Like other Aaron Sorkin productions, this HBO series—set at a cable news channel trying to remain relevant in the partisan culture of 24-hour programming—celebrates intelligence and ingenuity, presenting idealistic professionals with sharp political instincts and poor impulse control—a combination embodied in veteran anchor Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels). This season turns on a controversial investigative report on the use of chemical weapons by the U.S. military in the Middle East, a storyline that unfolds in flashbacks as network lawyer Rebecca Halliday (Marcia Gay Harden) questions the staff hard after the report is discredited. Unfortunately, however, what might have been a provocative look into the complexity of investigative reporting and journalistic ethics ends up with a simplistic scapegoat. Elsewhere in the narrative arc, assistant producer Jim Harper (John Gallagher Jr.) hits the road to cover Mitt Romney's political campaign; production assistant Maggie Jordan (Alison Pill) takes on an overseas assignment that leaves a serious emotional scar; and other staffers pursue professional leads and personal interests, while Charlie Skinner (Sam Waterston) watches over all as head of the news division. Sorkin's affection for his characters is hard to resist, and those who like his brand of collegial banter and wit will find this to be quite engaging. Compiling all nine episodes from the 2013 second season, extras include episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. Recommended, overall. (S. Axmaker)
The Newsroom: The Complete Second Season
HBO, 3 discs, 540 min., TV-MA, DVD: $59.99, Blu-ray: $79.98 Volume 30, Issue 1
The Newsroom: The Complete Second Season
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