“From the Trader’s Desk” All’s Well that Ends Well Billions S7E12 “Admirals Fund”

And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I’ve come through (and I mean to go on and on and on)
We Are The Champions – Queen

 

All’s well that ends well. Was there any doubt that Axe, Wendy, Chuck, and the rest of the rebels would come out on top this episode? They have come through the fire and are all better for it. Even though I think we all kind of knew how the show would end, it was still satisfying. There has been many a series finale over the past few years that has had fans taking to social media and voicing their disappointment (think Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Lost) but Billions will not be one of those. This was a great ending and sendoff for a series and a cast of characters that had become near and dear to our hearts.

Back in October of 2021 at the end of Season 5, I wrote a farewell to Bobby Axelrod and to Billions, as it looked like Damian and the character of Axe had left the Billions building for good. After re-reading that post, all the sentiments still ring true. I encourage you to check it out (since it will save me from retyping it) while I focus on what I liked from “Admirals Fund”.

Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk” All’s Well that Ends Well Billions S7E12 “Admirals Fund””

Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 12: Admirals Fund (Series Finale)

May I just say I will miss Billions so much? Thanks to Paramount+  releasing the new episodes Fridays at midnight, I watched the show two times until 2am taking notes. Then I slept on it and wrote all day Friday taking a lot of pleasure in putting together what I see, what I read between the lines, and my favorite part, speculating about what could happen next in this crazy ride! And I thank all my readers from the bottom of my heart for reading my recaps and or your kind support and feedback.

I give standing ovation to all brilliant minds behind and in front of the camera for this brilliant season and a very satisfying series finale, one of the best I have ever seen, with a number of Easter Eggs for die-hard Billions fans! Special thanks go to series creators and executive producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien for giving me my dream show for seven years. It has been amazing to have interactions with the best ensemble cast ever over the years. Thank you Kelly Au Coin, Chris Carfizzi, David Costabile, Daniel K. Isaac, Stephen Kunken, Toby Leonard Moore for being so down to earth on social  media.

Catching up with Damian on Billions Set, October 2017

Biggest thanks go to the one and only Damian Lewis for always being very kind and generous with me when I caught him on the set and, in particular, for returning to Billions to do his thing one last time despite the sadness he went through in his life. He is the best and I cannot wait to follow and support him in his film and music adventures to come!

While our favorite show is coming to an end, we still have so much to say about it. We will post our Best of Billions Season 7 in a week followed by an updated Season 7 dining guide as well as a music guide and a location guide for the final season. We may even sit down and choose our top ten episodes of the entire series. And we hope you stay with us! 

So…

WHAT DID I TELL YA? Continue reading “Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 12: Admirals Fund (Series Finale)”

“From the Trader’s Desk”: I have questions…. Billions S7E9 “Game Theory Optimal”

 

What you gonna do
Time’s caught up with you
Now you wait your turn
You know there’s no return
Hand of Doom – Black Sabbath

 

It’s Friday, so it’s time for “From the Trader’s Desk” to dive into Billions S7E9 “Game Theory Optimal.”

This was a great episode that had all the characteristics of what we love about Billions – drama, double crosses, and bold moves. I chose the lyrics from Black Sabbath’s “Hand of Doom” because as a viewer, I felt the impending doom of Wendy, Taylor, and Wags. Time caught up with our brave trio, but they have two aces in the hole that will hopefully help them save the day.

I try to change up the Trader’s Desk every once in a while to make it interesting, so this week my approach is “I have questions…”. I’ll state my question, then discuss what I think may or may not be the answer. Please share what you think in the comments. Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk”: I have questions…. Billions S7E9 “Game Theory Optimal””

“From the Trader’s Desk”: Breakout the Tux, it’s Casino Night! Billions S7E7 “DMV”

You see life through distorted eyes
You know you have to learn
The execution of your mind
You really have to turn
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath

After a brief hiatus, the Trader’s Desk is back, and we are diving into Billions S7E7 “DMV”!

I chose the above lyrics from Black Sabbath because oh my, did Philip see Prince in a new light this week. And I think he learned something about himself as well.

I am going to break this week’s post into three parts: the driving test incident, Prince being a pure tyrant and possibly turning another employee against him, and Casino Night, which was my favorite part of the episode.

Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk”: Breakout the Tux, it’s Casino Night! Billions S7E7 “DMV””

“From the Trader’s Desk”: Crisis of Confidence?

When I was living this lie, fear was my game
People would worship and fall, drop to their knees
Powerslave – Iron Maiden

 

If it’s Friday, then it’s time for “From the Trader’s Desk”.

Before I get into the meat of my post, just some observations:

I was asked why MPC is claiming ownership of Winston’s software. If he developed it how does MPC have the rights to it? Well, the type of risk management software Winston is trying to sell would most certainly take months (if not years) to develop, code, back test, and debug. Which means there is no way he could have developed it overnight. If what Taylor says is correct, (that Winston used data to test his software using MPC trader transactions) then that also would make it property of MPC. By using data and equipment owned by MPC, legally Winston doesn’t own it. Could a court possibly rule that he co-owns it? Yes. Also, most funds would have a clause written in his contract that he would not be able to market any type of software for a stated period (usually 6-9 months). His best course of action would have been to offer it to MPC first to either buy him out or lease the program. If they passed, he then could have tried to get permission from MPC to market it to other firms. Just another example of unnecessary greed killing a golden goose. Continue reading ““From the Trader’s Desk”: Crisis of Confidence?”