7.7/103,103 votes#1 - Minimum Viable Product
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/6/2014
Attending an elaborate launch party, Richard and his computer programmer friends - Big Head, Dinesh and Gilfoyle - dream of making it big. Instead, they're living in the communal Hacker Hostel owned by former programmer Erlich, who gets to claim ten percent of anything they invent there. When it becomes clear that Richard has developed a powerful compression algorithm for his website, Pied Piper, he finds himself courted by Gavin Belson, his egomaniacal corporate boss, who offers a $10 million buyout by his firm, Hooli. But Richard holds back when well-known investor Peter Gregory makes a counteroffer.
Director: Mike Judge
Writer: Mike Judge, Dave Krinsky, John Altschuler
7.7/102,522 votes#2 - The Cap Table
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/13/2014
After a celebratory party at the Hacker Hostel, Richard and Erlich learn that Peter Gregory won't pay up until they deliver a viable business plan that includes a slimmed-downed staff. A desperate Richard hires former Belson underling Jared, and they set about trying to trim the fat. While Gilfoyle and Dinesh prove essential, Big Head's place in the company is less certain.
Director: Mike Judge
Writer: Carson D. Mell
8.0/102,425 votes#3 - Articles of Incorporation
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/20/2014
While Gavin Belson begins to hype Nucleus, a competing compression platform, Richard learns that the name Pied Piper is already registered to a sprinkler company, forcing him to negotiate. Meanwhile, Erlich goes on a vision quest for a new company name, and Peter Gregory proves elusive when one of his companies asks for money.
Director: Tricia Brock
Writer: Ron Weiner
7.7/102,260 votes#4 - Fiduciary Duties
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/27/2014
At Peter's toga party, Richard drunkenly promises to make Erlich a board member, which he regrets the next morning. After being unassigned at Hooli, Big Head finds others like him who have made careers out of doing nothing. Richard struggles to put Pied Piper's vision into words for a presentation without Erlich; later, he discovers an interesting connection between Peter and Gavin Belson.
Director: Maggie Carey
Writer: Ron Weiner
8.2/102,327 votes#5 - Signaling Risk
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/4/2014
Erlich convinces a graffiti artist to create Pied Piper's logo; Jared works to make the company more efficient; Richard learns that he has eight weeks to prepare for a live demonstration.
Director: Alec Berg
Writer: Jessica Gao
8.3/102,345 votes#6 - Third Party Insourcing
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/11/2014
Richard feels threatened when the team hires “The Carver” a hacker with a notorious reputation, to help with Pied Piper’s cloud. Jared finds himself taken for a ride when he seeks out Peter Gregory’s signature. Erlich and Dinesh compete for the attention of Tara, Gilfoyle’s visiting girlfriend. Later, Dinesh faces a sexual dilemma.
Director: Alec Berg
Writer: Dan O'Keefe
8.5/102,330 votes#7 - Proof of Concept
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/18/2014
At TechCrunch Disrupt, Richard feels the pressure to finish his demo, but finds himself distracted by a girl he dated briefly, who’s now spreading rumors about him. Jared worries that Monica is taking his place in the company. Dinesh develops a crush on a girl at a neighboring booth. Erlich’s scandalous past connection to one of the judges threatens Pied Piper’s chances.
Director: Mike Judge
Writer: Clay Tarver
9.3/104,113 votes#8 - Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/1/2014
Poised to compete at TechCrunch Disrupt, the guys of Pied Piper become worried after an impressive presentation by Gavin Belson. As Jared tries to pivot the company, Richard is inspired to make big changes at the last minute.
Director: Mike Judge
Writer: Alec Berg
The Best Episodes of Silicon Valley Season 1
Every episode of Silicon Valley Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Silicon Valley Season 1!
In the high-tech gold rush of modern Silicon Valley, the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. Partially inspired by...
Genre:Comedy
Network:HBO
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Minimum Viable Product" is the best rated episode of "Silicon Valley" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 3103 votes. Directed by Mike Judge and written by Mike Judge, Dave Krinsky, John Altschuler, it aired on 4/6/2014. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Cap Table".