A few months later, Walgreens allowed Jay to visit Theranos’ headquarters as long as he brought lab expert Kevin Hunter to check out their labs. ..
The lab workers are told to stay in the lab unless instructed to leave. This upsets Ian, who is already frustrated about several changes in the company since Sunny became COO.
Ian goes to Sunny to complain about the firing of one of the lab workers and finds out that the worker was fired for working on a secret project called “Project Beta.” Sunny seems to be hiding something when Ian brings up this information. ..
Elizabeth and Sunny are surprised when the Walgreens executives arrive, and Kevin is even more suspicious than he already was when he learned that they had not yet gained FDA approval. The executives are looking for ways to get FDA approval for their new product, and Elizabeth and Sunny are determined to keep Kevin from learning too much.
Ian finds out that Walgreens is partnering with Theranos to get their product on the market. He is horrified to learn this and knows that the device isn’t ready for use.
He goes to Professor Channing Robertson to tell him what he discovered, only to learn that he already knew. Robertson’s explanation is that the technology is “almost there” and Elizabeth just needs to fast track the business process. Ian knows the technology will still be years in the making, however.
Elizabeth later gets a call from Robertson about Ian, so she leaves a meeting with Walgreens to surprise Ian in the lab.
He confronts her about her heartless plan to test the machine on people. She claims he doesn’t understand the business, but he levels that she doesn’t understand the science. She responds by firing him. ..
Theranos employees stand up for Ian the next day. If he is fired, they’ll have to be fired too. So, Sunny calls Ian and offers him a job. He just won’t tell him what the job is until he gets to the office. ..
Elizabeth had promised Walgreens they could come see their labs the next morning. But when the Walgreens execs arrive, they catch her in a meeting with Safeway.
Elizabeth made Walgreens and Safeway wait over an hour, only to turn both of them down. She hurriedly got ready to leave, implying that she was heading to CVS to close a deal with them. ..
Walgreens is Walgreens’ biggest competitor, and Walgreens has been having trouble keeping up with the pharmacy. Wade thinks Elizabeth might be bluffing, but Jay talks him into making her an offer. Kevin insists that would be foolish without first seeing their labs, but Jay succeeds in persuading him.
Ian returns to the office later that day to find that they’ve given him a new workspace at a desk. He’s disappointed, but he looks up to see Elizabeth and Sunny celebrating in a meeting room. ..
Elizabeth tells Schultz that she has been working on a new blood testing technology that could revolutionize the healthcare industry. She says that Walgreens and Safeway are both interested in investing in her invention and would be able to help her get the word out there. If Schultz is willing to help, Elizabeth says she can make a huge impact on the healthcare industry.
The Episode Review
The episode starts with a change in the story focus, as we are largely left without any attachments to the characters. This lack of connection is most noticeable in the lack of interaction between these “old white men.” Although there is some humour in their lack of synergy, the overall storyline is uninteresting.
Theranos and Elizabeth’s story is fascinating, but it’s important to remember that they are just people. Their actions are just as despicable as anyone else’s.
The change in perspective in this story caused us to evaluate the story from all sides.
After watching this episode, do you feel any empathy for Elizabeth? Do you think she’s someone we should try to empathize with?
