Crime
Task
Max’s newest release, Task, takes audiences to task with a slow-burn storyline involving graphic violence, nudity and crude language.
If there’s anything Chuck Rhoades wants, it’s to put the ax to Axe Capital.
Chuck is the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and he’s been biding his time, waiting for the prime moment to begin an investigation into hedge fund Axe Capital and its CEO, Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. Chuck is certain that the company engages in insider trading, but he won’t pursue Bobby until he’s confident that he can take the man down.
Part of that is because he believes that Bobby is the financial version of “Mike Tyson in his prime,” and not an adversary to take lightly. Another part is because the 9/11 survivor-turned-billionaire donates millions to the city and is seen as a sort-of folk hero throughout the land. And finally, Chuck just doesn’t want a dent in his record.
“Since my appointment, this office is undefeated in financial prosecutions—81 and 0—and that’s because I know when the time is right,” Chuck says.
But then Bobby decides to flex a bit. He purchases a beachfront mansion worth millions of dollars. And, well, those kinds of purchases tend to turn the public’s perception against such people. It also gives Chuck a reason to investigate where all Bobby’s money is coming from.
But Bobby’s played the game a long time. And it’ll take a lot more than an investigation based on an already paid-off mortgage to take him down.
Seven seasons later, and a lot has changed since Bobby purchased that home. A new billionaire arrived on the scene—Mike Prince—who’s seen as the “ethical billionaire” and better than Bobby in every way. But these ethics can be debated, since he did orchestrate Bobby’s downfall and take over Axe Capital. But just before Chuck could arrest an uncharacteristically powerless Bobby, he fled to Europe and escaped his clutches.
To make things worse for Chuck, he’s arrested after investigating Mike, that so-called ethical billionaire, using less-than-legal tactics. But it’s not long before he’s out again with the help of a few friends, and he’s ready for revenge against Mike—who has just recently announced his intentions to run for President.
But Mike won’t be President if Chuck, who’s looking noticeably less ethical than he did in Season One, can help it.
There comes a point when you have enough money to buy whatever you’d like without even needing to check your bank account. You can have everything you want. And boy, does Billions have everything.
Viewers will be subjected to full frontal nudity and sex of both the homo- and heterosexual variety. A prominent female character identifies as non-binary. Swear words can tally as high as the dollar amounts in Bobby’s private accounts. And heavy drug use makes its way onscreen, too.
But these characters aren’t who they believe themselves to be. Bobby is no Robin Hood. Mike is no ethical billionaire. Chuck is no defender of justice.
But I will admit that the show wears one truth on its sleeve: it truly is TV-MA.
And you can take that to the bank.
Bobby seeks to purchase a home worth millions of dollars, but he’s told that such a move would attract unfavorable attention. Chuck begins his investigation into Bobby’s company.
We see Bobby’s genitals for a split second. Chuck is interested in bondage and sadomasochism, and we see him tied up. His wife burns a lit cigarette on his chest, and then she urinates on him to extinguish it. A therapist asks a man about how his sex life is. We hear crude references to female arousal. Men and women kiss. Chuck and his wife passionately kiss. Chuck references people with Oedipus complexes and male arousal. We hear other references to genitals and oral sex.
Someone is said to have committed suicide. Men meditate. We see a table full of confiscated cocaine. People drink wine. A dog urinates on furniture.
The f-word is used around 30 times. The s-word is used seven times. We also hear inappropriate words used to refer to genitalia or other body parts, such as “d-ck,” “c-ck,” “tits” and “p-ssy.” Additionally, we hear “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h—” and “p-ss.” God’s name is used in vain eight times, including five instances that are conjoined with “d–n.” Jesus’ name is used in vain twice.
Mike Prince continues preparing his run for presidency, causing some to seek out Bobby in an attempt to help them stop his run. Chuck’s court case is dismissed, and Chuck seeks to be reinstated to a former position.
The episode makes frequent references to Christian theology. Chuck mentions that he’s been thinking about the concept of original sin—that “one sin begat a world of sinners.” He compares being thrust from his old position to being sent out of the Garden of Eden. When he asks a friend to help him get his position back, the friend replies, “try me again at the Rapture.” Likewise, Chuck talks about faith and redemption.
Someone says “Physician, heal thyself,” a (nonbiblical) proverb Jesus quotes in Luke 4:23. Likewise, someone quotes Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” In regards to Mike’s characteristics, one character says that the sort of characteristics Mike displays “started many a religion, and none of them, in the end, good.” A man says that “[Democrats] are about as fun as a church dance—and even less sexy—but their checks clear.”
A man and woman kiss. We hear a couple references to sex. Mike and his estranged wife, Andy, are in an open relationship, and Mike’s campaign manager asks for a list of their previous sexual partners. He makes those partners promise to close the relationship until the campaign is over, as he’s confident the American people won’t vote for someone in an open relationship. They also talk about testing for STDs. Additionally, coworkers make crude references to “suckling at the teat.”
People drink alcohol. They also smoke hookah. Mike and Andy take ecstasy. We’re told of a doctor’s office that has ordered a large amount of cocaine–secretly part of an illicit drug operation.
The f-word is used more than 25 times, including two instances that are preceded by “mother.” The s-word is used eight times. We also hear the occasional use of “a–,” “d-ck,” “d–n” and “h—.” God’s name is used in vain three times, including one time that is conjoined with “d–n.” Jesus’ name is used in vain once.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
Max’s newest release, Task, takes audiences to task with a slow-burn storyline involving graphic violence, nudity and crude language.
It’s fun, but the show is guilty of lack of restraint in the second degree—a senseless crime if ever there was one.
Based on novel by Jenny Han, this series follows the complex love life of Belly, a young girl caught between two boys who are childhood friends as she joins the world of debutantes.
In Paramount+’s NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the pair of ex-NCIS agents reluctantly return to their agent lifestyle when they’re framed for a crime.
