Hulu’s The Dropout hit the ground running by dropping the first three episodes of the limited series. The series that is Hulu’s answer to Inventing Anna is already taking viewers on a wild ride. Series star Amanda Seyfried leads an incredible cast of characters whose performances that have us enthralled from The Dropout 1×01.
The Dropout is based on the podcast of the same name, which gave an in-depth exploration and analysis of the rise and fall of Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes. It chronicled the woman who conceptualized herself as a successor to Steve Jobs, and the destructive impact her actions caused to so many.
Right from the beginning, The Dropout is an unexpectedly sympathetic look at the disgraced CEO of Theranos. The backstory is compelling. It’s honestly pretty understandable that someone who had been in an economically precarious situation would make it her mission to be a billionaire and never have to worry about money ever again. In many ways, this is the first flaw in what would become a colossal mess of a plan.
It’s pretty clear early on that the entire premise of Holmes’ idea was impossible. Laurie Metcalf of The Connors stars here as Dr. Phyllis Gardner. Gardner is among the first to attempt to give Holmes, and by extension us, a reality check. It’s a reminder that, yes, sadly, real work is required to achieve any dream or goal. I know, I hate it too, but nothing comes from nothing. Holmes is established in this series as an incredibly idealistic, if misguided, person.
Perhaps the weakest moment of The Dropout 1×01 was the strange way it addressed the massive epidemic that is sexual assault on college campuses. It happened so fast, if you blinked you would miss it. I’m very confused why they wouldn’t address this in a meaningful way rather than just kind of…throwing it out there, which this episode did. Surely, there was a better way to portray this pretty critical part of this character’s story. If not, it shouldn’t have been included.
On this note, however, we were introduced to Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews), who was also implicated in the downfall of Theranos. The moments where he shows his true colors, and his abusive tendencies, are horrifying. They’re objectively small moments, and anyone who has ever interacted with an abuser will recognize them immediately. The scorpion moment, the overreaction to an emotional provocation…yeah, they were a lot.
Finally, one of the most maddening parts of The Dropout is the premise itself. Elizabeth Holmes was one of a long line of “self-starters,” who flexed about dropping out of college to focus on their true passion of changing the world. This is such a lie that’s so easy to buy into. Everyone in these positions was able to leave their education because they had a financial safety net to fall into. The fact that the show addressed this and framed the issue in this way is commendable.
The Dropout 1×01 got the series off to a strong start. The true story behind this series is undeniably compelling, if nauseating and maddening to follow. So many threads were set up that we’ll get to follow for the rest of the series. The cast of characters is clearly able to carry this story, and the ride can only get crazier from here.
Other Things:
-Those neighbors give off the weirdest vibes…It’s not just the husband; the two of them as a couple are just creepy
-Hating needles is a mood…but Elizabeth’s mom couldn’t even stay in the room when her daughter was having blood work done? Like she couldn’t keep holding her hand but turn away or close her eyes herself? What was up with that?
-The music in this series is already a bop, and the early 2000s callbacks are incredibly on point.
What did you think of The Dropout 1×01, “I’m in a Hurry”? Let us know in the comments below!
The Dropout airs Thursdays on Hulu.
Read All Of THE DROPOUT Reviews –
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×01 Review: “I’m in a Hurry”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×02 Review: “Satori”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×03 Review: “Green Juice”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×04 Review: “Old White Men”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×05 Review: “Flower of Life”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×06 Review: “Iron Sisters”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×07 Review: “Heroes”
- ‘The Dropout’ 1×08 Review: “Lizzy”