Cupertino Season 1 Episode 5 Review: What's in Store for Olivia?

The fifth episode of Cupertino, titled Celeste, takes on AI training and even more Bo.

As far as the case-of-the-week part of the episode goes, I found myself disappointed. I was really hoping to sink my teeth into AI training and how it really only employs people backed into a corner with no options… and downright offensively bad pay.

And the show did brush on these topics, but I was disappointed that it didn’t delve into how awful the content the trainers have to interact with can be. Sure, it can be training the AI to write an email, but it can also be training it on what to say or do when someone brings up awful, dehumanizing, and distressing topics. And if the AI is able to produce images, you may even be exposed to visually graphic content on the regular.

I’m very anti-AI, but I was once one of those stressed unemployed people who felt like any dollar made was critical. I really wish that this topic had been explored further because AI training jobs are cropping up in digital ads and even LinkedIn. I’ve gotten direct message ads for jobs like this. And most people may not even really know what they’re signing up for until they’re already in the throws because of how they advertise it.

I’m surprised that Cupertino seems to already be using case-of-the-week stories as filling in gaps rather than something to sit in the forefront of the show. Instead, we’re already seeing recurring longer storylines take up most of the screentime – like Bo’s story. The pacing feels like something a show in its third season would utilize, not a show on its fifth episode to ever air.

I think I’ve already hit my limit on the “AGI” schtick since it’s not really going anywhere anytime soon. I was surprised when the judge presiding over the Bo case said they would adjourn until next year. Usually court dramas speed up the usual pace of proceedings for the purposes of storytelling. I wouldn’t mind a reprieve from Bo at this point, but I don’t suspect I’ll be that lucky considering we already saw a Price and Siffre laptop turn on of its own accord at the end of the episode.

Overall, I think this episode has engaged me the least so far, but that’s okay. I already adore the characters and I’ll certainly be coming back for more. I am a tad worried about Olivia though. Last episode she went from never having tasted alcohol to casually drinking a beer with Michael in off hours. It seems innocuous, but newbie drinkers rarely enjoy a beer until they’ve acquired the taste of alcohol more. I’d expect Olivia to be drinking a canned hard seltzer or something instead at this point.

Plus, at the end of the episode, Olivia was peer pressured into drinking champagne again. I felt like there was something deeper there. Her eyes were sad and they lingered on the shot of her with the glass of bubbly for a little longer than necessary… unless something important was being conveyed.

These small moments combined with the fact Olivia was just invited to live in Christy’s party house and into a bedroom that had lines of coke on the dresser makes me worry that Olivia is going to have a substance abuse storyline that will absolutely break my heart.

Of course, this is all speculation at this point, but I feel like I’m on pins and needles just thinking about it. It also wouldn’t be crazy for a sheltered woman who hasn’t been exposed to… well much of anything… to go a tiny bit crazy once she tastes freedom.

I’m looking forward to next week’s episode and desperately hope I’m wrong about where Olivia’s story is headed.

What did you think?

• Loved it
• Hated it
• So/So