22 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

For my money, the best new show on television. (HBO)

Aaron Sorkin's writing is fast-paced and intelligent. Jeff Daniels and Olivia Munn are completely convincing in their roles; and the rest of the cast are exceptional. Welcome back Sam Waterston!

However, is anyone else watching? The critics don't seem to think so. The Newsroom has been picked up for a second season.

[Legacy]

YES! This show is amazing.

Part of me wishes News Night was a real show!

[Daniel]

YES! This show is amazing.

Part of me wishes News Night was a real show!

Same here! I would watch it if it was real! I think that they have done a great job transitioning and devolping the characters in a very short time. Just when you start to think that "Don" is a total zipper-head, you get last episodes.. "You're a fucking news man, Don. I ever tell you otherwise, you punch me in the face!"

And the social / political commentary? Wow... just, wow....

[Legacy]

I really hate Don. But Maggie is adorable.

[Legacy]

Okay... the newest episode with the Rudy discussion and Maggie's whole, "You will take Lisa out for Valentine's Day" was AMAZING!

[Daniel]

You picked out my favotite two parts as well! I had to replay both "Maggie's V-Day Speach" and the "Rudy Moment" with the checks, several times.

One potential plot twist has me guessing... I thought that the writers were making it obvious that Maggie and Jim were destined to have a relationship. Not just because of the attraction, but because Don was a narcissistic prick. Now however, they're writing Don to be a stand-up. character guy.

???

I see an unintentional / intentional affair happening. Then, someone's gotta go....

[Legacy]

There will be an unintentional affair, but I still think Don is being written as a narcissistic prick. Last night, Will even has the throwaway line about Don trying to break through the door because he felt guilty. The motivation given (the only motivation) is guilt. Don's, "I love you everyday," line was the "smart" thing to say. Again, not necessarily "nice." Just smart. This episode definitely doesn't lessen the horrible crap Don did in the previous episode.

I see a parallel happening where.

Maggie = Makenzie
Jim = Will
Don = ...

I will say that I really like Kalid (Amen), and I hope he becomes a recurring character (somehow).

[Daniel]

Good assesment of the parallel relationships. Either way this goes, it's going to go well.

Only character not yet sold on... Jane Fonda...

Don't bet on Khalid... They're flying around news that was, and eventually will be current. Khalid is in Egypt and will stay there. But yeah, I liked him as well.

[Daniel]

ANOTHER great episode!

[Legacy]

Finally caught up on HBO Go. Holy crap... there were some really uncomfortable scenes in that episode. Will berating the Santorum staffer especially. They've spent so many episodes establishing him as a "hard-hitting journalist," I was caught off guard by how far he would take it. It should have been expected, but how he did it was somewhat surprising to me. And with all the little character details they gave him this episode, this was a powerhouse story for him.

I'm really starting to like Sloan and how, despite her vast knowledge and motivation, she is incredible out of her comfort zone with the whole "journalism" thing.

And Don is still a douchebag.

I really hope Lonnie sticks around a few episodes and that the Psychiatrist becomes a recurring character.

[Daniel]

That may have been my favorite episode... Sooo many subplots, woven together very well... I never felt lost or trying to catch up with all that was going on. And, there was A LOT going on!

The character study of Will is tremendous. Sloan may be the breakout character. They're not "over playing" the love triangle. Sam Waterston's appearances are perfectly timed.

My only "complaint".. and really, it's VERY minimal... Is that Mac is becoming a little too "school girlish" in her approach to Will and her Staff.

Don is a douchebag... The hints that they're dropping about the "trade off" to get ratings up and still maintain their mission statement integrity, tells me that a huge confrontation is coming with Jane Fonda's character and her President son.

If you're watching this on HBO GO or ON DEMAND, I'll wait for your reviews. I watch it at 10:00 on Sunday night and do not want to post spoilers. Even if you can choose to read the thread, or not before watching.

"I need something to help me sleep". "Why?" "Can't sleep".

perfect

[Legacy]

If you're watching this on HBO GO or ON DEMAND, I'll wait for your reviews. I watch it at 10:00 on Sunday night and do not want to post spoilers. Even if you can choose to read the thread, or not before watching.

Feel free to post your thoughts immediately. We watch it on Monday regularly, and I avoid opening this thread until after I've seen the episode.

And yeah, Makenzie is becoming a bit "school-girlish," but I think the "narrative" of that behavior is because she's coping with her guilt over what she did, trying to deal with Will still be angry about it, and realizing that she doesn't know as much about Will as she thought. Throw in the fact that Wade used her as well, she's starting to get overcome with a "I'm a worse judge of character than I thought," mentality that is affecting her confidence.

I really over think these characters...

[Broodlaw]

God just started watching this show today and what an electric piece of television, such a great TV show just from the first episode, I have to say that it really plays on your emotions, at first it makes you angry cause what Will is saying in the University Auditorium is so striking but true, a great speech; something that could honestly be hung on a wall. And then makes you laugh when Charlie goes off on Don, I about died laughing at that.

This show has some of the best writing I have seen in a while and Its great to finally see Jeff Daniels in a very strong role, well done to Mr. Daniels, have to say I like Sam Waterson as well; I have not seen Olivia Munn yet though I'm sure she fits into her role on the show extremely well. I wish we had this news all the time cause I can't stand to watch it nowadays though I will be definitely be tuning in for more of this show, extremely well done.

[Legacy]

The most recent episode ("Bullies") focuses a lot on Olivia Munn's character.

And yes, the show can be the funniest thing on television at times. I crack up almost every time Jim and Maggie interact.

[Broodlaw]

I'm almost fully caught up in the series so far, thank god that it just started haha, I'm just glad to see that Munn is getting a serious role after Attack of the Show and The Daily Show gave her some presence. So far I like her character and having her being more of a strong character and that's what I like.

There have been some great moments so far, have to agree with Jim and Maggie on how they are great in their interactions, really reminds me of Jim and Pam from The Office. Still Charlie is the funniest character so far, his argument with Reese on Will's tirades by comparing it to Rocky 2 had me dying haha; So far I left off in a great spot with the Giffords shooting taking place.

[Legacy]

Tonight's episode was odd. The narratives of the characters didn't really progress outside of Jim and Lisa. The focus was wholly on the story of the night, which made it the most profound episode so far (to me). Still, some really funny stuff.

[Daniel]

The bar just doesn't lower... Most shows have a poignant moment that the viewer holds onto until next week's episode. Last night had several. None more relevant than Don's reversal of attitude when the pilots confronted him.

Yes, Jim and Maggie's "relationship" focus grabbed a lot of screen time; but I am still blown away at how they keep so many subplots progressing at such an intelligent and indepth pace. Can they keep this up? Man, I hope so...

So, help me out here...

Is the "Deepthroat" NSA caller warning Charlie of illegal phone tapping? Computer hacking? Wire taps, on the Newsroom Staff? All of the above? Is this the Network's efforts to gain ammunition in the event that they fire Will? (attempt to)

Jeff, this episode probably hit home for you in a very unique and personal way. I don't know your military history; just that it exists. Hope you found it compelling.

[Legacy]

Is the "Deepthroat" NSA caller warning Charlie of illegal phone tapping? Computer hacking? Wire taps, on the Newsroom Staff? All of the above? Is this the Network's efforts to gain ammunition in the event that they fire Will? (attempt to)

Jeff, this episode probably hit home for you in a very unique and personal way. I don't know your military history; just that it exists. Hope you found it compelling.

Don needed that moment. I still don't like him, but that was his finest moment.

I think what "Late For Dinner" is doing is warning Charlie about TMI wire-tapping. The preview showed that gossip columnist that Will paid off, so I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Jane Fonda trying to ruin Will. The Casey Anthony story they're teasing is not going to help Newsnight, either. I think the source appreciates what Will is trying to do, and is going to provide Charlie the necessary information to defend him.

And I did. I will always remember that night. That episode brought all the goosebumps back. Ending it with the President's speech was beautiful as well. I really felt like that entire episode was a love-letter to that moment. It thanked and recognized everyone.

[Daniel]

Although still a great episode... this one seemed like they were trying too hard. Multiple subplots that normally make Newsroom what it is, came off as labored and forced. Was it me? Did I lose my attention span for a night? I don't know.. maybe.

The upcoming stand-off between Will and Co. and Leona Lansing has enough ammunition now to produce a great climax to this season's end. However, I think that even the writers aren't sure where they're going to take Will and Mac. Next season's new writing staff are inheriting a scenario in which Will could be seen by many as a villian. How many of us would really keep hurting someone, so often, so ridiculuosly blatant, as he does. AND, how many of us, even madly in love, would continue to take this shit? Her character didn't get to where she is in life by being the catholic school girl that loses her virginity at the prom and spends the rest of her life chastising herself for her indescretion.

Rant...

Your thoughts?

[Legacy]

I finally caught it last night, and I think I agree. This episode felt a tinge off, but then again it was specifically written as a "Part One." While that isn't necessarily an excuse for a less enjoyable episode, the focus was throwing all the threads out the coming season finale.

I love that the Psychologist made a reappearance, and that scene provided all the justification (as misguided as it is) for Will and Mac to be where they are. Will is too stubborn to forgive Mac, and Mac is too stubborn to forgive herself. Will KNOWS what he is doing is cruel, he's just too arrogant to approach the situation any other way. Mac feels too guilty to leave. They've already teased Leona firing Will (seriously... bold move), but that MAY be the catalyst that gets Will to apologize and forgive Mac. Then the final episode SHOULD end with Will's "final" broadcast, where he runs the TMI/Wiretapping story. The repurcusions of that plays through in the off-season, and we show back up next season with a new CEO (potentially Charlie!), the News Night team back and re-energized... yadda yadda... Next season can then be Will/Mac rekindling.

That said, the whole debate angle feels like such a contrivance to throw a wrench into their Quixotic mission that I find it annoying. Granted, I LOVED Maggie's little rant regarding how Michelle Bachman represented Christians, but it feels unnecessary and incredibly forced. All they needed was a couple of throwaway lines from Will in the previous episodes ("I want to moderate a debate"), and that whole thread could be "fixed." The threat of firing and ratings hit should have been enough to justify the "Have to entertain" component (although finally seeing what Don is good at was a nice change of pace).

This was the first "off" episode, to me. I agree. But like I said, their setting up a massive war. Despite the somewhat lackluster nature, I still walked away curious and excited about what the final couple of episodes will bring.

Oh, and the line, "Have you been listening? Because we have," is one of the greatest lines I have ever heard in the history of ever.

EVER!