The Newsroom (TV Series) First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Lawyers (2013) User Reviews

NOT disappointed

[janearcherwa · 9/10 · 2 August 2013]

This was a fast-paced start to the second season. As always it was an intellectual roller- coaster - the kind that goes from 0 to 60 mph in the first few seconds. (We cannot watch this show when we are tired....) The dialogue was rapid-fire and challenging - as before. The flash-back approach to the story-telling was new (to this show) and was very well done. This technique, when it is done well, adds tension to the plot and knowing (some of) the outcome does not spoil the telling. New characters are deftly introduced and immediately likable/hate-able. Existing characters continue to be developed and we continue to fall a little more in love with them.

This was a very clever and entertaining entrée to the season, and Aaron Sorkin continues to write generously and with respect for the audience. Honestly, I am surprised by other Luke-warm reviews We love this show, and we are excited to see how this season unfolds.

Could be better, Sets stage well

[khfrank97 · 9/10 · 17 July 2013]

I love the show, it is fantastic, the sexual tension, the masterful way that Sorkin ties everything together. However, i was a tad disappointed with this episode. It didn't quite have the action/drama that i was hoping, granted it was the first episode of the season. I am thrilled that Don and Maggie broke up, but angry at Jim for going with Romney in New Hampshire.

So even though this episode wasn't great, it does a sufficient job of setting future episodes. First off, what the hell is this Genoa thing?! Second, what the hell happened to Maggie in Africa?! What will the 9-11 show look like, whats going to happen with Neal covering Occupy Wall Street? Sorkin sets the stage for what i hope will be an equally as thrilling season 2

Still "Very Good"......not Great.

[Unknownian · 15 July 2013]

My first disappointment and bewilderment, was the new arrangement of the theme song played during the opening credits. What possessed Sorkin to tweak perfectly good theme music we've all gotten used to and I personally enjoyed, to a an arrangement trying to keep the basic melody, but messed with to the point of almost ruining it.....who knows. It is probably one of the weirdest waste of a series' budget in Network history.

That aside, the show was still as creative as prior episodes, but deciding to use a fictional story to justify the crew being spanked by the network's lawyers, was a slight letdown for me. It really depends on what driving force draws you to watch this show.

My infatuation with the series was the fact that real news stories were used, and the fictional part of the show was the fluff surrounding the character's love lives. In the season opener we are shocked to see "Maggie" (Allison Pill) with a trashed haircut and screaming red hair. The excuse was, that something terrible happened to her on a trip to Africa, and she cut it off and colored it in frustrated depression.

However, the way it plays out on screen, it sounded more like a bad plot excuse for Miss Pill's new haircut she botched in the off season.

Personally, I am tired of "Flashbacks" in movies and TV shows. The way it appears from the 1st episode, the entire new season may be a flashback to justify the first scene in the first episode.......we'll see.

One other negative plot idea in my opinion is that Jim (Senior Producer) is all of a sudden "so in love with Maggie", that he tells his boss "Mac" to either send him out of town on Romney's campaign bus, or fire him. I think that was a dumb plot excuse to have him disappear for two weeks so another Senior Producer that takes his place, could take the blame for whatever they're all being spanked for.

Other than those little tweaks, it's business as usual for the Newsroom Series, that still entertains despite its bewildering aspects.

First Thing We Do is Improve this Show **

[edwagreen · 4/10 · 15 July 2013]

I was extremely disappointed with the opening show. Last year seemed to be so much better.

Marcia Gay Harden, a fabulous Oscar winning actress, is just about totally wasted here in the role as one of the station's many attorneys. She is barely able to get a word in with that always bright, sarcastic Will McAvoy.

Let's face it. This episode was quite boring. These things usually are when you deal with-if so and so didn't break his leg, and I didn't have to send John to replace him, and Joan to replace John, etc.

Again, I can't believe how dull this episode was and there had better be improved writing; otherwise, Aaron Sorkin can kiss this baby goodbye, and real fast.