Warning: This article contains spoilers for the final episode of Billions.
The long-running Showtime series Billions came to a close on Sunday with unanimous praise for its finale.
The show, which originally centered around a corrupt hedge fund king and the prosecutors trying to stop him, concluded its seven-season run. The final chapter brought together all the show’s stars, resulting in an epic celebration for most of the characters.
Here’s a breakdown of how Billions concluded.
The Creators’ Vision
The show’s creators, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin, spoke to Variety about their intention to cater to the devoted fans of the series in this final season.
“We decided from the start that this season would be for the true Billions fans – those who watch each episode multiple times, catch all the references, and appreciate every song,” Koppelman said. “We wanted to create the final season we would want to see as Billions fanatics. It’s incredibly satisfying to see you all embrace the little lines, jokes, and emotional moments.”
Koppelman also mentioned in an interview with USA Today that they specifically made the finale for the “superfans” and achieved the perfect resolution for all the characters.
The Finale
In season five, Corey Stoll’s character, Mike Prince, contributed to the downfall of Damian Lewis’ character, Bobby Axelrod, making way for Prince to become the show’s new main antagonist. In season seven, Axelrod reunites with his former nemesis, Paul Giamatti’s Chuck Rhodes, to take down Prince together.
The final episode sees the climax of their plan to bring down Prince, who has also become a potential threat as a presidential candidate. The strategy involves sabotaging Prince’s stock portfolio while he is in a meeting with the current president at Camp David, without access to his locked phone.
After Prince’s meltdown and a promise of a “second act” in the future, most of the main characters find themselves in favorable positions. Axelrod reclaims his throne and is ready to “make some … money.” Chuck not only defeats his latest enemy but also reconnects emotionally with his ex-wife and their children during a lovely dinner.
For more details on the fates of other beloved characters like Taylor Mason, Kate Sacker, and Mike “Wags” Wagner, click here.
Critical Reception
Brian Lowry from CNN described the ending as satisfying, sentimental, and a great return on investment for viewers who dedicated seven seasons to the show. The series finale fittingly featured Steve Miller Band’s “Take the Money and Run.”
Viewer Response
While there were a few occasional viewers who expressed some dissatisfaction with the happy ending, the overwhelming majority praised the finale episode as “perfect,” “dope,” and a “masterpiece.”
Billions can be seen on Showtime and streaming on Paramount+.
