What is really chilling is reading some of the responses here!
The way this episode deals with the actions of Mitch is fascinating and probably an accurate reflection of some men in powerful positions in Hollywood. Mitch isn't Weinstein, he's not violent, but we see in this episode the way he uses his position to push out women he's done with - the producer who takes on Reese Witherspoon. It's the storyline with the always terrific Gugu Mbatha Raw as new up and coming producer, Hannah, that is the complex and unnerving one. Mitch is charismatic and friendly, but the way he pushes her promotion using his power at the network, then coerces her into an encounter was so creepy. He's not forcing her, and with some guy she met in a bar, Hannah would have shoved his away. But this is the big star of the show, some one with influence and power. There is no joy or pleasure on her face, she looks like a deer in the headlights as Mitch moves in on her like the predator he is. This less criminal but insidious coercion was truly terrifying! The fact Hannah ended up taking the 'pay off' of a swift promotion from the studio head, clearly wanting to appease her isn't a great look, but the way many people live. Do I make an issue or keep quiet and at least get something out of it? 'So this is how it works?' She asks.
Huge credit to the writers and brilliant director Michelle McLaren. I did think when I saw Mbatha Raw cast that there had to be something juicy coming up for her. You don't cast an actress of her talent and have them do nothing (she's been very much in the background for. It's of the previous episodes) As I said at the start, it's chilling that a number of commenters here see this episode and think 'what was wrong with that? They both got something out of it.' While by no means as obvious a villain as Weinstein, the Matt Lauer parallels are obvious. Also interesting to contrast it with the Nestor Carbonell and Belle Powley characters who while in a similar power imbalance, are shown to have a very consensual relationship. The Morning Show did a great job of telling a complicated story and showing how insidious abuse of power is.
The way this episode deals with the actions of Mitch is fascinating and probably an accurate reflection of some men in powerful positions in Hollywood. Mitch isn't Weinstein, he's not violent, but we see in this episode the way he uses his position to push out women he's done with - the producer who takes on Reese Witherspoon. It's the storyline with the always terrific Gugu Mbatha Raw as new up and coming producer, Hannah, that is the complex and unnerving one. Mitch is charismatic and friendly, but the way he pushes her promotion using his power at the network, then coerces her into an encounter was so creepy. He's not forcing her, and with some guy she met in a bar, Hannah would have shoved his away. But this is the big star of the show, some one with influence and power. There is no joy or pleasure on her face, she looks like a deer in the headlights as Mitch moves in on her like the predator he is. This less criminal but insidious coercion was truly terrifying! The fact Hannah ended up taking the 'pay off' of a swift promotion from the studio head, clearly wanting to appease her isn't a great look, but the way many people live. Do I make an issue or keep quiet and at least get something out of it? 'So this is how it works?' She asks.
Huge credit to the writers and brilliant director Michelle McLaren. I did think when I saw Mbatha Raw cast that there had to be something juicy coming up for her. You don't cast an actress of her talent and have them do nothing (she's been very much in the background for. It's of the previous episodes) As I said at the start, it's chilling that a number of commenters here see this episode and think 'what was wrong with that? They both got something out of it.' While by no means as obvious a villain as Weinstein, the Matt Lauer parallels are obvious. Also interesting to contrast it with the Nestor Carbonell and Belle Powley characters who while in a similar power imbalance, are shown to have a very consensual relationship. The Morning Show did a great job of telling a complicated story and showing how insidious abuse of power is.