The Newsroom Recap: Is That All There Is?

Maggie, true to her awful nature, just runs off so Jim has to follow her. Accompanied by the ersatz Risky Business theme but he’s no Tom Cruise (oh, the ignominy) and she’s no Rebecca DeMornay so it just ends in a limp, soggy kiss on the street. But Jim quickly realizes that Maggie’s just interested in moving on because she thinks Don’s not interested in committing so he leaves, telling her to get some sleep. I guess broken clocks are right twice a day.

The third very important, hard-news story that no one else covered was that the RNC has backtracked on separation of church and state and now say we were always a Christian nation founded by devout men who believed we were governed by God’s laws, even though all the “under God” and “In God We Trust” came about in the 50s and as a reaction to communism. You’d think Murrow’s biggest fan would know that.

Meanwhile, Maggie’s become a menace to society as she’s aggressively walking down the street while writing her break up speech. Oh, why doesn’t she jus step off the sidewalk and into the path of a speeding bus. It would be sad, and tragic, and give her character some meaning. Do it. DO IT.

No such luck. She makes it to Don’s apartment, looking like hell but he doesn’t say so. As Maggie tries to break up with him, Don asks her to come inside where he’s set up their death trap with about 100 candles waiting to burn down the building if she doesn’t agree to move in with him. He gives her a key in a box and says “I badly want to make this work.” I think it was supposed to be romantic. Jim’s cockblocking instincts kick in and he calls right at that moment, but Maggie’s got both her mens where she wants them and Don’s got more money and better taste, so she DENIES! Jim’s call. Alone again. Naturally.

Remember, you can always revoke the invitation.

In case Sorkin was too subtle in making his case against the RNC claiming we’re a Christian nation, Will and Mackenzie are watching Santorum talk out of his ass (hehehehe) but Charlie calls them to go talk to Leona and Reese.

After Will briefly but grossly sexually harasses Leona she rehashes the Will was high on 5/1. He was, she fires him, then the righteous, good and pure Charlie, Mackenzie and Will let Leona know that Reese orderd wiretaps but rather than report this major piece of news that affects far more people than just Will, they’ll hush it up if he gets to keep his job. Oh, and they use the recipe for beef stew that Solomon sent Charlie as a bluff to get Reese to admit it then surreptitiously tape Reese and Leona. I’m sure that’s exactly what Solomon wanted when he brought both stories to Charlie. Way to honor the dead.