On September 11th, 2001, I was putting rubber coverings on aluminum cans on an assembly line when the attacks orchestrated by mastermind Osama bin Laden left our nation in a dark day of mourning and loss. Like President Obama said in his address to the American people, and world, such a day has remained seared in the memory. Like the Challenger disaster, or the assassinations on Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK, memories so horrible never quite leave us, and neither will the day Obama announced that Seal Team 6 led a covert operation resulting in the murder of bin Laden, responsible for such a devastating attack on New York City, and the Pentagon (and one plane's landing in a field in Pennsylvania that was perhaps destined for another landmark location). This episode of The Newsroom understands the importance of that day and while there's lots of character exchanges and developments during the preparation for that announcement (including a great deal of humor, such as Will getting wasted on marijuana brownies and Jim contending with the probable breakup with Lisa at the urging of Maggie, oddly enough), the anxiety and potential for jubilation palpably build due to the concealment of the news. Most of the cast have a pretty good idea that the mysterious announcement will be the death of bin Laden, but Charlie wants the news group to keep off air until total confirmation can be made. Don, Elliot, and Sloan have been gone on assignment, remaining stuck on an airplane due to aggravating runway problems, desiring to get off and to the newsroom. An interesting development involves a "deep throat" who had contacted Charlie, telling him to prepare his bunch for the big news story (this tip sends the team to the studio early so they can run with the story as soon as able). This mystery "informer" won't unveil his identity, much to Charlie's chagrin, but seems to indicate that their corporate owner is "behaving badly"
this provides a fresh storyline thread, adding a level of intrigue for future episodes. This is a good episode for both Kelen Coleman (as Lisa) and Natalie Morales (as Neal's girl, Kaylee), as their characters are provided a bit more significance. I really like Lisa and felt they did right by her as Jim decides to properly treat her respectfully by asking her out on a legitimate first date. Kaylee had been that sexy girl that Neal was spending time with but not quite committed to in regards to a long-term relationship (or so it seemed for a little while), but a bit of her history is revealed as we learn her father was killed in the Twin Towers collapse. Lisa, I was afraid, would be discarded because she seemed to be a monkey wrench in the gears of a possible romance between Maggie and Jim; she even "lets him off the hook" after telling him she loved him, understanding he felt obligated, out of kindness, to offer it back in return (although he just likes her), breaking up with him. Kaylee seemed to be a character that remains a five minute love interest for Neal, popping up on occasion, but the show looks to be committed to her as well. My favorite scene, besides the excited reactions of those learning of bin Laden's death and Will's riveting speech prior to Obama's addressing the nation, is MacKenzie not allowing a news broadcaster so break the story prematurely, even going to far as to cut off the feeds. I also like that Terry Crews has become a supporting character because he has such a likable presence, although Will breaks free from his security to get to the studio faster. The excitement around the big announcement is so authentic and takes us right back to that day as if we are reliving it once again. While I'm a pacifist, bin Laden's actions couldn't go unabated; knowing he would no longer be pulling strings is a refreshing, satisfying thought.
Review of 5/1
