Ep 5. The Empty Chair

Richard finds himself in a dilemma when he discovers that one of his employees is spying on him and gathering sensitive company information. Meanwhile, the rest of the team is busy dealing with their own personal and professional problems.

Gilfoyle and Dinesh are tasked with creating a new feature for Pied Piper's platform, but their bitter rivalry gets in the way of their productivity. As they try to outdo each other, their project spirals out of control and threatens to damage the company's reputation.

Jared, on the other hand, is dealing with a personal crisis as he grapples with the recent loss of his mother. His grief is compounded by the fact that he feels guilty for not being there for her in her final moments.

Meanwhile, Gavin Belson is struggling to regain control of his company in the wake of his recent legal troubles. He faces opposition both from his board of directors and from a new competitor in the tech industry.

Throughout the episode, tensions run high as the characters struggle to balance their personal lives with the demands of their companies. The title of the episode, "The Empty Chair," refers to the absence of one of Pied Piper's employees, who has been missing for several days. As the team tries to figure out what has happened to him, they must also confront the fact that someone within their own ranks may be working against them.

Overall, the episode is a tense and compelling look at the cutthroat world of the tech industry, as well as the personal struggles that arise when people are pushed to their limits. With its sharp writing, nuanced performances, and often-hilarious humor, "The Empty Chair" is a standout episode in an already-excellent season of Silicon Valley.