The Newsroom Recap: Aaron Sorkin Saves the News

Don backs down and apologizes, giving Will the opening to accuse him of fleeing a sinking ship. Duh. But Don takes affront to that and “politely” tells Will he’ll work with whomever takes over to make the transition as smooth as possible. Don goes back into the meeting so Elliott can weasel an apology and Will can regain some dignity by offering whatever help Elliott needs.

With Don smacked down into his place, it’s time for Charlie to finally get completely plastered and take Will down a peg. I know it’s early but I’m developing a fondness for the old drunk. While Will drinks his Diet Coke, Charlie gets his scotch in a snazzy tumbler and backs up Don. Will did let McChrystal off the hook and blew the interview. Will refuses to accept any responsibility, opting to blow smoke up his own ass, claiming the guy who shit-talked the President to a Rolling Stone reporter ON THE RECORD (which, yeah, didn’t come out until later that year but still…) was too smart for him, then he makes a tortured Jaws analogy that Charlie lets stand.

But this is just a wind up for Will to lick his wounds because people don’t like him. Really? That’s Olbermann’s life blood. It’s why he burns every bridge, it gives him life. Charlie’s embarrassed for Will’s whininess so he cuts him off at the knees, telling Will he’s already hired a new EP. A lady EP that Will knows. Charlie gets a glint in his eye that’s only about 40% scotch and Will looks like he’s about to re-enact his famous bathroom scene from Dumb & Dumber.

Remember who can crush who…

Will starts going on a wobble but Charlie points out Will was unreachable…only one person knew how to get in touch with him. Yes, that one person was, in fact, Charlie, but that’s immaterial. Will tries to get righteously indignant but Charlie’s smacking him down about how Mackenzie is the perfect person for the job, she’s back in the states, and wants a new EP gig, so sucks to be you, Will.

Not giving up the fight, Will thinks he’ll just veto the decision, believing he has final approval. Charlie gets all cute saying “You’d think so…but legal went over your contract…” Realizing he’s been beat, Will finally gets to have his hissy fit, saying he’s walking over to his agent to renegotiate his contract and pounding his chest about generating $200 million in annual revenue while Charlie just slaps him down telling him he’s a dick. Then gets another scotch because Will killed his buzz.

My only joys left are scotch and crushing people and you’re ruining both.

English Lady Angel walks into the newsroom with her brand new Louis Vuitton luggage, so stop whining about how journalism doesn’t pay. She watches a segment being shot then introduces herself to Maggie as “Mackenzie McHale.” You just know they’ll call her “Mack” and I’ll throw up in my mouth a little every time. Maggie’s briefly distracted then realizes that Mackenzie’s her new EP and starts fluttering around while Don swoops in and hugs Mackenzie because they’ve know each other since she gave him his first internship.

He’s happy to see her and wonders if she’s interviewing for his old job but she corrects that she’s there to do his old job. They’re both a little confused until Maggie, wide-eyed, naïve Maggie, tells her Will’s not in but his agent’s office is down the street so he should be back soon. I know she’s young, but is she an idiot, too? Maggie gets the gist of how much she just screwed up when Don and Mackenzie share a look.

I made an oopsie.

Mackenzie tells Maggie to let her know how close she is to the truth and since she’s already read the script, she gets it right. Maggie meekly agrees because she no longer has the free will she expressed earlier when she kept nervously not answering Will when he asked why Charlie wanted to meet with him. Grr. Mackenzie takes a seat to mull things over while she’s waiting for Will and Don walks Maggie back to her desk to take a cheap shot at her “loyalty” because we have to be bluntly reminded that he’s the asshole, otherwise we might think he’s right.