Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
There’s no shortage of dynamic comedy duos on HBO’s Silicon Valley. From Dinesh and Gilfoyle to Monica and Laurie, the show’s deep roster of exceptional comedic talent creates a plethora of unique pairings that elevate the popular series to “must-see” status. Comedy is amplified by divergent personalities. Organic conflict manifests when two people are simply, at their core, fundamentally different, and it doesn’t get much more disparate than T.J. Miller’s Erlich Bachman and Jimmy O. Yang’s Jian-Yang.
Throughout the last two seasons of the HBO comedy, Miller and Yang have put their own unique stamp on the traditional TV odd couple relationship. Jian-Yang’s unassuming, increasingly diabolical personality is the perfect comedic foil for T.J. Miller’s boisterous, often delusional Bachman. What began as just another funny combination of cast members has slowly evolved into TV’s funniest comedy odd couple.
What makes these two so entertaining is how they react to their constantly shifting dynamic. What began as an employer/employee relationship blossomed into a reluctant partnership. Despite developing promising apps, the seemingly can’t miss ideas would go down in flames, generally resulting in an aggravated Bachman using a string of profanities to voice his displeasure with Jian-Yang. The duo’s “Smokation” app seemed like it was a surefire moneymaker until Jian-Yang, who only smokes when celebrating a special occasion, was caught partaking in a celebratory cigarette — a vice loathed by the denizens of Silicon Valley — thus derailing their venture.
Bachman and Jian Yang are funny as uneasy business partners, but they’re exceptionally hilarious as adversaries. The two share an innate comedic chemistry that can turn a trivial grievance like a broken refrigerator into a trove of hilarity. Jian-Yang’s deep-rooted antipathy towards Bachman combined with Erlich’s perpetual frustration with the antics of his young squatter have evolved into an entertaining mix of silly pranks and one-upmanship.
Unfortunately, change is inevitable in the tech world. While Silicon Valley has been renewed for a fifth season, the incubator will soon be without the extremely vocal straw that stirs the Silicon Valley drink. T.J. Miller won’t be returning to the show next season, which means it’s the end of the road for the funniest rivalry on television. During last night’s episode, Erlich, perhaps missing the sanctity of his prized palapa, announced that he’s off to join former Hooli head honcho Gavin Belson in Tibet. The only problem? He’s broke and can’t afford the pricey plane ticket.
“I’ll pay for it,” Jian-Yang says. “Whatever it costs. Premium economy. You fly one-way.” Emphasis on the one-way.
Jian-Yang then drives Erlich to the airport and offers a fitting farewell to his longtime adversary.
If last night’s episode was the final chapter of Erlich and Jian-Yang’s tumultuous, laugh-out-loud partnership, well, I can’t imagine a more appropriate goodbye between the two quarreling associates.
Oh, and did you happen to notice that Jian-Yang was smoking a cigarette as he threw Erlich’s bag onto the curb? Of course he was smoking. As previously stated, Jian-Yang only smokes to celebrate a special occasion. In his eyes, there’s no occasion more worthy of a celebratory cigarette than Erlich’s permanent departure from the incubator.
