American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 12 Episode 1 The Most Hated Man in America

American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals season 12 episode 1 titled "The Most Hated Man in America" is a gripping tale of the infamous Martin Shkreli, who gained the notorious tag for hiking the price of a crucial drug, Daraprim, more than 5,000%. Dubbed "Pharma Bro," Shkreli's unapologetic, arrogant attitude earned him the wrath of the public and the government, leading to his eventual downfall.

The episode begins by introducing Shkreli as a young, brilliant math and science student who dropped out of college to start his hedge fund. Shkreli's acumen in the stock market earned him millions of dollars, but his hunger for making quick money led him to start his own drug company, Retrophin. Under the guise of finding solutions for rare diseases, Shkreli aggressively marketed his company's drugs, hiking their prices several-fold, devastating the lives of many vulnerable patients who depended on them.

However, it was Shkreli's takeover of Turing Pharmaceuticals and the exponential price increase of Daraprim that earned him national disdain. He bought the company for $55 million and almost immediately raised the price of Daraprim from $13.50 a pill to $750 overnight, effectively blocking the access of the life-saving drug for thousands of patients who suffered from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that affects people with compromised immune systems. The public and lawmakers were outraged, and Shkreli became the epitome of corporate greed and callousness.

Through interviews with former employees, experts, and whistleblowers, the episode charts Shkreli's unchecked ambition and how his unscrupulous actions caught up with him. The show delves into the complex web of his deals, which involved insider trading, securities fraud, and lies to investors. The episode shows how the FBI and the SEC finally caught up with his Ponzi scheme-like operation and what led to his arrest.

"The Most Hated Man in America" is not just a cautionary tale of one individual's greed and moral downfall but also underscores the deep-seated flaws in the healthcare system and regulatory oversight that allows corporations to exploit patients for massive profits. It serves as a reminder that unchecked capitalism can have dire consequences and that the actions of one individual can impact the lives of thousands.

The episode combines enlightening interviews with dramatic reconstructions of the events, which keep the viewers engaged throughout. The show also provides valuable insights into how the American justice system operates and how white-collar criminals like Shkreli can manipulate the system to their advantage.

In conclusion, American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals season 12 episode 1, "The Most Hated Man in America" is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the darker side of corporate greed and the pharmaceutical industry. The show is meticulously researched, informative, and well-executed, making it a standout among true-crime documentaries.