Russ was right.
Silicon Valley was in top form on Sunday with an episode that provided checkmarks in all the little boxes it should. Each character contributed to the hilarity that made “Bachmanity Insanity” a huge step forward and quality and progression for this season. Everyone was falling in love and those who weren’t had bigger fish to fry. The show has never really had a romance episode, but this one balanced those warm fuzzies with laughs throughout and a Bachman plot that completely ruined Bighead.
Turns out Richard is quite the charmer, and by that I mean neurotic psychopath. The spaces v tabs debate was a perfect storm of Silicon Valley tropes. Dinesh and Gilfoyle latched on to the one thing they could relate to, but only after putting her through the ringer with “are you a bartender?” In this they planted a seed that would test Richard. Richard on the other hand did his best not to be himself, a choice that ultimately doomed a good thing in a climatic scene so well-executed we tend to forget the ludicrous and niche nature of its conception.
Richard didn’t get laid, but Jared was “using that dick.” Turns out Russ Hanneman was right about Jared all along. The assumption’s always been made that Jared is probably a virgin, and at very least is not a ladies man. “Bachmanity Insanity” showed us a charming side of Jared that fell in line with his previous actions. The mystery of it is sometime to gawk at as Zach Woods continues to be the highlight of this season. It could have been a good moment to subvert the straight male trend of the cast, as Jared’s sexuality was previously unknown so that feels like a potential missed opportunity.
Dinesh missed a big opportunity in the freshest twist of the week. He never thought his brilliant plan would backfire, the cockiness of both D&G being their largest overwhelming flaw. Turns out the only thing that has ever loved Dinesh back, his code, ended up backfiring on him. The moment where it turns out he was the “dogface” was a complete surprise and one of this season’s best punchlines.
And then there were Bachman and Bighead. Neither with much responsibility, both who ended up screwing the other over, the difference between them being the former was on purpose and the latter was out of stupidity. It led to a solid final moment and while the episode didn’t go out on much more than a chuckle it finally added stakes to a storyline that has been building quite slowly over the past few weeks.
“Bachmanity Insanity” made us take sides. In the course of half an hour, it brought pairs together and split them up. So what side are you on, Erlich or Bighead, spaces or tabs?
