‘The Dropout’ Exclusive: Watch Amanda Seyfried Go Head-to-Head with Alan Ruck

This week, The Dropout is visiting the big boys. Ahead of this week’s episode, “Old White Men”, Decider has your first look at one of those aforementioned white men. And if this clip is any indication, Alan Ruck is a perfect fit for this larger-than-life show.

“Old White Men” sees Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried) pitching her blood-testing machine to the biggest pharmacy chain in the United States: Walgreens. Despite her sharp presentation, new look, and grand promises for innovation, Walgreens exec Dr. Jay Rosen (Alan Ruck) doesn’t initially believe in Holmes’ machine, citing his history as a physician for the past 30 years. That’s when Elizabeth drops the charm bomb.

Elizabeth reminds Dr. J how he encouraged doctors and hospitals to transmit medical records electronically and the Webby award he won for his work. She holds nothing back, calling his work “visionary” and “a breakthrough.” Then she goes for the gut punch.

“You’ve always understood that giving people information on their health is not only good for the world. It can — how should I put this? — be very profitable,” Elizabeth says. “And if Obama’s healthcare bill passes, millions more people will be motivated to start prioritizing their health.”

Dr. J offers up one more argument. Walgreens tried in-store clinics years ago and they didn’t work. Why should Theranos be any different? “You’re thinking too small,” Elizabeth shoots back. “What we want to offer are wellness centers.”

On some level, the clip is like watching a scene from a horror movie. At this point, the audience knows that the Edison, Theranos’ primary blood-testing machine, doesn’t work. And yet here is Elizabeth Holmes, confidently selling her faulty technology to one of the biggest medical chains in America. But more than being dramatic catnip that features a Succession alum, there’s another reason why this clip is great.

A lot of the real Holmes’ success stemmed from her ability to target the right people and stroke their egos. Rather than appealing to medical professionals, she routinely targeted older men who had little to no experience with the medical industry. Once she targeted a potential investor or ally, Holmes would use flattery to get them to come over to her side. These strategic targets are a big reason why Theranos was able to exist for so long. Dr. Rosen was an exception to that rule due to his medical background, but Holmes was skilled at always finding a way to flatter. In Dr. Rosen’s case, it was through his history of encouraging new technology in the medical field.

But in “Old White Men”, Ruck’s Dr. J isn’t the only guy who falls for Holmes’ claims. Episode 4 drops on Hulu this Thursday, March 10 starting at 3/2c a.m. Check out the clip above and prepare to hit new highs before this entire scheme bottoms out.

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