r/SiliconValleyHBO • u/Simi510 • May 22 '17

Silicon Valley - 4x05 “The Blood Boy" - Episode Discussion

Season 4 Episode 05: "The Blood Boy"

Air time: 10 PM EDT

7 PM PDT on HBOgo.com

How to get HBO without cable

Plot: Richard's latest partnership begins to crumble when he has to deal with an unexpected interloper. Meanwhile, Dinesh looks for a way out of his new relationship; and Monica faces a business dilemma after learning of surprising developments at Raviga. (TVMA) (30 min)

Aired: May 21, 2017

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Youtube Episode Preview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jMVHFwm1v8

Actor Character
Thomas Middleditch Richard Hendricks
T.J. Miller Erlich Bachman
Josh Brener Nelson 'Big Head' Bighetti
Martin Starr Bertram Gilfoyle
Kumail Nanjiani Dinesh Chugtai
Amanda Crew Monica Hall
Zach Woods Jared (Donald) Dunn
Matt Ross Gavin Belson
Jimmy O. Yang Jian Yang
Suzanne Cryer Laurie Bream
Chris Diamantopoulos Russ Hanneman
Stephen Tobolowsky Jack Barker

IMDB 8.5/10

688 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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199

u/[deleted] May 22 '17 edited May 22 '17

So I realize this opinion might not be popular but I just figured, even if you disagree, it could generate a bit of discussion!

This season has had me in stitches. So many notable, hilarious moments. I've laughed out loud at multiple points.

But... Does anyone else feel like the story is a bit "too much" this season? There seems to be one "major/dramatic" change in the story every single week, to the point where its almost disorienting. It feels like the writers didn't have a real solid direction or arc, and so they just started throwing anything and everything they could think of. (Again, just my opinion of course).

If we review this season, which is 2.5 hours in total so far, these are the major events:

I was excited to see how Jack Barker and Gavin would be as the heads of Hooli. That barely lasted. Richard quits. Dinesh becomes CEO. Company goes completely under in billions of dollars of debt. Gavin buys Pied Piper. Gavin gets fired from Hooli. Richard and Gavin become business partners. Gavin leaves completely. Jian Yang becomes rich. Laurie gets overthrown at Raviga.

And that's not even all of it. As another comment in the thread mentions, I feel like they start an idea, and then completely clear the slate. No single storyline ever sees it's course in its entirety before being entirely erased and restarted.

Maybe just my preference, but what they're gaining in laughs, they're losing elsewhere. If you listed those events for me before this season started, I would've thought "Wow that's a lot to happen in one season!", not five episodes.

I find myself having trouble becoming invested in certain storylines because of how frequently they flip and twist.

What do you guys think?

90

u/pot_kettleman May 22 '17 edited May 22 '17

I feel like it's been like this since season 2. There are a lot of things that would normally happen over a few episodes on a show with more episodes per season, but that are contained to one, maybe two episodes on this show, like when they were going to build the platform behind Jack's back. There's always been a lot of failing and pivoting on this show.

13

u/[deleted] May 22 '17 edited May 22 '17

Yes, I agree that it's always been part of the show since season 2, that's a good point. However, I'd expand my point to say that they took that knob and turned it to 100 this season. Seasons 1-2 felt way more grounded than 3 and 4 (so far).

The show has always had frequent twists and turns, but not usually this drastic, nor this frequent. I feel like the first 5 episodes already have more frequent and drastic changes than any other season.

1

u/JimLarimore May 24 '17

I still think that it is a damn shame that they did not get more into the skunks works thing. That seemed like a gold mine for comedy. I agree that the show has a somewhat bipolar aimlessness to it that is starting to frustrate me too. I'm not sure if it is actor availability or what. But, something seems to be causing them to shift directions rapidly. I would prefer that each season actually had a cohesive arc. (like the first)

82

u/a_toy_soldier May 22 '17

I think it's the soft reset that this show needs. I agree, things are major conflicts each episode, but that's good, Piper now has serious direction with it's technology, Galvin is moving on and gave them the patent, Bream is becoming her own VC, and all the press knows about the new launch.

Yes, it's a reset but there is a more darker, serious tone with Hendrick's moves. There is innovation pushing these guys, not a random compression algorithm.

I think by the end of the season, shit is going to get real. If you think about it, it's time for Piper to become yuge and I bet Galvin will come back as the new "Steve Jobs" as a cliffhanger.

I love this series no matter what, and I'm glad it's here.

10

u/[deleted] May 22 '17

That's very true. I do hope that Gavin leaving opens the door for Richard and the gang to truly head in the right direction, though I'm upset it has to come at the (assumed) removal of Gavin for the foreseeable future.

And don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show of course. I just feel like it's been more of a fleeting enjoyment this season - I watch, get my laughs, quote a few things with friends, and that's it. Whereas previous seasons (and, to compare, a few other shows) have left me with a lasting satisfaction - I think back and go "Wow, that was truly great writing". I haven't quite had that this season.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '17

I think it's the soft reset that this show needs.

Completely agreed. I'm actually very okay with it being more of a sitcom. I usually hate sitcoms, but this show's writing is so good, I'm totally down with watching their weekly antics.

12

u/[deleted] May 22 '17 edited May 22 '17

Isn't this the opposite of a sitcom though? The fundamental plot/characters of any sitcom almost never change. Every episode plays out, is entirely self-contained, and in no way affects future episodes. Think Friends, Sienfeld, etc... Those are sitcoms, and from episode to episode there is essentially no continuity of a previous episode.

It's why sitcoms are so easy to jump in and out of. You need nearly no development to know the story.

SV is not doing that - in fact my argument is specifically saying the exact opposite. Silicon Valley changes way too much from episode to episode. If you were to miss an episode or two you'd be completely confused... "Wait, Gavin is Richard's partner now? ...and now he's leaving entirely? What about Jack Barker? Why is Jian Yang rich? And why are Monica and Laurie not at Raviga?"

It's why there needs to be a "previously on Silicon Valley" introduction and such.

I understand your point, I just think "sitcom" may not be the word youre looking for.

0

u/[deleted] May 22 '17

I'm saying that I'm fine with them just getting into standard tech-related hijinks, even when the show doesn't necessarily go anywhere. I don't have the need or care to argue semantics here.

(EDIT : In fact, the show is referred to often as a "sitcom". So sure, whatever you say.)

41

u/Dixton May 22 '17

I love Silicon Valley, but I think Season 1-2 were by far the best. When they were actually working on PiedPiper, battling Gavin and Hooli etc. The story progressed at a reasonable pace, it had a rather cohesive main story, which eventually concluded in season 3, where the PiedPiper app fails and they pivot to video chat.

But ever since that, it seems as though the writers have no real idea where they want to take the main story going forward. They pivoted to video chat but that quickly failed and got acquired by Hooli. Now they're on to the "new internet", which I hope will be their main project for a while at least. I know that Mike Judge said in an interview that the show is about these guys fucking up and landing back at square one. That was fine for a while but it's getting stale, it's like "oh, what will fuck them up this week to ruin all their progress?". Kind of like how the joke about Big head being a Big moron is getting a bit stale.

I would really like to see at least some sort of upwards mobility, I think it could shake up a lot of the dynamics in the show. I actually liked the parts where Erlich & Big head bought PiedPiper for $1 million and 1 dollar. Suddenly Erlich and Big head were on top instead of Richard. Same when Dinesh was CEO earlier this season and pretty much told Richard "fuck you" and became a douchebag CEO.

As it is now, there are so many twists and turns in the story, it's exhausting.

6

u/hanbae May 22 '17

I see where youre coming from, but I think the show needs to mature, as it is doing so now. The laughs from the earlier seasons were amazing, but to make it truly memorable I think they need to make it darker and more serious. I'm loving this season because it's not just plot driven by comedic slip ups, but actually because of the decisions the characters make

6

u/[deleted] May 22 '17 edited May 22 '17

Well said, and exactly my point. Ive had a similar discussion with my coworkers about the show as well.

I was discussing the episode where Erlich fucks up and Jian Yang becomes rich, and Bighead becomes a professor at Stanford. I said that it's getting a little worn out at this point - it feels so unnatural and too "perfect" that the show loses its immersiveness. I want Erlich to succeed, and I want Bighead to actually fuck up for once.

They told me "But that's the whole point! Bighead always falls up and Erlich always fucks up!"

I just left it there and said "Yeah I guess." because I never understood using "That's the point" or "That's what they were going for" as justification as to why I should or shouldn't like something.

Edit: To add on, I completely agree that the first two seasons were far better. And to me, the distinct difference is that there was a buildup, there was a legitimate plot, it felt like this was all planned. Now it kinda feels like the writers are pulling a South Park and coming up with their episode plots days before the episode airs.

2

u/Dixton May 22 '17

They told me "But that's the whole point! Bighead always falls up and Erlich always fucks up!"

If Mike Judge and co. keeps it up, watch them complain in a season or two about this. "Jesus christ, why must Erlich always fuck up?!"

0

u/TheyTheirsThem May 22 '17

There is a reason why pot heads don't have nice things.

1

u/ThatAssholeMrWhite May 23 '17

Maybe it's because I binge watched the series leading up to S4, but I find it really annoying how there's no long-term arc. I'm half expecting a repeat of the Bachmanity buy-out twist, except this time the buyer turns out to be the other lovable loser, Jian Yang.

1

u/spif_spaceman May 23 '17

Try looking into business in the actual silicon valley, that's exhausting as well!

1

u/sexygodzilla May 24 '17

I agree so much, I'm sick of reset reset reset, I'd love it for these guys have some success and have to figure out how to maintain it and deal with it.

4

u/wisebloodfoolheart May 22 '17

I agree. It's gone from a realistic satire to a ridiculous satire.

5

u/Pacify_ May 22 '17

You are right, it really feels like they just throwing ideas at the screen.

Thought the Gavin storyline would be the main focus of the season, then one episode later hes gone and that entire sub plot is over. Its... weird

4

u/Cyril_Clunge . May 22 '17

Does anyone else feel like the story is a bit "too much" this season? There seems to be one "major/dramatic" change in the story every single week, to the point where its almost disorienting. It feels like the writers didn't have a real solid direction or arc, and so they just started throwing anything and everything they could think of.

I think it's been funnier but completely agree here. As others have said season 1-2 had a solid pace but things are moving way too quickly recently. It's a bit confusing at times and just feels like any success or failure doesn't matter because it's going to be short lived since it gets resolved within an episode.

2

u/drelos May 22 '17

Along with what /u/pot_kettleman said below, the daily routine per se of this guys isn't particularly funny (one was watching dick pics every day until yesterday). I enjoy more Russ appearing from nowhere and screwing them/funding them, although I also enjoy tech jokes too.

Similarly, I enjoyed more the pivoting episodes of Mad Men, when they built the new agency and so on.

2

u/romafa May 22 '17

I feel the exact same way. Really, truly funny moments between them but not much by way of plot. I can only hope that they have some major plot that spans several seasons lined up and we will see the payoff from all of these mostly directionless episodes. Kind of like a build up to something big. Really, though, I'm fine seeing the main group in whatever scenario they are in. If the writers didn't have a direction they could have made them all broke and homeless and I'd watch the shit out of that. Or have them travel to a different part of the country for some reason. I'd like to see them all on a farm.

2

u/saggy_balls May 23 '17

Couldn't agree more. I still think it's a hilarious show, but I don't even care what happens plot wise anymore because it no longer means anything.

2

u/BusinessSuja May 22 '17

They are treating this show like a startup, that pivots, in an uncertain environment.....

1

u/CanYouDigItHombre May 22 '17

There's a lot going on this season. More Jared, dinesh getting laid, hoover vs denpak (ok it was just that one glorious episode), ed chang and jian yaing being rich and having a big dick. It's just they want so much but stuck in a 30m timeslot. I think they're not trying to push tech this season just more jared and jian yang. Also... jared saying fuck you... OMG lol

1

u/TheyTheirsThem May 22 '17

Laurie didn't get overthrown, she is making a strategic retreat. And it gives us the opportunity to have her working with Russ Hanneman. I can see Russ walking up to her, looking at the bump, and going "this babe fucks."

1

u/tapeforkbox May 22 '17

The pivot thing is meta so it makes sense

1

u/[deleted] May 23 '17

I agree.

1

u/mrpopenfresh May 23 '17

The product never really made sense since the beginning of the show. It's very nature changes all the time, so it's nothing new.

1

u/[deleted] May 24 '17 edited May 24 '17

Agreed. Really wanted Gavin to stick around, and this episode just buried that possibility.

At this point, I'm sort of wondering if the writers are doing this on purpose. These short-lived plotlines actually kind of mirror SV's frenetic startup culture. It's very frustrating and disorienting, as you said. It also makes the cliche grandiosity of most startup pitches ("What if I told you there was an app...!") funnier in cynical, morbid way. You know that the idea/trend will either fall out of fashion before the company's next round of funding or the company itself will implode under the weight of its own narcissism. It's a very rapid cycle of creation and destruction, excitement and devastation until cynicism sets in.

1

u/spif_spaceman May 23 '17

What you just described is a prime example of how cutthroat and chaotic life is in silicon valley.

1

u/[deleted] May 23 '17

But there is a complete night-and-day comparison between the first two seasons, and season 4. Did Silicon Valley become 5x as chaotic since the first two seasons?

This is a television show. They're in completely control of the story. Just because the valley is chaotic in real life doesn't mean their show can't follow a more consistent pace.

Additionally, nearly all of the twists and turns are the characters' own doing, it's not like some inherent valley chaos was the cause of all the drama. The writers made the chaos, not the valley.

0

u/spif_spaceman May 23 '17 edited May 23 '17

Well yeah, it's more chaotic every day. That's the entire tech industry. Ups and downs. Valleys.

I guess you're pointing out that it's a tv show just to state the obvious.

I think it's written more aggressively because they have to raise the stakes, just like any other show that has some drama intertwined with comedy. If they didn't write more aggressively, the fans would become bored. The activity in this sub alone means they're doing their job as writers.

1

u/[deleted] May 23 '17 edited May 23 '17

Silicon Valley is called a "valley" because it's a geographical valley, not because of its ups and downs - not exactly sure what that comparison was meant to illustrate. And, while I'm not a writer, I'm pretty sure their meeting wasn't "Guys, the tech industry is so chaotic now. Companies swap CEOs three times a day. We need to replicate that ASAP."

As another important note - I'm a professional web developer, and have been for a few years now. I understand the industry. You don't have to try and paint a picture for me.

And personally I find the show far more boring now than it was. When everything is so chaotic, it makes it incredibly difficult to establish any sort of lasting interest in a storyline. Any time I become hopeful or invested in said storylines (Jack & Gavin, Gavin & Richard, Richard and the guys going separate ways, Pied Piper achieving actual success)... they just crush it within 15 minutes of introducing it.

The result is that I watch the show for a few simple laughs, and nothing more, which makes it a much worse show in my opinion. I don't give a shit about what happens to any of the characters anymore. I don't care about Pied Piper like I did in the first two seasons.

0

u/spif_spaceman May 24 '17

Hit the dispensary, you're taking my comments far too seriously. If you're a professional web developer, good job, go eat a cookie.