Saturday, April 16, 2022

What I’m Watching: Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber (Season Finale)

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber: Season 1, Episode 7 “Same Last Name” (B+)

With all these based-on-real-life limited series about tech companies, I’ve felt like they’ve come to too quick an end and the journey to get there has been more satisfying than the way they finished. But in this case, a selection of last-ditch efforts by Travis to appeal to the people who may once have been willing to help him was a perfect illustration of how far he’s gone and how much he’s trampled on the way to a success he didn’t need. The way he responded to his brother’s request for money at the funeral was particularly harsh, and indicative of an unforgiving nature that gets in the way of his accomplishments rather than bolsters them. The board member he brought on to back him, Arianna, did exactly what she should have when presented with the onslaught of problematic claims, and she spoke to the many employees who could show her what things were really like at Uber. Angie had the starkest reaction, telling him that he was rich and should move on, while Garrett was upset because he considered himself to be the founder since he believed it was his idea. Austin’s perspective was also interesting since she was taking a stand to guide women in the right direction based on her own experiences. The ending cards mostly showed positive developments for everyone, even Travis, suggesting that the winner in the battle for Uber was all these people, and maybe even the drivers and the riders if Travis’ ouster fixed the many issues at play. While I’m sure it didn’t, it’s still been a very informative and entertaining experience to see it all dramatized like this.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Travis

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