Billions (TV Series) - Review

Now, I have been wasting my time binge watching many a TV series and movies on the various OTTs platforms that I am guilty of subscribing to. Well, that is what my family members would typically say. But then, sitting at home safely ensconced in the four walls is much better than going out when the #pandemic was at it's worst. So what gave rise to the massive increase in eyeballs for the global OTT platforms, you should not ask. It is simple math. 

 Anyways, getting back to the post! The latest TV series that I am binging on is Billions. This is a drama based on the high flying, dynamic and glamorous world of hedge fund investing and the Government machinery which tries to regulate it. This is a television drama series starring Damian Lewis (Bobby Axelrod) as an ambitious hedge fund king and Paul Giamatti (Chuck Rhoades) as a relentless and tough U.S. Attorney. The storyline is pegged with self-destructive antiheroes, moral grey areas and the soul-blackening effects of power. The casting is brilliant, the script is fantastic, the characterisation is top notch and by now you can guess I am bowled over after a long time. 

This show takes the common viewer through the glamorous and high stakes yet private world of hedge fund mavericks, US attorneys and politicians who make deals with one another at the drop of a hat. Though some might judge this show as having too many twists and turns but if you are someone who like their dramas edgy and fast, this definitely is one up your alley. The script that excites the viewer to go for a show which has a heady mix of insider trading, corporate politics, courtroom scenes and complex characters. The characters are larger than life, spouting references to pop culture at the end of every sentence. 

Almost each episode also has one or the other famous celebrity across all walks of life making a cameo appearance. Atleast I have spotted celebrities like Maria Sharapova, Michael Bolton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban, etc. The show has so many twists and turns that it would put to shame House of Cards and that is some bold statement. Each episode also has some great soundtrack which the pre-millenial crowd can relate to. In Season 2 the show introduces to the audiences the series defining character of Taylor Mason, who plays Axelrod's mentee turned adversary later. It has a stellar cast which includes Maggie Siff who plays Chuck's wife and Axe's confidante, David Costabile, Jeffrey DeMunn, John Malkovich to name a few. There is a lot of substance, and it really is worth to give it some thought. But there’s plenty of panache too. 

Go watch it, you won't regret it. Billions is aired on Disney+Hotstar here in India. 

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