As autumn delivers an onslaught of tech-dystopia content—from Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning to Nathan Fielder’s documentary on Elizabeth Holmes—broadcast television has entered the fray with Cupertino. Premiering on CBS on October 8, the series stands out as one of the season’s most engaging debuts, thanks to creators Robert and Michelle King, renowned for their work on The Good Wife and The Good Fight.
The plot follows Michael Price (Mike Colter), a fair-minded attorney fired from the startup he co-founded, and Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller), a junior lawyer dismissed under similar pretenses. Both possess strong wrongful-termination claims, but when they seek representation locally, they encounter a legal culture that protects corporate giants. As one colleague warns, suing entities like Apple or OpenAI is a losing battle in a region where lawyers profit from startup equity rather than litigation.
Determined to fight for the little guy, Michael and Olivia establish their own firm. They are soon joined by Christy (Ella Stiller), Michael’s former assistant, and Vikram (Nik Dodani), a coder who handles technical consultations. The ensemble grows to include Natalia Boutella (Busy Philipps), a vengeful billionaire’s ex-partner with a law degree, and Renée Elise Goldsberry, who plays both a frequent adversary and Michael’s unresolved romantic interest.
The series tackles cases mirroring current tech controversies, including chatbots allegedly influencing youth violence, prediction market disruptions, and gig-worker exploitation. A central season-long arc involves an AI claiming sentience and danger, prompting Michael and Olivia to sue its creators to reinstate safety guardrails. Through these narratives, the Kings aim to educate viewers on the sector’s impact on democracy and healthcare, as well as the vulnerabilities of a legal system ill-equipped to handle complex technological evidence.
Despite the grim realities of surveillance and deepfake manipulation depicted in the show, the tone remains remarkably lighthearted. The chemistry among the cast is warm, and the dialogue is sharp without feeling forced. Recurring performances by Fisher Stevens, Jackie Hoffman, and Joe Morton add further depth to the satire.
While the first ten episodes leave some character development, particularly regarding Michael’s backstory, minor clichés such as service workers pitching startup ideas feel dated. Nevertheless, Cupertino succeeds in reinvigorating the network procedural format, offering hope for smart, contemporary storytelling even if it offers little optimism for the future of technology itself.
Good premiere, but I hope they develop Michael’s backstory more. Some episodes felt rushed despite the sharp writing.
Busy Philipps steals every scene she’s in. Also, can we talk about the gig-worker episode? Chillingly accurate.
Is it just me, or does this feel a lot like The Good Wife meets Silicon Valley? Loving it though.
Mike Colter and Rachel Keller have incredible chemistry. I was worried about the AI sentience plot, but it held up!
Finally, a legal drama that actually understands how Silicon Valley works. The satire is sharp but never preachy.