Ep 2. Feb 25, 2018

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 5 episode 2, which aired on February 25, 2018, tackled a range of topics with John Oliver's characteristic wit and insight. The show opened with an examination of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, including a look at the sometimes bizarre and unexpected sports that fill out the Olympic roster. From there, the show pivoted to a discussion of the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States, exploring the ways in which pharmaceutical companies and government regulators have failed to adequately address the crisis.

In particular, Oliver devoted a significant portion of the episode to examining the role of Purdue Pharma, the makers of the powerful painkiller OxyContin, in exacerbating the epidemic. He highlighted the way in which the company aggressively marketed the drug to doctors, downplayed its addictive properties, and ignored evidence of its misuse and overuse. The result, Oliver argued, was a wave of addiction, overdose, and death that continues to ravage America.

Oliver also looked at the broader issue of drug pricing and the way in which pharmaceutical companies often charge exorbitant prices for life-saving medication. He examined the case of Martin Shkreli, the infamous "Pharma Bro" who raised the price of a vital drug by 5,000 percent overnight, and highlighted the ways in which the current system allows drug companies to prioritize profits over public health.

Moving to a different topic, Oliver turned his attention to China and its recent moves to eliminate presidential term limits, effectively allowing President Xi Jinping to remain in power indefinitely. He explored the history of term limits in various countries, arguing that they are an important safeguard against authoritarianism and corruption. Oliver also pointed out the hypocrisy of American politicians who criticize China's move while simultaneously tolerating abuses of power at home.

Finally, the show closed with a segment on workplace sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement. Oliver acknowledged the important strides that have been made in recent months, with powerful men being held accountable for their abusive behavior. However, he also stressed the need to focus on the broader structures and systems that perpetuate harassment and discrimination. He urged viewers to use their own power as employees and consumers to push for change, and to hold both individuals and institutions responsible for their actions.

Overall, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 5 episode 2 was a typically wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode, tackling a mix of timely and pressing issues with Oliver's trademark blend of humor, insight, and righteous anger.