The Loudest Voice Review: 2015 (Season 1 Episode 6)
One power lessens while another form of power rises on The Loudest Voice Season 1 Episode 6, “2015.” The world around them may be uncertain, but Gretchen finally finds her certainty.
It’s through Gretchen where a lot of the hardships faced upon people throughout The Loudest Voice starts to find their own loudest voice to help shout down the endless cruelties placed upon them.
The scene of Gretchen’s contract running out shows the level of intimidation placed on those being pushed out the door. She’s surrounded by three women, where there’s this pressure of the door essentially being off limits and escape impossible unless the document and her rights are silenced.
Naomi Watts plays Gretchen throughout as this source of power that has long been absent from The Loudest Voice. Plenty have tossed dominating power around before; Gretchen’s power throughout the episode comes from finally shedding the monster off her back, reclaiming herself. It’s empowering, Watts showing both strength and vulnerability to equally exist as the ultimate form of empowerment.
The episode is full of horror in all of its various kinds. Seeing Fox News progress over the episodes, and to now climax with Donald Trump’s ascent through the Republican party, makes for a real eye-opener for how one thing creates another. Roger laughing through the hateful language Trump on television while others around him question it is a sign of old times rearing their head back.
Roger continues to no longer see a barrier between Fox News and politics, as evidenced on his call with Trump later on the episode. He’s openly offering more time and debate help for some of the heat to alleviate on Fox. It’s the kind of thing where barriers no longer matter to Roger: it’s all about the ratings and the number games.
Now that Roger’s less mobile and his health significantly deteriorating, he’s lost one of his weapons, relying solely on his voice now. His voice is still full of bite and hatred, Gretchen capturing every bit of it. He still commands women to his side so he can assault them, though, stopping only because of his impotence.
His reliance on his wife, Beth, throughout the episode and his health difficulties shows how he manages to now maneuver with a shorter leash and trying to use sympathy as a shield, while still committing horrible things. But his health and absence is leaving his influence waning, with board meetings and day-to-day meetings occurring without his knowledge.
It’s a sign of the times starting to slip toward something new, that Roger may not be ready for, despite his best efforts.
The Loudest Voice has been mostly about the rise of Ailes and Fox News, and now with Gretchen and Brian Lewis (oddly missing from the episode) in holding patterns, there is the inevitable downfall. The Loudest Voice Season 1 Episode 6, “2015,” is a careful watch of injustices slowly finding their justice, while a louder voice starts to drown out all else as an even darker force.
What did you think of this episode of The Loudest Voice? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
The Loudest Voice airs Sundays at 10/9c on Showtime.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.