Ep 1. I'm in a Hurry

The Dropout season 1 episode 1, titled "I'm in a Hurry," introduces viewers to Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of Theranos, a blood-testing technology startup that was once valued at $10 billion. From the outset, the episode highlights the cult-like devotion that Holmes inspires among her followers, who see her as a visionary leader who is revolutionizing healthcare.

The episode follows Holmes as she pitches Theranos to investors, including legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper. Holmes is charismatic and persuasive, touting her company's technology as a game-changer that will transform the way blood tests are conducted. She even compares herself to Steve Jobs, hinting at her ambition to become a Silicon Valley icon.

However, as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems at Theranos. The company's technology is unproven and unreliable, and its leaders are secretive and paranoid. Journalist John Carreyrou, who would later break the story that brought down Theranos, describes his initial encounters with the company as "surreal." He notes that employees were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and were forbidden from discussing their work with outsiders.

Despite the red flags, investors continue to pour money into Theranos and the company's valuation skyrockets. Holmes becomes a media darling, appearing on the cover of magazines and delivering TED Talks. She is hailed as a role model for young women and a symbol of the power of tech entrepreneurship.

But the episode hints at the darker side of Holmes' leadership style. Former employees describe a high-pressure work environment in which mistakes were punished severely. One worker recalls being berated by Holmes for wearing the wrong shade of blue to a meeting. Another recounts being scolded for revealing that she had a boyfriend.

As the episode draws to a close, the cracks in the facade of Theranos become impossible to ignore. A whistleblower inside the company contacts Carreyrou, revealing that the technology doesn't work as advertised and that patients have been put at risk. Carreyrou's subsequent reporting exposes the truth about Holmes and Theranos, leading to the company's downfall and Holmes' indictment on charges of fraud.

Overall, "I'm in a Hurry" is a gripping introduction to The Dropout's subject matter. The episode does an excellent job of painting a picture of Elizabeth Holmes as a charismatic but deeply flawed figure, and it sets the stage for the rest of the series to explore the rise and fall of Theranos in more detail. Viewers will be left wanting to know more about what happened, and eager to see how the story unfolds.