Billions Season 7 Episode 7 ‘DMV’
by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | September 29, 2023
You see life through distorted eyes
You know you have to learn
The execution of your mind
You really have to turn
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath
After a brief hiatus, the Trader’s Desk is back, and we are diving into Billions S7E7 “DMVâ€!
I chose the above lyrics from Black Sabbath because oh my, did Philip see Prince in a new light this week. And I think he learned something about himself as well.
I am going to break this week’s post into three parts: the driving test incident, Prince being a pure tyrant and possibly turning another employee against him, and Casino Night, which was my favorite part of the episode.
Charles Rhoades may have some of the best lines in Billions, but he really is an asshole! From bringing his grandson to the road test in a Jag, to trying to bribe the instructor, Charles just thinks he can do whatever he wants (that is a running theme with the men in this show, isn’t it?). Why would you want a kid who obviously can’t pass the test on the road? If he sideswipes a bus and kills someone, it’s certainly going to cost more than $100. And I doubt Chuck would be able to pull enough strings to get a manslaughter charge to disappear.
Once Chuck does get involved, it is a glaring example of how much of a hypocrite he really is. He wants to “hold the rich and powerful criminally accountable†except when it comes to someone with the last name Rhoades. Chuck would be calling for Axe’s head if it was Gordie in that situation. I think this whole scenario was a way to lay the groundwork for Chuck and Wendy to “communicate†better, which could lead to them getting back together. And to that I say no, No, NO! They broke up for a reason, and that reason hasn’t gone away. Chuck is still a self-centered, jealous, insecure man. Wendy is so much fiercer since she has been unshackled from that dreadful marriage. Let her stand on her own two feet. She has earned it.
Mike Prince is some piece of work! He lives in this fantasy world where he is the smartest man in every room he enters, and most certainly knows better than anyone else. The way he threatens Dr. Ruloff is just soulless. As someone who built something from the ground up, you would think he would understand how the Doctor feels about being browbeaten into giving up his life’s work. Its not all about money for Dr. Ruloff, it’s actually about making a difference. Prince wants this technology so he can campaign on it (and make some money) and being the bully he is, he’ll get it one way or another. If he can’t buy it, he will beat Dr. Ruloff into submission by patent sharking. And then using a story that Philip told him to really put the squeeze on the poor Doc? Ruthless. All so he can save it and use it for “four more years†after he is elected. Despicable!
Also in this process, he is making Philip rethink the idea that Prince is one of the “good guysâ€. I think Taylor saw this coming and was happy to let it play out this way so they can add another member to the “We Hate Mike Prince†club (by the way, I’m a unofficial member of that club). Taylor pointing Philip in Wendy’s direction was pure manipulation, and it was brilliant. Taylor knows a thing or two about not combining personal emotions with business. I think we all remember what happened to Taylor and their dad in S4, and how that didn’t work out well.
In that case, Wendy used Talyor’s feelings for their father against them, whereas know Wendy wants Philip to open up to her so she can use what he tells her against Prince. It was a no-brainer to get Chuck involved. And even though he couldn’t charge Prince with anything related to the patent sharking, getting the Department of Defense to classify the tech at least dinged Prince, for now. Philip tells Wendy he knows what she’s up to, but won’t join the posse, but I have a feeling this affected Philip more than he is letting on, and I’m sure he will step up when it comes time to take Prince down. Philip seems like a good guy, and I think the seed that was planted in his head by Dr. Ruloff about not being happy at MPC will certainly take hold.
Read the rest of the original article at Fan Fun with Damian Lewis