and proved why they got casted for this show- and didn't let up for one second. The Ultimate battle for Good v Evil is at the very hands of this series. So many themes and life's biggest (Real-world) questions are delved deep within countless times.

Overall: Great script, impressive acting, "Wunderbar!" finale. Strange post-ending scene song choice.

Disappointed. It could (and should) have been so much more than a Soap Opera and a Pissing contest.

[Dr_Sagan · 11 April 2016]

I just read my initial review. I pretty much understood from the beginning what "Billions" is all about. Or better what is and what isn't.

I wrote back then that the show is basically a Soap opera because of the strong relation between the characters. More specifically the confidant of the billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Wendy Rhoades) being ...married to the D.A. and sworn enemy of Axe, Chuck Rhoades.

In this finale and in the episode before that, it is explored (and exploited) something totally unrealistic. Wendy took incriminating notes (like it was sooo difficult to remember the session with her more important client) in the form of single words like "bribery" (!!!).

IMO always, it is bad writing to base a major plot arc and the seasons finale to something like that.

Anyway. After seeing all 12 episodes, this series is all about an unnecessary pissing contest between 2 ruthless people.

You see, there is no actual hero in this. D.A. Chuck is not a noble person either. He might force an unknown man to pick up his dog's poo, but he is not an honest or lawful man. And how could he be? A guy who's so deep in his passion of BDSM. Who can't hold himself. Who blackmails people. Who tries to enforce the law by continuously breaking it.

Overall: As I wrote in my initial review, this is undoubtedly a Soap opera. That means it has a totally unbelievable setting and tries to impress you with cheap tricks like big numbers and expensive gifts and expensive talk, which in the end, they don't cost a dime.

That's how you close a season!

[woodycantona · 9/10 · 21 December 2023]

Wow, what a finale.

I am a bit late to Billions, liked the opening, stuck with it, gradually got better and then took off for the last 4 episodes, great show.

The writing is top notch. The best thing about it is that you never know which side you are on, love and hate Axe & Chuck in equal measures. In fact the only character you root for is Wendy. Brian's a good guy too but has his head been turned? Maybe, ever so slightly.

Can't find season 2 streaming anywhere so may have to go old school and buy the DVD.

"You're a traffic cop hiding in federal robes"

An absolute rock solid 9/10 from me. Enjoy.

[8.5] Listening devices in your bellies

[cjonesas · 8/10 · 13 April 2022]

Episode 12: In the season finale, we have and are witnessing more than good development and flow, some good acting as always, better interactions between main and supporting cast, still some cheesy, artificial vibe in the air, some colorful visual drama for well, the drama of the show

and a final mini clash that bears no winner and in a sense both lost; that is to be seen and confirmed in season 2 with again 12 rounds of colorful, bright clashes.

Relationships nonsense

[Jim-Eadon · 3/10 · 3 May 2016]

Big Bang Theory went downhill when it became about the women and not the geeks. This series has made the same mistake. The only actress I cared about in the series was the Book authoress. She was nice, human, really fascinating in her plight. The others are a token icy blonde, a big-headed, sweary clone of Dexter's sister and a charisma-free psychologist with no brains and no sex appeal who did nothing to warrant the admiration the main characters had for her, nor our sympathy or even antipathy. And the climax was a joke. The two main characters basically bitch at one another pathetically. That's it? Towards the end I didn't care what happened, who won or what happened to the relationships. The trading plots and Axe's scheming were great, but the personal relationships tedium killed the show towards the end. The law guy became a villain but not an interesting one. Deadening political correctness was at play too, the show was preachy and sterile, it didn't have to play it safe.