guysch

Thanks to a recent law (Lex Netflix), this series has been produced in collaboration with Swiss production companies and the new 4% tax revenue from Netflix. First of its kind, this production is opening the way for future Swiss series and films. Although half-way through the first episode, I find a few things puzzling...

Production is nice, images lovely, acting decent and I appreciate the mix of French and English (Swiss accents are very clean though), what would be expected from a Netflix prod. Nothing special about the scenario either, a classic against-all-odds success story, except here the hero is loaded, of course it's Switzerland...

So, the subject...

Sponsored by luxury watches and sparkling wine (as well as cheese fondue on national TV lol), a few minutes in and it's obvious that this isn't about promoting Swiss culture or history, but rather a not so subtle way to sell dreams of luxury and be a booby-tourist-trap. It's unfortunate to cover the subject of early mass-tourism through the prism of luxury, when there are so many other stories and aspects to explore about Swiss hospitality and the reality of early 1900s mountain life.

Tourism and luxury are important local industries indeed, but is that really what Switzerland as a nation needs to put forward right now to the world?

Anyway, I don't want to spoil anything, but I can't help but find disappointment for this series. Nothing bad to say about it really, but not much to write home about, I guess I was expecting something a little refreshing... Hopefully some of Lex Netflix revenues will find their ways to more down to earth projects!

Honestly, I felt since Axe had left in season 5 the show was struggling to get back to this kind of quality... But these past few episodes have been absolutely brilliant, the writing is impeccable, rhythm, intrigue, acting, humour, social commentary, everything is there!

What I love about Billions is how accurately it depicts the zeitgeist and the propensity of modern capitalism to feed greed, lust and love of power while at the same time eating people's soul and making even the lucky few actually sad and miserable. Being at the top isn't success when it means plodding away with filthy businesses...

Billions is one of my favourite shows and this episode is definitely up there with the greats I'll revisit often with pleasure!

Hopefully, the season's final episodes will meet the high expectations set since episode one... We know Prince is going down, how though? And who will get down with him. I'm personally worried about Sacker, though her character's complexity makes her a decisive element, it seems her soul has departed never to come back.