The Morning Show Review: Open Waters (Season 1 Episode 7)

The title of The Morning Show Season 1 Episode 7, “Open Waters” elicits a vision of a deep blue ocean with sharks circling their prey. Or, in this case, sharks circling each other, preparing to strike. 

It’s a more stunning visual than The Hunger Games metaphor I’ve used in previous reviews. But the tension on the episode also makes me picture all of The Morning Show staff and UBA executives with guns at each other’s heads cocked but not firing. 

Whatever metaphor you choose, watching that tension build and waiting for it to explode is emotionally draining. Sadly for fans, torturing us via fiction makes streaming sites money — it’s just how TV works. So, we have to live with it for now. 

As dramatic as it is to watch everyone fear for their Morning Show lives every week, episodes of the show flow best when structured around events like the L.A. fires or the benefit. 

This episode’s event is obviously the photoshoot. There is definitely plenty of drama swirling around it, but it’s not as entertaining to watch as usual. 

Bradley’s dilemma, in particular, is confusing, but compelling. Truth is her purpose and coverup culture shouldn’t be condoned or excused. But she is absolutely right that having Mitch on The Morning Show would not only cause the network to implode; it would also destroy the show. 

So, even though people like Chip and Alex and Mia and Hannah covered up Mitch’s behavior — it still seems like Bradley has nothing much to gain and everything to lose from doing an interview with Mitch on the show. That is if she finds a way to make it happen at all. 

Mitch just wants to take other people down with him. We know he’s had help in the form of people turning a blind eye. Other TV networks probably assume so too. They may even be trying to look into it right now. The truth will come out. Why Bradley is willing to consider letting Mitch tell it is baffling. 

So, let’s move on to another piece of the fallout of Mitch’s scandal — the gossip Mia is dealing with. 

I think Chip is right to fire Nicky. His dig is absolutely unprofessional and uncalled for. Office gossip is wrong too, and Mia might have at least appreciated someone saying something to her face instead of behind her back. 

But even though there are people that deserve to be fired more than Nicky — they at least know when to keep their mouths shut to keep their jobs. Chip absolutely makes Mia’s life harder by firing him, so she pretty much has to make the speech that freezes the entire Morning Show office. 

Karen Pittman kills the monologue. It’s a breakdown of sorts, but it’s chilling rather than embarrassing to watch. Chilling freezes the viewer so they can’t look away even if they want to. Embarrassing forces them to cover up their face and watch through their fingers. 

It’s just a matter of taste, but I’ll always prefer the former. I’m not an actor, but it seems like a more challenging task.  

No one deserves gossip like that to affect the way they’re doing their jobs. And Mia definitely points out how stupid everyone is being by pinning a lot of the changes in The Morning Show culture on her. 

She’s just trying to do her job when she makes the case for Bradley’s segment to fill space. She wants to move on from the comment Nicky makes. She doesn’t fire him. 

Yet, later in the day she’s so triggered by gossip she’s announcing “everybody with a dick better be careful, ’cause she hates dicks.” It’s ridiculous that the talk has pushed her there, and not by any fault of Mia’s. 

The speech may or may not slow down the office gossip about Mia. It definitely puts Bradley’s precarious position front and center for viewers. 

She’s not desperate for people to like her anymore. She’s offering them support through difficult personal situations while also possibly planning their demise by giving “the enemy” a platform.

If she’s definitely going to interview Mitch, she needs to stop the chit-chat with Alex and refrain from calling Mia brave as she simultaneously plans something that will take everyone down, including Mia.

It’s not a good look. It’s going to bite her. 

Speaking of the truth biting, it’s going to get Yanko and Claire, too. 

The importance of their relationship on the show has never been more evident than on this episode. 

It’s consensual for sure. The power dynamics at play still make it sticky. 

Sheila in HR really needs to slow her roll and listen to what Claire is saying. I get real anxiety watching the scene escalate from Claire relaying how the relationship started to Shelia asking her if she needs help to get out of it. 

Yes, they should’ve handled the situation better and the power imbalance of their positions isn’t ideal. But not every workplace relationship is abusive and Shelia in HR should recognize that. 

The Morning Show would do well to remember that too. It’s a drama about #MeToo from different angles and power dynamics at a TV network. It may be important, but it’s also unrelenting. Watching people with gigantic egos trying to save their careers can get boring without moments of reprieve. 

There aren’t many breaks from the planning and power plays and fragile reputations on the line on this day in the life of the show.

Perhaps the reality of being a shark fighting for your own life in open waters. But we’ve been watching everyone circle for a few episodes now. It’s time for someone to attack. 

Production Notes 

• Lizzy and Alex’s storyline is intriguing to watch. They’re about as complicated as a mother/daughter duo can get. It’s not much of a break from the office drama because Alex and Jason’s divorce is so intertwined with her image as a well-known morning news anchor. 
• Lizzy isn’t wrong about Alex being selfish. It’s not ok to diagnose real people. But I’m going to diagnose a fictional character because Alex may have classic narcissism. 
• Then again, Lizzy is a spoiled brat. 
• I can easily get very good pizza and I’m still very mad at Alex for throwing out that whole pie. The least she could’ve done is give it to someone else on Lizzy’s floor. 
• Cory is quickly becoming my favorite character. He’s a jerk, but they all are. Plus, being the newest member of the news division other than Bradley, he’s probably less to blame for the culture of silence than everyone else.  
• That said, Cory and Bradley’s relationship is starting to feel almost sweet — and that’s scary. 
• I haven’t forgotten about Hannah. She’s just such a mystery I don’t know what to say yet. I have a feeling that will change soon. 
• Daniel, just listen to Mindy Kaling and run, run far away.

What did you think of this episode of The Morning Show? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Morning Show airs Fridays on Apple TV+.

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