This article contains spoilers forVeepseason 7 episode 7.
The American sitcom landscape of the mid-00s was a mostly optimistic place.
NBC toned down the bruising cynicism of Ricky Gervais U.K.Officein favor of a workplace hangout sesh.
Over on HBO, however, comedy was decidedly less jolly.
The twin-billing of political satireVeepand tech bro lampoonSilicon Valleypresented a world as pessimistic as any drama.
Of the two HBO offerings,Veepwas easily the more brutal.
And TV was all the better for it.
The final three seasons ofVeeparent just mean…theyresatanic.
To this day, one of the series most frequently-shared clips comes from the seventh episode of season 5.
By the time the seventh and final season rolled around,Veepwas a vividly angry beast.
Perhaps challenged by the frequent refrain of Veepis probably what politics is really like!
Things start off innocuously enough.
If you cant figure out how to steal South Carolina, you have no business being president.
How can I do this without you?
Selina says.Dont be an idiot, Selina.
You know exactly what to do, Ben responds.
Selina, indeed knows what to do.
Offers Jonah Ryan (Timothy Simons) her VP slot.
Theres a similar volley of vivid dialogue regarding Selinas choice for Veep.
Dont make Jonah your VP, Amy wheeps.
Because Ive got the heart and the twat of a high school cheerleader whos only done anal.
Kent Davidson (Gary Cole), Selinas consummate numbers man, screams FUCK THE NUMBERS!
I will not be part of a campaign, let alone an administration that includes Jonah Ryan as president.
Thats an unacceptable outcome.
Selina shuts them both down by declaring Enough!
and throwing a chair.
Louis-Dreyfus does more than give her all.
My daughter was the exact same way.
Tell me: how can the United States help you?
But then she dies 24 years later.
As people are wont to do.
In the end though, the point ofVeepisnt to see evil punished.
Its to see evil at work and revel in its awful, yet comedic destruction.
How closelyVeepresembles actual American politics remains up for debate.
Whats not is that few shows ever captured pure narcissistic malice more effectively.