Grade: C+ There’s a certain TV pattern I’ve noticed recently around how characters make major decisions. First, the show builds up to the decision over the course of one episode, but subtly enough that it’s a surprise episode-ending announcement. Then the next episode is devoted to completely rehashing that decision before ultimately affirming it. When executed well, this trope helps the show feel thoughtful and nuanced. When executed poorly, it helps the show feel boring and pointless…as seen in this episode. In this case, the decision is selling ASM for the startup capital to bring a football team to Las … Continue reading Ballers: S03E07 “Ricky-leaks”

Grade: B For those who aren’t watching, Ballers is a fun show. It’s got The Rock and Rob Corddry and Richard Schiff. It has well-phrased financial advice: It’s even Elizabeth Warren’s favorite TV show! Underneath all the football hijinks, it also has something interesting to say. Ballers is, primarily, an exploration of the difference between social class and economic class. The tension between them is what drives the show. All the ballers on Ballers are talented, driven, hardworking people, and that’s made them rich. But, as the show constantly points out, money still isn’t the same as power. Every episode hammers that home in a different way. Last night’s episode … Continue reading Ballers: S03E06 “I Hate New York”