Billions – Sic Transit Imperium

By: Jay Smith

“The moral of the story is, you get one life, so do it all.” – Bobby to Taylor

Wags (David Costabile) and Bobby are in a virtual world via VR headset when Wags gives Bobby (Damian Lewis) the news that he’s viewing a top of the line bunker that he put a down payment on as a birthday present for him and Bobby appreciates the effort. Chuck (Paul Giamatti) is having a big conference meeting with Kate (Condola Rashad), Bryan (Toby Leonard Moore), Lonnie (Malachi Weir) and others on how they will attack and take down Bobby. Bryan shares that the austerity move is legal, to which Tonelle (Tijuana Ricks) claims is a fancy word for “screwing people” as it’s the timing that’s suspicious. Lonnie informs them that Albany is the place they should be looking into to start. Chuck asks Kate for a follow up on the Stephanie subpoena and she tells him the meeting will be later in the day. He also tells her he has enough confidence to go away suggesting that the Head of Crim seat is up for grabs to any one of them not just Bryan. Bill (Kelly AuCoin), Bobby and Wags are at the batting cages when Bill gives them the inside scoop on a major recall from a car company. Even when we see the flashback of how Bill acquired the news, Bobby still wants to think about this risky opportunity infuriating Bill. Bill takes a jab at Bobby stating he should just admit he’s scared of Chuck, which makes Wags react viciously to defend Bobby. Bill proposes a thoughtful statement on their lifestyle and actions they can or cannot take. Chuck hosts a successful town meeting in Sandicot to get the people on his side and a promise to make Bobby pay for what he’s doing to them. Foley (David Strathairn) requests Chuck’s presence in a local diner, thanks him for the internship for his granddaughter and requests he gets vetted by George Minchak. Chuck opposes, but once Foley says Spitzer was the last candidate that refused he changes his tune.

Deb (Ilfenesh Hadera) is in a session with Wendy (Maggie Siff) and it doesn’t take long for Wendy to realize that Bobby has used Deb to get the session he’s been wanting for awhile. Wags brings to Bobby’s attention that Bill was right, but Bobby tells him that they’re now at a point to no longer take unnecessary risks. Deb goes to Bobby’s office to inform of the session and of course he knew Wendy figured it out. Deb tries to use this opportunity to get a better title or more responsibility, but Bobby shuts it down and we can see the disappointment in Deb’s face. Wags pulls up the Sandicot article with Chuck for Bobby to see and this makes him nix the opportunity that Bill presented for him. Ben (Daniel K. Isaacs), Taylor (Asia Kate Dillion) and Mafee (Dan Soder) are all discussing Bobby’s party and we can see Taylor doesn’t want to go while Mafee tries to explain to them and Bryan why he’s suddenly an introvert and hates parties. Taylor finds their way to an epic speech creating Wags to asks about attendance. He tells them it’s the mandatory but Bobby will know who’s there. The dilemma causes Taylor to curse and Wags is more than thrilled about it because it means they’re officially one of them. Kate is conducting her meeting with Stephanie (Shaunetta Renée Wilson) and Stephanie tells Kate her job was to basically help him avoid legal trouble by not having illegal activities mentioned in her presence. Kate asks for a description on Bobby and Stephanie says Bobby was so hard to read because of his erratic behavior from donating to charity or buying an enemies book collection. Stephanie states her firing blindsided her and thinks Bobby did it because he thinks he’s a terminator and she was in his way. She also gives a tidbit of information on Bill having something illegal for Bobby through a source named Victor and for them to look into Taylor because they’re now Bobby’s go-to. Bobby and Wags are meeting with a foundation steward, Sean, who wants to help Bobby. Of course, Wags is against it. But because it’s his birthday, Bobby hires him because of future headlines. Sean does advise Bobby to halt the party because of the bad press with Sandicot but Bobby dismisses it stating the party was already set in motion and a change of course shows weakness.

Ira (Ben Shenkman) comes to Chuck late at work to give him a business proposal he’s been waiting awhile for. Ira brought it to Chuck because he needs Sr.’s money but knows he won’t give it to him unless Chuck does it because he trusts his word. Chuck initially doesn’t want to get involved but tells Ira he’ll the about it. Bobby is telling Lara (Malin Akerman) about the Arque and possible scenarios while touches are being made to his party tent. Bobby gets real and we can see he’s frustrated about spending so much money on Sean to clean up his image. He asks Lara to bail on the party so the two of them can celebrate alone, but she refuses saying his birthday needs to be celebrated. Lara extends the invitation to Wendy as well despite the “no talking” rule Bobby and Wendy have at work. Chuck gets home to relieve Wendy and she opens up about not being happy with her decision to go back to work for Bobby. Hall (Terry Kinney) meets Bobby secretly and he tells him Bill’s information is legit and the deal can’t be traced back to him unless his source, Victor Mateo, talks. Lara is having a drink when she decides to call Wendy. Since it’s his night, Chuck answers the phone and the two chat about Wendy passing up the party. Lara is sincere about Wendy’s invite and hopes she changes her mind. The two joke about Chuck being her plus one being too weird and he tells her he’ll pass the message along. Chuck calls Wendy and gives his support for her to go to the party. Bobby meets Bill at the batting cages and he asks about Victor right off the bat. Bill apologizes and since Bobby trusts him he should trust Victor. Bobby isn’t sure about Victor’s intentions because he has the right to sabotage Bobby after what happened between them. Bill gives Bobby Victor’s information so he can talk to him himself. Kate gives Chuck the notes from her meeting with Stephanie stating it was a dead end and pulls out Sandicot information that links Bobby to Thayer by Bobby’s old car being transferred to him. Wendy finally sees Bobby in his office and asks him not to send people to get to her and asks if he really wants her at his party. Bobby doesn’t give a straightforward answer but by his facial expression and tone we can tell the answer is “yes.” Chuck arrives on the land where the casino should’ve been and sees the bribery car. Chuck asks Thayer (Ritchie Coster) about his business with Bobby and before long asks him to be on his side to take down Bobby or he’ll go down with him.

Thayer isn’t worry and doesn’t want Chuck’s immunity. Bobby is playing wall ball when Taylor approaches about their dilemma to attend his party. Bobby gives his blessing for them to miss it but wanted to know why. Taylor informs them it’s their sister’s rehearsal dinner in Michigan and Bobby suggests they take a private plane. Taylor is too worried about the effects of the plane on the planet to do it. Bobby gives them advice to always give to offset the guilt they have and to live the life they never thought they would have now. Chuck meets with Foley and he asks why wasn’t Thayer nervous when he went to rattle him earlier. The way Foley acts Chuck assumes he is protecting someone and then realizes it’s his father once he pieces everything together. Everyone’s is at Bobby’s party but he’s not. Chuck asks for Bryan and with their new policy he informs him of the dismantle of the case because of politics and to tell the team. Bobby is at an old building and in the bowling alley he meets Victor. Victor opens up about the betrayal and after they have a slight heart to heart, Victor gives Bobby the information he needs to make a final decision and in turn Bobby hires Victor off the books.

Chuck is in his office reading Kate’s notes when the mention of first edition books catches his eyes. He asks for Kate immediately to get clarification and once she mentions that the books are Churchill’s, Chuck realizes Bobby bought his books out of major spite. Chuck goes on a rant, confusing Kate, and then dismisses her. Chuck sees the binder Ira gave him to look at and he calls Sr. for them to discuss the business venture Ira wants to be apart of. Sr. (Jeffrey DeMunn) is happy to be behind the project but he doesn’t have the money on hand and needs to dip into Chuck’s trust. In spite of his vow, Chuck is allowing the tampering of his money to take place in order to get ahead. Wendy arrives to the party and she and Lara exchange pleasantries. Lara tries to be snarky about Wendy’s and Bobby’s relationship having clear boundaries now until Wendy informs her it was her idea to set those boundaries in order to come back to work. Lara’s face and demeanor drastically changes because Bobby lied to her. Wendy walks away to get a drink and Lara’s phone rings. It’s Bobby and he wants her to come to the front of the house. The FBI is taking photos of Taylor as they arrive at a private hangar. Lara gets in the car and Bobby still wants to get away because this party isn’t who they are. Lara informs him everyone is waiting and Wags is about to give his speech. As Wags is giving his speech about Bobby, we see Taylor smiling while enjoying a drink with invited friends and family on the plane before take off. The team ponders about Bobby’s absence from his own party and Bill takes credit because of the last conversation he and Bobby had about being outlaws. Deb gives Wags a letter on Bobby’s behalf and it’s the coin that guaranteed his Arque spot. Bobby and Lara are at the tracks where it all started for Bobby. He’s happy to be there but Lara isn’t and we can see she’s contemplating their future together.