The essential episodes of Billions

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Billions — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · January 17, 2016 · 1h

   Pilot7.9

   Chuck Rhoades, a powerful U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is tipped to a case of insider trading with links to billionaire hedge fund king Bobby "Axe" Axelrod. While it could be a career-defining case for Chuck, he must tread carefully, because his wife, Wendy, is the in-house performance coach at Axe Capital and Axe's key confidante. But a costly purchase by Axe gives Chuck the opening he needs, setting off a cat and mouse game where the stakes are high and intensely personal.

2. 02

   S02E11 · Season 2 peak · April 30, 2017 · 1h

   Golden Frog Time8.4

   Chuck finds he has much at stake in the success of a new business venture; Senior, too, is heavily invested. Meanwhile, Axe takes out a massive short and takes steps to insure its failure. Wendy wrestles with a familiar and uncomfortable position: caught between Axe and Chuck.

3. 03

   S03E06 · Top rated · April 29, 2018 · 1h

   The Third Ortolan8.4

   Axe tracks down a critical piece of evidence that could destroy him. Both Axe and Chuck reckon with just how far they're willing to go to protect Wendy. The Ice Juice case comes to a head when a judge gives Connerty a difficult deadline.

4. 04

   S03E12 · Season 3 peak · June 10, 2018 · 1h

   Elmsley Count8.7

   Axe dominates a capital raise event, but is soon challenged by an unexpected competitor. Chuck looks to strike the ultimate blow on an enemy. Wendy reckons with past decisions, and chooses a side. Connerty confronts Sacker about Chuck's activities. Taylor takes a big position.

5. 05

   S04E12 · Season 4 peak · June 9, 2019 · 1h

   Extreme Sandbox8.5

   Axe makes a big decision. Connerty gets closer to the truth. Tensions rise, and dynamics shift.

6. 06

   S05E03 · Season 5 peak · May 17, 2020 · 58m

   Beg, Bribe, Bully7.7

   Chuck returns to his alma mater to pursue an opportunity. Axe's big venture is sidelined by a family crisis. Taylor asserts independence with a risky play. Chuck puts Wendy in an awkward position.

7. 07

   S06E01 · Season 6 peak · January 23, 2022 · 1h

   Cannonade7.5

   Prince revamps the team in his image with mixed results, leading him to question if he wants to keep any of them at all. Chuck, clearing his head upstate, leads a crusade against a local blue blood. Meanwhile, Wags, Wendy and Taylor all try to wrap their heads around their new positions under Prince.

8. 08

   S07E03 · Top rated · August 25, 2023 · 58m

   Winston Dick Energy8.4

   Prince attempts to leverage a past employee's work for his own gain. Chuck rallies the troops at his old stomping grounds. A betrayal from within Prince Cap shakes Wendy's confidence.

9. 09

   S07E04 · Top rated · September 1, 2023 · 59m

   Hurricane Rosie8.7

   Chuck embarks on a case with ties to Prince in his latest attempt to bring down his foe. The Prince Cappers face an ethical dilemma when a crucial aspect of their latest play is revealed. Wendy finds herself asking for guidance.

10. 10

    S07E07 · Top rated · September 22, 2023 · 56m

    DMV8.6

    Prince's latest play promises to enhance his political platform but puts Philip in a tough position. Chuck and Wendy face a family crisis as a consequence of Senior's poor judgment. Wags and Scooter team up to boost employee morale at Prince Cap.

11. 11

    S07E08 · Top rated · September 29, 2023 · 57m

    The Owl8.5

    Chuck and Prince venture upstate to rub elbows with a new political force. Prince sacrifices pride to do a personal favor. Wendy helps Wags unpack his deepest desires.

12. 12

    S07E09 · Top rated · October 6, 2023 · 59m

    Game Theory Optimal8.6

    Chuck makes a daring and risky move to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to taking Prince down. Prince gets tipped off about potential mutiny among his ranks. Wendy is tempted by a new opportunity.

13. 13

    S07E10 · Top rated · October 13, 2023 · 1h 1m

    Enemies List8.8

    Prince makes big changes in the wake of betrayal. Chuck forges unlikely alliances as part of his mission to take down Prince. Wendy finds herself in an impossible position, while Axe and Taylor work to dismantle Prince's sinister moves.

14. 14

    S07E11 · Top rated · October 20, 2023 · 48m

    Axe Global8.8

    Chuck, Axe and Wendy square off against Prince as the campaign intensity increases. The Prince Cappers' loyalties are tested as this battle comes to a head.

15. 15

    S07E12 · Series finale · October 27, 2023 · 58m

    Admirals Fund9.5

    Trust is built and broken as fate hangs in the balance for all when Chuck, Axe and Prince have the ultimate showdown.