The Dropout returns with its most heartbreaking episode yet. Anyone who followed this story or listened to the podcast on which this show is based knew what was coming. That made this episode no less devastating to see play out. This was one of the strongest episodes of the series yet, and it managed to capture the human toll of this web of lies.
Right from the opening scenes, it was clear this episode was going to have something profound to say. The contrast between Elizabeth (Amanda Seyfried) examining the polished clinic model for Walgreens with the actual prototype of Theranos’ technology exploding in Sunny’s (Naveen Andrews) face was striking. It spoke to the larger issue of the focus of this company being on sleek optics rather than actually producing something that works.
The Dropout also continues to be a fascinating and deep character study of Elizabeth Holmes. Seyfried dug even deeper into her version of Holmes in this episode. She lies in situations where it’s not really necessary (she’s on a plane and tells people she’s walking into meetings), and essentially becomes the star of her uncle’s funeral. All of these things speak to a woman battling her own insecurities. Seyfried portrays this to near perfection.
This episode also gave us a more in-depth look at how this version of Elizabeth Holmes conceptualizes herself, and her roll in her own company. When asked why she won’t drop a lawsuit against a childhood neighbour, Holmes responds that she doesn’t want him to win. It was also intriguing to hear her describe how she saw her job.
Elizabeth admits to Sunny that her job is to have a vision, bring in investors, and make those investors happy. There’s no mention of supporting the development of the actual product she touts, nor concern about ensuring that everything works. She goes on in the episode to describe Theranos as her religion, and who she is as a person. It was an honest, if unsettling evaluation.
The series seems to be doing something interesting with William H. Macy’s character, inventor and entrepreneur Richard Fuisz. This writer remains conflicted about whether or not its working, but this particular story certainly has potential. Clearly, The Dropout is trying to strike the right balance between portraying him as an unhinged old white man who feels entitled to a young woman’s company after feeling wronged when he wasn’t consulted. On the other hand, he’s one of the only people who can see sense, and knows that the technology Theranos claims will revolutionize medicine never had a chance.
The main focus of this episode, of course, was the tragedy of Ian Gibbons (Stephen Fry). Gibbons died by suicide the day before he was set to testify in a court case where he would have had to discuss Theranos’ technology. Gibbons death is handled with sensitivity in this episode, which drives home just how devastating the consequences of this entire misadventure were. It was a sobering reality check in a story that can so easily devolve into voyeurism.
The inhumanity of literally everyone at Theranos in response to Gibbons’ tragic death was also on full display. The lawyer in particular, who was portrayed as so freakishly otherworldly, is so completely tone-deaf. She’s the human embodiment of what it looks like when humanity is put second to corporate interests. It’s disturbing as it is horrifyingly realistic.
The Dropout continues to captivate even when its public knowledge where this is all heading. Seyfried continues to prove why she’s the exact right person to take on this role. Elizabeth Holmes gets progressively less sympathetic as the series continues. The coopted use of her uncle’s death to come up with the company motto “So no one ever has to say goodbye too soon” is truly emblematic of the business Holmes tried to run.
Other Things:
- If one of the company’s only Black employees (that we can see) tells you to run, you RUN. George Schultz’s nephew Tyler apparently didn’t get the memo, and is fully willing to buy into the chaos of the sinking ship for a little bit of fame and fortune.
- The rally at the end of the episode…anyone else get major “Mission Accomplished” vibes? Gag. And yet a perfect parallel.
- The Halloween party costumes at the end of the episode were a stroke of genius. Elizabeth dressed as a magician, a master of illusion, and Sunny dressed as a vampire, sucking the life out of those around him…*chef’s kiss*
- The music in this series continues to be incredibly on-point. Lil Wayne’s ‘How to Love’ was a perfect soundtrack to two people who clearly didn’t understand the definition of the word.
What did you think of The Dropout 1×05, “Flower of Life”? 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”
