Grade: B+
The concept of a “breakthrough” is common in many shows, especially in season finales. With just mere moments left, in whatever the main character wants to accomplish there is usually a split second where the viewer can see the grinds in the protagonist’s head begin to rotate.
This eureka moment was evident in the final episode of the first season of “Silicon Valley;” however the reason for the monumental discovery was a dick joke.
Perhaps the raunchiest show on television, “Silicon Valley” is also one of the funniest. It finished up its second season Sunday with the usual combination of bawdy humor and intelligence.
Revolving around a startup company, Pied Piper, the show depicts the rises and falls which come with trying to break through in the tech industry.
The beats and plot points are simple and underwhelming at times but it’s the main group and the actors who portray them that makes it must-watch television, even with the other behemoths on Sunday night.
The main five of the enterprise — Thomas Middleditch as Richard Hendricks, T.J. Miller as Erlich Bachman, Martin Starr as Bertram Gilfoyle, Kumail Nanjiani as Dinesh Chugtai and Zach Woods as Jared Dunn — play off of each other and riff in an atypical way for television. They each bring their own comedic strengths, but when they work together “Silicon Valley” is one of, if not the, best comedies on television.
As it finishes up its second season, Richard Hendricks and the rest of the Pied Piper crew are in as much disarray as they’ve ever been. After regaining control over their company from a Google-like corporation named Hooli, which was the main conflict for the majority of the season, Hendricks is alerted he was just voted out as CEO of his own company.
This type of devastating result occurs routinely after a seemingly huge victory in “Silicon Valley” and is the basis for many of the storylines. The show usually employs the “two steps forward, one step back” strategy; after something good happens, something disastrous is sure to follow. It may seem repetitive but it works to great effect and creates moments so cruel they have to be laughed at.
Sunday nights on HBO are not to be scoffed at. In the center is, of course, the cultural leviathan of “Game of Thrones,” but great programming like “Last Week Tonight,” “Veep” and the recharged “Silicon Valley” surround it.
Where the show goes next will be fascinating, as Pied Piper’s bout with Hooli took up the majority of the action. But with what the showrunners have done to this point, it’s safe to say that “Silicon Valley” will be a pivotal point for HBO Sundays for years to come.
