Billions: Who’s the Biggest Villain?

There is certainly no shortage of characters to dislike on the Showtime drama “Billions” starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. Here we are, four episodes into Season 4 and, hard as it may be to decide, let’s take a look at the major contenders for Billions Biggest Villain and the main reasons for hating on them.

John Malkovich as Russian oligarch, Grigor Andolov

At the end of Episode 4, Season 4, Grigor Andolov was boarding a plane back to Russia because his funds in the U.S. were frozen by Chuck Rhoades, the newly-elected Attorney General of New York State, as a favor to Bobby Axelrod. “Axe” showed up and saw Grigor off. So it appears that we don’t have to hate on that character anymore. It wasn’t just the slightly sardonic amusement with which Malkovich delivered his lines in that infuriatingly slow Russian accent, sprinkled with American pop culture references. It was also that he acted like the Wisest Man in the World dealing with foolish children. That’s what made the scene in “Arousal Template” (Ep. 2) where childish-looking Taylor Mason ordered Grigor around at the bar so ridiculous. We like you, John Malkovich, don’t get us wrong. When it comes to Russian caricatures, though, we prefer Boris Badenov.

Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason

It’s looking like Taylor Mason is becoming a regular fixture on “Billions,” isn’t it? Their daddy has come to town and they are about to go into business together, while he tries to adapt to Taylor’s pronouns. The way Taylor speaks to their daddy is quite annoying. But we can still hope it won’t take more than this season for Bobby to put Taylor Mason Capital out of business. Bobby said in the premiere that he wanted to see them behind bars. Now that Chuck is the Attorney General, will it come true? Let’s hope so. There can be no forgiveness for backstabbers.

Toby Leonard Moore as Bryan Connerty

Bryan Connerty seemed like a good guy for real. He just couldn’t in good conscience deal with Chuck’s shenanigans. But look at him now. He just hates Chuck. He can’t be a real good guy if he’s in cahoots with that lunatic Jock Jeffcoat, can he? Jock is even more crooked than Chuck. That’s why we don’t like you no more, Bryan.

Damian Lewis as Bobby Axelrod

Bobby Axelrod was at the top of our Villain list back over that poisoning of the Ice Juice drinks. That was worse than dastardly. But Bobby got his comeuppance on that and then he got screwed over by Taylor on top of it. So now, at least, you have to root for him to get his revenge.

Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades

Then there’s Chuck Rhoades. Chuck just becomes less likeable with each episode. After learning that Black Jack Foley is going to out him as a practitioner of sadomasochism unless he withdraws from the election for State Attorney General, Chuck is about to fold his cards. But meddling daddy, Chuck, Sr., “planted the seed” in Chuck’s head that he should beat Foley to the punch and publicly own up to what he does in the privacy of his own boudoir (though he also did it elsewhere — that’s how Foley knew about it). In his own boudoir, however, he was doing it with his wife, Wendy, a highly respected and valuable employee of Axe Capital, Bobby’s firm. Chuck discussed the matter with Wendy and she made it crystal clear that she could not and would not live with that aspect of their lives becoming public knowledge. But Chuck went ahead and did it anyway and he got elected anyway. Everyone at Axe Capital could not help turning and looking at Wendy as they all watched Chuck humiliate her on television. How could you, Chuck? He wasn’t even sorry and didn’t offer Wendy an ounce of comfort. Taylor Mason, of all people, called her up and offered her support. It would almost make you hate Chuck more than Taylor, but not quite. Besides, Taylor is dispensable and Chuck is one of the stars of the show.

So at this point, Taylor and Chuck are at the top of our villain list and that’s assuming that we will never see Grigor on the show again. If we do, then Grigor is No. 2.

Don’t miss Comfortably Smug’s “Reality Index” posts on Decider.com, rating each episode for what is “too real to fail” or “as fake as a toxic asset’s triple A rating.” These recaps are the greatest!