Ep 5. Spyke Drives

In season 4 episode 5 of Portlandia, titled Spyke Drives, the show delves into the topic of urban traffic and how it impacts those living in the city. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are back with their hilarious antics, portraying a range of unusual characters, from bikers to frustrated drivers.

The episode begins with a sketch featuring guest star Kirsten Dunst, who plays a woman stuck in traffic with her "sugar daddy" - a much older man who has promised her a trip to the coast. The situation quickly devolves as they become increasingly frustrated with the gridlocked traffic and each other.

Next, we see Spyke (Armisen) on his way to an important meeting, frustrated with his car's GPS system. He decides to take matters into his own hands and creates a new mapping app, which quickly becomes a hit with Portland's alternative community. However, things start to go awry when Spyke becomes too obsessed with his new creation, neglecting his responsibilities and relationships.

The episode then focuses on a bike messenger named Doug (Brownstein), who navigates the city's busy streets with ease. However, when he is forced to take on a slower, more leisurely route, he begins to question his identity as a true Portlander. This leads to a series of bizarre encounters, including a run-in with a group of unicycling street performers and an encounter with a rogue squirrel.

The final sketch features a couple driving home from a night out, with the wife (played by Brownstein) voicing her frustration with her husband's habit of blasting music in the car. She tries to find common ground by suggesting they listen to an audiobook, but the situation quickly spirals into chaos as they become absorbed in the overly dramatic narrative.

Throughout the episode, Portlandia takes a satirical look at the city's culture and its residents' attitudes towards transportation. From Spyke's obsession with his mapping app to Doug's identity crisis on a bike, the show highlights the sometimes absurd nature of urban traffic and the lengths people will go to navigate it. As always, the episode features a host of guest stars, including Dunst, Jeff Goldblum, and Kumail Nanjiani.

Overall, season 4 episode 5 of Portlandia offers a humorous take on the frustrations of city life. With its mix of absurdity and satire, the show continues to delight audiences with its unique perspective on Portland and the quirks of its inhabitants.