The Newsroom 3.6 FAQ
What’s it called?
“What Kind of Day Has It Been.”
Why?
It’s what Aaron Sorkin always calls the final episode of his TV shows about TV shows. (Check out the finale titles for “Sports Night” and “Studio 60.”)
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to series mastermind Aaron Sorkin.
What says HBO?
“A sudden death leads Will and Mac (Emily Mortimer) to ponder the milestones that transformed the newsroom, and look ahead towards ACN’s uncertain future. Maggie lands a field-producer interview in Washington; Neal’s digital site is shut down for repairs; Leona (Jane Fonda) offers sage advice to Pruit.”
Does the “sudden death” refer to Charlie Skinner, or is there another?
They’re talking about Charlie.
Is Maggie’s field-producer interview with a cable network like CNN or a broadcast network like CBS?
It’s with ACN’s Washington bureau.
Didn’t everybody just quit after B.J. Novak’s character stressed Charlie into his grave?
Surprisingly, no one quits ACN. And Charlie’s successor is named before episode’s end.
What kind of repairs do Neal’s website require?
A week’s worth.
What advice does Leona offer?
She suggests who should replace Charlie.
How does tonight’s season finale start?
A crane shot takes in the many limousines and chauffeurs parked outside Charlie Skinner’s funeral service. But Mac isn’t singing hymns with the rest of her co-workers. She’s talking on her cell right outside the church.
The big news?
“Three Years Earlier.” Brace for flashbacks! Sam Waterston is big part of this episode as there are lengthy reexaminations of events transpiring immediately before and after a Northwestern co-ed asked Will McAvoy what makes America the greatest country in the world.
What else is HBO not telling us?
The flashbacks show us the first time Sloan Sabbith and Don Keefer laid eyes on each other. We learn something.
What’s good?
Emily Mortimer. Jane Fonda. B.J. Novak. Olivia Munn. Thomas Sandoski. Alison Pill. Joanna Gleason. The widow’s revelation. Mac’s help at the Northwestern panel. “But they were out of really long needles.” “Unless you went with the other five.” “I don’t know what I’m doing here.” “That is definitely the argument I’d use.” “It’s not?” “You got hold of an invitation?” “You shouldn’t expect anyone to understand that.” “Is it like a can of cola with your initials on it?” “That’s what ‘throwing in the towel’ means.” “Based on one frame?” “Not as clever as ‘Market Rip Off.’” “You got a problem with Jack Bauer?” “So your boss could ask him if he watches ‘24’.” “I do, and it’s excruciating.” “Because you have an actual problem.” “We don’t know that that worked.” “That was the important thing.” “Do you even know what the fuck we’re talking about?” “‘All time’ and ‘14 years’ are two different units of measurement.” “I appreciate it but I don’t care.” “I wasn’t in love with them.” “Oh, everyone knows.”
What’s not so good?
“Game of Thrones” is still three months away. And it’ll be a lot longer than that before another Sorkin-penned project hits any kind of screen.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
“Good evening.”
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
