The first three episodes of The Dropout dropped simultaneously on Hulu. The third episode may have had the most drama yet. This episode gave us even more insight into the disaster that would become Theranos and the people that steered the company full tilt into a metaphorical iceberg. So much of this episode is incredibly unsettling, and honestly, that’s kind of what makes us coming back for more of this series.
The writing on the wall was so incredibly obvious through this episode in particular. Amanda Seyfried plays Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes as ever-more frenzied. Those around her, who are incredibly loyal, are already jumping ship. This was the company in its early days. It’s alarming to see those who clearly put in the most work and had truly believed in the vision leaving before anything had a chance to really get off the ground. They knew what was coming in the early days.
This episode also gave us an early indication of the havoc this entire enterprise wreaked on actual patients. This company was meant to make medical testing more accessible and altogether less unpleasant. Testing a product that multiple people in the company knew didn’t work and probably wouldn’t for some time on actual people was alarming. Edmond’s (James Hiroyuki Liao) visceral reaction was a stand-in for anyone watching this unfold at a distance.
The interactions between Seyfried’s Holmes and the Apple corporation in this episode were instructive. Apple is what Holmes aspired to be. The throngs of adoring fans lined up for the latest release could have been exactly what she pictured. Seeing her in the middle of the crowd gave us as the audience a better idea of the visions she had for herself as the CEO of her own corporation.
The up-close moments of Holmes at an early 2000s genius bar following a mental breakdown were incredibly revealing. It was another revealing moment of contrast; a woman who already had concrete information that her vision was based on fantasy, compared to a younger woman who was making an honest living. The poor genius at the genius bar no doubt learned from her mistake, and likely didn’t repeat it any time soon. These polar opposite attitudes towards work and progress are two very different philosophies.
Holmes’ leadership style is put under the microscope in this episode. Her pitting everyone against each other was incredibly not subtle. The hilarity of a departing employee to leave a copy of ‘The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t’ by Robert Sutton can’t be overstated. A toxic boss would never learn something from an instruction manual about how to avoid toxic workplace culture. It was cute of the employee to try though.
It’s hard to choose what the emotional climax of this episode was, since there were several to choose from. An argument can definitely be made for everything coming to an emotional head during the vote of no confidence by Theranos’ Board of Directors. In that moment, Holmes chose to imitate almost verbatim the interaction between her and the Apple genius. It was a play for vulnerability that bought her time, which was clearly fast running out.
It’s strange to think that The Dropout dropped three episodes, and the series is essentially almost halfway over. We haven’t even seen the complete blowout from Theranos. We’re getting closer and closer to the fallout. We know what’s coming, and we can’t look away. By the end of this episode, we see the dynamics between Sunny (Naveen Andrews) and Elizabeth as incredibly enmeshed.
The Dropout has proven with its third episode that the show is a direct rebuke to spoiler culture. We know how this story ends, yet we’re captivated by the show’s every devastating and cringe twist and turn. That doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.
Other Things:
-That iPhone launch was a major throwback to before we all started complaining about Apple products and having to replace them in a ridiculously short amount of time from when we buy them
-Elizabeth’s first try at the iconic voice…and the perfection of being asked if she has a cold in this economy.
-The ‘I’m a Mac’ ‘I’m a PC’ throwback…man, that ad SLAPPED
What did you think of The Dropout 1×03, “Green Juice”? 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”
