The trick is that the show understandswhento use them for maximum effect.
The episode begins with Dake and Connerty offering Chuck Sr. full immunity in exchange for testimony against his son.
Then, the episode flashes back to three days earlier.
Credit: Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME
Its a wonderful setup, immediately establishing the stakes of the episode.
Whats even more intriguing is that theres truly no way to know what Chuck Sr. will do.
Chuck does have some semblance of a plan though.
IsBillionsever better than when its pitting two complete sleazeballs against each other?
The problem is, Axe still doesnt understand that hes damaged goods.
He doesnt know how to get the board of World Aid to vote his way when hes being ousted.
Thats where Wendy comes in.
She gives him a piece of advice that could change his trajectory for the whole season.
Well, as Axe puts it, he embraces his toxicity.
Its classic reverse psychology, and it works.
Axe is still voted off the board, but he gets what he wants in the process.
World Aid will buy Rayveon, and Axe Capital will walk away with a win.
Taylor, and Axe Capital, bet against the success of the launch with a short on the stock.
What they dont anticipate is the rocket exploding on live TV, killing Craig.
Its a moment that Taylor struggles to reckon with.
They feel like theyre profiting off of death.
Theres one other thing nagging at them, too: that perfection is unobtainable.
Does that mean Taylors strive for perfection is fruitless?
Does that change how they view themselves?
So, he attends the Yale reunion and gives a surprise speech about his old man.
Chuck lays it on thick, talking about his fathers ability to sacrifice to provide opportunity for his son.
Its sweet, but his father sees right through it.
Its kind of hard to do that from behind bars, you know?
Foley doesnt want to change plans, so he sets Chuck up with the State Senator.
He says that the Kingsford land meant for the casino might have to be reassigned as a conservation area.
In other words, Chuck Sr.s land would become worthless.
This feud isnt done, though.
Theres no love in those words, though, only malice.
