[rating=7.00] “Meinertzhagen’s Haversack”
This week’s episode of Silicon Valley was more filler than thriller as the dudes continued their lesson in self-sabotage. Building on last week’s idea that things need to change, we were subject to another week of sub-par story building masked by the genius that is this writing team and ensemble cast. The problem that SV keeps facing is that it’s such a well done show that it doesn’t seem to reach for betterment like many other series would do. Which is a shame, because as much as we love it now, how much better would it be with additional story arcs?
After last week’s circle of fuckery, Richard is facing a huge dilemma; how does one go over their boss’s head without dealing with the repercussions? The answer is “you don’t” but stopping when the world tells you to never put anyone in a successful position. For the better part of the episode, Richard searches for a solution that doesn’t involve running to Laurie. Of course, there isn’t one. She’s the investor and the only one who has final say over the business. After this last resort fails, where are they to go?
Taking the platform into their own hands is an interesting, though foolish venture. After being told to literally think inside the box though, there’s nothing else to do. The hardest part will be competing for platform supremacy; even if they’re not able to get things done the fastest, perhaps they’ll still find a way to present themselves as the smartest option.
The infuriating monotony of losing to themselves reared its ugly head as the dudes planned their solution to a T, only to be foiled by none other than Richard as he manages to trip and knock all of his secret info on the ground to be quickly read by one of the marketing tools. Way to go, dummy. It’s infuriating because it feels like he can’t get through one day without fucking things up for himself or Pied Piper.
While the episode was on the low-list of the series’ best, it still had its moments. The Ocean’s Eleven theme was fantastic, and that quick montage of planning their “heist” was indicative of where the show’s strides normally hit. Bringing Carla back for a meeting, only to have her soullessly turn them down was endearing. As with last week, the show managed to make fun of itself mercilessly as Erlich declares Carla to be useless, deadweight; really that’s all she was. Though her character had its moments in season two, she was mostly shoehorned in as a female engineer character who was needed to begin the process of filling in the gender gap.
Stephen Tobolowsky continued to shine as he is want to do in these character roles. After our interview with the actor last week it seems pertinent to expect more from not just his character, but also the story plot in general. If he gives that great of an interview (pause here if needed to catch up and read it) the possibilities of his role will be endless.
Silicon Valley is like me in high school, it never studies, takes all the AP classes, and gets low A’s with ease. But as my Junior English teacher liked to tell my mother “Imagine a world if you will, in which she [or for our purposes Silicon Valley] actually tried? The accomplishments would be endless!” Just as I concluded, it’s easy to float by. But once they hit the college years (i.e., two seasons from now) that free ride will be but a distant memory clinging on to a past of coasting followed by poor reviews from disappointed peers and instructors. Damnit Silicon Valley, learn from my mistakes! Next week promises the whole issue coming to a head with the resurgence of Big Head and the shiny dome of one Tobolowsky as he deals with Richard’s betrayal. Where do we go from here? Only up, hopefully.
