The Morning Show Review: That Woman (Season 1 Episode 4)

We get a behind-the-scenes look at Bradley’s first week as co-anchor on The Morning Show Season 1 Episode 4, “That Woman.” 

She doesn’t disappoint me much, though Alex, Chip, and Fred probably have a different opinion. 

Cory is another story, which is baffling and intriguing at the same time.

He’s only head of two sections of the network. Fred is his boss and Fred definitely isn’t happy. So politically speaking, if Cory wants to keep his job his behavior makes no sense. 

Everyone knows that ratings matter over almost everything at networks — but what would Cory care about The Morning Show ratings if he were fired? 

So, going into Bradley’s dressing room and planting the seed that someone at the network may have known about Mitch’s behavior is counter-intuitive, even though Cory is trying to get rid of Alex. 

The fact that Bradley has the guts to go off-script and ask Ashley if she didn’t report to HR because she was afraid of Mitch’s retribution is surprising, too. 

While she’s the most authentic and intriguing character on The Morning Show she’s not quite as bold as the show wants you to think she is. 

After Bradley confesses her abortion on-air, Alex asks, “Did you f*ck up just now, or was that intentional?” 

I’d respect her answer either way if it were definitive. But she answers, “I don’t actually know.” 

That’s her truth, life is gray, and she’s an honest policial independent. All of that is fair enough. But if she wants to be bold, she needs to own any choice no matter the reality. 

Alex isn’t Bradley’s friend. She thinks she is the mad scientist and Bradley is Frankenstein. It’s more like Alex is drowning and Bradley is the lifeboat. 

The roles can switch quickly and eventually people are going to hit the deer in the headlights.

So Bradley, never be the deer, you might get hit. 

Perhaps I’m being too hard on her, as her abortion admission happens during the first few minutes of her first day on air as a co-anchor on The Morning Show.

Then again, she proves at the end of the hour while she’s interviewing Ashley and takes her earpiece out that she’s capable of making the bold choice and owning it. 

In the #MeToo era we live in, the whole truth is important when reporting on sexual assault allegations. Bradley is risking her job by trying to uncover who knew about Mitch’s behavior and hid it while working with Mitch’s former colleges. 

It’s probably not as big of a risk as it seems since Cory gives her the tip. But Bradley should watch her back. When Alex is gone, who will Cory’s next victim be? 

“That Woman” is slightly more intriguing than the first three episodes of The Morning Show, and that is thanks in large part to Bradley. 

But she’s the most interesting when at home in West Virginia, or at least staring down her mother on the other side of a screen, feeling vulnerable. So, hopefully, we keep getting glimpses into her past. 

The pacing and directorial choices on the show have been continuously good, even when stories fall short. Plus, Kelly Clarkson joins Mindy Kaling on The Morning Show‘s impressive and fun cameos list. 

And, someone’s absence from this episode is incredibly welcome.  

Steve Carell plays Mitch Kessler well, and while the show has been very sympathetic to the character so far, his story is relevant to include in this particular show. 

Ten episodes of him declaring “I didn’t jizz into a plant in front of somebody!” and listing all of the reasons he’s a “nicer” or a lesser predator than someone like Harvey Weinstein would be too much. 

If The Morning Show actually shows Mitch facing consequences that feel real for his behavior, it will eventually tell a bold #MeToo story. 

But until then a break from Mitch is not only welcome, it’s needed.

We hear enough about him thanks to the investigation that has begun. It’s hard to know whether to call it that, or a coverup by UBA. 

When talking to the investigator Mia says that she didn’t report Mitch to get him fired, she reported him because she couldn’t stand the smirk on his face when he was reporting about #MeToo stories. Their particular affair was consensual according to her.

Through characters like Mia, the show can expose the grayness of sexual assault cases more effectively than by making us sit through Mitch accusing another man of being a worse predator than him just to feel better about himself. 

One must remember that even though sexual assault can happen to anyone no matter what their job is, this show is a case of Hollywood making a statement about the problem specifically as it relates to their industry. 

So, it remains to be seen if catfights and industry politics will continue to reign over a more emotional, raw story angle. But at least The Morning Show is getting less boring.

Production Notes 

• I could do without the Yanko and Claire relationship. Yes, we know consensual relationships in the office get weird and political, too.
• Watching Chip react to all of the trains hitting him is very funny unsuitable for young ears. 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

The Morning Show airs Fridays on Apple TV+

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

20 TV Characters Who Really Need a Hug