The Morning Show

My rating of the first season would have been higher had it not been for the final episode, which I wasn’t too thrilled about. The creators obviously didn't want to upset the supporters of the MeToo movement. Except for the final let down, I had a great time watching, especially enjoying the performance of Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup. Not that the rest of the actors weren't good, but these two made the biggest impression on me. With the exception of the tenth episode, I was able to form my own opinion without the creators trying to force theirs on me, and I liked it that way. (08/28/2020)

The pilot left me somewhat on the fence. The story hasn't quite reeled me in yet, and I was hoping for a bit more journalistic flair — something akin to the vibe of The Newsroom. So, I'm holding back my judgment for now. That said, the acting performances were undeniably impressive, nudging it slightly above the middle ground. (08/24/2020)

I've come to terms with the fact that journalism might not be the main focus here, but surprisingly, I'm still finding plenty to enjoy. It looks like the spotlight will be on my "favorite" MeToo movement. Amidst this global trend, the only good guy seems to be that charming, intelligent, and tolerant gay black man. A true all-in-one package. (08/25/2020)

Okay, the series probably isn't really about journalism per se, but I didn't mind because I was thoroughly entertained by the story. Reese Witherspoon has never been an actress I looked forward to, so I was surprised myself that I liked her performance the most so far. As for the male actors, Billy Crudup is currently at the top for me in this respect. (08/26/2020)

With each episode, this series just keeps getting better. I've always been drawn to shows packed with intrigue and manipulation, usually centered around organized crime. But hey, television networks are trying their hand at it too. Ashley Brown's statement left me scratching my head — so she did it to him willingly, but actually wasn't sure about it? Hmm. What a jerk! (08/26/2020)

Another enjoyable episode. Ah, the wonders of American democracy, where hypocrisy reigns supreme and truth takes a backseat. The portrayal of Mitch Kessler nicely demonstrated this — it's not that there aren't people who like him, but saying it out loud is a no-no. (08/26/2020)

Episode six was a fun ride, no doubt about it. Still, I missed the excellent atmosphere of the previous episodes. Chip's contribution here was a standout moment, though. Remember when I likened the TV station to the mafia back in episode four? Well, seems like I hit the nail on the head. (08/27/2020)

The tension surrounding Mia's predicament kept me hooked, but what really stole the show was the exploration of quintessential American exports: political correctness, sexual harassment, and the like. Boy, did this episode dive deep into this "amazing" cultural phenomenon. (08/27/2020)

It seems like every series has to have that one episode dedicated entirely to the backstory, and I'll admit, I'm starting to feel a bit fatigued by the formula. (08/27/2020)

The episode started off pretty well, but as it progressed, it seemed to lose its shine, leaving me somewhat underwhelmed. However, just when I thought all hope was lost, the second half injected a hefty dose of intrigue and manipulation, elevating the overall experience. (08/28/2020)

The season finale took me by surprise, and not in a good way. It's not that it was inherently bad, but the abundance of characters in distress weighed heavily on the narrative. Mitch felt unjustly accused, Hannah had the logic of a naive twelve-year-old, Chip snitched without anyone acknowledging him for it, and the TMS crew grappled with yet another devastating blow. Fortunately, Cory, portrayed by Billy Crudup, saved the day. (08/28/2020)

I didn't enjoy the second season nearly as much as the first one. The creators started developing subplots as if they didn't have a proper central theme. The consequences of the affair were everywhere, but they served only as a kind of backdrop for new events... Except for the fact that there weren't any new events. While waiting for COVID to arrive, the plot focused on a lesbian relationship between two moderators and various petty conflicts, and that's about it. When the disease finally emerged, there was a lot of crying and promoting togetherness, but I'm afraid the creators didn't quite hit the mark with me this time. Despite all my complaints, I managed to find another favorite character. Yes, it's Stella. / Lesson learned: If you want to experience real excitement every day, introduce addiction into your family, enter a homosexual relationship, and become COVID-positive. 3*- (02/07/2022)

After diving into the second season, I'm left a bit uncertain if I can take it. It started off focusing on cancel culture, but now we're diving into a modern plague? I don't need to tune into the show for that; I just have to switch on any TV channel to get a real-time update on the stats – infected, hospitalized, dead, recovered, re-infected, vaccinated – the whole lot. And you know what those numbers mean to me? Zilch. I couldn't care less about them, and if TMS is going to go down that road, it might be the last straw for me. But let's get back to the episode. It was a decent kick-off for the new season, but it didn't exactly blow me away or have me on the edge of my seat. As usual, the standout was the great Billy Crudup. The others didn't quite shine in the same way. / Lesson learned: If you're planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in the town square, put on some warm clothes. (02/04/2022)

This episode definitely deserves five stars. And no, it's not just because Billy Crudup delivered another fantastic performance, or because Reese Witherspoon finally hit her stride. It's not even about the manipulation and sneakiness that I secretly enjoy. No, my rating shot through the roof when I heard that conversation (or rather, monologue) over Italian ice cream. It was like being transported to a place where the world was still okay. But in all seriousness, I can't help but wonder if someone from the writing team got into hot water with an angry mob of American housewives and the anti-male league after that scene. / Lesson learned: When you're fighting for something fervently, make sure you're kicking for the right (and stronger) side. It might just land you an office with a stunning view. (02/04/2022)

Honestly, I was hoping for a bit more action in this episode. The escape from Wuhan definitely caught my attention, bringing back memories of the Shanghai escape, minus the whole virus situation back then. As for the developments in UBA, they felt a bit repetitive to me. It's like we're treading the same ground over and over. Considering my initial concerns after the first episode, a slightly above-average rating isn't too bad. I was worried it might go downhill fast, but it's holding up. Still, the first season remains the standout for now. / Lesson learned: When in doubt about the weather, ask a groundhog. (02/05/2022)

If you've managed to keep your critical thinking intact, not swayed by the relentless media propaganda, just a few episodes of TMS will reveal how twisted America has become. And it's not just about the coronavirus. This supposed land of freedom now requires you to rehearse your sentences for hours before even stepping out of your apartment, just to avoid offending anyone from every different movement and minority out there. Books, movies, and TV series are under constant threat of being banned, and I don't like where this is going. / Lesson learned: Don't go breaking other people's vases. Don't cuddle with groundhogs. (02/05/2022)

The episode was quite frustrating for me. Hannah's storyline has become a real headache, and I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out what's going on here. One moment, an adult woman willingly sleeps with a man without any objections, then a few days later it's labeled as rape. And when it's mentioned in the news that she was mentally unstable, suddenly it's a whole different issue? The episode itself felt lacking in interest and didn't really stand out in terms of plot development. / Lesson learned: If you're considering having sex with an American woman, perhaps playing Russian roulette might feel safer. 3*- (02/05/2022)

Seriously, an entire episode revolving around a lesbian relationship? Who's even interested in that as a big deal these days? In my book, same-sex relationships are pretty common (even favored by creators in movies and TV shows). So why the fuss over something so ordinary? The second season is turning out to be a letdown for me, as the creators seem to be tripping over themselves, which isn't exactly entertaining. / Lesson learned: If you're a guy wishing for a lesbian relationship experience, maybe think twice and wish for something else. (02/06/2022)

Seems like the disgusting, slimy evil got its due punishment, but TMS isn't quite hitting the mark it used to. After addressing a lesbian relationship in the previous episode, we're off to a vacation to Italy. I have to give it to the creators - they nailed the true essence of those hot Italian afternoons. The plot meandered slowly, almost as if wilting under the intense Italian sun. The characters' actions (I'm not counting Paola) struck me as odd, and those "profound" dialogues meant to impart deep wisdom just didn't quite land for me. / Lesson learned: If you're looking to solve life's problems, perhaps a trip to Italy is in order. (02/06/2022)

It finally seems like the series is inching back towards the quality of its previous season. It's as if the creators remembered what made the series great in the first place, ditched the aimless wandering through the Italian countryside and got back to business. Yet, I found myself staring dumbfounded at new developments. How does an utterly vile, violent, disgusting parasite of a character, a slimy bastard, and a national disgrace die without everyone celebrating? It baffles me. When Mussolini was executed, people danced and sang, yet here, the crowd seemed to be mourning (even though the crime seems pretty comparable, right?). / Lesson learned: If you have more friends than fingers on one hand (or two hands if you work in the wood processing industry), you're likely to end up disappointed. 4*- (02/06/2022)