Introduction
If you’re a fan of true crime stories, then you’ve probably heard of ‘The Dropout’. This highly anticipated TV show tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes and the fall of her once most promising healthcare company, Theranos. With its compelling plot, unique characters, and real-life drama, it’s no surprise fans are eagerly awaiting every episode to hit their screens. But how many episodes can we expect, and is it enough to deliver a complete story? Keep reading, and we’ll explore all you need to know about The Dropout’s episode count.
A Comprehensive Guide: The Number of Episodes in ‘The Dropout’
The Dropout TV series is a Hulu Original production that premiered on March 3rd, 2022. This docuseries is executive produced by Liz Meriwether, Taylor Dunn, and Liz Heldens. While it is based on true events, the show, like any other TV series, requires great plotting and storytelling which should take into consideration the number of episodes.
Hulu officially ordered “The Dropout” to series in April 2019, with a 6-episode order. However, just before its release in 2022, it was confirmed that this count had increased to 9. But why was this decision made?
Breaking Down ‘The Dropout’: The Episode Count Explained
While this show is divided into episodes, it is primarily a true-crime series. As such, it is reportedly inspired by the ABC News podcast of the same name, which was produced by Rebecca Jarvis. Originally, the show was envisioned as a 6-episode series, which would have run for each week in 1 hour parts.
The decision to increase The Dropout’s episode count from six to nine was based on discussions about the amount of material available and the team’s judgment on what is the best way to honor the complexity of Elizabeth Holmes’ story. This required more-time and space to explore her remarkable rise and fall and to provide enough depth, information, and background about the young entrepreneur, especially with the legal and ethical allegations being thrown at her throughout the story.
The show creators have stated in interviews that this increase in episode count has helped them to present a more complete picture of the story to the audience. They’ve taken the time to explore the many nuances and layers of the story, including the characters’ backgrounds and motivations. This approach can only improve the entire series rather than compressing it into a shorter duration.
Notably, when it comes to true crime storytelling, the decision to add or reduce episodes can significantly impact how compelling a story is. Too few episodes and the show may fail to deliver a complete narrative, while too many episodes may cause the audience to lose interest.
The Dropout: How Many Episodes Should We Expect?
When it comes to true crime series, the number of episodes is an essential factor that determines the show’s complexity, depth, and storytelling. Are 6, 9, or even more episodes really necessary to tell a captivating story, and how does that compare to other popular TV shows?
From shows like “Making a Murderer” to “The Night Stalker,” the number of episodes ranges from four to six, which is typical and is enough for a comprehensive narrative. “The Dropout” episode count of nine may imply a more detailed storytelling approach and an emphasis on character development. The increase in episodes may enable the production team to explore more angles in the storyline, offer greater insight into conspiracy theories, and humanize each character in extraordinary ways, ensuring that every personality is thoroughly explained and seen by audiences.
Whether nine episodes are the magic number remains to be seen, but based on preliminary reviews, it seems that that decision was justified. The show’s pacing is well-structured, and plot development remains captivating in each episode. There is enough time and space for every character to be thoroughly introduced, illuminated, and even critiqued for their full humanity. The 9-episode count strikes the right balance between just enough and not too much.
What the Episode Count of ‘The Dropout’ Tells Us About the Story
The episode count of “The Dropout” can tell us a lot about the story’s structure, pacing, and intentions. A series with more episodes will likely explore the nuances of the characters and plot in a bit more detail than a shorter series. In the case of “The Dropout,” the increased episode count means that the production team can delve into the complexities of Elizabeth Holmes and her rise to fame, without leaving out any of the critical elements of the story behind how her empire ultimately crumbled.
The decision to have more episodes also points to the creative team’s desire to humanize and offer a complete perspective on each character in the narrative. They wish to go beyond the surface of the characters by studying their psychology and backgrounds.
At the same time, this could indicate that the show will take a slow burn approach. Although it carries a lot of weight from the beginning, stories with more episodes tend to build momentum at a slow pace, allowing the viewer to experience a deep emotional connection to the plot in real-time.
From Start to Finish: Following ‘The Dropout’ Episode by Episode
Here we take you on a detailed breakdown of each episode of “The Dropout,” from start to finish:
Episode 1: The Prophet: The series opens with a promise from Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos, to change healthcare with a small drop of blood. It overlays Holmes’s real footage with dramatized reenactments of how her vision came to be. Viewers follow the character’s journey to present-day while exploring the lengths she went to realize her prototype.
Episode 2: Bending Reality: The second episode sees the rise of Theranos as Holmes’ first investors provide the platform to attract more widespread attention and funding. Meanwhile, FBI Agent John Carreyrou begins looking into the company’s blood testing technology, and Elizabeth learns of the investigation.
Episode 3: Fanning the Flames : As the media picks up on the Theranos phenomenon, the company’s defensive strategy takes hold. Meanwhile, Carreyrou uncovers major inconsistencies with the blood testing technology.
Episode 4: Blood in the Water : As Holmes’s empire is crumbling down, she goes on a charm offensive in an attempt to repair the damage that has been done to her company and public image.
Episode 5: Smoke and Mirrors: Holmes starts to unravel in this episode. She turns on her ex-boyfriend, Sunny Balwani, and blames him for the company’s failings.
Episode 6: The Bad Actor: This episode takes a closer look at the ethics behind the company’s operations. Meanwhile, the FBI starts to ramp up its investigation into Holmes and Theranos.
Episode 7: Part 7: Coming Soon
Episode 8: Part 8: Coming Soon
Episode 9: Part 9: Coming Soon
The Dropout: Is the Episode Count Enough for a Complete Story?
The question of whether The Dropout’s episode count is enough for a complete story is a debatable topic. With just 6 episodes, the story could have felt rushed and not delved deep enough into the various themes and characters. On the other hand, the 9 episode count may lead to padding on subplots and tangents, dragging out the narrative unnecessarily.
However, with the show currently airing, viewers will have a better appreciation of how the story ultimately ends and fills in the gaps. Although some might prefer a shorter or a longer series, it’s likely that the nine-episode count will leave viewers with a bittersweet conclusion to Elizabeth Holmes’s story.
Final Verdict: Did ‘The Dropout’ Deliver Enough Episodes for Fans?
So far, fans have been thrilled with The Dropout’s nine-episode count. Each episode takes us closer to the truth behind the Theranos scandal, and we get to watch the story evolve in real-time. The extra episodes have allowed the production team to give the full attention to each character and event that Holmes’ story deserves. However, only time will tell whether or not The Dropout’s extended episode count will ultimately provide fans with a satisfying conclusion to this captivating and tragic story.