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.
So who is Bobby Axelrod?
Thats how Axe works: For every bit of viciousness, he tries to buy himself redemption.
Money solves every problem for him, even the spiritual and moral ones.
So, in other words, Steph doesnt have a lot on Axe.
She wasnt privy to enough inside dirt.
But she does tell Kate that the timing of her firing was suspicious.
She says Dollar Bill came to Axe with a deal involving Victor, a former employee of Axe Capital.
Axe made an example of Victor when he was testing how his team would handle a compliance check.
If Victor is involved, she says, the deal must be shady.
She tells Kate to keep an eye on Victor and Taylor as potential threats to Axes power and secrecy.
Victor, despite being in only one scene, plays an important part in this episode.
Victor represents that viciousness and cutthroat attitude that Dollar Bill is convinced Axe doesnt have anymore.
Case in point: Axe hires a snooty old man to set up a charitable foundation for him.
Wags, whos sitting in on the meeting, cant believe it.
But this is Axes reality now.
The question remains though: How does Axe feel about this new reality?
Its clear that Axe is tired.
Hes spending all of his time making political and PR plays when he should be making money.
He says hes forgotten his roots and who he once was.
He wants to cancel his lavish birthday party and run off with Lara.
He wants to take her somewhere meaningful and reconnect.
In its own way its noble, but that relationship is beyond an easy fix.
Here, Lara learns that Wendy set the no meetings condition with Axe when she was re-hired.
She learns that Axe lied to her.
While Axe is going through his latest existential crisis, Chuck is making his own political moves.
For Axe, that means getting back to being the Bobby Axelrod who built Axe Capital.
Both men are being reckless in their search for more power and a clearer sense of identity.
The question is: Will that recklessness catch up with them and ultimately be their downfall?
