Dopesick (streaming on Hulu)
It’s been a pretty wild week in Saline County, so let’s talk about something not so “heavy.” I mean there’s been killing and abuse and weird, random firings. Let’s do a little happy-go-lucky here. Oh wait. Nevermind. This review is about a series that tackles the opioid epidemic; specifically Oxycontin. I guess we’ll stay in the trenches a bit longer.
I, however, was excited about this series. I’ve always been a big fan of Michael Keaton and the opioid epidemic is truly fascinating. Now admittedly, I binged the 4 episodes in this series over the weekend so that I could present this review to you, my adoring fans. However, I was very confused at the end of episode 4 because there was absolutely no resolution to the story and it was just a very strange non-ending.
I couldn’t figure out how to write the review. It was actually going to be a fairly bad review because of the ending. Then being the genius that I am, I figured out that those 4 episodes are simply all that has been released YET. That certainly made sense as to why the story hadn’t been wrapped up very well. So, I guess this is a review of the 1st 4 episodes of a new series. 
“Dopesick” follows the Sackler family (owners of Perdue Pharma) and their quest for profits despite the overwhelming danger to public health with the introduction of Oxycontin in the late 90s. The claims they made about this “miracle drug” are still unfathomable, but they pushed and pushed and lied until they convinced doctors and the public, in general, that less than 1% of those who take Oxycontin will become addicted.
The drug was first introduced in mining communities where injuries and therefore pain was a big reality. However, questions quickly emerged as pharmacy burglaries, overdoses, and all manor of crimes increased in those same areas.
There is a fantastic cast here including Michael Keaton (Batman, Beetlejuice), Will Poulter (We’re the Millers, The Maze Runner), Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian, Seven Pounds), and Kaitlyn Dever (Justified, Dear Evan Hansen.) Keaton plays a small town doctor who is initially skeptical of the drug. Dawson plays a DEA agent hell-bent on exposing the truth and stopping the drug. Poulter plays a Perdue Pharma rep who blindly sells the drug as well as Perdue’s lies. And Dever plays small town miner who is injured and suffers the wrath of Oxycontin.
I’m ready for the next episode, and I highly recommend this series. It’s a great look at an awful epidemic that was created by greed. Personally, it’s so sad to me that we continue to peddle drugs like this, but still make something like marijuana out to be the devil. (Soapbox moment)
“Dopesick” is rated TV- MA; mainly for adult language, but also for some mild sexuality and drug use. I give this one, so far, 4/5.
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