The Morning Show Review: Play The Queen (Season 1 Episode 9)

I don’t play chess, but I’m assuming the title of The Morning Show Season 1 Episode 9, “Play The Queen,” is referring to the game. One must be very careful with their Queen, as she is the most reliable protector of the King; if the King is captured, it’s all over.

Let it be known that this show, this war, this potential shark attack is actually just a very complicated game of chess.

But before we get to pregame predictions, let’s talk about one of the saddest casualties of the toxic culture of The Morning Show — Yanko and Claire. 

They may not be in love, but they care about each other and have respect between them. That much is clear from Yanko’s reaction when Claire breaks up with him. 

He’s not a young woman at the start of her career. Claire is absolutely right to call Yanko naive for saying she’ll always define herself. Hannah defines a little bit of Claire’s career by reporting her and Yanko to HR. 

Hannah is projecting Mitch raping her onto Claire’s relationship. If she were just a concerned friend/co-worker she could’ve at least told Claire what she planned to do.

Claire made the choice that’s right for her — and it’s a smart one. It’s just also sad. She and Yanko will be alright — but I’m not so sure about Hannah. 

As far as we know, only three people know that Mitch raped Hannah — and two of them are men. She needs a female therapist who specializes in rape, trauma, and addiction. 

All she has right now is Mitch Kessler and let’s be really clear — he knows he raped her and is extorting her. If that was murky last episode, it’s not anymore.  

There is a moral core in Hannah that agrees with Mitch that Fred Micklen needs to be held accountable for his complacency. That’s why she’s agreeing to corroborate his story. That is the only reason and it’s OK because that woman is traumatized and alone. She must do what she needs to in order to survive. 

Survival is why it’s difficult to take a side in this game. Bradley, Cory, and Chip are the underdogs. I tend to gravitate that way. 

But everything Alex yells at Bradley at the Chinese food date gone bad is true. Mitch is just trying to take as many people down with him as he can and Bradley fell for it. 

I’m glad we at least now know that her hunger for the truth has always been inside her. So much so that she got her dad convicted for killing someone in a drunk driving accident. 

I’m less frustrated with her now that I know for sure she’s contemplated the risks of her actions and doesn’t care. 

Cory and Chip are just trying to save their own asses, but on a show where one man is more of a jerk than the next, they aren’t at the tippy top, so I can like them. 

Cory in particular owns his arrogance in a way that forces viewers to root for him. He’s just so damn funny. 

As for Alex and Fred — it’s possible that their plan to phase Bradley out is too slow. The executive producer of the show and the head of the news division stand between them. They just might book Mitch on the show first. 

Either way, it’s almost certain that Daniel doesn’t come out of all of this with the co-anchor chair. It will be easier to watch him go down knowing that he chose the devil he knows with his eyes wide open. 

While it’s very sad to watch all of the “good” people go down because of Mitch the Monster (the way he speaks to Hannah solidifies my nickname for him), the wost potential collateral damage in this mess may be Alex and Chips relationship. 

They’re no angels and they know it. But they have a genuine friendship outside of the show. They were both as complacent as most people when it comes to Mitch’s behavior. 

It’s not right. It’s just sad to see two friends on opposite sides of this chessboard.

Only one team will with the game, although right now Mitch is winning a completely different game. In an effort to keep their jobs, no one seems to care they’re being played.   

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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