Billions

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 17, 2016
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 193 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 152 out of 193
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 193
  3. Negative: 27 out of 193
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User Reviews

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  1. Hoping4Better
    Jan 21, 2016
    2
    I watched the pilot hoping for a decent new series with potential, however I was disappointed that the writers fell back on crude profanity-laced conversation in an attempt to give the show some edginess--that's a cheap alternative to good writing. The main character also seems to pretty closely follow the profile of hedge fund King, Steven Cohen, right down to Cohen's purchase of aI watched the pilot hoping for a decent new series with potential, however I was disappointed that the writers fell back on crude profanity-laced conversation in an attempt to give the show some edginess--that's a cheap alternative to good writing. The main character also seems to pretty closely follow the profile of hedge fund King, Steven Cohen, right down to Cohen's purchase of a Hamptons megalith (mansion) a couple years ago for $60 million -- that also occurred during a government investigation of Cohen -- in fact, as the show continued I got the increasing sense that the plot had simply been lifted from a stale NY Post article. To try to disguise the main hedge fund personality, the writers tried to add an amalgam of a few other Wall Street personalities to their main character, including Howard Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald. Not particularly subtle, and also falling somewhat flat. I did however smile at the cameo by David Faber who seems to fawn over "Stevie" in real life -- not sure if he realized this show wouldn't shed a particularly kind light on the hedge fund King. In general, it becomes clear that the show does not intend to portray 'real people' from the hedge fund industry but rather the warped cartoonish figures that come from Hollywood minds that think anything connected with capitalism must be evil. It's a shame, I'm disappointed.… Expand
  2. marionlily70
    Jan 26, 2016
    1
    Stupid macho language, Damian Lewis stupid accent, bad values, stupid psychologist with very unethical behavior, disgusting sex etc etc corrupting show as usual
  3. EJEJEJ
    Jan 31, 2016
    0
    I don't get it. At all. Billions is painfully "wannabe" and arrogantly thinks that it already is. The characters pontificate phrases like, "Are you going to short it?", about as naturally as the cheapo network crime shows
    ask, "Does the perp have a rap sheet?" And really? S&M? Forced edginess is the opposite of sexy. And terribly awkward.
    Full disclosure: I didn't get the Damian Lewis    I don't get it. At all. Billions is painfully "wannabe" and arrogantly thinks that it already is. The characters pontificate phrases like, "Are you going to short it?", about as naturally as the cheapo network crime shows
    ask, "Does the perp have a rap sheet?" And really? S&M? Forced edginess is the opposite of sexy. And terribly awkward.

    Full disclosure: I didn't get the Damian Lewis thing in Homeland either so maybe that's my problem.    … Expand
  4. nosma
    Mar 27, 2016
    1
    I don't get it. And I dont have the patience to try and dig in so i can apprecite the plot. Good acting, great picture, but it feels hollow. The show takes off on the premise that it's already edgy but it really isn't. I try to watch but my mind just drifts away.
  5. jom
    Jul 11, 2017
    0
    Most over-rated tv show I've seen in ages. Over the top and predictable. Like the cast so I kept watching, only to be disappointed over and over again. Don't waste your time.
  6. shoulderoforion
    Jan 30, 2016
    0
    Could not make it through the first episode, trite & unfunny with only the topicality of the financial crisis to bring the viewers in who I predict will not stay. Do better Television Showtime, I know you can.
  7. rickibobbi
    Feb 5, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. a gravity free soap opera with great actors mouthing really silly dialogue with a few good lines. I suppose if you haven't been paying attention, you would think there were controls against unbridled wealth in the US and thus the Giammati character would make sense, but that's pure fantasy, there are virtually no controls, no effective laws, no one high level went to jail in 2008, and the big banks are bigger....so it's hard to watch this thing. Interestingly, Lewis was involved in Homeland, another, conterfactual, bad consciousness effort. Watch it as comic book enjoyment., period… Expand
  8. steveinsider
    Mar 21, 2016
    3
    Seems to be some discrepancy in the subplot point of Billions TV Series. Recently it was disclosed that Axe made a very handsome profit "trading on US stocks", on 9/11/01 and several days after that. But where was he trading?
    The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq did not open for trading on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, and furthermore, anticipating market chaos, panic    Seems to be some discrepancy in the subplot point of Billions TV Series. Recently it was disclosed that Axe made a very handsome profit "trading on US stocks", on 9/11/01 and several days after that. But where was he trading?
    The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq did not open for trading on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, and furthermore, anticipating market chaos, panic selling and a disastrous loss of value in the wake of the attacks, the NYSE and the Nasdaq remained closed until September 17, the longest shutdown since 1933. That's 16 days of closed markets !!!
    Additionally Axe is portrayed as "profiting" with "blood money", because he like any other investor invested based on public knowledge of the market in this catastrophe, and is therefore condemned and shunned by the public. Of course "Billions" story is a fictional story, but where's the shame in anticipating major investment opportunities? Seems to be a major flaw in this plot theory? Comments?    … Expand
  9. zidangus
    Apr 24, 2018
    0
    Season 3 is boring, the story is getting repetitive and going nowhere, and the characters are really starting to irritate me, especially Taylor and Axel. The show should have been cancelled after season 2.
  10. slippytoad
    Apr 13, 2019
    0
    Gets a big fat 0 for trying to shove the cultural marxist's "preferred pronouns" down my throat. Another one bites the dust.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best TV Season of 2016
33
#33 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
56
#56 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Michael Slezak
    Apr 6, 2016
    67
    If you can get past the lack of originality--and lines like “We have to be more pure than the Virgin Mary before her first period”--Billions does offer a nasty but fun escape into a world that brings to life the title of the Notorious B.I.G.’s old hit, “Mo Money, Mo Problems.”
    Read full review
  2. Colorado Springs Gazette
    Reviewed by: Terry Terrones
    Apr 6, 2016
    75
    Despite some flaws that distract from the drama, a stellar cast help make Billions an intriguing show.
    Read full review
  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    Under its lurid surface, is smartly paced and frank--even thoughtful--about the disconcerting fantasies it provokes.
    Read full review
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