Apple TV’s “The Morning Show” returns for its highly-anticipated third season, boasting the allure of a prestige TV series with a stellar cast and a penchant for weaving real-world events into its narrative. However, as the show navigates through the treacherous waters of corporate drama, it occasionally loses its footing, leaving viewers with mixed feelings about its direction.
The season introduces Paul Marks, portrayed by the talented Jon Hamm, a billionaire mogul whose presence sends ripples throughout the UBA network. Cory Ellison, played excellently by Billy Crudup, is determined to secure Marks as a buyer for UBA, utilizing his star anchors Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) as pawns in this high-stakes game.
The acquisition deal storyline proves to be the most captivating and gratifying aspect of this season. It immerses viewers in the cutthroat world of corporate maneuvering, complete with the aftermath of an email hack that threatens to expose the company’s deepest secrets. This narrative draws inspiration from the 2014 Sony hack, offering a compelling fictional account of the chaos that unfolds behind the scenes during a public-relations crisis.
However, “The Morning Show” struggles to maintain this level of intrigue consistently. The writing takes unexpected and often implausible detours into controversial storylines, including the portrayal of the January 6 insurrection and flashbacks to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The show even delves into the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
While these real-world events provide fertile ground for compelling drama, the series often mishandles them, veering into melodramatic territory. For instance, the handling of the abortion debate strains credibility, with one anchor’s naive public posting of politically charged material about the Supreme Court coming across as forced.
The show also continues to explore complex workplace relationships, replete with larger-than-life personalities and emotional entanglements. Bradley’s romance with Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies) and a potential new complication in Alex’s life add layers to the narrative.
“The Morning Show” undeniably served as a magnet for viewers thanks to the star power of Aniston and Witherspoon, who also serve as producers. However, while it boasts a remarkable cast, the series occasionally falls short of its potential in providing an insightful look into the world of TV news and corporate media.
While films like “Network” and “Broadcast News” managed to capture the essence of this milieu effectively, TV series have found it more challenging to strike the right balance. Aaron Sorkin’s “The Newsroom” grappled with the mechanics of news but got bogged down by its character relationships, paving the way for “Succession” to redefine the genre.
“We can’t fight every battle,” says Alex at one point, and this irony underscores the show’s appeal, juggling numerous fronts simultaneously. However, to ascend to the ranks of top-tier dramas, “The Morning Show” must sharpen its storytelling and choose its battles more wisely.
“The Morning Show” Season 3 premieres on September 13 on Apple TV+. (Disclosure: Lowry’s wife works for a division of Apple.) Explore the intricate world of corporate media and high-stakes drama with this latest installment.
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