Why You Should Watch 'Silicon Valley'
- sarahkloepple
- Jun 8, 2015
- 3 min read
In its sophomore season, the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley” has become funnier, edgier and all around more enjoyable. So with the season two finale set to air this week, I'm wondering: why aren’t you watching it? (If you are, no need to read this post—jk do what you want!)
First and foremost, “Silicon Valley” is about Richard Hendricks (Thomas Middleditch) and his quest through the tech bubble of California. After realizing his pet project, Pied Piper, may actually be worth millions, he quits his job at Hooli (the big-wig company equivalent to Google) and strikes up a deal with a venture capitalist, Peter Gregory (played by the late Christopher Evan Welch).
I’ve always had a soft spot for HBO comedies. I sang along with the outrageous melodies littered throughout “Flight of the Conchords,” and I rooted so hard for Ben Epstein’s overpriced jeans in “How to Make It in America.”
As you probably know, both of those comedies were canceled. But I have a feeling “Silicon Valley” is here to stay. Here’s why you should start watching.
1. Richard’s struggle with the tech world is classic David vs. Goliath
Unlike the millionaire tech CEOs, and hopeful CEOs, around him, Richard is morally sound. He enjoys the idea of creating something to make life easier in an increasingly digitized world. Sure, he obviously strives for success (and the money that comes with it), but he mainly strives to build something, to be "different," as he says. Richard is (literally) wide-eyed, and Middleditch plays him equal parts skittish and determined. By the end of episode one, you’re rooting for the little fish that is Richard and his seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
2. The supporting cast is weird and endlessly hilarious.
TJ Miller, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani and Zach Woods all play employees of Pied Piper. Well, TJ Miller’s character, Erlich Bachman — what a great name, right? — is more of an investor. But together, the four supply every episode’s laugh quota. Gilfoyle (Starr) and Dinesh (Nanjiani) are forever enemies who constantly spar and throw ghastly inappropriate quips to each other — but it’s all in good fun. Sort of.
Erlich is definitely the most... unique character. He’s outlandish and constantly in need of a spotlight, which is why his silent partner-esque role in the company works so well for the show. But it’s Zach Woods who deserves the MVP. He plays Jared Dunn, also a Hooli ex-employee whose faith in Richard’s company causes him to quit. Jared strives to keep Pied Piper running smoothly. He speaks so quietly and formally, but Woods shines when Jared is thrown out of his comfort zone — see: his sleep deprivation during TechCrunch, and the look on his face at the end of “Binding Arbitration” when the man retrieving the live-stream camera falls to his near-death. Too good.
3. Overall, it’s zany and edgy.
Creator Mike Judge’s version of Silicon Valley is colorful, weird and rightfully edgy. The Hooli campus is over-exaggerated in every aspect you’d expect from a top-dollar tech company. Who else is still wondering about that monkey with the robo-arm?
But outside of the physical setting, this Silicon Valley is full of wacko investors looking for the next best thing (Peter Gregory) or the biggest moneymaker (Three Comma Club member Russ Hanneman). And the plots are so eyebrow-raising, it’s hard not to talk about episodes days after they air — I mean, the entire Gilfoyle/Dinesh subplot in this season’s episode “Homicide” kept me laughing all week.
Yes, “Silicon Valley” could improve on its inclusion of female characters — so could the real Silicon Valley for that matter. But overall, I still think it’s worth your time. It’s short, smart, funny and will undoubtedly make you root for the unsung heroes of the tech world.
