In its second episode, Billions suffers from generic pay cable drama-itis but still shows some promise.

Bobby Axelrod lives in a world of stuff: money, houses, technology, etc.

But its still the idea of his name that remains the most…BOOBIES!

OH MY GOODNESS ITS LESBIANS!!!!

AND THEYRE SNORTING COKE OFF EACH OTHERS BEWBSSSSSSSSSS THEY KISS A LOT WHATS THIS ALL ABOUT???

*

*Literally what I wrote in my notes while watching this scene.

yo take my laptop away from me.

Whats objectionable about it, however, isBillions lame attempt to justify it later on.

You see, Tara Moore works for the U.S. Ergo, Bobby Axelrod now has a mole in the U.S. Making characters bend in every which way in service of plot rather than character is always silly.

But it arguably would have been more artful just to have included the scene for fucks sake.

Naming Rights is filled with lots of other moments of of false pay cable drama bravado turned corniness.

In addition to Tara Moores tryst, some of the dialogue is just flat out gross and un-clever.

Stocks gonna pop like a prom Queens cherry, one day-trading drone intones.

Gale fromBreaking Bad* literally says That was a prom-night promise.

Still, I find it hard to stay mad atBillionsduring Naming Rights.

Shes also displayed some good old-fashioned chutzpah (Rachel Mencken would be proud).

Her husband, Chuck, also turns in a strong episode.

Chucks focus is refreshing.

This creates a strong sense of purpose, which is very welcome for a show still in its infancy.

Then the episode offers up another interesting Chuck scene that helps illustrate where that sense of urgency may come.

I didnt root for the posse.

I rooted for Butch and Sundance, his assistant Bryan tells Chuck later.

Of course you did, we all did.

But thats not who we are anymore.

Chucks the kind of guy who knows how to play his role.

And I continue to love that thats all this Axelrod thing is: role-playing.

And that brings us back to Axe.

Before the BEWBSSSSS!!!!!

interrupting me earlier, there was an interesting connection to make about Axelrods motivation in Naming Rights.

Axe is singularly-obsessed with changing the name of the Eades building to the Axelrod building.

He compiles the remaining Eades family into a room with some lawyers and tells them exactly why.

Still, its what Axe says after that kind of saves him as a character.

Axe, like Chuck, knows its all just a game with big, rich pieces.

Rating:

3 out of 5