Billions Season 1

DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:

Bobby Axelrod (Damien Lewis) is a bona-fide self-made billionaire. He came from nothing but found he had a knack for making auspicious investments. Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamantti) is a federal attorney who ostensibly works for the SEC. He is convinced that Bobby is dirty ~ all he needs is the evidence to prove it. Caught in the middle is Chuck’s wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff). While she is married to Chuck, she works as the resident shrink for Bobby’s investment firm. Her job is to ensure that the investors are on top of their game.

All 3 characters are complex. Bobby is cocky, arrogant & pretty much plays by his own set of rules (as most rich people do). He is not above taking the long-way-around to settle scores. Still, he is also a philanthropist who looks out for his employees and values loyalty. He also has a longing nostalgia for eating @ the same pizzeria he went to as a kid.

Chuck is obsessed with bringing down Bobby. Justice and integrity are of the utmost importance to him……well…..most of the time anyway. Unfortunately he finds it necessary (in his mind) to resort to Machiavellian tactics from time-to-time to launch broadsides against his nemesis.

Meanwhile, Wendy is caught between 2 worlds. She loves her job but also loves her husband & does not want to give up either. All 3 Thespians are impressive. Damien Lewis has a commanding screen presence whether he is playing a United States Marine in the HOMELAND series (seasons 1-3) or as a carefree rich guy in the present series. Paul Giamatti is compelling as a fellow who struggles with doing what is right & doing what is legal. Maggie Siff is on point as a sophisticated beauty who at times feels that she is being “played” by both her boss and her husband, each trying to use her as a pawn in their game.

The timing of this series is prescient with the Mueller probe into the Trump administration transpiring @ the same time. Whether Mueller finds anything substantial against Trump’s inner circle or not, this series gives a glimpse “behind the scenes” of what must be going on with his team. In fact, Mueller is investigating many of the same sorts of alleged crimes that are represented in BILLIONS; $$ laundering, bribery, insider trading, witness tampering, etc.

For those who liked The Wolf of Wall Street (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD) and Wall Street, you will likely find an interest in the present series. It is a pure drama with basically no action and barely scores on the skin-o-meter. It is compelling nonetheless!

– D. Roberts

Tautly written, twists and turns at almost every step, and high tension throughout. Sometimes a little confusing with the rapid-fire financial jargon and terminology, but that pales with the overall storyline and the incredible escalating joust between the two main characters which leave the viewer exhausted but satisfied (and wanting to watch “just one more”) at the end of each episode. Few, if any, slow spots as each step of the story reveals either another chess move or a deeper look into a character’s psyche. Both of the primary characters are truly superb at their portrayals of their characters – indeed, all of the actors are excellent. The ending of the final episode (no spoilers) was extremely well done and serves both as a fitting conclusion to what has gone on throughout the season – yet could also serve as a springboard for another season. Satisfying either way.

-Kevin J. Hayes

I tend to value dramatic narratives by the extent to which I care about what happens to the main characters. This story began with some promising concepts, but the characters, and the worlds in which they live, all became too laden with popular caricatures and not reinforced with enough realism. An increased use of technical advisors from the real world might have helped, but would have required toning down all the hyperbole that the writers injected. They may have guessed correctly what the pop culture wants to see, but I couldn’t identify with too much, and didn’t finish the season.

– John from Wilton

DVD Wholesale Main Features :   

Actors: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore
Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Region: Region 1
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated – Not Rated
Studio: Showtime
DVD Release Date: November 8, 2016
Run Time: 687 minutes
ASIN: B01JNIAW3Y