“The Pharmacist” Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

“The Pharmacist” Review by Brooke Daugherty

March 9, 2020 2:47 pm |

This four part Netflix docu-series chronicles Dan Schneider’s quest to find the killer of his son, when the police seemed to dismiss the case as just a failed drug deal. Schneider took it upon himself to investigate his son’s murder, which led him to investigate a New Orleans doctor over prescribing opiates.

The first two episodes center around Schneider, his family, and the death of his son Danny Jr.. The story is told through interviews, photographs, home videos, and voicemails. In these episodes, we hear about Schneider’s investigation into the murder and the subsequent trial. The story of Danny Jr.’s murder is only half of this documentary. Schneider’s efforts to find justice for his son take him from pharmacist to narcotic sleuth.

Towards the end of the second episode, a new chapter begins in Schneider’s life. He never wanted to be a pharmacist, but stuck with it because he enjoyed helping people. Little did he know, going back to work after his son’s murder trial would allow him to help many more. After the introduction of OxyContin, Schneider realizes he is filling multiple prescriptions from the same doctor for the new drug. He makes it his mission to investigate the doctor to keep as many people as possible from dying because of their addiction.

The story takes place 20 years ago, before the opiate crisis had been widely reported on. The whole series clocks in just over three and a half hours. Schneider’s investigation techniques and determination make the series worth the watch, even with an influx of nightly news stories surrounding our nation’s drug problems. With episodes less than an hour, my main complaint is three and four could have been edited down to one. A quick mention of the “white flight” of caucasian residents leaving the 9th Ward to live in St. Bernard could have been more explored since the majority of drug deals and violence take place in poor/minority neighborhoods.

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH

PCL Rating: High Taste It