![]() Sarcastic asides, humorous insults and well-targeted quips are folded into it like truffles in a plate of handmade ravioli.” ![]() Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Malin Akerman, David Costabile and Maggie Siff all gave fierce, wry, committed performances as high rollers in the Manhattan financial elite, but “the most salient fact about ‘Billions’ may be that it’s funny. ![]() …Too many dramas these days, even modestly ambitious ones, mistake plodding glumness and a dour tone for seriousness of intent,” but “Billions” doesn’t make that mistake. “Billions” (Showtime): As I wrote in my review, “This is a generally well-crafted soap opera about rich people, one that crackles with energy and insider knowledge of its well-heeled territory and the narcissistic insiders who live there. And yet, for all that, Rhys Ifans walked away with the entire thing by giving a scene-stealing performance as unconventional CIA agent Hector DeJean, one of my favorite characters of the year and a classic type of the spy genre: An amused, cynical man of the world who has seen too much but carefully hides the depth of his romantic soul. Richard Armitage’s character may have been a little on the bland side, but the entire cast, which included Michelle Forbes and Richard Jenkins in key roles, brought all of their considerable talents to bear on the topical material. “Berlin Station” (Epix): Epix’s first foray into drama wasn’t the most revolutionary or ambitious spy show on TV, but, having seen the entire season, I can report that it was an energetic and enjoyable ride. “Better Things” (FX): Thanks to its “extremely talented and truthful child actors, great supporting performances and a lead actress/creator who could transition between silly, devastated, angry and bemused without ever missing a beat,” this terrific new half-hour landed on my Top 20 Shows of 2016. “Atlanta” (FX): This distinctive, important and wryly observational show “quickly built from its strong start, and the installments in the second half of the season, particularly ‘Juneteenth’ and ‘B.A.N.,’ were spectacular,” I noted on my Top 20 Shows of 2016 roster. This was a very smart, silky adaptation that understood the cruel emotions and ruthless urges that inform so much great detective fiction, especially those set among repressed and intelligent Brits. ![]() Agatha Christie’s best work is all about the psychological and social factors that drive people to rebel against class norms and act on the kind of rage that springs from disappointment and stifled aspirations, and every single member of “None’s” large cast brilliantly embodied variations on Christie’s perceptive themes. “And Then There Were None” (Lifetime): If you were one of the four people in America who saw this beautifully appointed and well-acted miniseries, then you know how utterly delicious it was. ![]()
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