Episode 2 of “Super Pumped,” titled “X to the X,” takes us into the wild side of Uber and explores the company’s widespread disregard for rules, regulators, and most importantly, the status quo. existing. Faced with growing pressure from regulators, the company launches stunning technological innovation while CEO Travis Kalanick keeps his eyes on the big prize – New York. If the company gets the Big Apple to start using its app, the gateway to the world opens up (at least according to the CEO).
Appropriate reward isn’t far behind, and we’re treated to glimpses of a daring celebration that would leave most people flabbergasted. Let’s dive into Episode 2 of “Super Pumped” and make sure we haven’t missed any crucial details. FRONT SPOILERS.
Super Pumped episode 2 recap
The episode opens with the company’s operations in struggling Portland. Local regulators have started using the app to track down Uber drivers, issuing various fines and seizing their cars. In retaliation, Travis orders the company to start using “Greyball”, a secret code that tracks people using the app, allowing the company to avoid calling out regulators and those trying to sue. its drivers. Bill Gurley begins to suspect Travis of flirting with potentially illegal practices and attempts to warn the young CEO.
However, Travis remains focused on the meteoric growth of his business and is unswayed by the VC’s attempts to reason with or impress him. Pushing his loyal colleague Austin Geidt to rally the drivers, the CEO presents a plan to undertake the arduous task of making Uber a success in New York. Through a combination of smart technology and using loyal Uber customers to speak out for the company, Travis quickly achieves his historic goal and establishes the ride-sharing company in the Big Apple.
As promised, an elaborate celebration ensues, marking the company reaching a milestone. Even as Bill Gurley watches apprehensively from the sidelines, the CEO and his entourage plan the event, setting loose guidelines that only underscore how crazy things are about to get. A company-wide email with rules such as “no life should begin or end at parties” (referring to employees at risk of having sex or seriously injuring themselves) is sent.
End of episode 2 of Super Pumped: with whom will Travis Kalanick go to war?
Finally, the night of the big party arrives, and Bill is slightly relieved to see that Travis has put together a public relations team to prevent any leaks to the press about the outrageous celebration that ensues. As the episode ends, we see major changes in Travis’ life, starting with him ending things with Angie and sparking a romance with violinist Gabi Holzwarth. Despite how he describes it to his mother, Travis’ breakup with Angie is callous and hurtful. In the final moments of Episode 2, Travis is walking down the street and notices a competing company’s cars being hailed by customers. Furious, he announces he’s going to war even as a line of Lyft cars pass.
And so, it seems that the CEO of Uber has another problem to solve. The competing ride-sharing company whose cars he notices is Lyft. What makes Travis particularly angry is that Lyft customers and drivers insist the company is better than Uber, with drivers being friendlier and better paid. As he sifts through the company’s literature, which outlines all the perks and perks Lyft drivers enjoy, Travis angrily shouts that his competitors are stealing all of his ideas.
After seeing how forcefully the Uber CEO has dealt with regulators opposed to his business, it’s not hard to imagine how drastic he’ll take action against a competitor who he says is hurting him. steals his ideas. So, it looks like Uber is now on the warpath against Lyft, and it remains to be seen how Travis’ resourceful and loyal team outperforms its formidable competitor.
How is Uber taking over New York?
Travis lays out the plan to “take over New York” while playing video games with his core team (as well as Bill, who is present but remains silent for the most part). He explains how he will use customer pain points, such as not taking taxis during rush hour or in certain parts of town, to make the ride-sharing app popular. Most notably, it announces how surging prices during peak demand will result in more Uber cars being available rather than fewer, while also making the proposition profitable for drivers.
Finally, in an entertaining sequence that plays itself out like a video game, Travis takes on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio by rallying Uber’s now sizable New York customer base, making the hostile politician’s threats meaningless. meaning facing the overwhelming support for the practical application of carpooling. While we don’t get to see exactly how things play out, given that we next see Team Uber celebrate their victory in New York, it looks like the strategy is working.
What did the X to the X Party celebrate? How much did it cost?
The “X to the X” party essentially celebrates Uber’s “takeover of New York” and, therefore, hitting $10 billion in revenue. The Las Vegas event opens with the “super pumped” CEO introducing his enthusiastic employees to the company’s core values, followed by a performance by Jay-Z and Beyonce.
The events of the night are rightly outrageous, and we see Travis and Emil Michael the next morning, discussing all the fines and expenses accrued as a result. The cost of the party is in the order of $25 million, a figure the two quickly hide from Bill. However, what they can’t hide from the disbelieving VC is the incredible trail of destruction left by the partying employees. However, Travis calmly justifies all of this, saying they can now expect a huge jump in productivity.
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