In the tradition of MYTHIC QUEST’S BACKSTORY episode, we get a Lil Dicky backstory with his best friend, Emma (Christine Ko). The story cuts back to 2013, with Dave and Emma both working at an ad agency. In this flashback-heavy episode, audiences get to see the birth of Norm Bender, who eventually becomes Lil Dicky.
Appreciatively, there are a lot fewer dick jokes this week. It’s fun seeing 2013 with references to Chat Roulette, THE TRUMAN SHOW, and more. But what works the most is seeing Dave before he was a fully realized narcissist. He bumps Kanye’s Yeezy, and the shades of inspiration as to where his character is heading are present. Yet, in 2013, Dave is a genuinely nice Jewish boy working at a job he believes he’s better than. That narrative core makes audiences once again care about Dave’s future.
This episode also has a lot to say about women and Asian discrimination in the workplace. Through the lens of Emma, audiences see it first hand. The underutilized actor, Christine Ko, is up for the task, turning in her best performance yet in the series.
In the words of the ad that Dave and Emma are producing, audiences should “do the Dew” and check out episode 7 on FX.
