Originally published December 18, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
Gary McCurry reviews the fifth episode of The Newsroom season 3…
Before I sat down to write my first review for Flickering Myth, I thought “objectively describe the good and the bad in each episode and leave the admiration for Aaron Sorkin, his past work and the cast at the door.” I even wrote on my Twitter account (@folieaplusieurs if anyone is interested) “I feel more comfortable living my life knowing that there is a new episode of Aaron Sorkin’s words.” Navigating that line hasn’t been difficult since episode 2 and it won’t be a problem here.
Spoilers ahead, cap’n.
This week’s episode included something bigger than itself, a sub plot that will provoke many talking points regarding its morality and effectiveness, not only in a TV show but in reality. It presents the implications college girl, Mary (Sarah Sutherland) faces after creating a website where rape victims can share their stories and in her case, name the accused. A lot has already been said regarding its nature, some from Newsroom writer, Alena Smith who was thrown out of the writers room for suggesting they skip the storyline. Undoubtedly a sensitive subject that should be highlighted and many articles more equipped than this have done so. I’ll touch only on the impact it had on the show and sadly that was little. I’m sorry, but sometimes it’s as simple as a word. As far as I’m concerned it was included only to heighten a showdown that happens later on.
To test Will McAvoy’s integrity as a reporter they send him to prison for contempt due to his reluctance to give up a source, 52 days days later we join him. During this time Pruit’s (B.J. Novak) regime is going exactly as we were lead to believe it would. A new app called “ACNgage” has Sloan and Don chasing up its creator to ask for its removal as it documents the location of celebrities and their activities in real time. ACN’s Director, Charlie Skinner seems to have given up hope and is now running stories that include Lady Gaga’s silence on Twitter coming to an end in exchange for better ratings and a younger audience. Not to forget both Jim and Maggie happen to be coupled together in Russia to cover the Edward Snowden story. Let the end of the show guy and the girl finally get together scene commence. The problem with this episode is the direction is all over the place, causing the finish line to seem further away with each step.
The source of the Government document leak that the majority of the final season has circled around kills herself and this is seen as merely a tool to get Will out of jail. Nothing on the fact she risked a great deal to give the story to Neal (Dev Patel) and should be commended for that service, or that even though she died, her death was not in vain and the lives she was trying to save are being saved. No, this information should get Will out of his cell was the outcome. Barry Lasenthal (Brian Howe) is the latest character to continue a common theme of season three and have a sudden change of heart. He comes to the conclusion that Will should be released, just like that. I’m not sure even Santa and the elves can tie up all these loose ends into neat little bows come next weeks finale.
It’s all not doom and gloom here though, I will mention that. The interview with Bree Dorrit (Jon Bass) is a spectacle to behold as all the anger for Dorrit’s “ACNgage” app is let loose by a calculated and vicious Sloan Sabbath. Finally, a sequence in the last moments managed to genuinely take my breath away. Some may see it coming, it won’t take away the sting though. You won’t hear it from me, this is something you have to discover on your own. One more stab at it, Mr. Sorkin. Please, for the love of all that is holy don’t ruin this.
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