Cupertino (2026) s01e06 Episode Script
Harper
1
Ry. It's Michael.
I've just been fired.
Can I give you some advice?
Michael? Let it go.
This is Silicon Valley.
It's David and Goliath
and the Goliaths
protect each other here.
I guess I need another lawyer.
I'm sick of being exploited.
There are no Silicon Valley law firms
representing the exploited.
They all just make money
from working for the Goliaths.
It's a niche we can serve.
The unrepresented.
The Davids.
- Okay, I'll do it.
- What?
Work for you. What do you need?
Now we just have to make
some money to pay for it.
We'll find someone to finance us.
Why should I invest in your firm? Go.
Because we can screw over your ex.
Here is a check for the lease
and six months' salary.
A new two-person firm?
How bohemian of you.
Do you think they sent her out
to mess with your head?
That's my guess.
Ms. Ferebee! Hey.
- So good to meet you. I'm Lindsey.
- Hi.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
No, it's nice up here.
- Oh, yeah. Clean air.
- Yeah.
- This is Buddy.
- Hi!
- Oh, yeah!
- We let the dogs own the place
- on Sundays.
- Okay!
How many lawyers here?
Oh, just eight.
And you represent
all the Magnificent Seven?
Well, I'll let my betters
tell you more
but we are a boutique law firm
needed for very specific tasks.
We're not all-service.
- Okay.
- Just this way.
- Okay, great.
- Here is Carl and Gwen.
Nichole. So good to finally meet you.
- I'm Carl.
- Hi!
Gwen.
We have been hearing
- about your exploits in court.
- Yup.
I don't think I have
that many exploits.
- Hello!
- Oh, this is Fig.
Here, give her a treat,
and she will love you for life.
- Hi.
- Yes. Good girl.
So, we know that you
are heading back east tonight.
And we hope, if we do our jobs right
we will convince you
to extend your stay a bit.
- This is beautiful.
- Oh, yeah.
Oh, thank you. There's some
some wonderful trails back there
if you want to take a walk later.
Our philosophy
is nature encourages good work.
- But we know you're in a hurry
- Yes.
so we will get right to the point.
We are reputational attorneys,
Nichole.
We are kept on retainer by many
of the Magnificent Seven.
When they need help with lawsuits
brought against them
or law firms intent
on damaging their reputation
or even journalists
- we are brought in.
- We're proactive.
We bring the fight to them.
We don't wait for them to strike.
We identify them and strike first.
And you want me to?
Join us.
In the last five years
we've only asked
one other person to join us.
You're the second.
Here's our offer.
Why me?
Many of our clients
have had problems
Or worries.
Yes. Worries about one young firm.
A firm you are quite familiar with
and quite successful dealing with.
- Price and Siffre?
- Yes.
We want to be proactive with them
instead of waiting
for their next move.
Aren't there too many conflicts
of interest
representing all Magnificent Seven?
No.
Please, take a look at our offer,
Nichole, and consider it.
We want you to join our team.
We will make it worth your while.
Well worth your while.
- Airway.
- Cleared.
- Heart rate?
- Stable.
Allograft prepped?
Liver is prepped and ready.
Patient is Harper Gervin,
27 years old
prepped and ready
for a liver transplant.
Okay team, here we go.
Making a chevron incision
now
But we've waited five years
for that liver, Doctor.
But it's not over yet, Mrs. Gervin.
Give us a chance
to figure this out.
Okay, what is "this"?
She's my daughter's roommate.
Her firm was involved
with the court case.
Harper is supposed
to receive that liver, Doctor.
She'll die without it.
It's what the judge ordered.
I know this is frustrating,
getting to the one-yard line
but again, it's not over.
So give me a chance
to find out the next steps.
Oh, my god. Christy,
they're going to kill her.
No, they're not.
We got this far.
Just let me get my firm on it.
Who's the liver going to?
It could be going
to someone else right now.
I'll be right back.
- Where are you going?
- I'm I'm following him.
You can't use
your cell phone here.
Okay!
I'm heading up to find out.
Yeah, and I'm just heading up
to look at a higher floor.
Can't use your cell phone
in here.
Can we do this later?
It's too early to get into a fight.
I come in peace.
I just want to take you to breakfast.
Said the spider to the fly.
I need some career advice.
Retire.
Just an hour. You were heading
to breakfast anyway.
I'll drive.
- Where'd you get that?
- Sunnyvale Exotic Car Rental.
1966 Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda.
One of a kind.
Come on. Hop in.
I have a career question for you.
Automatic or stick?
That's right.
You always liked nice things.
That's the difference between us.
People who grew up with nice things
don't need them now.
Oh, yes. Nichole Ferebee
woman of the people.
Is Sourdough Eatery good?
Yeah.
- How's Harper doing?
- They screwed her, Michael.
- I can't believe it.
- What do you mean?
- The insurance company?
- No, the hospital.
They're giving Harper's liver to
some rich bastard in the VIP lounge.
Christy, what are you basing this on?
I'm literally
in the VIP wing right now
watching them prep this guy
for surgery.
The judge already ruled
Harper's insurance has to pay.
Yeah, I know, and she was
being prepped for surgery
when some sheriff came in
and stopped it.
Oh, okay. Wait.
I'll I'll call the judge.
How far off is surgery?
Wait, Doctor,
are you not the surgeon?
No. Mr. Ensler flew in his own.
- What? Wait
- You can't be here.
No, I work with Price, Siffre.
- This transplant is being contested.
- Back up!
Waiting room is over there.
Okay, Michael,
they're taking him to surgery now.
Did they say Ensler? Albert Ensler?
Yeah, I think so. Why?
He runs Wayside Venture Capital.
Okay, so it's about money
- isn't it?
- I'll call you back.
What's up with Albert Ensler?
No, no, you probably represent him.
I don't,
and cars are neutral territory.
Yeah? Is that some new
Hey Yes, Your Honor?
Yeah, this is Michael Price.
Thi This is regarding
the Harper Gervin transplant.
There's been a hiccup.
Actually, more than a hiccup.
Her operation has been stopped
and her liver is being put
into somebody else's right now.
- That directly contradicts my order.
- Yes, Your Honor
that's why I need
a temporary restraining order
or this will be a fait accompli.
The liver will only be viable
for four more hours.
4:30 p.m.,
and it will be unusable to anyone.
Okay, who's the contesting attorney?
I I don't know.
It's no longer
with the insurance company.
Okay, I'll issue the TRO
and head towards court.
- You should be there too.
- Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.
Sorry, I gotta take a rain check
on this breakfast.
- I need to get back.
- No, I'll take you to court.
It's only 15 minutes from here.
It'll take you longer
to get back to your car.
Hey, with some cases,
we're all human.
Okay. Thank you.
Olivia.
There's been a major bump
in the Harper Gervin transplant.
Someone jumped the transplant line.
Albert Ensler,
the venture capitalist.
I'm heading to court now.
Can you meet me there?
Sure? I
I just picked up my brother
at the airport.
Oh, damn. I I completely forgot.
Don't worry.
He's staying with me a week.
- How long do we have on the liver?
- Four hours of viability.
Okay. What do you need from me?
I I don't know.
I'm still trying to fact-find.
Christy's at the airport now
I mean, hospital.
Let me see if I can get her again.
Call me back. I'm heading to court.
Sorry, Jacob. Do you mind?
Are you kidding?
I want to see how you work.
But it is odd that someone so clean
in their life
can be so dirty in their car.
All I do is work, eat in my car,
and drive home.
So, many freeways.
How do you know where you're going?
Signs, Country Mouse.
We have signs in California.
Just like Wisconsin.
Yes, but in Chippewa Falls
we have two.
Thanks for visiting, Jacob.
I wish Mom and Dad
could have come too.
No, you don't.
How are they?
Well, Mama wants you home.
She cries every night.
She also cries when she sees a puppy
and breaks a nail,
and smells a flower.
Is the allograft ready?
Yes, Doctor.
Then, time noted. 12:31.
Patient Albert Ensler, 56 years old
prepped and ready
for liver transplant.
I am making a chevron incision
into the upper abdomen.
Time noted. Surgery delayed.
Now the farce begins.
Michael, I got the TRO.
Yes!
Okay, and we'll be at court
in 15 minutes.
- You've got me and Olivia.
- Hey, Christy.
- I'm so sorry.
- Thanks.
I mean, it's just
never gonna be over, is it?
First item of business is finding out
why a rich guy jumped the line.
- Was there a payoff?
- Talk to the first surgeon.
He has the right to check with NOSA.
The National Organ
Sharing Association.
- Who's that?
- Nichole.
Christy is the first surgeon
still there?
Can you check with NOSA?
Right. Yeah, I'm on it.
And, Olivia, do we think
this could be the insurance company
still not wanting to pay?
Anything is possible with them.
I have our work product on my laptop.
- I'll review it at court.
- Oh, no!
- What?
- Traffic.
Olivia, don't get on the 101.
I I think it's 49ers traffic.
Too late. I hit it too.
Take San Tomas over to 280.
Yeah, I'm
I'm following Pathwinder.
I live here. Pathwinder doesn't
- 280 is packed too.
- Damn it!
Okay, I'm getting on with the judge.
I'll warn him. I'll call you back.
Mr. Price, the opposing lawyer
is Ry Vance
for the respondent, Albert Ensler.
- You should head to court right now.
- Yes, Your Honor, we are.
But we ran into some traffic
on the 101.
I I think it's the 49er game.
Sir. Sir, I I think you should
head for the side street.
There's football traffic up ahead.
- I'm following Pathfinder.
- Seriously, you should
- Damn.
- Your Honor?
Yes.
I'm in an Uber,
and I hit the same snarl.
So, Olivia,
should should we have a talk?
My my roommate borrowed
my car last night.
You do not owe an explanation
to your older brother.
You owe God. Kidding.
- I'm just happy you met someone.
- I didn't meet someone.
It's not what it sounded like
with Michael?
He's my boss I mean, my partner.
My law partner.
You can't be back here, miss.
Yeah, I know.
I can't do a lot of things
but, Doctor, please tell me
how did Harper get demoted
down that list?
I can't discuss this. HIPAA.
Okay, yeah, I know. Hipaa-schmippa.
You saw her, Doctor.
How much she wanted to live.
She loved you.
The way you talked to her.
You you calmed her.
Please. Please, just give her
a fighting chance.
You checked with NOSA, right?
I hate what is happening
to surgery these days.
Tell me.
The world is run by almighty AI now.
Algorithm pumps out a list.
- That's all I know.
- So, AI shifted the order?
Don't say where you got this.
Michael, it's me.
AI screwed us!
Will the doctor testify?
No, he can't. HIPAA or something.
Okay.
We need to line up witnesses.
You stay at the hospital.
Olivia and I need to make some calls.
This is Judge Hohnstein.
Are counsels present?
Michael Price
for petitioner Harper Gervin.
Olivia Siffre, co-counsel,
present for the petitioner.
Ry Vance
of Pierce, Greenberg and Boyd
for the respondent, Albert Ensler.
- That's your friend?
- Ex.
It's my understanding that
we're all stuck in the same traffic
and we've got a four-hour
viability window with this liver.
Two people, one organ, four hours.
So, with all due speed, we'll begin.
It's your motion, Mr. Price.
Opening statement.
Hi, hon!
It's Olivia!
- Hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?
- Nothing's wrong.
I just called you to say I got here.
- Where's your sister?
- We seek
She's in court.
I It's complicated.
We're in traffic,
and she's on her laptop.
Put her on the phone
for just a minute.
It's Mom and Dad.
They want to talk to you.
It'll be faster.
Just They want to talk to you.
- Mom? Dad? I'm in court.
- Yes.
Can we please just get one moment
of your time, Counselor?
Your dad's been wanting
to talk to you for days now.
I'm working, Dad.
Is Jacob on his phone?
Yeah, he just got a text. Why?
He met someone. Angela.
An Asian woman we know nothing about.
- Mom, please!
- It's just
He goes through such passions.
One thing then another.
- That's why he's there.
- Wha What do you mean?
He's meeting her tomorrow
at the airport in San Francisco.
- Didn't he tell you?
- No.
I thought he was here to visit me.
He is, too.
Do us a favor, Olivia.
Find out more about her.
He's so serious about her now.
I only mentioned she's Asian
because I don't know how he met her.
Not because of race.
Okay, Mom, I gotta get back.
I know you think we're hayseeds
I'm going now, Mom. I love you.
I love you, too
Oh, well. She's gone.
This is the perfect example
of the rich playing
by different rules, Your Honor.
We played by the rules,
and you judged in our favor.
This reversing of your order
should not be tolerated.
Thank you. Your turn, Mr. Vance.
Your Honor, I know Michael Price,
and I know his father.
I know they are always playing
the race and the class card.
But my client has nothing to do
with this previous judgment of yours.
- That was insurance fraud. This
- Heavier than usual traffic ahead.
- Looking for alternate routes.
- Sorry, Your Honor.
- Heavier-than-usual traffic ahead.
- I'm in a self-driving car.
- Sorry. Excuse me.
- Looking for alternate routes.
This is not about money.
This is a purely medical decision
made by the hospital
about which recipient
is the most fit.
- You are on the fastest route.
- Okay
You are on the fastest route.
No, you can stay there, Vik.
The testimony will be on Zoom.
Well, it's just
I'm still in my underwear.
Okay, well,
can you put some clothes on?
And, like, fix your hair?
So, what'd you find out?
Well, I'm not experienced
in medical tech
but NOSA has an open-source
algorithm, so I studied it.
Though it would have been nice
to have more than
a seven-minute heads-up.
Yeah, alright, well,
we're all doing our best here.
I sent you a Zoom link.
Can you click on it?
- How's this?
- Vik, is that a bong?
Your Honor, we've discovered
that this was a decision made
by artificial intelligence.
This is a coder, Mr. Vik Malhotra,
who can explain what that means.
Mr. Malhotra, did your analysis
of the algorithm disclose any biases
that could explain why Harper Gervin
was deprived of a liver
- that she waited years for?
- Yes.
Ms. Gervin is 19. Mr. Ensler is 56.
The algorithm deliberately
deprioritizes younger candidates
because they're generally
more likely to survive
in the short term
without a transplant.
Even if they're near death,
as Harper Gervin is?
Yes, the AI does not make allowances
for that.
- Is that true?
- Yes, it is, sir
- Your Honor.
- Money.
Does AI also deprioritize
a candidate by income?
Definitely. It assumes
the less money you have
the less likely you'll be able
to afford and maintain post-op care.
Is the algorithm also biased
against women, Mr. Malhotra?
Yes. Because of their smaller
body sizes
women are deemed poor candidates
for organs from men, who are larger.
The converse is generally not true.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Your witness, Mr. Vance.
Heavier-than-usual traffic ahead.
Looking for alternate route.
Your ride is
Your ride is being
Your ride is being recorded.
You are on the fastest route.
So Mr. Price described you
as an expert in coding, Mr. Malhotra.
- Where did you go to college?
- Goodbye.
Thank you for riding with GhostJet.
De Anza College.
That's a community college, isn't it?
- Yes. Why?
- Well, did you graduate?
- No.
- Did you study computer science?
No, I wanted to
but they discontinued
the program the year before I
And what is your relationship
with Mr. Price's firm?
- They were my lawyers.
- Are you still a client there?
No, I'm sort of an employee.
So you're being paid for your
testimony today? Is that right?
No, I'm doing it as a favor.
- To who?
- To the firm.
Isn't it true you're dating one
of the lawyers, Olivia Siffre
who just questioned you?
Object. It's irrelevant.
That's the difference between us.
You chase every distraction
and make it even more of a deal.
Oh, is that what I do?
I'm not dating her.
Your information is incorrect.
Did you not ask her out on a date?
Okay, I'm jumping in here.
We now have three hours of viability
of a crucial and rare organ.
As much as I'm interested
in everyone's dating history
let's refrain, please
Excuse me, driver?
Why did we get off? I'm in a hurry.
Next time, don't try to save money.
I want to speak to your supervisor.
I don't have a supervisor.
- I'm an independent contractor.
- This is an outrage.
Yeah, I wasn't mocking her.
I was talking to her.
What are you doing?
Ride share, Pops. Check your phone.
I'm a judge. This is a hearing!
No, it's a ride share.
- Now, slide over, buddy.
- Are you in?
- Yeah! Yeah.
- I need to recess for a minute here.
- So, who's Vik?
- Just a coder.
Don't start.
I think you're trying to distract me
from talking about Angela.
What did Mom and Dad say?
They said you're serious
about this woman.
You're meeting her in San Francisco?
How long have you two been dating?
Six months.
- And where did you meet?
- Equally Yoked.
- It's a Christian singles app.
- And what does she do?
You're worse than Mom.
She is a missionary in Burundi.
She helps build schools for orphans.
That's her.
She's pretty.
Yeah, but she also cares for people.
I'm happy for you, Jacob.
I'm glad you finally met someone.
Thanks. Me too.
You know how hard it's been
with Mom and Dad?
Just constantly looking
over your shoulder.
It's gotten worse
since you flew the coop, too.
Sorry.
I'm really glad that you're here.
I can't wait to meet her.
Me neither.
What do you mean?
Well, it's a long-distance
relationship.
She's at a mission in East Africa.
Okay, we'll just have to do our best
to stumble along here.
Babe, her body sucks compared
to yours
Mr. Vance,
is your rebuttal witness ready?
In the Zoom waiting room, Your Honor.
Dr. Marjorie Wellington.
I'm a bioethicist.
Dr. Wellington, are you familiar
with the ethical issues surrounding
the use of AI
in the organ donation program?
Certainly. I've published widely
about AI implementation
in the matching and selection
- You want me to look into her?
- Yeah.
In my expert opinion,
AI improves accuracy
consistency,
and fairness in allocation.
And how does AI accomplish that?
By sourcing larger data sets.
AI is far superior
at matching donated organs.
Tell her to unblur her background.
- Why?
- She's at Burning Man.
The wristband she's wearing
is for nudists.
You're good, Nichole.
I gotta admit, you are good.
Mr. Price, my bladder
is getting full here.
- Any questions?
- Yes, Your Honor. Sorry.
Dr. Wellington, would you please
unblur your background?
Objection. Your Honor
Dr. Wellington's decor
does not bear on her credibility.
Respondent has put forth the witness
as an expert on ethics.
If she's engaged
in unethical behavior
we have a right to impeach
on that basis.
- This is a fishing expedition.
- Possibly.
But as a fisherman,
I don't mind them.
Dr. Wellington, if you please.
- Oh, sweet. Is that OnlyFans?
- Back off, kid.
Are you in a nudist colony?
I'm at a hotel near Burning Man,
a naturalist enclave.
We're unburdening ourselves
of societal constraints.
Are you unburdening yourself
while you're testifying?
- Objection!
- Can you stand up, Doctor?
- Your Honor, I just objected.
- On your feet, Doctor.
Hell, yeah. Lemme see that.
- Nothing further, Your Honor.
- This means nothing.
Excuse me.
I'm supposed to be testifying
at a hearing.
- Where is everyone?
- On Zoom.
Just go park it over there.
Jonas Walsh, I'm coordinator at NOSA
the National Organ
Sharing Association.
Mr. Walsh, when an organ
becomes available.
NOSA maintains a ranked list
of organ recipients, right?
An oversimplification, but yes.
And that list is compiled using
an AI algorithm, correct?
An exemplary algorithm.
And how often was your exemplary
algorithm updated this year?
- Three times.
- Because of your discovering
hidden biases, right?
Because all medical algorithms need
to be periodically refined.
- Due to bias, sir?
- Because of ethical stewardship.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Sir, despite Mr. Price's
baseless allegations
didn't NOSA institute an AI algorithm
precisely because it reduced bias?
- Exactly right.
- And isn't that why
this state-of-the-art,
peer-reviewed algorithm
chose Albert Ensler as
the correct recipient for this liver?
- Did you hear me, sir?
- Yes, I did
but you mean that's why
the AI chose Harper Gervin.
I'm sorry? What? The AI chose what?
- Who did it choose?
- Harper Gervin.
But the organ went to Albert Ensler.
Yes, I know.
Someone overruled the AI.
I Say that again?
Someone overruled the AI.
So that means Mr. Price's claim
that AI got it all wrong
and Mr. Vance's defense,
the algorithm must be respected.
They've been mistakenly
making each other's arguments?
- Move to strike testimony
- Redirect!
He can't strike testimony
just because he doesn't like it.
Judge, Mr. Walsh is our witness now.
- Well, the hell he is!
- Quiet!
I need you all to cool your jets
while I find out
more information on this.
- Your Honor!
- That's enough.
Oh, my gosh!
I know. AI isn't the enemy.
- We need to rehabilitate.
- And find out who overruled it.
- How much time do we have?
- Two hours.
It's been a while.
Shouldn't there be
some kind of update?
These hearings are complicated
but Harper's in good hands.
Oh, you can go ahead.
We're not getting anything.
- Come on.
- Oh, wait.
You're Harper Gervin's mom, right?
- Yeah?
- I'm Emily Ensler.
My my husband
is the one who got the liver.
I think that's what the court
is deciding now.
What what I need you to know
is my hu
Albert, he He's a good person.
My Harper is a good person too.
But there's a process here,
and he will die if he doesn't get it.
My daughter will too.
My husband will literally die
in two days.
I don't know what you've been hearing
- but my daughter's near death, too.
- Okay, let's take a breath here.
Albert has three daughters.
He has a right to see them grow up.
And what about my daughter's right?
- She doesn't count?
- Okay.
We need to let the court
do its thing.
Please.
Come on.
I don't get it. I thought I was done.
I'm I'm afraid
the case took a turn.
I have to warn you, Vik, I'm sorry,
but now I have to attack you.
What? Why?
AI is our friend.
Well, I I can speak to that.
No, it'll look like
you're doing it for me.
So, I'm sorry,
but this has to happen.
It won't be me.
Well, I guess it'll be me, right?
Please?
Mr. Malhotra, you testified
the algorithm at use here
was biased against Ms. Gervin, right?
I did, and I stand by my testimony.
Mr. Malhotra, do you use drugs?
- Objection, relevance.
- Goes to credibility, Judge.
She's impeaching her own witness.
My guess is you'll be doing a lot
of the same, Mr. Vance.
- I'll allow.
- I smoke marijuana recreationally.
It's legal in California.
How about Ketamine?
I micro dose. So does Elon Musk.
You're comparing yourself
to Elon Musk?
Objection, badgering.
I get the picture, Ms. Siffre.
Sustained.
Mr. Vance, I'm assuming
you'd like to rehabilitate?
Yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Malhotra
how long have you been working
in technology?
- A decade.
- And during that time
you've consulted on everything
from coding
to artificial intelligence
Dr. Wellington, welcome back.
And congratulations
on being fully clothed this time.
Objection, Your Honor.
The witness has already explained
her perfectly appropriate
and entirely legal
extracurricular activities.
We've done both sides
of the nudity thing.
Move on, Mr. Vance.
Did you author an article
- on algorithms in medicine in 2014?
- I did.
And were you accused of plagiarism?
That accusation was withdrawn.
After you withdrew the article
- correct?
- Objection
Well, like Dr. Wellington's article,
consider the question withdrawn.
Your witness, Mr. Price.
You are a godly person,
aren't you, Doctor?
Yes.
And do you believe cherishing
the human form
to be a holy endeavor?
Okay, I've heard enough.
If this is all going to be
about impeaching your old witnesses
- I'm ready to rule.
- We have calls into other witnesses.
- Your Honor.
- Okay.
A 20-minute recess.
Get your new witnesses in.
But this will be decided
in 20 minutes. On time.
No. No, no, it's not a problem.
How much do you need?
Yeah. Don't worry. I'll send it.
Okay.
So, what's the next step?
Our assistant's at the hospital
trying to figure out
who overruled the AI.
- Was that Angela?
- Yeah.
She missed her flight,
but there's another one. So
And you're sending her money?
But the only seat that's available
is in first class.
Oh, nice.
Do you send her a lot of money?
Oh, don't do that, Sis.
She's a missionary. She has no money.
- How much do you send her?
- Olivia.
She is building a school in Burundi.
If I can help, of course I will.
- How much?
- Okay. Look.
See?
I helped build that.
And for 25K.
And it's just for the building
materials. You see?
- Makes sense.
- Yeah.
Can you send me that photo?
Why?
It It's inspiring.
There.
Ninety minutes left.
So your receptionist
is your investigator?
Not officially.
She just
She's good at it.
Not up to your big-law standards.
Why are you guys going so hard
against the Magnificent Seven?
We're not going so hard.
We just pursue the cases
that come to us.
They can crush you, you know.
Where's this concern coming from?
I just think you have
a romantic notion of heroism.
Pull together a ragtag team
of receptionist-investigators
and 15-year-old lawyers,
and justice will prevail.
Twenty years ago
do you know how many white-collar
crime prosecutions there were
in Silicon Valley each year?
No, but I have a feeling
I'm about to be educated.
Three-hundred fifty.
Do you know how many there are today?
Ninety-five.
And at that same time
the valuation for Silicon Valley
has climbed 500 percent.
Meaning?
Prosecutors have given up.
So, you're filling in the gaps?
No, I'm profiting from it.
Lawyers don't want to fight
the small guy's fight.
But that's leaving an opening.
When you're in the middle
of the ocean
you don't sell people more water.
You sell them life jackets.
Have you ever heard
of Shepherd Pandas?
No. Is that a new fast-food chain?
It's a small boutique law firm.
There's eight lawyers.
They're the best of the best.
And they want to hire me.
Which coast?
This one.
So you're gonna stay and fight me?
I don't know.
I have to decide.
What'd you find out, Christy?
I have Olivia on the call too.
- Hey, Michael.
- Okay.
The only one who can overrule
a NOSA transplant enumeration
- is the Transplant Coordinator.
- No running in the halls
- Okay.
- and no cell calls!
- Where do we find him?
- I'm heading there now.
I'm gonna put him on the Zoom,
but he might be a hostile witness.
You're amazing, Christy.
Okay, I'm on my way!
Dr. Dexter Stimson
I oversee the transplant program
at San Jose General Hospital.
I was told I could clarify
our process.
Yes, please.
According to Harper Gervin's
and Albert Ensler's MELD scores
whose liver disease
was more advanced?
Ms. Gervin's, but
And who had been
on the transplant list longer?
Ms. Gervin, but that's not
Yet you still overturned
the NOSA AI determination
despite the fact
that medically and ethically
Harper Gervin is
the more appropriate recipient
Objection. Counsel is testifying.
Form of a question, Mr. Price.
Dr. Stimson,
why did you take the liver
that AI had assigned to Ms. Gervin
and give it to Mr. Ensler?
Because the factors you mentioned
are not dispositive.
AI doesn't examine the patient.
Clinicians have to consider
compatibility factors
the algorithm doesn't.
- Like what?
- Anatomically
the liver was a better fit
for Mr. Ensler.
Ms. Gervin also contracted
the flu two months ago
which raises the likelihood
of complications.
The algorithm accounts
for none of this.
How many transplants has your
hospital performed this year?
- Thirteen.
- And of those 13
how many times have you overruled
the algorithm's judgment?
- Seven.
- Seven?
And what ultimately happened
to those seven patients?
Dr. Stimson?
They unfortunately passed.
I I don't think AI
is the danger here, Doctor.
- I think you are.
- Objection!
Darn. Darn. Darn!
Excuse me, Your Honor,
is that a ruling?
My battery is almost dead.
Pardon me, driver.
Do you have a charger?
No.
Can I borrow your phone?
This is an emergency.
Thi This is the emergency.
She's leaving me.
Yeah, no, babe, I'm still here.
Your screen went blank.
It's probably just for a minute.
Well, I have work to do, so
- You can go now.
- What?
Doctor, I
You are lucky he is not a good boss.
Are you the doctor's assistant?
Yeah, for another 20 minutes.
He just fired me.
You do not want to work for him.
Can you tell me why?
Yeah, sure.
I can tell you a lot.
Let's talk.
Jacob, can I show you something?
Is it good or bad?
It's illuminating.
What's that?
The original photo.
I did a reverse image search
of the one you sent me.
This is the real one.
Okay, I'm not doing this
with you, Olivia.
Jacob.
When I fell in love
with Matt Langston at school
you brought me to my senses.
You talked to him and me
and I realized he was leading me on.
But that is not this!
The woman that you've been talking to
she said this money went
to building this school.
But the school's not real.
It's it's not real.
Okay, that's a mistake.
It's just a mistake.
Or it's pig butchering.
What?
It's something we're looking
into for a case.
Pig butchering.
It's when a scammer pretends
to have romantic interest in a target
fattens them up for months,
and bleeds them dry.
Oh, nothing like your sister
calling you a pig.
- You pay her with a link, right?
- What? Whatever
Before you send her any more money
at least let me verify
the link's legit.
If I'm wrong, I am all in on Angela.
What do you have to lose?
Fine.
Are you calling to apologize?
Yes. I'm so sorry, Vik.
I would have never
treated you that way
unless someone's life was at stake.
- Did it work?
- Yes, possibly.
We're still in court.
I have something else
I need from you.
It's in a whole 'nother category.
I'm sorry that I keep needing things
from you.
Well, I guess it's better
to be needed than not.
- What is it?
- My brother is being scammed.
Possibly.
Can I send you a link
and have you check into it?
Hi!
My phone's dead.
I need an outlet immediately
to continue an urgent TRO hearing.
I'm a judge.
Look, I know I'm not wearing a robe.
And you'll have to forgive my
my fishing gear
but this is an emergency.
A temporary restraining order,
please.
USB or Lightning?
Apologies for the technical snafu.
Can everyone hear me?
- Yes.
- Yes, Your Honor, we can hear you.
I understand Ms. Gervin's attorney
has a final witness.
Yes, Your Honor. We call Abby Roby,
former assistant to Dr. Stimson.
Objection!
This assistant has not been vetted.
Nothing's been vetted, Mr. Vance.
We're all flying by the seat
of our pants here
with one hour
before this organ expires.
Go ahead.
- Ready?
- Ready.
Ms. Roby, you were Dr. Stimson's
executive for the last five years?
Oh, yeah.
And you observed
his organ selection process?
- And a lot more.
- And in that capacity
were you privy
to the doctor's phone calls?
Yeah-huh. I monitored all of them.
When the organ assignment came in
for the liver to be transplanted
into Harper Gervin
did Dr. Stimson receive
any pertinent phone calls?
Yes. From the Ensler
Charitable Foundation.
Objection! Hearsay.
No, Mr. Vance. Not even close.
What was the message of this call?
They wanted to fund a new cancer
research program at the hospital.
Objection, I object again.
Your Honor,
correlation does not imply causation.
The Ensler Foundation has always
invested in cancer research.
I think you're jumping ahead here,
Counselor.
How soon after that call
did Dr. Stimson overrule
the liver destination?
Within the hour, Your Honor.
Judge, there is really no time
for emotional speeches
or the words of anger
bubbling up in me.
So let me just argue.
The hospital should be ordered
to follow your original instruction
and assign the liver
to Harper Gervin before she dies.
Given the time crunch here
I'm asking the court clerk
to do exactly that, immediately.
Send me word
when the order is satisfied.
Court adjourned.
Everybody drive safely.
And now, I need to find a bathroom
or Noah's going to need
to build another Ark.
- What are you doing?
- I'll take a taxi to the airport.
- Why?
- To meet Angela.
She doesn't exist.
My friend Vik used your link
to get her IP address.
It's an address in Krakow, Poland.
- You're being scammed.
- She got her ticket.
She's on her way
to San Francisco right now.
No. No, she's she's not.
Jacob, she used your money.
There's no school.
There's no plane ticket.
When you get to the airport
she'll call and say she's stuck
in customs overseas
and desperately needs money
to pay someone off.
It won't end
unless you stop responding.
You are just like Mom and Dad.
You don't want me to experience love.
You know, the pastor said it well.
Don't let anybody stand
in the way of love.
Jacob, let me take you.
I just want to check
on our client first.
- See how the surgery's going.
- Stop.
I want to go by myself.
Jacob!
You're my older brother.
And I say this with all
the love in the world
but you need to wake up.
Not all people who ask for money
are actually in need.
Some are just bad.
When did you get so cynical?
Thanks for the ride.
Watching you work today
made me nostalgic.
You're very good.
I have a good team.
All two of them?
Yep. All two.
Come work with me, Michael.
At the Panda Express?
You could do worse.
So you're taking that job?
I don't know.
I started the day
thinking not, but
I like watching you work.
Well
good luck with that.
I'll be seeing you soon.
- Airway?
- Cleared.
- Heart rate?
- Stable.
The liver is prepped and ready.
Here we go, team.
Making a chevron incision
now.
Stay tuned for scenes
from our next episode.
Ry. It's Michael.
I've just been fired.
Can I give you some advice?
Michael? Let it go.
This is Silicon Valley.
It's David and Goliath
and the Goliaths
protect each other here.
I guess I need another lawyer.
I'm sick of being exploited.
There are no Silicon Valley law firms
representing the exploited.
They all just make money
from working for the Goliaths.
It's a niche we can serve.
The unrepresented.
The Davids.
- Okay, I'll do it.
- What?
Work for you. What do you need?
Now we just have to make
some money to pay for it.
We'll find someone to finance us.
Why should I invest in your firm? Go.
Because we can screw over your ex.
Here is a check for the lease
and six months' salary.
A new two-person firm?
How bohemian of you.
Do you think they sent her out
to mess with your head?
That's my guess.
Ms. Ferebee! Hey.
- So good to meet you. I'm Lindsey.
- Hi.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
No, it's nice up here.
- Oh, yeah. Clean air.
- Yeah.
- This is Buddy.
- Hi!
- Oh, yeah!
- We let the dogs own the place
- on Sundays.
- Okay!
How many lawyers here?
Oh, just eight.
And you represent
all the Magnificent Seven?
Well, I'll let my betters
tell you more
but we are a boutique law firm
needed for very specific tasks.
We're not all-service.
- Okay.
- Just this way.
- Okay, great.
- Here is Carl and Gwen.
Nichole. So good to finally meet you.
- I'm Carl.
- Hi!
Gwen.
We have been hearing
- about your exploits in court.
- Yup.
I don't think I have
that many exploits.
- Hello!
- Oh, this is Fig.
Here, give her a treat,
and she will love you for life.
- Hi.
- Yes. Good girl.
So, we know that you
are heading back east tonight.
And we hope, if we do our jobs right
we will convince you
to extend your stay a bit.
- This is beautiful.
- Oh, yeah.
Oh, thank you. There's some
some wonderful trails back there
if you want to take a walk later.
Our philosophy
is nature encourages good work.
- But we know you're in a hurry
- Yes.
so we will get right to the point.
We are reputational attorneys,
Nichole.
We are kept on retainer by many
of the Magnificent Seven.
When they need help with lawsuits
brought against them
or law firms intent
on damaging their reputation
or even journalists
- we are brought in.
- We're proactive.
We bring the fight to them.
We don't wait for them to strike.
We identify them and strike first.
And you want me to?
Join us.
In the last five years
we've only asked
one other person to join us.
You're the second.
Here's our offer.
Why me?
Many of our clients
have had problems
Or worries.
Yes. Worries about one young firm.
A firm you are quite familiar with
and quite successful dealing with.
- Price and Siffre?
- Yes.
We want to be proactive with them
instead of waiting
for their next move.
Aren't there too many conflicts
of interest
representing all Magnificent Seven?
No.
Please, take a look at our offer,
Nichole, and consider it.
We want you to join our team.
We will make it worth your while.
Well worth your while.
- Airway.
- Cleared.
- Heart rate?
- Stable.
Allograft prepped?
Liver is prepped and ready.
Patient is Harper Gervin,
27 years old
prepped and ready
for a liver transplant.
Okay team, here we go.
Making a chevron incision
now
But we've waited five years
for that liver, Doctor.
But it's not over yet, Mrs. Gervin.
Give us a chance
to figure this out.
Okay, what is "this"?
She's my daughter's roommate.
Her firm was involved
with the court case.
Harper is supposed
to receive that liver, Doctor.
She'll die without it.
It's what the judge ordered.
I know this is frustrating,
getting to the one-yard line
but again, it's not over.
So give me a chance
to find out the next steps.
Oh, my god. Christy,
they're going to kill her.
No, they're not.
We got this far.
Just let me get my firm on it.
Who's the liver going to?
It could be going
to someone else right now.
I'll be right back.
- Where are you going?
- I'm I'm following him.
You can't use
your cell phone here.
Okay!
I'm heading up to find out.
Yeah, and I'm just heading up
to look at a higher floor.
Can't use your cell phone
in here.
Can we do this later?
It's too early to get into a fight.
I come in peace.
I just want to take you to breakfast.
Said the spider to the fly.
I need some career advice.
Retire.
Just an hour. You were heading
to breakfast anyway.
I'll drive.
- Where'd you get that?
- Sunnyvale Exotic Car Rental.
1966 Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda.
One of a kind.
Come on. Hop in.
I have a career question for you.
Automatic or stick?
That's right.
You always liked nice things.
That's the difference between us.
People who grew up with nice things
don't need them now.
Oh, yes. Nichole Ferebee
woman of the people.
Is Sourdough Eatery good?
Yeah.
- How's Harper doing?
- They screwed her, Michael.
- I can't believe it.
- What do you mean?
- The insurance company?
- No, the hospital.
They're giving Harper's liver to
some rich bastard in the VIP lounge.
Christy, what are you basing this on?
I'm literally
in the VIP wing right now
watching them prep this guy
for surgery.
The judge already ruled
Harper's insurance has to pay.
Yeah, I know, and she was
being prepped for surgery
when some sheriff came in
and stopped it.
Oh, okay. Wait.
I'll I'll call the judge.
How far off is surgery?
Wait, Doctor,
are you not the surgeon?
No. Mr. Ensler flew in his own.
- What? Wait
- You can't be here.
No, I work with Price, Siffre.
- This transplant is being contested.
- Back up!
Waiting room is over there.
Okay, Michael,
they're taking him to surgery now.
Did they say Ensler? Albert Ensler?
Yeah, I think so. Why?
He runs Wayside Venture Capital.
Okay, so it's about money
- isn't it?
- I'll call you back.
What's up with Albert Ensler?
No, no, you probably represent him.
I don't,
and cars are neutral territory.
Yeah? Is that some new
Hey Yes, Your Honor?
Yeah, this is Michael Price.
Thi This is regarding
the Harper Gervin transplant.
There's been a hiccup.
Actually, more than a hiccup.
Her operation has been stopped
and her liver is being put
into somebody else's right now.
- That directly contradicts my order.
- Yes, Your Honor
that's why I need
a temporary restraining order
or this will be a fait accompli.
The liver will only be viable
for four more hours.
4:30 p.m.,
and it will be unusable to anyone.
Okay, who's the contesting attorney?
I I don't know.
It's no longer
with the insurance company.
Okay, I'll issue the TRO
and head towards court.
- You should be there too.
- Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.
Sorry, I gotta take a rain check
on this breakfast.
- I need to get back.
- No, I'll take you to court.
It's only 15 minutes from here.
It'll take you longer
to get back to your car.
Hey, with some cases,
we're all human.
Okay. Thank you.
Olivia.
There's been a major bump
in the Harper Gervin transplant.
Someone jumped the transplant line.
Albert Ensler,
the venture capitalist.
I'm heading to court now.
Can you meet me there?
Sure? I
I just picked up my brother
at the airport.
Oh, damn. I I completely forgot.
Don't worry.
He's staying with me a week.
- How long do we have on the liver?
- Four hours of viability.
Okay. What do you need from me?
I I don't know.
I'm still trying to fact-find.
Christy's at the airport now
I mean, hospital.
Let me see if I can get her again.
Call me back. I'm heading to court.
Sorry, Jacob. Do you mind?
Are you kidding?
I want to see how you work.
But it is odd that someone so clean
in their life
can be so dirty in their car.
All I do is work, eat in my car,
and drive home.
So, many freeways.
How do you know where you're going?
Signs, Country Mouse.
We have signs in California.
Just like Wisconsin.
Yes, but in Chippewa Falls
we have two.
Thanks for visiting, Jacob.
I wish Mom and Dad
could have come too.
No, you don't.
How are they?
Well, Mama wants you home.
She cries every night.
She also cries when she sees a puppy
and breaks a nail,
and smells a flower.
Is the allograft ready?
Yes, Doctor.
Then, time noted. 12:31.
Patient Albert Ensler, 56 years old
prepped and ready
for liver transplant.
I am making a chevron incision
into the upper abdomen.
Time noted. Surgery delayed.
Now the farce begins.
Michael, I got the TRO.
Yes!
Okay, and we'll be at court
in 15 minutes.
- You've got me and Olivia.
- Hey, Christy.
- I'm so sorry.
- Thanks.
I mean, it's just
never gonna be over, is it?
First item of business is finding out
why a rich guy jumped the line.
- Was there a payoff?
- Talk to the first surgeon.
He has the right to check with NOSA.
The National Organ
Sharing Association.
- Who's that?
- Nichole.
Christy is the first surgeon
still there?
Can you check with NOSA?
Right. Yeah, I'm on it.
And, Olivia, do we think
this could be the insurance company
still not wanting to pay?
Anything is possible with them.
I have our work product on my laptop.
- I'll review it at court.
- Oh, no!
- What?
- Traffic.
Olivia, don't get on the 101.
I I think it's 49ers traffic.
Too late. I hit it too.
Take San Tomas over to 280.
Yeah, I'm
I'm following Pathwinder.
I live here. Pathwinder doesn't
- 280 is packed too.
- Damn it!
Okay, I'm getting on with the judge.
I'll warn him. I'll call you back.
Mr. Price, the opposing lawyer
is Ry Vance
for the respondent, Albert Ensler.
- You should head to court right now.
- Yes, Your Honor, we are.
But we ran into some traffic
on the 101.
I I think it's the 49er game.
Sir. Sir, I I think you should
head for the side street.
There's football traffic up ahead.
- I'm following Pathfinder.
- Seriously, you should
- Damn.
- Your Honor?
Yes.
I'm in an Uber,
and I hit the same snarl.
So, Olivia,
should should we have a talk?
My my roommate borrowed
my car last night.
You do not owe an explanation
to your older brother.
You owe God. Kidding.
- I'm just happy you met someone.
- I didn't meet someone.
It's not what it sounded like
with Michael?
He's my boss I mean, my partner.
My law partner.
You can't be back here, miss.
Yeah, I know.
I can't do a lot of things
but, Doctor, please tell me
how did Harper get demoted
down that list?
I can't discuss this. HIPAA.
Okay, yeah, I know. Hipaa-schmippa.
You saw her, Doctor.
How much she wanted to live.
She loved you.
The way you talked to her.
You you calmed her.
Please. Please, just give her
a fighting chance.
You checked with NOSA, right?
I hate what is happening
to surgery these days.
Tell me.
The world is run by almighty AI now.
Algorithm pumps out a list.
- That's all I know.
- So, AI shifted the order?
Don't say where you got this.
Michael, it's me.
AI screwed us!
Will the doctor testify?
No, he can't. HIPAA or something.
Okay.
We need to line up witnesses.
You stay at the hospital.
Olivia and I need to make some calls.
This is Judge Hohnstein.
Are counsels present?
Michael Price
for petitioner Harper Gervin.
Olivia Siffre, co-counsel,
present for the petitioner.
Ry Vance
of Pierce, Greenberg and Boyd
for the respondent, Albert Ensler.
- That's your friend?
- Ex.
It's my understanding that
we're all stuck in the same traffic
and we've got a four-hour
viability window with this liver.
Two people, one organ, four hours.
So, with all due speed, we'll begin.
It's your motion, Mr. Price.
Opening statement.
Hi, hon!
It's Olivia!
- Hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?
- Nothing's wrong.
I just called you to say I got here.
- Where's your sister?
- We seek
She's in court.
I It's complicated.
We're in traffic,
and she's on her laptop.
Put her on the phone
for just a minute.
It's Mom and Dad.
They want to talk to you.
It'll be faster.
Just They want to talk to you.
- Mom? Dad? I'm in court.
- Yes.
Can we please just get one moment
of your time, Counselor?
Your dad's been wanting
to talk to you for days now.
I'm working, Dad.
Is Jacob on his phone?
Yeah, he just got a text. Why?
He met someone. Angela.
An Asian woman we know nothing about.
- Mom, please!
- It's just
He goes through such passions.
One thing then another.
- That's why he's there.
- Wha What do you mean?
He's meeting her tomorrow
at the airport in San Francisco.
- Didn't he tell you?
- No.
I thought he was here to visit me.
He is, too.
Do us a favor, Olivia.
Find out more about her.
He's so serious about her now.
I only mentioned she's Asian
because I don't know how he met her.
Not because of race.
Okay, Mom, I gotta get back.
I know you think we're hayseeds
I'm going now, Mom. I love you.
I love you, too
Oh, well. She's gone.
This is the perfect example
of the rich playing
by different rules, Your Honor.
We played by the rules,
and you judged in our favor.
This reversing of your order
should not be tolerated.
Thank you. Your turn, Mr. Vance.
Your Honor, I know Michael Price,
and I know his father.
I know they are always playing
the race and the class card.
But my client has nothing to do
with this previous judgment of yours.
- That was insurance fraud. This
- Heavier than usual traffic ahead.
- Looking for alternate routes.
- Sorry, Your Honor.
- Heavier-than-usual traffic ahead.
- I'm in a self-driving car.
- Sorry. Excuse me.
- Looking for alternate routes.
This is not about money.
This is a purely medical decision
made by the hospital
about which recipient
is the most fit.
- You are on the fastest route.
- Okay
You are on the fastest route.
No, you can stay there, Vik.
The testimony will be on Zoom.
Well, it's just
I'm still in my underwear.
Okay, well,
can you put some clothes on?
And, like, fix your hair?
So, what'd you find out?
Well, I'm not experienced
in medical tech
but NOSA has an open-source
algorithm, so I studied it.
Though it would have been nice
to have more than
a seven-minute heads-up.
Yeah, alright, well,
we're all doing our best here.
I sent you a Zoom link.
Can you click on it?
- How's this?
- Vik, is that a bong?
Your Honor, we've discovered
that this was a decision made
by artificial intelligence.
This is a coder, Mr. Vik Malhotra,
who can explain what that means.
Mr. Malhotra, did your analysis
of the algorithm disclose any biases
that could explain why Harper Gervin
was deprived of a liver
- that she waited years for?
- Yes.
Ms. Gervin is 19. Mr. Ensler is 56.
The algorithm deliberately
deprioritizes younger candidates
because they're generally
more likely to survive
in the short term
without a transplant.
Even if they're near death,
as Harper Gervin is?
Yes, the AI does not make allowances
for that.
- Is that true?
- Yes, it is, sir
- Your Honor.
- Money.
Does AI also deprioritize
a candidate by income?
Definitely. It assumes
the less money you have
the less likely you'll be able
to afford and maintain post-op care.
Is the algorithm also biased
against women, Mr. Malhotra?
Yes. Because of their smaller
body sizes
women are deemed poor candidates
for organs from men, who are larger.
The converse is generally not true.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Your witness, Mr. Vance.
Heavier-than-usual traffic ahead.
Looking for alternate route.
Your ride is
Your ride is being
Your ride is being recorded.
You are on the fastest route.
So Mr. Price described you
as an expert in coding, Mr. Malhotra.
- Where did you go to college?
- Goodbye.
Thank you for riding with GhostJet.
De Anza College.
That's a community college, isn't it?
- Yes. Why?
- Well, did you graduate?
- No.
- Did you study computer science?
No, I wanted to
but they discontinued
the program the year before I
And what is your relationship
with Mr. Price's firm?
- They were my lawyers.
- Are you still a client there?
No, I'm sort of an employee.
So you're being paid for your
testimony today? Is that right?
No, I'm doing it as a favor.
- To who?
- To the firm.
Isn't it true you're dating one
of the lawyers, Olivia Siffre
who just questioned you?
Object. It's irrelevant.
That's the difference between us.
You chase every distraction
and make it even more of a deal.
Oh, is that what I do?
I'm not dating her.
Your information is incorrect.
Did you not ask her out on a date?
Okay, I'm jumping in here.
We now have three hours of viability
of a crucial and rare organ.
As much as I'm interested
in everyone's dating history
let's refrain, please
Excuse me, driver?
Why did we get off? I'm in a hurry.
Next time, don't try to save money.
I want to speak to your supervisor.
I don't have a supervisor.
- I'm an independent contractor.
- This is an outrage.
Yeah, I wasn't mocking her.
I was talking to her.
What are you doing?
Ride share, Pops. Check your phone.
I'm a judge. This is a hearing!
No, it's a ride share.
- Now, slide over, buddy.
- Are you in?
- Yeah! Yeah.
- I need to recess for a minute here.
- So, who's Vik?
- Just a coder.
Don't start.
I think you're trying to distract me
from talking about Angela.
What did Mom and Dad say?
They said you're serious
about this woman.
You're meeting her in San Francisco?
How long have you two been dating?
Six months.
- And where did you meet?
- Equally Yoked.
- It's a Christian singles app.
- And what does she do?
You're worse than Mom.
She is a missionary in Burundi.
She helps build schools for orphans.
That's her.
She's pretty.
Yeah, but she also cares for people.
I'm happy for you, Jacob.
I'm glad you finally met someone.
Thanks. Me too.
You know how hard it's been
with Mom and Dad?
Just constantly looking
over your shoulder.
It's gotten worse
since you flew the coop, too.
Sorry.
I'm really glad that you're here.
I can't wait to meet her.
Me neither.
What do you mean?
Well, it's a long-distance
relationship.
She's at a mission in East Africa.
Okay, we'll just have to do our best
to stumble along here.
Babe, her body sucks compared
to yours
Mr. Vance,
is your rebuttal witness ready?
In the Zoom waiting room, Your Honor.
Dr. Marjorie Wellington.
I'm a bioethicist.
Dr. Wellington, are you familiar
with the ethical issues surrounding
the use of AI
in the organ donation program?
Certainly. I've published widely
about AI implementation
in the matching and selection
- You want me to look into her?
- Yeah.
In my expert opinion,
AI improves accuracy
consistency,
and fairness in allocation.
And how does AI accomplish that?
By sourcing larger data sets.
AI is far superior
at matching donated organs.
Tell her to unblur her background.
- Why?
- She's at Burning Man.
The wristband she's wearing
is for nudists.
You're good, Nichole.
I gotta admit, you are good.
Mr. Price, my bladder
is getting full here.
- Any questions?
- Yes, Your Honor. Sorry.
Dr. Wellington, would you please
unblur your background?
Objection. Your Honor
Dr. Wellington's decor
does not bear on her credibility.
Respondent has put forth the witness
as an expert on ethics.
If she's engaged
in unethical behavior
we have a right to impeach
on that basis.
- This is a fishing expedition.
- Possibly.
But as a fisherman,
I don't mind them.
Dr. Wellington, if you please.
- Oh, sweet. Is that OnlyFans?
- Back off, kid.
Are you in a nudist colony?
I'm at a hotel near Burning Man,
a naturalist enclave.
We're unburdening ourselves
of societal constraints.
Are you unburdening yourself
while you're testifying?
- Objection!
- Can you stand up, Doctor?
- Your Honor, I just objected.
- On your feet, Doctor.
Hell, yeah. Lemme see that.
- Nothing further, Your Honor.
- This means nothing.
Excuse me.
I'm supposed to be testifying
at a hearing.
- Where is everyone?
- On Zoom.
Just go park it over there.
Jonas Walsh, I'm coordinator at NOSA
the National Organ
Sharing Association.
Mr. Walsh, when an organ
becomes available.
NOSA maintains a ranked list
of organ recipients, right?
An oversimplification, but yes.
And that list is compiled using
an AI algorithm, correct?
An exemplary algorithm.
And how often was your exemplary
algorithm updated this year?
- Three times.
- Because of your discovering
hidden biases, right?
Because all medical algorithms need
to be periodically refined.
- Due to bias, sir?
- Because of ethical stewardship.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Sir, despite Mr. Price's
baseless allegations
didn't NOSA institute an AI algorithm
precisely because it reduced bias?
- Exactly right.
- And isn't that why
this state-of-the-art,
peer-reviewed algorithm
chose Albert Ensler as
the correct recipient for this liver?
- Did you hear me, sir?
- Yes, I did
but you mean that's why
the AI chose Harper Gervin.
I'm sorry? What? The AI chose what?
- Who did it choose?
- Harper Gervin.
But the organ went to Albert Ensler.
Yes, I know.
Someone overruled the AI.
I Say that again?
Someone overruled the AI.
So that means Mr. Price's claim
that AI got it all wrong
and Mr. Vance's defense,
the algorithm must be respected.
They've been mistakenly
making each other's arguments?
- Move to strike testimony
- Redirect!
He can't strike testimony
just because he doesn't like it.
Judge, Mr. Walsh is our witness now.
- Well, the hell he is!
- Quiet!
I need you all to cool your jets
while I find out
more information on this.
- Your Honor!
- That's enough.
Oh, my gosh!
I know. AI isn't the enemy.
- We need to rehabilitate.
- And find out who overruled it.
- How much time do we have?
- Two hours.
It's been a while.
Shouldn't there be
some kind of update?
These hearings are complicated
but Harper's in good hands.
Oh, you can go ahead.
We're not getting anything.
- Come on.
- Oh, wait.
You're Harper Gervin's mom, right?
- Yeah?
- I'm Emily Ensler.
My my husband
is the one who got the liver.
I think that's what the court
is deciding now.
What what I need you to know
is my hu
Albert, he He's a good person.
My Harper is a good person too.
But there's a process here,
and he will die if he doesn't get it.
My daughter will too.
My husband will literally die
in two days.
I don't know what you've been hearing
- but my daughter's near death, too.
- Okay, let's take a breath here.
Albert has three daughters.
He has a right to see them grow up.
And what about my daughter's right?
- She doesn't count?
- Okay.
We need to let the court
do its thing.
Please.
Come on.
I don't get it. I thought I was done.
I'm I'm afraid
the case took a turn.
I have to warn you, Vik, I'm sorry,
but now I have to attack you.
What? Why?
AI is our friend.
Well, I I can speak to that.
No, it'll look like
you're doing it for me.
So, I'm sorry,
but this has to happen.
It won't be me.
Well, I guess it'll be me, right?
Please?
Mr. Malhotra, you testified
the algorithm at use here
was biased against Ms. Gervin, right?
I did, and I stand by my testimony.
Mr. Malhotra, do you use drugs?
- Objection, relevance.
- Goes to credibility, Judge.
She's impeaching her own witness.
My guess is you'll be doing a lot
of the same, Mr. Vance.
- I'll allow.
- I smoke marijuana recreationally.
It's legal in California.
How about Ketamine?
I micro dose. So does Elon Musk.
You're comparing yourself
to Elon Musk?
Objection, badgering.
I get the picture, Ms. Siffre.
Sustained.
Mr. Vance, I'm assuming
you'd like to rehabilitate?
Yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Malhotra
how long have you been working
in technology?
- A decade.
- And during that time
you've consulted on everything
from coding
to artificial intelligence
Dr. Wellington, welcome back.
And congratulations
on being fully clothed this time.
Objection, Your Honor.
The witness has already explained
her perfectly appropriate
and entirely legal
extracurricular activities.
We've done both sides
of the nudity thing.
Move on, Mr. Vance.
Did you author an article
- on algorithms in medicine in 2014?
- I did.
And were you accused of plagiarism?
That accusation was withdrawn.
After you withdrew the article
- correct?
- Objection
Well, like Dr. Wellington's article,
consider the question withdrawn.
Your witness, Mr. Price.
You are a godly person,
aren't you, Doctor?
Yes.
And do you believe cherishing
the human form
to be a holy endeavor?
Okay, I've heard enough.
If this is all going to be
about impeaching your old witnesses
- I'm ready to rule.
- We have calls into other witnesses.
- Your Honor.
- Okay.
A 20-minute recess.
Get your new witnesses in.
But this will be decided
in 20 minutes. On time.
No. No, no, it's not a problem.
How much do you need?
Yeah. Don't worry. I'll send it.
Okay.
So, what's the next step?
Our assistant's at the hospital
trying to figure out
who overruled the AI.
- Was that Angela?
- Yeah.
She missed her flight,
but there's another one. So
And you're sending her money?
But the only seat that's available
is in first class.
Oh, nice.
Do you send her a lot of money?
Oh, don't do that, Sis.
She's a missionary. She has no money.
- How much do you send her?
- Olivia.
She is building a school in Burundi.
If I can help, of course I will.
- How much?
- Okay. Look.
See?
I helped build that.
And for 25K.
And it's just for the building
materials. You see?
- Makes sense.
- Yeah.
Can you send me that photo?
Why?
It It's inspiring.
There.
Ninety minutes left.
So your receptionist
is your investigator?
Not officially.
She just
She's good at it.
Not up to your big-law standards.
Why are you guys going so hard
against the Magnificent Seven?
We're not going so hard.
We just pursue the cases
that come to us.
They can crush you, you know.
Where's this concern coming from?
I just think you have
a romantic notion of heroism.
Pull together a ragtag team
of receptionist-investigators
and 15-year-old lawyers,
and justice will prevail.
Twenty years ago
do you know how many white-collar
crime prosecutions there were
in Silicon Valley each year?
No, but I have a feeling
I'm about to be educated.
Three-hundred fifty.
Do you know how many there are today?
Ninety-five.
And at that same time
the valuation for Silicon Valley
has climbed 500 percent.
Meaning?
Prosecutors have given up.
So, you're filling in the gaps?
No, I'm profiting from it.
Lawyers don't want to fight
the small guy's fight.
But that's leaving an opening.
When you're in the middle
of the ocean
you don't sell people more water.
You sell them life jackets.
Have you ever heard
of Shepherd Pandas?
No. Is that a new fast-food chain?
It's a small boutique law firm.
There's eight lawyers.
They're the best of the best.
And they want to hire me.
Which coast?
This one.
So you're gonna stay and fight me?
I don't know.
I have to decide.
What'd you find out, Christy?
I have Olivia on the call too.
- Hey, Michael.
- Okay.
The only one who can overrule
a NOSA transplant enumeration
- is the Transplant Coordinator.
- No running in the halls
- Okay.
- and no cell calls!
- Where do we find him?
- I'm heading there now.
I'm gonna put him on the Zoom,
but he might be a hostile witness.
You're amazing, Christy.
Okay, I'm on my way!
Dr. Dexter Stimson
I oversee the transplant program
at San Jose General Hospital.
I was told I could clarify
our process.
Yes, please.
According to Harper Gervin's
and Albert Ensler's MELD scores
whose liver disease
was more advanced?
Ms. Gervin's, but
And who had been
on the transplant list longer?
Ms. Gervin, but that's not
Yet you still overturned
the NOSA AI determination
despite the fact
that medically and ethically
Harper Gervin is
the more appropriate recipient
Objection. Counsel is testifying.
Form of a question, Mr. Price.
Dr. Stimson,
why did you take the liver
that AI had assigned to Ms. Gervin
and give it to Mr. Ensler?
Because the factors you mentioned
are not dispositive.
AI doesn't examine the patient.
Clinicians have to consider
compatibility factors
the algorithm doesn't.
- Like what?
- Anatomically
the liver was a better fit
for Mr. Ensler.
Ms. Gervin also contracted
the flu two months ago
which raises the likelihood
of complications.
The algorithm accounts
for none of this.
How many transplants has your
hospital performed this year?
- Thirteen.
- And of those 13
how many times have you overruled
the algorithm's judgment?
- Seven.
- Seven?
And what ultimately happened
to those seven patients?
Dr. Stimson?
They unfortunately passed.
I I don't think AI
is the danger here, Doctor.
- I think you are.
- Objection!
Darn. Darn. Darn!
Excuse me, Your Honor,
is that a ruling?
My battery is almost dead.
Pardon me, driver.
Do you have a charger?
No.
Can I borrow your phone?
This is an emergency.
Thi This is the emergency.
She's leaving me.
Yeah, no, babe, I'm still here.
Your screen went blank.
It's probably just for a minute.
Well, I have work to do, so
- You can go now.
- What?
Doctor, I
You are lucky he is not a good boss.
Are you the doctor's assistant?
Yeah, for another 20 minutes.
He just fired me.
You do not want to work for him.
Can you tell me why?
Yeah, sure.
I can tell you a lot.
Let's talk.
Jacob, can I show you something?
Is it good or bad?
It's illuminating.
What's that?
The original photo.
I did a reverse image search
of the one you sent me.
This is the real one.
Okay, I'm not doing this
with you, Olivia.
Jacob.
When I fell in love
with Matt Langston at school
you brought me to my senses.
You talked to him and me
and I realized he was leading me on.
But that is not this!
The woman that you've been talking to
she said this money went
to building this school.
But the school's not real.
It's it's not real.
Okay, that's a mistake.
It's just a mistake.
Or it's pig butchering.
What?
It's something we're looking
into for a case.
Pig butchering.
It's when a scammer pretends
to have romantic interest in a target
fattens them up for months,
and bleeds them dry.
Oh, nothing like your sister
calling you a pig.
- You pay her with a link, right?
- What? Whatever
Before you send her any more money
at least let me verify
the link's legit.
If I'm wrong, I am all in on Angela.
What do you have to lose?
Fine.
Are you calling to apologize?
Yes. I'm so sorry, Vik.
I would have never
treated you that way
unless someone's life was at stake.
- Did it work?
- Yes, possibly.
We're still in court.
I have something else
I need from you.
It's in a whole 'nother category.
I'm sorry that I keep needing things
from you.
Well, I guess it's better
to be needed than not.
- What is it?
- My brother is being scammed.
Possibly.
Can I send you a link
and have you check into it?
Hi!
My phone's dead.
I need an outlet immediately
to continue an urgent TRO hearing.
I'm a judge.
Look, I know I'm not wearing a robe.
And you'll have to forgive my
my fishing gear
but this is an emergency.
A temporary restraining order,
please.
USB or Lightning?
Apologies for the technical snafu.
Can everyone hear me?
- Yes.
- Yes, Your Honor, we can hear you.
I understand Ms. Gervin's attorney
has a final witness.
Yes, Your Honor. We call Abby Roby,
former assistant to Dr. Stimson.
Objection!
This assistant has not been vetted.
Nothing's been vetted, Mr. Vance.
We're all flying by the seat
of our pants here
with one hour
before this organ expires.
Go ahead.
- Ready?
- Ready.
Ms. Roby, you were Dr. Stimson's
executive for the last five years?
Oh, yeah.
And you observed
his organ selection process?
- And a lot more.
- And in that capacity
were you privy
to the doctor's phone calls?
Yeah-huh. I monitored all of them.
When the organ assignment came in
for the liver to be transplanted
into Harper Gervin
did Dr. Stimson receive
any pertinent phone calls?
Yes. From the Ensler
Charitable Foundation.
Objection! Hearsay.
No, Mr. Vance. Not even close.
What was the message of this call?
They wanted to fund a new cancer
research program at the hospital.
Objection, I object again.
Your Honor,
correlation does not imply causation.
The Ensler Foundation has always
invested in cancer research.
I think you're jumping ahead here,
Counselor.
How soon after that call
did Dr. Stimson overrule
the liver destination?
Within the hour, Your Honor.
Judge, there is really no time
for emotional speeches
or the words of anger
bubbling up in me.
So let me just argue.
The hospital should be ordered
to follow your original instruction
and assign the liver
to Harper Gervin before she dies.
Given the time crunch here
I'm asking the court clerk
to do exactly that, immediately.
Send me word
when the order is satisfied.
Court adjourned.
Everybody drive safely.
And now, I need to find a bathroom
or Noah's going to need
to build another Ark.
- What are you doing?
- I'll take a taxi to the airport.
- Why?
- To meet Angela.
She doesn't exist.
My friend Vik used your link
to get her IP address.
It's an address in Krakow, Poland.
- You're being scammed.
- She got her ticket.
She's on her way
to San Francisco right now.
No. No, she's she's not.
Jacob, she used your money.
There's no school.
There's no plane ticket.
When you get to the airport
she'll call and say she's stuck
in customs overseas
and desperately needs money
to pay someone off.
It won't end
unless you stop responding.
You are just like Mom and Dad.
You don't want me to experience love.
You know, the pastor said it well.
Don't let anybody stand
in the way of love.
Jacob, let me take you.
I just want to check
on our client first.
- See how the surgery's going.
- Stop.
I want to go by myself.
Jacob!
You're my older brother.
And I say this with all
the love in the world
but you need to wake up.
Not all people who ask for money
are actually in need.
Some are just bad.
When did you get so cynical?
Thanks for the ride.
Watching you work today
made me nostalgic.
You're very good.
I have a good team.
All two of them?
Yep. All two.
Come work with me, Michael.
At the Panda Express?
You could do worse.
So you're taking that job?
I don't know.
I started the day
thinking not, but
I like watching you work.
Well
good luck with that.
I'll be seeing you soon.
- Airway?
- Cleared.
- Heart rate?
- Stable.
The liver is prepped and ready.
Here we go, team.
Making a chevron incision
now.
Stay tuned for scenes
from our next episode.