While Axe throws himself a lavish birthday party, Chuck continues to campaign as the everyman in Sandicot. In a way, it makes sense. Axes birthday is what givesBillionscause for reflection. Credit: Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME The episode opens with Wags showing off his very expensive gift to Axe. That moment is the catalyst for much of what happens in this episode. Sic Transit Imperium is all about examining who Axe is and who he used to be....

First theres Chuck and his bid for governor. The end goal, at least for now, is the governors office. Thats kind of how the world ofBillionsworks, after all. Credit: Jeff Neumann/Showtime Chucks bid for governor, for all intents and purposes, seems to run through Black Jack Foley. Foley has thus decided to back candidate Rob Sweeney. I have my own power, he says, and he might not be wrong. So he gives Taylor a task....

Axe’s bid for an NFL team takes a fatal blow This weeksBillionsopens with two very different exchanges. about providing a psych evaluation for Elena Gabriel, the woman set to take on that mission. For Wendy, this job is quite the change. Credit: Jeff Neumann/Showtime Then theres Bobby Axelrod, whos repeatedly having the same conversations. Here, hes speaking with Mark Cuban. The only way to find their way in? Change the hearts and minds of the people....

While Chuck contemplates a political move, Axe reckons with a moral decision. Instead, everyone forges onward, seeing every morally bankrupt decision as part of the game. Victory Lap certainly doesnt start with any sort of ethical conversation, instead jumping right into intimidation and anger. Credit: Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME So, he teams up with Hall and sets about finding the source of the fumbled deal. That brings them to Marco first. But Marco seems just as flustered as everyone else....

Relationship dramas take center stage All season long,Billionshas been creating tension between Axe and Lara. You lied to me, says the note left by the bed, and thats it. Theres no other explanation, no information on where shes gone. Credit: Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME Its the first in a series of actions where Axe fails to take responsibility for his own behavior. Of course, life goes on even when your wife has run off....

Both men don’t think so, knowing Wendy to be no-nonsense, but also honorable. It’s an approach that works really well most of the time and yet feels unnecessarily convoluted here. As the plot unfolds, the endgame becomes pretty clear. Credit: Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME Chuck talks about issues of guilt and how even facts are tricky things in court. The overly convoluted nature of the structure doesn’t seem necessary this time around....

I think part of it was that there hadnt been a movie that profane and unapologetic about itself. It sort of spawned a lot of imitators after that, Thornton said ofBad Santa. It kind of created a new sub-genre in the comedy world. Credit: Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer After that they hadBad NeighborandBad Pastry Chefand everything else in the world. There was that spot missing. Its become part of the box set....

Billy Bush is apologizing for his side of a lewd conversation that he had with Donald Trump in 2005. Access Hollywoodhas had no comment on the matter, but plans to address the subject in tonights telecast. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course not even close. Credit: Rachel Murray/Getty Images I apologize if anyone was offended. Trumps Democratic rival Hillary Clinton responded to the video on Twitter: This is horrific....

Best street:21 Jump Street,Sing Street, orSesame Street? Sesame Street, for sure. Its an ideal place where we should all think about moving to right now! Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Whod win in a Billy fight: Billy Joel or Billy Zane? Probably Zane hes got some height on Joel, but I would be Team Billy Joel. But I would worry. After your turn on Parks and Recreation, which of the characters would make the best road-trip companion?...

Billy Joels silent statement spoke volumes during his concert at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. He clarified, Im just going to play the same old songs because thats my job. Also on Saturday,neo-Nazis and counterprotesters clashed in Berlin. Credit: Myrna M. Suarez/Getty Images I give a shot to stay out of politics, Joel toldRolling Stoneduring an interview in June. Now, THIS Is How You Do It. THATS MY POP!!! Proud Jewish New Yorker Through & Through!...

‘You feel very vulnerable.’ This technology exposes what we dont know, he said. I know Im not good enough for this and Im two years ahead of the audience. Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP You all are just getting started. There is no reference here so I call it a baby. And the technology is still pretty clumsy. Still, Lee finds this hyper-real environment invigorating. As producer Marc Platt put it, No artifice....

I gave [the cast] direction, but Im really harvesting what [the actors] gave. Im very nervous… Ive been through this 12 times before, but I was never really nervous. (The normal frame rate for movies is 24 frames-per-second). Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Clarity is very soothing. Our eyes want it. This is beautiful, at least to my eyes, but then I found something else. I had to change the way I direct....

Hes making dreams come true… but first, hes depressing the heck out of people. The goal is for Rogen to get to see reactions to his death before hes actually gone. Sorry to hear that, one man says. Credit: TruTV I havent the slightest idea who that guy is. Rogen does get somewhat of a confidence boost, though, as several people are devastated by his death. This feels like a prank, one woman says as she chokes back tears....