Billions

Great series similar in some ways to Wolf of Wall St and Succession. Loved those two as well. Billions is a clever collection of stories set in the high flying banking world, The cast are all fabulous - but let's be honest, the star of the show is / was Damien Lewis who played the lead - Bobby Axelrod (chief at the Axe Capital bank). Coming in at a very close second, in my opinion, is Paul Giamatti. Together, these actors provide outstanding onscreen performances as arch rival characters - with edge of seat excitment. But the class and intensity that Lewis brings to the show is second to none. He is utterly convincing in his role and pulls the cast around him to create compelling episodes in the first 5 seasons.

But all that changed when he left the show. I do not know the circumstances behind his departure, perhaps he felt it was done. Well, now it is and sadly season 6 tries, but will never reach the previous levels.

It's a different show, but not for the better. Giamatti's new persona and plans make no sense, nor do Corey Stoll's. The main characters who have left the show have diminished it. The new characters have not improved it.

First 5 seasons were excellent - season 6 is a torture Axe was a sight for sore eyes. Brilliant, brutal, quick, a true killer. Loved to watch the "dance" between him and Chuck. But Prince? Thanks but no thanks. They try so hard to keep the story interesting but they fail. Big time.

Seasons 1-5 the show had everything you want, good storylines, revenge, drama, personal vendettas. All the great actors and fireworks that go along with them. And honestly they had a really good thing going. I had no real complaints about the way they handled themselves, a few bumps here and there but overall a great show.

And then came season 6, this woke joke season is everything that's wrong with shows right now. First the direction they're going in is nothing short of boring and sad, second the way they went about it is just dumb, and of course let's not forget the main protagonist left. Honestly I have yet to meet a person who cares about anything they're doing now. But worst of all both the plot and the writing are complete and utter trash this season. I've never in my life heard so many references that no one knows or would ever recognize. They're starting to quote Latin phrases and philosophers and not even renown ones. And if that weren't bad enough, the plot is nonsensical. Chuck now comes off like a vengeful tyrant with no real bone to pick other than to snark and scowl at the rich, this isn't good or even decent, it's pathetic.

5/10, it was 10/10 for season 1-5 and now it's just bad so I figured I'll rate it in middle. Fair warning you give this show even 1 more season with this pathetic excuse for writing and I will outright drop the rating to 1.

Billions was a great show with great actors. Up to and including the first 5 seasons I really enjoyed it. But as it often goes, the makers can't get enough of their success and just keep going on. Until the momentum, the excitement and the spirit is gone. This is also largely due to Season 6 being without main actor Damian Lewis. So I watched one episode but it did not get me hooked and after reading some other reviews I thought it best to leave it at that and watch something else instead.