To the readers I have, and I know you are out there, this article will not focus on the pilot episode of a series, but rather the first episode of “Silicon Valley”’s second season. For those have not seen the first season and intend on watching it, I recommend that you, and it pains me to say it, stop reading this article. I do not mean to isolate my readership, nor do I claim to have the numbers that allow me to pursue such action, but as my counterparts at A.V. Club and Entertainment Weekly say: spoilers ahead.
Last Sunday, 2.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the second season premiere of HBO’s “Silicon Valley.” The show opens at the San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park where the small, nerdy team of Pied Piper, led by the squeamish Richard Hendriks (Thomas Middleditch), is being wined and dined by a large venture capitalist firm. Pied Piper’s successful demonstration of their data compression technology during last season’s finale has now garnered the attention of large venture capital firms all hoping to provide Series A funding. Much of the episode’s comedy comes from the abrasive Erlich Bachman (T.J. Miller) debating with Richard on the best approach to negotiating with the big dogs. Despite receiving generous offers, Pied Piper reverts to Raviga Capital, which leads to one of the most heart-wrenching plotlines.
Christopher Evan Welch, the actor who portrayed Raviga Capital’s founder Peter Gregory, passed away in December of 2013. Welch’s character was only featured in five episodes before the actor succumbed to lung cancer. But, in that time, Peter Gregory became a symbol of the introverted brilliance found amongst titans of innovation. Whether he was avoiding eye contact with those he was addressing or analyzing the market using only items on the Burger King menu, Gregory was a unique character whose time on the show was cut all too short.
The big question fans wanted to know, though, was how would the show handle his death? Would “Silicon Valley” kill him off? How does comedy even handle seriousness? The answer? Perfectly. Richard and Erlich enter a meeting with Gregory’s assistant where they are told of an accident occurring during a safari. The scene plays out with “Who’s On First” speed: Answer. Interruption. Explanation. Interruption. Repeat.
The assistant explains it was Gregory’s first time running. Running! “Silicon Valley” honors its strongest character by immortalizing him through the medium, which he excelled at. A remembrance ceremony follows featuring the founder of Snapchat and a complex equation quantifying Peter Gregory’s contribution to society.
Unexpected deaths occur in the entertainment industry. That’s a fact of life. How the genre of comedy broaches the topic is always interesting to watch. “Silicon Valley” steps up to the sad challenge and executes it with care and respect. But it always uses the opportunity to pay homage to a stellar character and the talented actor under his skin.
Gilboard is a member of the class of 2015.
