In its ending, when the final moments fade out into a simple “where are they now?” montage,The Dropoutseeks not to give its viewers the catharsis of the cuffs being slapped on. It doesn’t end with the great final cosmic punishment that finally brings these terrible people to their knees. Instead, it focuses its powerful final moments on Holmes' response to being confronted with the consequences of her actions, and it is chilling. The final episode comes courtesy, once again, of Erica Watson. Screenwriters Elizabeth Meriwether and Sofya Levitsky-Weitz script the closing chapter of this moving modern biopic.
There’s something haunting about the Theranos headquarters after the staff has been cleared out and the lights are all turned off. The show is a drama first, but itshorror elements are rightfully lauded. The big white walls are adorned with supposedly inspirational quotes and the occasional space of dull color. It’s an excellent setting for the grim goings-on. The carefully manicured design mirrors the stage-managed personalities that run the show. Real humans, like the office staff or lab technicians, always look a little off at Theranos, but Elizabeth seems to blend right in.
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The opening of episode 8: “Lizzie” sees Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani confronted with the Wall Street Journal articlethat the previous episodeso heavily threatened. The impact is less immense than one might have thought. Holmes and Balwani dutifully recite the corporate line in casual conversation, deeply disconcerting the other people in the room. When the two of them reach out to do some damage control with the board of directors, the purse-string holders are completely unmoved by the truth. George Shultz is still the avatar for the easily convinced wealthy owners who ardently refuse the suggestion that they may have been deceived. The anti-climax that surrounds that moment feeds into the episode’s central theme. Even as the truth comes out, even as the world is supposed tocome down around them, money and corporate protection will keep them safe and happy.
On the other side, Tyler’s back and forth with his grandfather remains an intensely visceral family quarrel. Tyler is forced to tell the truth to the older man, confronting him with his actions, and he doesn’t take it well.He and Erika Cheungare met with the weight of their enemy as they seem to shrug off the first attempt to reveal their malfeasance. Erika develops a new plan and comes up with the confidence to see it through, and while it feels like it came from nowhere, it’s a strong moment. Those who recall the story will know all about the 2016 CMS sanctions, but the series establishes and pays it off in a matter of minutes. Giving that story element a little more time to breathe would’ve made it more effective, but it isn’t the main draw of the series. Something about the all-business demeanor of the CMS representative is remarkably funny as a final boss for the Theranos heads.
The final episode of the piece reintroduces an important figure who hasn’t appeared in a while, Elizabeth’s mom, Noel Holmes. Elizabeth’s relationship with her mom has been a driving force of thenarrative since the beginning. Carefully guiding her as a child, controlling her in college, then keeping her on the right path as the stress starts to get to her. Elizabeth finally gets a chance to confront her mom, if only for a moment, and there’s some harsh catharsis to be had. The entire episode bends around Elizabeth confronting the bad influences on her, but it’s a tough line to walk. People have always done her wrong, but letting her have her moment without making her the hero is a challenge that the show pulls off only most of the time.
Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani were never theit-couple of current TV, but as things turn downhill, they are an insufferable pair. Each is a nightmare on their own, but together, they are the absolute worst. The seeds have been planted for their acrimonious break-up, Holmes makes every attempt to make Sunny the fall guy, but their interpersonal relationship has been one of the least pleasant aspects of the late series. Watching Sunny finally realize aloud exactly who he’s spent over a decade with is a tough moment, but the series makes sure to continuously remind the audience that his hands are not clean. Making a show about largely terrible people with only a few decent figures trying to do good is a challenge,butThe Dropouthandles it well.
The most impressive aspect ofThe Dropoutis not the incredible performances, the stellar writing, or the genre-bending flawless presentation. It’s the fact that one of the most publicly infamous stories in modern history can be retold this well. In an ageof biopics about grifters,The Dropoutis the gold standard. Anyone who can stomach it should watch this show. It’s the perfect incarnation of its themes, wrapped in an incredibly well-made piece of TV.
