Billions

Previously, on "Billions"...

You've come far and learned much.

Until we see each other

and move your knowledge into the world, be well.

An invitation for you to do a Vanity Fair

cover photo shoot for the "New Decas" issue.

Somebody else will probably get the cover.

Probably Mike Prince.

I was hoping you'd make it to 'The Mike' this year.

You and I could do a fireside chat.

It'd be the highlight of the conference.

Ah. Maybe this year we will.

Try to take me out in some magazine?

I'll come see you on your home fucking turf.

The separation has convinced me.

We need to be done.

I am not here because you forced me to be.

Or because Chuck did. I am here as Chuck's operative.

Because he wants to get you.

That crypto mine that you busted upstate,

I'd appreciate it if you'd drop the case.

Best I can do is make it a civil and not a criminal action.

An act of friendship that goes beyond the norm.

Security, security seaplane departing dock at 23rd Street.

Well, this works a little differently than normal therapy.

I work a little differently than normal.

I'm not gonna challenge or even explore that statement.

You know why?

Because this works a little differently than normal therapy.

The mission here is to dim

the emotional response to past trauma.

Mm‐hmm.

Let's choose some people to use as resources.

So, you're gonna need a comforter,

a protector, and a wise person.

They can be alive or dead, real or fictional.

Old days, Wendy filled all these roles.

These aren't those.

No, yeah, hundred percent, true, okay.

Uh...

For my comforter, I'm going with Ira Schirmer.

My best friend.

For my protector, Alan Alda.

Oh, that's a good one.

I use Tony Siragusa.

Oh. Big and kind. I get it, yeah.

Um, for wisdom...

I am a voracious reader of crime fiction.

And recently Darkly Dreaming Dexter

has found its way to my night table.

So for a wise person, a serial killer?

We may need to schedule more sessions.

Not him, his father, of sorts, Harry...

he had all the answers.

Okay. A father figure. Good.

And finally, Uh, a safe space.

A place where you...

Yale Law Library.

Describe a recent moment where you felt betrayed.

Drop a plumb line down through your memory.

Where does it catch?

What, uh, image or idea

do you associate this betrayal with?

9/11.

Traumatic day for sure.

Yes, but, uh, not the day, uh, the monument.

He... Axelrod... was being arrested,

and she was there.

She... your wife?

Wendy. Yes.

Uh...

I knew she would be there.

But, uh...

The way they clung to each other...

What's the emotion associated with that image?

Rage.

And, uh...

sadness.

Jealousy.

Where do you feel that... in your body?

Everywhere.

What negative self‐belief does that bring up?

That Axe is a criminal.

And once again, that's a negative belief

about the man you call Axe, not you.

Well, once I vanquish him, Uh,

then I'll be able to focus on Rhoades.

If you do the 'you' part, you may find

the 'him' part doesn't matter so much.

I know that should be right.

But it just doesn't feel right.

Here, take the dampers.

Follow this light with your eyes.

When you experience traumatic feelings,

focus on the resources in your safe space.

Mm‐hmm.

Conjure them. Trust them.

We practiced this all week.

Follow the light with your eyes and be with them.

Especially if you think about the monument site...

or either of the people you saw there.

There's not a person who meets you,

doesn't think you're special.

Even the bad guys.

Maybe especially the bad guys.

You have that thing, gets people to come to you.

To open up even if they know they shouldn't.

Now, your portfolio is impressive.

But I think it could be more impressive.

Extend far past the isle of Manhattan.

I see that for you.

I want to make it happen.

Plantains,

boiled and mashed.

They call it mangú.

Fills you up for a day in the fields.

I should feed it to my guys.

The story goes that American soldiers down in the DR

were offered it and they refused it.

Until one brave... and probably very hungry...

infantryman went in.

And he liked it so damn much he said:

"Man, that's good."

Got shortened to mangú.

Nifty story.

Mm. Problem is, it's bullshit.

Doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

And neither does your offer. Why do I get more?

Because someone else gets less.

Mm. That I believe.

Okay.

Offer me nice things, I'll take 'em...

because I like nice things.

But they buy you no latitude.

You step wrong and you'll have me after you...

and you'll find I'm a lot harder to olé than the other guy,

because I care about the crime and not the criminal.

Hey, good.

Keep your eye on the sparrow, ya know?

All right. I got my part done.

She's gonna burrow up his ass like a toilet snake.

And I have our info. It's confirmed:

Simon Shenk is leaving Errix Biotech for the FDA.

And he's set for the conference.

So is Jules Hakli, Ameri‐Hospitals.

The whole pharma team. Good.

Mike Prince may think he's got home field advantage.

But these road dogs are gonna play spoiler.

Got your flannels?

In the car.

Uh, hey, it's me.

File the order...

Yes. I know it's a warring gesture.

I'm a man at war. File it.

These windows, no shades.

Let the whole city watch you do your wild thing.

Remind me not to have you and Bill over after I move in.

Oh, that would be safe these days...

His book's flatlined. So...

He can't...

perform unless his portfolio does?

No. I can't get it up to fuck a non‐earner.

Oh...

Go deeper. That's what I said.

Bill's been swinging from "Fuck it, I'll do it live"

to choking back tears like he's listening to "Goodnight Saigon."

I'm worried about him.

And I don't even like to think about anybody but myself.

It might help if you let him know his entire worth

isn't wrapped up in his P&L's performance.

So... lie to him?

You want me to lie to him?

I can do that.

I'm sorry we've hit a snag.

Your bank just withdrew your pre‐approval.

It seems your husband got an automatic

temporary restraining order on your assets.

He froze your fucking loot?

I guess it's war.

I'm sorry. I'll, uh, get right into it.

You know the shot?

No. Just told to be here.

That's usually not a very good sign.

Mm.

Ah, Chuck.

The Manhattan D. A.

Ah.

I always forget, are you Law or Order?

You also have some cases to brief the governor on?

No.

Those crypto‐miners damn near decimated that town.

City council had to go to the market

and buy electricity ten times the normal rates.

Fucking libraries are closed because of it.

We should be having mug shots, perp walks, prison sentences.

And instead, you handed out a speeding ticket.

We did the best we could.

You know what? I believe that.

Which is why Gramm gets it from here on out.

You think you're yanking crypto from my purview?