We're back in action. Nearly two years have passed since the gripping finale of *The Morning Show*'s inaugural season, and it's as if we've stepped into a completely different world from the one we knew in December 2019. You can bet your bottom dollar that *The Morning Show* is ready to seize this opportunity. If you're tuning in hoping for a brief escape from the realities we've all been enduring, you might want to reconsider. It's abundantly clear that the show won't be sidestepping the real-world headlines. Judging by that swift tour around Manhattan's deserted streets following the March lockdown, before we're whisked back three months to December 30, 2019, it's safe to surmise that this season will be laser-focused on the events leading up to those early, chaotic days of the pandemic—a time marked by confusion and fear. Oh, joy!
Within the confines of the show, of course, the characters are blissfully unaware of the impending storm. As always, the team at UBA has enough self-generated drama to keep them occupied. Before we're treated to a glimpse of New York under lockdown, and before the show plunges us headfirst into the dawn of 2020, *The Morning Show* kicks off its second season by revisiting the immediate aftermath of the finale. It's hard to forget, but just in case you need a refresher: Alex and Bradley took to the airwaves to blow the whistle on UBA CEO Fred Mickland's practice of silencing women and revealed that numerous influential figures at the network, including Alex Levy herself, had perpetuated a pervasive culture of silence and fear as sexual misconduct ran rampant. The season concluded with the UBA feed abruptly going dark, and now we're given a peek into the studio chaos that ensued.
Alex is swiftly escorted out of the building by her team, while Bradley demands a promise from Alex that they'll stand united before finding herself left alone. Cory Ellison, the news director with a flair for the dramatic, is hauled before the executive board and dismissed for his attempted mutiny. Meanwhile, Fred Mickland is merely placed on administrative leave until the board can sift through the allegations. If that last part rubs you the wrong way, as it should, fear not: Our beloved Drama King Cory delivers a scathing rebuke to the board, beginning by labeling them as out of touch, incorporating a quip about broadcast content being "cave paintings" watched by "the last remaining savages" (Apple TV+ is certainly not holding back, is it?), and culminating with Cory proclaiming, "This is a battle for the soul of the universe." I didn't realize how much I missed Cory until that very moment.
When we arrive at UBA on the eve of New Year's, eight months after Alex and Bradley's bombshell revelation, things appear vastly different from what you might have anticipated. Bradley is in the midst of a New Year's Eve-themed song-and-dance number with her new *TMS* co-anchor Eric (played by the ever-game Hasan Minhaj), a far cry from Kelly Clarkson's truth-telling Bradley Jackson and light-years away from the "I'M EXHAUSTED" Bradley Jackson. Meanwhile, Fred Mickland has been shown the door, and somehow, Cory has ascended to the role of network CEO. He's handpicked Stella Bak (played by Greta Lee, welcome to the fray!) to succeed him as director of news at UBA, while Mia has taken the helm as the new *TMS* executive producer. Oh, and Alex Levy has vanished without a trace and hasn't spoken to Bradley since her departure. But most notably: Rest in peace to that absurd brown wig that plagued Reese Witherspoon's head last season; Bradley is now a blonde. What a world, indeed!
As she confides in her producer, the reason behind this new, chipper version of Bradley is that she was told if she played along a bit and did what TMS demanded, she’d gain more leeway to truly be herself. This hardly seems like the move of someone who repeatedly declared she was fed up with the nonsense, especially after all that transpired with Hannah. But then again, Bradley Jackson never quite made sense as a character last season, and it appears we’re continuing down that puzzling path.
On the flip side, Bradley still yearns to deliver hard-hitting news rather than the light, morning-show fluff (or so she claims). So, when Marcus Ray, the anchor of UBA’s evening-news program, is ousted for emotionally abusing his staff (UBA truly is a cesspool), she seizes the opportunity to throw her hat in the ring for the job.
Bradley decides to pay a visit to her old friend Cory to discuss the matter. The conversation is awkward from the get-go. On Bradley’s part, she subtly hints that they haven’t spent much time together since everything went south. She misses him, she says. His response is guarded and evasive. This superficiality might stem partly from the fact that Bradley hints at their estrangement, yet also takes a moment to remind Cory that, in her view, she was the one who got him un-fired and that he owes her in some way. The look on Cory’s face suggests Bradley might not have the full picture of that situation. This, of course, aligns with what we know—Cory is already aware that they’re replacing Marcus with Eric from TMS. In fact, everyone except Bradley seems to be in the know. You’d think Bradley, after her tumultuous time at UBA filled with deceit and betrayal, would pick up on the odd vibes, but apparently, she’s taking everyone at their word now.
It’s not until the New Year’s Eve broadcast in Times Square that Bradley finally uncovers the truth. And it’s a real pity because this small-town girl is having an absolute blast! But Eric, wracked with guilt for repeatedly lying to her face, finally breaks the news. When Bradley confronts Cory, she unleashes her fury. She calls him a “weasel” and hurls a string of expletives in his direction before seemingly severing their friendship—or at least attempting to. It doesn’t come off as entirely convincing. Cory, for his part, wishes she would just trust that he has her best interests at heart.
Oh, wow, folks, how on earth is Bradley going to muster that trust once she discovers who Cory intends to bring in to replace Eric and join her at TMS? Cory thrives on messy drama—never believe otherwise. He wants to bring Alex back. Of course, he does! As the executives deliberate over Eric’s transition to the evening news, they get candid about Bradley’s performance. She’s not exactly thriving. As usual, Cory is the only one genuinely advocating for her, but his support is overruled. Stella would gladly be rid of her altogether. Mia points out that Bradley only seems to function effectively when paired with someone more poised and seasoned, like Alex. That’s when inspiration strikes Cory. Literally, not a single other person in the room thinks this is a wise idea, but Cory couldn’t care less; he’s determined to persuade Alex to return to The Morning Show.
It would take some persuasive effort, though perhaps not as much as one might initially assume. After causing a seismic upheaval at UBA, Alex has inadvertently become something of a feminist icon. Yet, for the most part, she's been sequestered in a stunning cabin nestled in the woods of Maine, penning her memoir, splitting logs, and misinterpreting the profound messages woven into Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. She exudes an air of melancholy. The news from her literary agent—that her book requires more content about Mitch, particularly an elucidation of the true essence of their relationship—only serves to enrage her further.
When Cory shows up at her snow-draped doorstep, spinning a tale that paints her as the missing piece UBA desperately needs, the only one capable of salvaging the network's reputation, and dangling the carrot of an extraordinary new deal that would bestow upon her an unprecedented level of power, she pauses, just for a moment. Even if she harbored a desire to return, she claims it's impossible. True, she eventually declares to Cory that she "would rather die than set foot back there," but by then, it's glaringly obvious she's merely putting on a brave front.
This very realization is what fuels Cory's unwavering belief in his little TMS vision. He leaves Alex a voicemail, a stirring soliloquy proclaiming her destiny for greatness and asserting that her current accomplishments pale in comparison to what lies ahead. "You've yet to create your magnum opus," he declares. Alex doesn't tune into the voicemail until the iconic New Year's Eve ball begins its descent. She's just made a beeline for the exit after a psychic, portrayed by the inimitable Kathy Najimy, confronts her with the accusation that she's fleeing from something (seriously, what's the deal with this scene?).
Flustered and knowing deep down that the psychic has hit the nail on the head, Alex is on the verge of tears when Cory's voicemail finally registers. She realizes that walking away now would mean her legacy is forever tethered to Mitch and the transgressions she's confessed to. It's clear she yearns for something more profound. Cory sweetens the deal by framing her return as a temporary stint at the anchor desk, merely a stepping stone to her very own prime-time show. She doesn't formally accept the position, but the winds of fortune are beginning to blow in Cory Ellison's favor.
That is, until, amidst the confetti and the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" filling the air, he catches sight of a news ticker in Times Square announcing that Hannah's family is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against UBA. Ah, yes, the UBA ship seems to be taking on more water by the minute.
