‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber’ chronicles the turbulent early days of the transportation business Uber and its high-energy, controversial CEO Travis Kalanick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). The first episode of the Showtime anthology series introduces us to the protagonist, who is attempting to break into the highly protected transportation business while dealing with continual pressure to grow the company.

We also watch Uber receive its first “big boy” round of funding, as well as the intriguing interaction between the co-founder CEO and his venture capitalist. The episode concludes on a high note, with the corporation making an iconic move and cleverly avoiding a potentially terrible situation. Things are building up to be a rocky journey, so let’s make sure we get all the details direct from the first episode of ‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.’ WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Recap of Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber Episode 1

The episode begins with Travis Kalanick, UberCab’s Co-Founder and CEO, interviewing a potential new employee. He asks the terrified applicant if he’s a “asshole,” and the story quickly reveals what Kalanick means. When the topic of client safety is brought up, he dismisses it dismissively until an employee suggests adding a “safety fee” to their usual rates, which might generate hundreds of millions of dollars in more money for the corporation. The concept appeals to Kalanick.

Next, we’re transported to 2011, where a younger Kalanick meets venture capitalist Bill Gurley. The latter is a shrewd investor who is eventually impressed by Kalanick’s tenacity in leading his company to the top. Kalanick goes on a hiring spree, grabbing drivers from local taxi businesses, thanks to Gurley’s big investment. As the young company flourishes (and celebrates), the local authorities become uneasy.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Randall Pearson warns Kalanick with heavy legal penalties for his obvious poaching of the local taxi sector, but the young CEO remains unconcerned, instead to go on the offensive. UberCab eventually receives a subpoena to cease and desist all services (which is also ignored).

The Battle for Uber Episode 1 Ending: Why Did UberCab Change to Uber?

Despite the company’s apparent success, their “burn rate” causes finances to run out. To make matters worse, the subpoena also imposes fines of $5000 per ride on the corporation, potentially putting UberCab in further and deeper debt. Kalanick eventually goes back to Gurley for more investment, and the latter agrees. Recognizing that he must overplay his hand in order to succeed, the CEO begins collecting signatures on petitions from his clients, quickly rising to stage a protest outside the Mayor’s office.

Kalanick meets with the Mayor, but his company still faces significant fines. Back at the office, just as the team is about to declare bankruptcy, Gurley appears with Emil Michael, claiming the latter is a prolific dealmaker. Initially suspecting Michael of being a spy for Gurley, Kalanick puts his “dealmaking” talents to the test and is impressed. The episode concludes with UberCab reducing its name to Uber, as suggested by Michael.

As a result, the episode concludes on a significant note, demonstrating how a renowned company’s name evolves. Apart from the fact that the new name is more appealing to Kalanick, there is also a big financial motive for the shift. The Municipal Transportation Agency, as well as the subpoenas they issue, classify UberCab as a “cab” company, which is a thorn in the side of the small transportation provider. When Michael brings this to Kalanick’s attention, the CEO immediately recognizes the devilishly obvious answer the dealmaker is hinting.

By changing the name of the company from UberCab to to Uber and removing the word “Cab,” Kalanick appears to be excluding his company from the scope of the subpoena. Because the corporation is no longer bound by the court ruling, it appears that their huge fines have also vanished. Thus, the name change from UberCab to Uber is primarily intended to escape fines imposed on the corporation for failing to comply with cease and desist orders.

What Happens During Travis Kalanick’s Meeting with Mayor?

Kalanick expends considerable effort in attempting to meet with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee in order to persuade him of UberCab’s potential. However, the entrepreneur eventually learns that he must employ a different strategy in order to gain the Mayor’s attention. He organizes large-scale protests outside the latter’s office and collects thousands of signatures on petitions in favour of his company.

Lee eventually agrees to meet with Kalanick and is rather condescending about it. The tech entrepreneur, on the other hand, rapidly flips the topic around, explaining how everything that is now obsolete and accepted was once novel and original. After a brief history lesson and some rapid eloquence, the Mayor appears to be persuaded.

Though he did not cancel the penalty, it appears that the Mayor agrees to allow Uber to operate freely in San Francisco. Of course, with aspirations for national and international expansion, the transportation company’s troubles are only beginning. However, the first episode concludes with a victory for the newly minted Uber (without the “Cab”) and its contentious Co-Founder CEO.