Wow, okay, this show is an absolute whirlwind of chaos. That's hardly breaking news, but it felt especially glaring in this episode, which crammed in an absolute avalanche of events: Alex's (yet another) return to TMS, a botched rehab stint, a head injury, an extended hand-washing sequence that felt like it went on forever, Cory Ellison's stint on late-night TV—because why not?—Alex getting canceled, Alex contracting Covid, a nightmarish memorial service, Bradley tearing Maggie Brener to shreds in an interview, Claire's random reappearance out of nowhere, and Jennifer Aniston and Julianna Margulies both exchanging the iconic line "Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk" with each other, among a myriad of other happenings! Sure, that last bit was a true gift to us all, but seriously, this episode is trying to do way too much. It needs to take a deep breath and chill out.
Speaking of television episodes and individuals who just can't seem to dial it down for the love of God, let's talk about Alex Levy, everyone! As previously noted in these recaps, Alex Levy's sole focus this season has been her looming "cancellation" due to the widely—and probably already—speculated news that she and notorious sexual predator Mitch Kessler had a consensual fling... or, rather, humped twice a long time ago. We watched as Alex attempted to shirk the feminist icon label thrust upon her after she and Bradley exposed UBA's extensive cover-ups of sexual misconduct. Then, when that became impossible, we witnessed Alex completely unravel upon learning that Maggie Brener would dedicate a significant portion of her TMS tell-all to confirming this relationship. Her terror of losing everything drove her to her knees in Las Vegas and then onto a plane to Italy amidst a deadly pandemic. Even after her final hours with Mitch, where it was abundantly clear that those two were destined for each other (MFEO, if you will), Alex remained steadfast in covering up her indiscretions and maintaining a full denial stance, regardless of what it meant for her moral compass. She watched as Mitch grappled with the repercussions of his actions but failed to see how that applied to her.
And then, Mitch drove off a cliff. Or, well, to be technically accurate, Mitch didn't exactly avoid driving off a cliff. In "Testimony," The Morning Show seems to be attempting to convey that Alex has come to terms with her impending cancellation, or whatever fate awaits her. It appears to be suggesting that Alex Levy wants to change. There are several moments that hint at this direction. She takes the more formal statement Mitch gave her after agreeing to lie about their relationship and shoves it into a drawer. She's not going to use it. She tells Cory matter-of-factly that she slept with Mitch, doesn't regret it, knows it'll come out in Maggie's book, expects to be canceled because of it, and plans to return the money UBA gave her because she's leaving TMS for good the day before the book's release. She doesn't care that Cory insists UBA will support her, and none of us are swayed by that wildly unhinged pinball machine metaphor. Alex has made her decision.
Perhaps the most significant indicator that Alex has resolved to face what's coming her way is that after doing a show together, Alex goes to see Laura to find out why she hates her. When Laura reminds Alex of how she was only friends with her to advance her career, how she's pretty sure Alex was the one who outed her at work, and how Alex abandoned her when Laura's career took a nosedive, Alex doesn't deny it—which she definitely would have done, like, five days ago. She doesn't exactly take full responsibility for it, but she doesn't deny it either.
And isn't that precisely the crux of this entire ordeal? Sure, Alex isn't evading responsibility for her actions or the looming consequences they'll bring, but she's hardly delving into her past or truly grappling with the ramifications her deeds have had on others. I can't help but keep thinking about how Mia deserves a far more heartfelt apology from Alex than she's ever received. Yet, in Alex's mind, she's undergoing a transformation, or so she believes.
After much soul-searching amidst the bubbles of her bath, Alex resolves to attend Mitch’s memorial service. This gathering seems truly ill-fated. The only speakers are Mitch’s uncle, who appears to be rather disoriented, and the resident sleaze, Dick Lundy, whose eulogy is so repugnant that it makes one wonder if the venue should provide a decontamination shower for attendees as they exit. Alex arrives fashionably late and promptly collides with Fred Micklen, followed by Mitch’s ex, Paige. Talk about a double whammy. Paola is also present; Alex had arranged for her flight over. Alex informs Paola about her vow to Mitch to assist Paola in climbing the industry ladder and cautions her that the window of opportunity for Paola to capitalize on that favor is closing fast. However, Alex's primary purpose for being there is to share a few words about Mitch. She drops a bombshell by revealing that she saw Mitch in Italy on the day he died and expresses her desire for people to know that he was beginning to comprehend the repercussions of his actions, that he aspired to be a better person, and that he felt remorse. Ultimately, though, those words seem to resonate with her own self-reflection as well.
That night, Alex gets a fleeting glimpse of redemption, and it's all thanks to an unexpected source: Bradley Jackson. Owing to Cory, who is now deeply concerned about Maggie Brener’s book after learning its contents regarding Alex, Bradley is tasked with conducting a primetime interview with Maggie prior to the book's release. She gets her hands on an advance copy and realizes that while, yes, it exposes the inner workings of UBA and TMS, it relentlessly portrays Alex Levy as a truly detestable individual. Bradley goes all out during the interview. She questions why Maggie would dwell on the heinous acts Alex committed and how Alex and Mitch had a quasi-relationship a decade ago, yet neglects to mention how Bradley landed her TMS gig thanks to Alex. Sure, it wasn't a selfless act, but then again, what is, really? Definitely not profiting from and publicizing a tell-all book. As the exchange intensifies, Maggie divulges the story of what transpired in Las Vegas as an example of what she could have included in the book but chose not to, and Bradley swiftly turns the tables on her: That anecdote merely illustrates that Maggie had someone come to her door pleading for mercy, and she denied her that. Maggie showed no interest in hinting at the possibility that Alex Levy might be evolving as a human being (though that story certainly doesn't convey that, Bradley can certainly spin things). "Who's the worst person you've ever slept with, Maggie?" she queries. It's a riveting two-person scene, even if it's hilariously followed by Laura Peterson chiming in with, "Uh, Bradley, didn't you despise Alex and wish for her to be exposed exactly as she is in this book just a month ago?" No one can keep up! But hey, we're all managing.
If Bradley's mission was to shield Alex Levy, she executes it admirably. Alex is on the verge of throwing up with relief after witnessing the deluge of positive tweets and reactions following Bradley's takedown of Maggie Brener. The essence: Alex shouldn't be held accountable for Mitch's transgressions, especially when their relationship occurred so long ago.
Alas, Bradley is powerless to rescue Alex from her own self-destructive path. Alex is jolted awake in the dead of night, only to discover that the tide of public opinion has dramatically shifted against her: A video of her speech at Mitch's memorial has been leaked, and people are outraged. They had been led to believe that the scandals surrounding Alex were mere blunders from her past, but now they realize she was simply associated with Mitch at the time—and worse, that she was still staunchly defending a sexual predator up until that very day. Oh, and let's not forget, she had the audacity to jet off to Italy during a pandemic and then return to work immediately, putting her colleagues at risk. Right now, people absolutely despise Alex Levy. She's in a frenzy, and amidst the chaos, she trips over a pair of shoes, crashes her head, and loses consciousness. I wish I could say this was a fictional twist, but it's all too real!
She regains consciousness in a hospital room and, thanks to a call from Doug, learns that Chip found her and rushed her to the emergency room. (Why don't we get to see any of that drama unfold?) Doug confirms two devastating pieces of news: Her career is unequivocally over, and she's also tested positive for Covid. "Fuck," she mutters, her voice carrying no particular direction.
