It only takes Cupertino Season 1, Episode 1, “Michael & Olivia,” to prove why this show should be on everyone’s must-watch list this fall. This series premiere, written by the uber talented Robert King & Michelle King and directed by Robert King, is charming, functional, and timely. There’s no denying that the Kings know how to make a legal drama with a piercing sense of humor. Their track record proves it tenfold: The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Elsbeth, my beloved one-season-wonder BrainDead. This one, Cupertino, has its finger on the pulse, too.
Its focus is on Davids (Humans with moral compasses) vs Goliaths (Google, Meta, OpenAI) in Silicon Valley. It feels incredibly bold but also basic to be fiercely anti-AI right now. Cupertino does it with a punchy script, interesting direction and editing, and dynamic characters brought to life by a great and growing cast. Those elements make the show stand apart as Cupertino sets out to break the status quo by fighting back against that and more.
MORE: Everything We Know About CBS’ Cupertino
Mike Colter and Rachel Keller are Excellent
This show works, in part, because of Mike Colter and Rachel Keller. From the contents of their desks to their first interactions, Michael Price and Olivia Siffre are clearly drawn. Their motivations and resistance to stand up and stand apart are specific to Michael and Olivia while also fitting together. It’s beneficial to hear about Michael’s dad and his reputation, as well as Michael’s relationship to both before Cupertino ever introduces Bayard. “Michael & Olivia” builds tension.
For example, Ry knows that Bayard is the wrong button to push, and he still does it. All of which adds up so that Cupertino earns the moment that Joe Morton enters the courtroom. With Morton’s delivery of “Not a good day,” Bayard says so much with so little. It leaves me eager to see more of that dynamic – to see Colter and Morton act opposite one another as much as possible. Likewise, Cupertino has plenty to unpack with Olivia and her family. “Michael & Olivia” establishes that with one good scene that defines Olivia’s upbringing and establishes her POV. That comes into sharper focus alongside the legal element, like when the pastor’s son uses the Daisy AI.
This episode doesn’t shy away from how pervasive and uncomfortable Daisy is and how it ties directly to Everett’s sexual harassment. The broken systems are stacked against Olivia. Therefore, it matters (and speaks to his character) that Michael admits that he should have done and said something sooner. So does Michael making a playlist of “real music” for Olivia and passing her a mint that his mother loved to stop her from crying. The intent for connection behind those actions is like a breath of fresh air for both characters.
MORE: Everything We Know About Mark Harmon’s NCIS: Origins Season 3 Return
The Team Starts to Click with Christy
In the face of opportunistic, money-hungry corporations, all of these human details add up. Even something like the building Michael, Olivia, and Cindy end up in feels different. It lets the light in when S-Talk doesn’t. To that point, Ella Stiller is stellar as Cindy. Her needling of Brent Curry, her Uncle Lou playing with S-Talk’s electricity, and her TGIFridays crew helping out – it’s all perfect.
Once Cindy enters the scene, Cupertino clicks into place even more. It’s thrilling to watch her point out how weak these spineless people are. They’re even laughable at times! The number of people who have presentations for apps that need seed money is such a hilarious commentary. Similarly, it’s telling that Ry and Everett can’t see through the smoke show (The wall falling!) that Cindy puts together because those men completely underestimate this team.
So, even though Michael and Olivia don’t win both cases, they prove something. These people are damaging and powerful and have judges in their pockets, but they aren’t invincible. They still fight for accountability in a world that profits off of exploitation, and they use that money to build something better. It’s almost galvanizing to watch something so cleverly defensive of humanity. Price and Siffre see themselves as filling “a niche we can serve” in Silicon Valley. “Michael & Olivia” suggests that Cupertino can do the same for TV.
MORE: Everything We Know About CBS’ CIA Season 2
Other Thoughts:
- “You know, you were the only one nice to me here.” “Well that sucks.”
- The editing of the flashbacks is natural and purposeful.
- The title card is also great. We can’t lose the art of title cards!
- Michael and Olivia working out of a booth at iHop is incredibly charming.
- Michael realizes that Olivia is humming Annie and then he starts humming it, too!
- Christy’s entire extended family is already everything to me.
- The new judge is hilarious.
- Jillian, Ry’s rebuttal witness, saying, “I was the second female church goer on The Gilded Age” is so ridiculously funny.
—
