Bobby Axelrod and Wendy Rhoades: A Special Relationship – Part VI

In case you missed Part V, it is here.

Billions has never shied away from shocking us over its first two seasons; say it is when Bobby threatens Wendy with the pictures Hall had taken of the two of them naked at the spa,  or when Chuck sells out both his dad and his best friend to get Bobby, or when Bobby steals Donnie’s Christmas because he cannot risk him living longer. And now it is time for Wendy to shock us all with her cold-blooded calculations as she makes her decisive move to save her two boys and herself from going to prison.

It is fascinating how Bobby and Chuck immediately recognize the need to dump Ice Juice scheme on someone else when Wendy leaves the table for a few minutes. They have to make Wendy’s short go away but in such a way that the case does not go to trial. They divide the work: Firstly, Bobby will have the new Halls to “massage” the phone records so they do not locate Wendy in Chuck’s office when she calls Mafee to short Ice Juice. Bobby will also make it look like Dr. Gilbert has made profits in Ice Juice. And he will need to make sure Mafee does not share with the Feds what they want to hear about Wendy’s short. Chuck, on the other hand, will ensure that the good doctor will take the plea and go to prison without a trial. Yet, both men hesitate to mention sending someone innocent to prison in front of Wendy thinking that she may not take it. Continue reading “Bobby Axelrod and Wendy Rhoades: A Special Relationship – Part VI”

In Defense of Nicholas McGrade in Colditz

“I love war. We’re still here. It’s like a jungle you survive.” —Nicholas McGrade

colditz18

As much as we all LOVE LOVE LOVE Damian Lewis on this blog, our feelings for the characters he brings to life could be slightly different at times… Take Bookworm and me, for example. We agree to disagree on Nicholas McGrade 😀 Bookworm’s earlier blog post about the tale of the two Nicholases perfectly captures who those two soldiers, namely Nicholas Brody and Nicholas McGrade, are. Bookworm loves Brody and does not love, not even like Nicholas McGrade. And I… Well, everyone knows about me and Brody, but I have had a secret crush on Nicholas McGrade that I am happy to make public today.

When we watched Colditz with Lewisto, he did not like McGrade, either; exactly for the reasons Bookworm lists in her post. And, to this day, he claims I like McGrade because Damian Lewis plays the character and I would not like him otherwise. Maybe. Yes, he is probably right that I would not like McGrade if another actor played him because another actor would not be able to make McGrade as human as Damian does. Damian brings out the bad and ugly in McGrade as well as the good in him. The bad and ugly in McGrade is BAD and UGLY. On the other hand, the good in him is GOOD. McGrade’s a nobody that becomes somebody thanks to war. This is his chance and he will take it. He is quite HUNGRY for life and so he is ready to go the whole nine yards and a bit more to be what he wants, to do what he wants and to have what he wants. Yes, he is flawed. But he is not evil. So, yes, I love Nicholas McGrade and it’s all Damian to blame! 😀 Continue reading “In Defense of Nicholas McGrade in Colditz”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Friends and Crocodiles

In her Desert Island Discs, Bookworm reveals that the Damian Lewis character she would take to her island is… Paul Reynolds! Have you ever met the guy? If not, it’s TIME you meet him!

Bookworm, in fact, identifies Paul Reynolds with the Queen hit: Don’t stop me now! She says: “What to say about Paul from Friends and Crocodiles? Paul has a big personality and the house to match. He has big dreams and plenty of ideas, but lacks the ability to coherently organise his life at all. He is known as a great host of great parties and has many colourful people in his life. Paul likes to enjoy himself and not really think too far ahead. Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Friends and Crocodiles”

Homeland Season 2: Star Ascendant

If you missed Homeland Season 2 Part I, you can read it here.

STAR ASCENDANT

“ Go to Brody .. empower the guy.” Peter Quinn

At the Brody home chaos ensues. Dana has taken off, Jessica is raking her husband over the coals for the events at the police station, Brody is due in half an hour to meet with Roya, and Carrie is right outside with her team listening to it all, worrying.

Jessica, how has she made it this far? It’s unbearable. There is no way she can understand any of this. “Tell the CIA to back off, that your daughter matters more!” “I CAN’T I CAN’T I CAN’T!”

Continue reading “Homeland Season 2: Star Ascendant”

Bobby Axelrod and Wendy Rhoades: A Special Relationship – Part V

“Damian tickles you and delights you with his charm and his wit.” — Maggie Siff

Well, while we already know how charming and witty Damian could be, it is still a treat to hear these lovely words from Maggie Siff, who along with Damian brings to life one of the most intriguing and complex relationships we have ever seen on TV. It is sincere and it is strategic. It is friendly and it is flirty. It is personal and it is professional. It is delicate. It is difficult. It is delicious.  And while I believe Season 3 has revealed there is no romance in it, it has also revealed there is real partnership. Bobby and Wendy find meaning in what they have built together and can draw the best out of each other. In case you have missed my earlier posts on these two, you can find them here, here, here, and here. Continue reading “Bobby Axelrod and Wendy Rhoades: A Special Relationship – Part V”