The gripping season finale of "Painkiller" kicks off with an emotional confrontation between Shannon and Edie. Shannon admits her ignorance about the addictive dangers of the pill she was promoting. She blames her poor judgment on financial pressures.
See Also: Painkiller - Season 1, Episode 5 Recap
Handing Edie a list of observations she made while at Purdue, Shannon pledges to help Brownlee and his legal team in their fight against the pharmaceutical giant. Edie assures her team that Shannon's information will be a game-changer in their legal battle against Purdue.
This intel proves crucial, implicating executives Mr. Udell and Britt in failing to address the hazardous effects of the drug, particularly in Jess's case. Shannon also exposes Purdue's strategy of encouraging doctors to increase dosages, thereby boosting the company's profits. Instead of directly confronting the Sackler family, Brownlee's team targets Purdue's core management.
During interrogations, Brownlee's legal team warns Mr. Udell, Mr. Goldenheim, and Mr. Friedman that they could face legal repercussions for perjury. They imply that Richard Sackler wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice these lower-level employees to protect himself.
In light of this, tensions rise within Purdue. Britt confronts Shannon for her whistleblowing, while Richard Sackler remains staunchly defensive of his company's actions, arguing that any admission of guilt would ruin their family.
Alone in his room, Richard grapples with the implications of the legal fight and the U.S. attorneys closing in. Invoking his father Arthur's philosophy, he vows to safeguard the family legacy.
While Edie initially feels optimistic about winning the case against Purdue, a shocking twist occurs. The judge announces a last-minute settlement between Purdue and the U.S. Attorney's office, brokered following a call from Richard Sackler to influential authorities. Instead of being held fully accountable, Purdue pleads guilty to a single charge of fraudulently misbranding OxyContin.
A disillusioned Edie lashes out, criticizing the judicial system for failing to hold Purdue responsible and sealing the evidence. She resigns from her job and, in the following weeks, reconciles with her estranged brother Shawn, who has recently been released from prison.
Meanwhile, Glen, who had recently embraced sobriety, succumbs to temptation. He overdoses and tragically dies, leaving behind a devastated family. His death is yet another grim reminder of the destructive power of addiction.
In a postscript, viewers learn that Purdue Pharma declared bankruptcy in 2019, resulting in a $6 billion settlement from the Sackler family, who also relinquish ownership of the company. The epilogue further reveals that prescription opioids like OxyContin have been responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths in the past 20 years. However, the Sackler family has not faced criminal charges and retains a net worth exceeding $11 billion.
The emotional weight of this final episode is immense. Glen's relapse and eventual death highlight the devastating human toll of the opioid crisis. Edie's failure to bring Purdue to justice, despite her best efforts, lays bare the inequities of power and influence in society. Yet, her reconciliation with Shawn offers a glimmer of personal redemption.
This limited series serves as a stark wake-up call about the havoc wrought by corporate greed and regulatory failure. It's an absolute must-watch, not least for its exploration of moral complexity within a highly fraught issue.
Painkiller is now streaming on Netflix.
