Gary McCurry reviews the third episode of The Newsroom season 3…
We’ve all been there. Perfectly happy as we make our way into our respective workplace, singing a gleeful tune, only to be met by the FBI who happen to be armed with a search warrant to raid the computer hard drives on their quest to recover leaked Government documents. Right, maybe not ALL of us have been there.
This is what Gary Cooper (Chris Chalk) discovers upon his arrival at the ACN newsroom floor, however. Welcome, one and all to episode 3 of The Newsroom.
{Insert generic spoiler alert here}
The problem with a 6 episode final season is that you’ve got these characters an audience cares about so their arcs are more important than ever. Set ups and subsequent pay offs have to be satisfying enough that when it does eventually come to a close, it has remained true to the show and the lives it created. I’m highlighting this as I found ‘Main Justice’ to be speeding through its main threadline in order to get to a grand finale in the final episodes. This isn’t a big problem, just a note that this weeks offering is a bridge towards the chaos that is in store for the remaining 3 episodes.
Having wrote about my enjoyment for the Don (Thomas Sadoski) and Sloan (Olivia Munn) segments, I will now write the opposite. The addition of a new HR executive (Keith Powell) and his objective to expose and seemingly end their relationship was nothing but filler to me, a chance for light relief from the espionage and takeover bids going on elsewhere. Other sub plots e.g. the Maggie Jordan (Allison Pill) orchestrated EPA (Environment Protection Agency) interview wherein one of two “The Office” alumni that appears describes in vivid detail why and how we’re all doomed. A brilliant couple minutes that should produce a smile due to its absurd but scarily accurate nature.
Following on from Paul Lieberstein’s calculated end of the world rant, BJ Novak joins his former co-star in the form of Lucas Pruit. His story is as follows… Having exhausted all other options in their pursuit to find $4 Billion, the Lansing’s have came to the decision that a “trophy sale” of ACN is in order to buy shares that will otherwise become Savannah Capitals by way of Recce Lansing’s half-siblings. You got that? Good. In comes Pruit. To those who’ve seen his role in the US hit comedy show, this is what Ryan Howard dreamt of becoming. The only thing bigger than his ideas is his cheque book. During the first meeting between Lucas and Director of ACN, Charlie Skinner, a show that has people stalk Danny Glover is one of the ideas for “disruption” the potential new owner pitches.
Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) utters the words “this is now out of control” at one point and that’s wonderfully correct. Two main points close the episode, one being Will handed a Subpoena, demolishing his opinion that big stars don’t go to jail and the second is Neal’s source being revealed. It’s all about the last three episodes now, we’ve crossed the bridge, passed out of control and are now heading full throttle into chaos. I hear it’s lovely this time of year.
Gary McCurry
Originally published December 4, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
