On September 11th, 2001, I was putting rubber coverings on aluminum cans on an assembly line when the attacks orchestrated by mastermind Osama bin Laden left our nation in a dark day of mourning and loss. Like President Obama said in his address to the American people, and world, such a day has remained seared in the memory. Like the Challenger disaster, or the assassinations on Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK, memories so horrible never quite leave us, and neither will the day Obama announced that Seal Team 6 led a covert operation resulting in the murder of bin Laden, responsible for such a devastating attack on New York City, and the Pentagon (and one plane's landing in a field in Pennsylvania that was perhaps destined for another landmark location). This episode of The Newsroom understands the importance of that day and while there's lots of character exchanges and developments during the preparation for that announcement (including a great deal of humor, such as Will getting wasted on marijuana brownies and Jim contending with the probable breakup with Lisa at the urging of Maggie, oddly enough), the anxiety and potential for jubilation palpably build due to the concealment of the news. Most of the cast have a pretty good idea that the mysterious announcement will be the death of bin Laden, but Charlie wants the news group to keep off air until total confirmation can be made. Don, Elliot, and Sloan have been gone on assignment, remaining stuck on an airplane due to aggravating runway problems, desiring to get off and to the newsroom. An interesting development involves a "deep throat" who had contacted Charlie, telling him to prepare his bunch for the big news story (this tip sends the team to the studio early so they can run with the story as soon as able). This mystery "informer" won't unveil his identity, much to Charlie's chagrin, but seems to indicate that their corporate owner is "behaving badly"
this provides a fresh storyline thread, adding a level of intrigue for future episodes. This is a good episode for both Kelen Coleman (as Lisa) and Natalie Morales (as Neal's girl, Kaylee), as their characters are provided a bit more significance. I really like Lisa and felt they did right by her as Jim decides to properly treat her respectfully by asking her out on a legitimate first date. Kaylee had been that sexy girl that Neal was spending time with but not quite committed to in regards to a long-term relationship (or so it seemed for a little while), but a bit of her history is revealed as we learn her father was killed in the Twin Towers collapse. Lisa, I was afraid, would be discarded because she seemed to be a monkey wrench in the gears of a possible romance between Maggie and Jim; she even "lets him off the hook" after telling him she loved him, understanding he felt obligated, out of kindness, to offer it back in return (although he just likes her), breaking up with him. Kaylee seemed to be a character that remains a five minute love interest for Neal, popping up on occasion, but the show looks to be committed to her as well. My favorite scene, besides the excited reactions of those learning of bin Laden's death and Will's riveting speech prior to Obama's addressing the nation, is MacKenzie not allowing a news broadcaster so break the story prematurely, even going to far as to cut off the feeds. I also like that Terry Crews has become a supporting character because he has such a likable presence, although Will breaks free from his security to get to the studio faster. The excitement around the big announcement is so authentic and takes us right back to that day as if we are reliving it once again. While I'm a pacifist, bin Laden's actions couldn't go unabated; knowing he would no longer be pulling strings is a refreshing, satisfying thought.
7 Reviews
A Complete Fabrication
andrewbarta9 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Look I get that 9/11 was awful for Americans. But this episode is such a fabrication of the reality of things. You Americans might think this episode is patriotic. As a pilot myself it's completely unrealistic. It's also ridiculous to assume that people would feel this way about the death of Osama Bin Laden. This is honestly the worst of Sorkenism. Pretending that American's can now rest because some psychopath that attacked your country is now dead. What about the millions of civilians that are dead in Iraq or elsewhere because of your patriotic need to 'spread democracy'. This episode is a joke.
1.7 is **** When Discretion Has to Be Used ****
edwagreen5 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Ethical considerations aside, this episode deals when the news media has to use discretion whether or not to announce a major story before the chief executive has his say. The story in question was the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
Sam Waterston is wonderful here, especially when he describes the mistake he made which led to the death of 3 people.
It also goes to show you that airline rules while in a plane must be observed.
While there is some time set aside for romantic bickering, the episode showed how the news team coalesces when a major story is breaking. It also shows what is done when someone may break that trust.
Sam Waterston is wonderful here, especially when he describes the mistake he made which led to the death of 3 people.
It also goes to show you that airline rules while in a plane must be observed.
While there is some time set aside for romantic bickering, the episode showed how the news team coalesces when a major story is breaking. It also shows what is done when someone may break that trust.
Problems in the newsroom
Mr-Fusion7 July 2017
Following a good run, there's something very off about '5/1'. More like a few things, and it really doesn't come off smoothly.
It starts with a party at Will's apartment, and the interactions in those scenes are stilted. It moves on from there with the staff chomping at the bit to report the news of bin Laden's death, a series of false starts as they wring their hands for confirmation. it doesn't help that the romantic triangle element (the show's real weakness) is doted in during this downtime. Eventually, we get to that historic announcement, and the show plays up the personal significance, this being New York. But there's never a crescendo. A lot of the writing here is obvious, stagey; which is a shame because it can also be very funny (Terry Crews again with the one-liners, and Will being high on pot brownies).
I wanted to like this more than I did. It just never seems to get off the ground.
It starts with a party at Will's apartment, and the interactions in those scenes are stilted. It moves on from there with the staff chomping at the bit to report the news of bin Laden's death, a series of false starts as they wring their hands for confirmation. it doesn't help that the romantic triangle element (the show's real weakness) is doted in during this downtime. Eventually, we get to that historic announcement, and the show plays up the personal significance, this being New York. But there's never a crescendo. A lot of the writing here is obvious, stagey; which is a shame because it can also be very funny (Terry Crews again with the one-liners, and Will being high on pot brownies).
I wanted to like this more than I did. It just never seems to get off the ground.
Contradiction of chapter 1
farisori2 January 2023
This episode completely contradicts the first scene of the series. From the questioning of patriotism and the heroic image of the United States, we pass to this imperialist and sentimental propaganda, flat and full of common places.
I also agree with the exaggerated importance given to journalistic practice, which even leads them to disrespect all passengers and workers on a moving plane.
This chapter was my turning point. I had doubts about the series up to this point, but I couldn't go on.
I think that the series would be much better if the initial conflict had been maintained, and the characters were more humble and less exaggerated.
I also agree with the exaggerated importance given to journalistic practice, which even leads them to disrespect all passengers and workers on a moving plane.
This chapter was my turning point. I had doubts about the series up to this point, but I couldn't go on.
I think that the series would be much better if the initial conflict had been maintained, and the characters were more humble and less exaggerated.
American vomit
thyhaunted12 December 2020
What is the virtue of a disproportionate response?
mattstpierre200010 September 2022
I have a problem with this episode.
The drama on this series often doesn't come from people doing things, it comes.from people learning that others have done things.
The characters have to overcome their own personal struggles in order to get the story.
While sometimes it works have a problem with this episode is that the reward and recognition our heroes get, exceeds their involvement or personal challenges, those challenges being they have had to decipher a couple of cryptic tweets.
I know the same could be said for any episode, but they all act in an almost entitled manner towards their recognition, which comes makes them come across as smug, egotistical, and pompous.
A disproportionate response to reporting the news.
I am a fan of Mr Sorkin and I usually enjoy The Newsroom. This, in my belief, is the word episode he he has penned across any series.
The drama on this series often doesn't come from people doing things, it comes.from people learning that others have done things.
The characters have to overcome their own personal struggles in order to get the story.
While sometimes it works have a problem with this episode is that the reward and recognition our heroes get, exceeds their involvement or personal challenges, those challenges being they have had to decipher a couple of cryptic tweets.
I know the same could be said for any episode, but they all act in an almost entitled manner towards their recognition, which comes makes them come across as smug, egotistical, and pompous.
A disproportionate response to reporting the news.
I am a fan of Mr Sorkin and I usually enjoy The Newsroom. This, in my belief, is the word episode he he has penned across any series.
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