‘The Morning Show’ Recap: ‘The Green Light’

9/27/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Greta Lee as Stella Bak in Episode 304 of ‘The Morning Show’ – ‘The Green Light’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘The Morning Show’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

It is definitely safe to say, that the Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show, offers its fans and anyone fortunate enough to tune in, a bevy of storytelling wonders. After all, it features a cast filled with top-tier actors that we know and love, who turn in flawless work week in and week out, and that is always a joy to watch. Not to mention, it is a bold and brave series, one that tackles some of the biggest concerns in our world in a manner that is direct and honest, giving rise to incredible commentary and storylines we won’t find anywhere else on television. But one particular aspect of this show that we don’t talk about or praise enough, is the sheer fact that it offers up an inside look at how the news is put on the air, and how news organizations’ function.

Granted, there is of course some juicy drama injected in there because this is a television show. But there is real merit to the intensity on display in the UBA studio, and how this series often shows us how the whole operation functions and flows, and well, that behind-the-scenes aspect of the series is top of mind today, simply because this week’s episode of the show… opted to show us an aspect of the business we rarely hear about or see. Specifically, how a news network lands its funding from an advertiser standpoint. Or in the case of UBA, how a broken and untrustworthy network does just that, since UBA has faced some real challenges in the past couple of seasons, and well, what ‘The Green Light’ put on display regarding this… was fascinating to say the least.

For in essence, this episode informed us that the act of collecting advertisers for major outlets such as UBA would normally be a breeze. Through quality presentations of what their lineup is going to feature and through viewership/ratings data, and a sense of trust. Which would make it easy for an advertiser to just say yes and hand over the check because they are aware of the fact that all of those elements will bring forth a beautiful return on their investment. But in a scenario where sexual harassment scandals, and data leaks and wanton racism and wage inequality persists, that trust is broken, the data is sour, and advertisers no longer feel comfortable with handing over money and well… that meant that Cory and Stella, and the entire UBA team had to work overtime to gain that trust back to gain that money. Because UBA was spiraling toward insolvency with the scandals, and it was do or die time and that led to some uncomfortable moments.

Jon Hamm and Jennifer Aniston as Paul Marks and Alex Levy in Episode 304 of ‘The Morning Show’ – ‘The Green Light’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Because every advertiser knew that UBA needed them badly, and that could allow ad representatives to do as they pleased whilst being courted, and they most certainly did. After all, poor Stella had to take part in uncomfortable and humiliating acts to land a major deal that would secure a loan for the company, the kind that left her feeling slimy and awful that such work even had to be done. Not to mention, Bradley, Chris, and every other on-air personality had to turn on the charm and make sure anyone willing to invest in UBA felt welcome, as though their problems were behind them and well… Stella’s ugly day and the schmoozing from top to bottom seemed to seal the deal for Cory. Since he received note that the loan was on its way. Making it seem as though this was nothing more than a fascinating road bump in getting UBA back to prominence.

But alas, it was revealed that Fred Micklen was doing some advising in his quasi retirement from the industry, the kind that helped lenders make sure their loans were spent properly to ensure maximum return on the interest, and that meant… he was going to be overseeing the UBA loan and be in control. A move that scared Cory to no end. Since it would make UBA look the fool, stir up more controversy, and put him under the thumb of an incompetent jackass really. So, he backed out of the deal and was unsure if there would be a future for the network. But there might be. Because while all of this was going down, Alex was in SoHo and at Coney Island with Paul Marks. To apologize for skipping out on the suborbital ride, but to also woo him back to UBA for the deal of the century. An act that at first failed. But it left Paul curious as to why someone would go so far for a network that had well, been unkind and indecent to a talent of Alex’s caliber. But a chance to see what UBA really meant to Alex, why she loved it there and why she was so dedicated to it, changed his mind, and motivated him to fly his helicopter to Cory’s to join the party… and undoubtedly talk shop.

But while we wait to see what will come of Alex’s gambit, we can revel in one unique episode. One that really did showcase a network in crisis. But it also offered up some fascinating moments for both Cory and Stella. The kind that saw the former sweating for the first time and the latter, grappling with her love of this job. Not to mention, it also pondered upon the moral responsibilities of a news network when it comes to how and when to break a story, courtesy of Mia’s conundrum with those dangerous photos. All of which brought together, a powerful behind the scenes look at network life, and the struggles that come about in keeping the money flowing and that certainly leaves us eager for more of this fascinating series. Since we are now vested in this new challenge for UBA, and we simply must know… if Cory can save a network that stands on the precipice. Until next time.

Watch ‘The Morning Show’

0 Comments