Billions Season 2 recap: The blazing battle between Axe and Chuck gets ugly

We haven’t got too lengthy to attend till the seventh and ultimate season of Billions airs on Stan.

Fans will lastly get a conclusion to the bitter battle between two formidable figures in New York: Chuck Rhoades, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and hedge fund titan Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod.

Stream each episode of Billions, solely on Stan.

In preparation for the ultimate episodes of Billions, we’re recapping each collection which has aired up to now – simply in case you want a refresh.

After what can solely be described as an explosive Season 1, we’re able to dive in and see how the journey continued. 

So seize your popcorn, as we’re in for yet one more wild trip:

See under for a full recap of Season 2:

Season 1 ended with a raging head-to-head between US Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and impressive entrepreneur Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod (Damian Lewis), the billionaire head of hedge fund firm Axe Capital.

Rhoades thought all alongside that Axe was participating in insider buying and selling and wished to take him down. He had such a hunch that he hacked into his personal spouse Wendy’s (Maggie Siff) laptop computer, as she labored for Axe as the corporate’s efficiency coach. Talk a few battle of curiosity.

Much to his delight, Rhoades discovered some damning proof in opposition to Axe throughout his betrayal-filled hunt – however when Wendy found what he’d achieved, she kicked him out of their residence and he was pressured to drop the case solely.

While a while has handed, it’s totally clear in Season 2 that the battle is way from over.

The season kicks off with Axe attempting to get better from the fallout of the general public scandal surrounding his shady monetary dealings. Meanwhile, Chuck is beneath immense stress to deliver Axe to justice and restore his personal status as a principled prosecutor. 

READ MORE: Billions Season 1 recap: Where it began with Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod and US Attorney Chuck Rhoades

Axe mounts an assault on Rhoades utilizing each irritated defendant that he is come up in opposition to up to now – and he is ultimately served with 127 lawsuits. Yikes.

In addition, an investigation can also be launched into Rhoades’ conduct as US Attorney led by investigator Oliver Dake (Christopher Denham). It’s honest to say Dake is a menacing character who means business, and never a man you need going in opposition to you.

Axe tries to rebuild Axe Capital to the sturdy place it was as soon as in, upping safety measures to make sure that nothing can stand of their means.

Meanwhile, Wendy and Rhoades are nonetheless very a lot separated after the betrayal and are giving {couples}’ counselling a blast.

If you recall, Wendy give up Axe Capital on the finish of Season 1 with a pleasant $5 million bonus to fall again on. She’s since opened up her personal workplace whereas additionally taking over some freelance work for Axe’s opposition.

Despite going out on her personal, Axe nonetheless needs to win her again – however solely finally ends up doing so at the advantage of Rhoades, as he agrees to drop the lawsuits in opposition to him.

A big growth throughout Season 2 is the arrival of Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon), an excellent non-binary intern at Axe Capital.

Mason’s distinctive method to investing units them aside from the opposite merchants, and so they later play an enormous half in the way forward for Axe Capital a complete – however we’ll get to that later.

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In mild of the lawsuits being dropped, Rhoades focuses on taking down one other billionaire and turns a few of his consideration in the direction of working for governor.

But after all, he isn’t achieved with Axe. Rhoades deep dives right into a setup to deliver down his rival as soon as extra, which finally ends up costing him his complete belief fund within the course of.

Here’s what occurred. Chuck’s father, Chuck Rhoades Sr. (Jeffrey DeMunn) requested to make use of his son’s belief to put money into an organization known as Ice Juice, which Rhoades’ greatest good friend and lawyer Ira (Ben Shenkman) can also be invested in.

Rhoades stated sure, pretending he wished to assist a good friend. In actuality, he wished to make use of the enterprise to catch Axe in a legal act.

Rhoades later bought incarcerated funding financial institution CEO Lawrence Boyd (Eric Bogosian) to inform Axe about his father’s funding in trade for his freedom. He was positive that Axe would take the bait and attempt to destroy Ice Juice, which he did.

Axe had folks poisoning themselves by ingesting Ice Juice in a savage try to sabotage the corporate, and the FBI caught all of the proof. Just as Rhoades deliberate.

Rhoades’ complete belief fund is after all obliterated within the course of and his father by no means needs to see him once more, however for him it is value it – as he is lastly bought Axe the place he needs him. Ruined.

It’s additionally value noting that after listening to what his son has achieved, Rhoades’ dad fingers his son photographic proof exhibiting that Wendy had slept with tech billionaire Craig Heidecker (James Wolk). Rhoades stays quiet on the problem for now, nevertheless it’s clear this can most likely come up when Season 3 arrives.

Axe quickly learns the laborious reality of the matter – he’ll be arrested, and faces some critical jail time for what he is achieved.

It’s an emotional scene when Axe tells his two younger boys that he is a “flawed man” and can quickly be beneath arrest. He later rings his spouse Lara and tells her that he’ll come residence to hug her goodbye, which is all a whole lie to steer the FBI to his home.

We have to say that in Season 2, Lara is a modified lady. While she would have gone to the ends of the earth for Axe in earlier occasions, these days she has a very totally different mindset.

When Axe reveals he is about to be arrested, she says: “I know we talked about this. We prepared for this. But I’m not running with you and neither are the kids. It’s not fair to them. So you do what you gotta do, but we’re staying.”

It’s slightly awkward when Axe reveals he is not working and plans to remain and struggle, however no less than now he is aware of the place his companions stands.

Lara additionally asks a lawyer how she will be able to “keep her money” secure forward of his arrest, questioning if it will be smart to “separate or divorce” Axe. She’s later seen supplying a considerable amount of money to enter business together with her cousin Mo (Erinn Ruth), proving she’s already pondering what a life would appear like with out Axe.

Anyway, again to the arrest.

Instead of seeing his spouse to say goodbye, Axe goes to see Wendy and apologises for all the pieces he is achieved flawed up to now.

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Rhoades is one step forward and tracks the pair down so an arrest may be made. It’s poignantly proper outdoors the 9/11 Memorial, a spot which suggests a lot to Axe as everybody he labored with beforehand died in the course of the terrorist assault.

The sirens sound, and Axe is taken into custody whereas sharing an emotionally-charged hug with Wendy. A bitter but content material Rhoades watches on from the sidelines.

We also needs to point out that earlier within the season, Mason met with Axe and instructed him their plan to guard Axe Capital’s portfolio ought to the arrest happen. The plan comes into motion as quickly because the arrest occurs, and Mason is made chief funding officer of Axe Capital. Power transfer.

The ultimate episodes concludes with, you guessed it, one other epic showdown between Axe and Rhoades.

Knowing that he is misplaced $27 million in his blind belief and his father’s respect within the course of, Rhoades whispers two phrases that present simply how a lot it means to deliver Axe down: “Worth it.” Haunting.

“I’m going to find whatever thread you left behind,” Axe warns him, making it clear he will not be happening with out a struggle. 

Axe is ultimately let loose on bail, and returns to what seems to be like an empty home… maybe as a result of that final cellphone name to his spouse was a lie and he really went to see Wendy.

In one other pivotal scene on the finish of Season 2, we see Wendy and Rhoades assembly outdoors their residence earlier than coming into hand-in-hand.

The transfer would recommend that they are nonetheless dedicated to their marriage, thus lining up that in Season 3 maybe the as soon as formidable couple shall be a united drive as soon as once more.

Was it “worth it”, Rhoades? I assume we’ll determine it out subsequent season.

The ultimate season of Billions will premiere August 12, identical day because the US, solely on Stan.

Stream each episode of Billions, solely on Stan.

Nine Entertainment Co (the writer of this web site) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.