The Dropoutis rocketing through this gripping true story, with another three-year time skip opening episode 5, “The Flower of Life”. The series has demonstrated a masterful grasp on pacing and focus, and the change in directors hasn’t slowed them down at all. Episode five comes courtesy of Francesca Gregorini, director ofTanner Hall, The Truth About Emmanuel, and series two ofKilling Eve. The episode was written by Liz Hannah, best known for the 2017 Steven Spielberg thrillerThe Post.
Episode five takes place in 2013, three years after the successful deal with Walgreens to begin installing the Theranos wellness centers in stores. Despitethat massive time jump, the scientists back at the company aren’t much closer to developing a product that actually works. Though Elizabeth Holmes has put her partner Sunny Balwani in charge, he’s done little more than yell at people. Balwani’s anger issues have come more into focus as his role in the company becomes more prominent, and Naveen Andrews' performance perfectly sells the unhinged intimidation of the character.
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Richard Fuisz’s patent and the resulting lawsuit are a big focus of the episode. William H. Macy does a stellar job in the role, pursuing an ostensibly righteous goal for a deeply selfish motivation. Fuisz and Holmes serve as perfect rivals, both pursuing the lawsuit for no better reason than a stubborn desire to win. Holmes brings in notorious lawyer David Boies to represent her in the largely symbolic case, and he’s a dynamic presence in his brief appearance. Portrayed byRobocopandThat 70s ShowstarKurtwood Smith, the character is a perfect TV lawyer. Seemingly omnipotent, yet socially gracious, Smith does a great job in the role of a fascinating figure.
Those familiar with the history of the Theranos story, whether they followed it at the time or dovedeep on the podcastthat inspired the show, know the other big thing that happened in 2013. This episode stands as a perfect showcase for the fan-favorite character, Stephen Fry’s portrayal of Ian Gibbons. Gibbons has a heavy presence in episode five, he’s subpoenaed by Fuisz as part of the lawsuit and the pressure destroys him. Gibbons' downward spiral has been one of the more crushing aspects of the narrative, he may well be the most likable character on the show. His darkest moments are devastating, even for those who know how his story has to end. Thatheart-wrenching moment isshifted toward visceral anger, however, when the show depicts how Holmes responds to the news.
It’s hardly worth pointing out at this point, but Amanda Seyfried’s performance as Elizabeth Holmes remains the standout draw of the show. After thelast episode saw herin the supervillain form most like to think of her embodying, this episode reinstates a ticking clock and the stress gets to her once again. She’s back to breaking down, missing meals, and avoiding phone calls. She spends a ton of time on the company’s private plane rushing from one soulless meeting to another, she only seems to get some life into her eyes when she gets a new branding idea. The episode is interrupted around the third act by a death in the Holmes family, and the funeral scene is a shatteringly grim reminder of her roots.
So much ofThe Dropoutis a straightforward character study of the person who most of the world now sees in their head when they consider the word “fraud”. Manywho know the storywould balk at the idea of feeling empathy or even pity for Elizabeth Holmes, but the show isn’t asking its audience to cry for the woman who made the term “blood money” literal. At every turn, Holmes has another chance to come to grips with who she is and why, and at every turn, she refuses. She’s intelligent enough to know what’s wrong and either morally bankrupt or greedy enough to ignore it. There’s a moment in the funeral scene in which she confronts her mother about her life, andit’s so astonishingly cutting. Not because the viewer feels for Elizabeth, but because she gets so close to setting herself free, even as the audience knows she’s only digging deeper.
There are three episodes left inThe Dropout, and five years of narrative time before the charges come down. Holmes' conviction was only a couple of short months ago, creating a de facto ending to her story, but this series makes it feel as fresh as it was a decade ago. It doesn’t matter how much the audience knows about the Theranos story, anyone with an interest in excellent filmmaking should see this series. If the story was fictional, its biggest problem would be suspension of disbelief.Since it is real, allThe Dropouthas to do is execute it, and they do so with incredible success.
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