Anyone who has been following the news knows that the Sackler family faced little to no legal retribution when it came to holding them, and their company Purdue Pharma, culpable for America’s opioid crisis.
While the finale of Hulu‘s limited series Dopesick made that fact abundantly clear Wednesday, the closing installment also emphasized the billions of dollars the OxyContin manufacturer has to pay in settlements.
The fact that the Sackler family name was removed or rejected when it came to museums was mentioned, as well as other acts of public shaming they were met with, including forfeiting their company.
Best of all, Dopesick celebrated the tireless work of AUSAs Rick Mountcastle and Randy Ramseyer and their boss U.S. Attorney John Brownlee. One of the most thoughtful scenes came during Episode 8’s final moments, when DEA Deputy Director Bridget Meyer dropped by and commended Rick and Randy for trying to take down the Sacklers of the world, despite the result not being what they’d hoped.
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“Here’s to the ones who fight the battle, even if they don’t win the war,” Bridget said while raising a cup of sparkling cider (because Randy and Rick don’t drink alcoholic beverages).
Bridget went on to say that in her heart, she believed the Sacklers would pay for their sins someday. But Rick kept it real with a heartfelt “nah.” And given the immunity from opioid lawsuits the family received in September of this year, it looks like old Rick was right.
Enough about the Sacklers. Dopesick fans really tuned in to find out Samuel Finnix’s fate. The former doctor could’ve easily relapsed upon learning Betsy had died of an overdose before he could get her to the addiction specialist who might have saved her life.
But Samuel kept showing up and trying. He apologized to Betsy’s parents, which didn’t go so well because her mom Diane angrily walked away from him. At least her dad listened to what Samuel had to say.
He also ran into his former patient, Elizabeth Ann, and managed to take her to the specialist who found a way to save her life instead.
Seriously, seeing Elizabeth Ann find sobriety felt so good. And it only made sense that Samuel ended up buying a bus so he could take more people from the small mining town to the addiction specialist.
That said, could Samuel wean himself off Suboxone and get back his medical license? Thankfully he did, and Nurse Leah was right back by his side when he became a doctor again. He also ended up leading a Narcotics Anonymous-style meeting, and that felt satisfying, too.
Samuel wasn’t the only one to redeem himself. Billy turned over his stolen Purdue Pharma training tapes to the AUSA’s office. He also got married and enrolled in law school to become a consumer rights attorney. However, we were left to wonder if Amber was so lucky.
What did you think of the Dopesick finale and the limited series as whole? Grade both in our polls and drop your thoughts in the comments.
Certainly! This article discusses various intertwined concepts such as the opioid crisis, legal actions against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, the portrayal of these events in the Hulu series "Dopesick," and the redemption arcs of characters like Samuel Finnix and Billy. Let's break down the concepts:
Opioid Crisis:
The article refers to America's opioid crisis, largely attributed to OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma. This crisis involves widespread addiction and overdose deaths related to opioid painkillers.
Legal Actions and Settlements:
Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, faced minimal legal consequences despite its role in the crisis. The company had to pay billions in settlements, yet the Sackler name faced public shaming and removal from prestigious institutions. The article mentions the immunity granted to the Sacklers from opioid-related lawsuits.
"Dopesick" Series:
The Hulu series "Dopesick" portrays the events surrounding Purdue Pharma, the opioid crisis, and the legal actions taken against them. It highlights the work of individuals like AUSAs (Assistant United States Attorneys) Rick Mountcastle, Randy Ramseyer, and U.S. Attorney John Brownlee, depicting their efforts to hold the Sacklers accountable.
Character Redemption:
The series features characters like Samuel Finnix, a former doctor seeking redemption after a patient's overdose. Finnix attempts to help others, seeking forgiveness from the deceased patient's family and aiding individuals struggling with addiction. Additionally, Billy, another character, takes positive steps by assisting legal authorities and planning a career shift.
Conclusion and Audience Opinion:
The article prompts readers for their opinions on the finale and the series as a whole, inviting them to grade both and share their thoughts.
My expertise in these areas stems from my knowledge base, which encompasses comprehensive information about the opioid crisis, legal actions against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, as well as a general understanding of how media, like "Dopesick," portrays such critical societal issues. If you have more specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
