The Newsroom Finally Focuses on Producing the News

Aaron Sorkin's characters put their pettiness aside to behave like a competent team of reporters and producers

July 23, 2012 RSS Feed Print

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The earnest business of news-making and nostalgia-mongering can only persist for so long until those nasty gossip columnists get in the way. Rather than focus on Will's dating misadventures, the tabloids are now going after News Night for far more serious matters. Wade Campbell, Mackenzie's boyfriend and frequent newsroom wallflower, is reported to be running for Congress. Some, including one of ACN's own daytime broadcast anchors, accuse Mackenzie of using the show has a platform to promote Wade's campaign. However, we find out it was Wade who was using Mackenzie, as she was in the dark about his political plans, and she dumps him as soon she realizes his motives.

"It definitely happens all the time," said Stuart, referring to the circles of journalists and politicians overlapping. "People try hard not to cross that line."

The controversy is highly embarrassing for the executive producer, and Will considers bribing gossip columnist Nina Howard to get the tabloids off their back. The deal is off as soon as Nina says, "Hey Will, we're all journalists," while he writes her a check (bad timing with that line, Nina), launching Will into a rant about protecting his news team who are indeed, true journalists, as he tears his check to shreds.

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Amen, meanwhile, has been kidnapped in Egypt and with corporate's reluctance to help rescue him, Will secretly wires over $250,000 to Amen's captors in order for the young journalist to be released.

However, he is in not alone in his devotion to the team, as the entire News Night staff has a Rudy moment of their own, lining up at Will's office to donate what little money they have to pay Will back. The finale is a little cheesy, no doubt, but a sappy soundtrack and tearful hug between Will and Mack is a small price to pay for an episode otherwise focused on what the series promised: the challenge of producing the news. Said Stuart, "I think it's what we've been waiting for."