What I’m Watching: Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley: Season 6, Episode 2 “Blood Money” (B+)

It’s hard to believe that it took Jared this long to quit given how much he’s been marginalized in the company that he helped to create. Richard wasn’t happy at all with his decision to jump ship, and the value he was adding became clear within just this episode as Jared’s counsel was needed when no one else could help Richard make the important decision about whether to take the blood money. Jared has always been a bit off, which is part of why he saw a kindred spirit in Qwart, and Richard managed to send him off the deep end by insulting her, which was quite the frightening sight. Getting drunk with Maximo Reyes and netting what he thought was an amazing offer didn’t look quite as appealing in the light of day when Monica revealed the reasons that his even more generous funding proposal wasn’t a good idea. I thought I recognized actor Arturo Castro, and it turns it’s from his very relevant role in the third season of “Narcos.” It seems like Richard is trapped now, and not mining user data is going to be difficult given Maximo’s conditions. Monica was genuinely floored by the $1 billion offer, smoking two cigarettes at the same time and then taking herself out of the decision equaton. Laurie hasn’t changed much since her time away, and I wonder whether we’ll see her again. Gavin’s eagerness to move what’s left of the company to Georgia made some sense before he clarified that he meant the country and not the state, a situation that Hoover and Denpak cleverly schemed to prevent from happening. Tracy’s power play with Gilfoyle was extremely entertaining, and even he recognized and acknowledged her skill in executing it.