Round Two: The Loudest Voice

The Loudest Voice: Season 1, Episode 2 “2001” (B+)

Skipping ahead a few years to the very formative day of September 11th, 2001 was an effective strategy for this show, demonstrating how Fox News turned into something altogether different when America was attacked. Seeing the look on Roger’s face as he saw the second plane hit the towers explained so much, and we got to see the propaganda machine at work as it first started spinning its wheels. I don’t know what’s documented and what’s not, but a good deal of this does feel a bit overt and puppetmaster-like, much to the chagrin, I’m sure, of all the people portrayed here. It’s still riveting television, and Roger is working his way up so that he can have direct communication to the vice-president as he’s drafting the talking points and actual words that those running the government are delivering to the American people. His wife understands his value and his influence, which is why she was furious about him bringing Rupert to the house on September 11th since that might make them more of a target. Roger is becoming even more unapologetic for his temper tantrums and his complete evisceration of anyone who even mildly irritates him, and while Rupert continues to believe that he’s worth a good deal, he surely won’t be able to stay on top forever. With a number of episodes and years to go, his time as a major influencer and media mogul isn’t even close to finished, and I’m very eager to see what happens next.