Billions S6 had the monumental task of finding its own footing without the charisma of Bobby Axelrod to keep the action going. The verdict is still out on whether it was a good season, especially with a finale that left us with virtually no winners.
Let’s talk about the finale. After quite a mellow season, the finale changed gears introducing this high-stakes plot that would be a big blow to either of the co-protagonists, Mike and Chuck.
Chuck has finally backed Mike into a corner where his dreams of becoming the president could be destroyed forever.
What should’ve been a thrill of rush, anxiety, and even maybe euphoria, instead ended up depriving us of all that, as we realized that the scheme led to tarnishing both of the leads.
Mike may still be able to run for president, but his employees don’t trust him and he is foolishly $3.5 million poorer with a formidable enemy still on the horizon.
Chuck, on the other hand, has unwittingly made himself a pawn in Dave’s game, suffering grave damage to his reputation.
At the end of the episode, you’re not quite sure if all of this was a let-down or just the beginning of something great. That feeling you got when the finale’s credits rolled is an indication of two things.
One, it sure is meta how unsatisfying this clash between Mike and Chuck feels. Should fans finally acknowledge that there will never be any winners when it comes to Billions? Perhaps, it was the journey that was supposed to be enjoyed all along.
Two, things need to change and I’m talking about Chuck here. He’s been a great character for six seasons but his thirst for vengeance is getting tiring.
I’m afraid that at this rate, we’re going to find him waking up one morning after putting all his bad guys into jail, just to realize that he is still not happy or content.
This season has also been unfair to other key Billions players.
Kate Slacker’s ambitious motives are missing, Wendy’s journey is the opposite of character development, Taylor makes several professional mistakes, and the rest at MPC act like sitting ducks to Mike’s next move.
The finale’s only redeeming moment comes with Dave Mahar outsmarting both Chuck and Mike.
So my proposal is to retire Chuck gracefully—we don’t need two egos clashing for yet another season. Instead, let Dave take the reins.
Mike has already proved that he is a billionaire worth taking down, one that comes in a different shade than Axel but is equally intriguing. If we pit Dave against Mike… that showdown would be lethal.
About Billions
Billions is an American drama created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin. The series is set in financial centres based in America.
The series follows hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), as he accumulates wealth and power in the world of high finance. The series premiered on Showtime on January 17, 2016.
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