'Billions' Season 5 Episode 6 Preview: Will Chuck Rhoades take down Bobby Axelrod over tax fraud?
Five episodes in and 'Billions' has rung in massive changes. If introducing Mike Prince (Corey Stoll) as a worthy adversary to Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) was the first, it brought in new characters in the form of Cat Brant (Julianna Margulies) and Nico Tanner (Frank Grillo) to make the new season more interesting for the supporting cast. And all the while, it never lost focus on the larger picture — the imminent rivalry between Axe and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti).
Last we saw of Mike, he taunted Axe despite losing out on Yonkers in 'Opportunity Zone'. Chuck, in the meantime, has developed a relationship of sorts with Brant, while Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) finds a new love interest in Tanner. The previous episode, 'Contract', also brought back Bryan Connerty (Toby Leonard Moore) in a rather brief role. As entertaining as it was to see him sock Chuck in the face, the message is clear — this isn't the last we see of the old characters.
Episode 6 titled 'The Nordic Model' puts the spotlight back on Axe and Chuck with the former facing some heat. Going by the promo that Showtime released earlier this week, trouble seems to greet Axe like an old friend and should Chuck's plan come to fruition, Axe might be behind bars for tax fraud. Very Al Capone, considering the gangster too was hauled in for tax evasion. So if Axe does have a Tommy gun, guess it's time he brings it out.
The clip opens with Axe telling his employees that the world is against us, and him. The footage shifts to Chuck recollecting that he had seen a similar painting in Axe's office and an official can be seen saying with proof, Axe could be taken in for tax fraud. There is also trouble brewing between Tanner and Axe as he figures out why the artist was distracted. While the obvious answer is Wendy, the route Axe takes to fix this is interesting.
District Attorney, Mary Ann Gramm (Roma Maffia) is back and from the conversation between her and Chuck. It seems like the man will do whatever it takes, even if means crossing boundaries to take down Axe. The official synopsis reads: "Axe's plans are threatened when an old scheme resurfaces. Chuck wages war on a new front, but a dangerous gambit tests his budding relationship. Taylor looks to make an impact in an emerging field."
What are your thoughts on Chuck's plan to bring Axe down? 'Billions' Season 5 airs Sundays 9 pm ET on Showtime.