What I’m Watching: The Morning Show (Season Premiere)

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 1 “My Least Favorite Year” (B+)

It feels like it’s been forever since this show even though it premiered at the tail end of 2019. Its finale was certainly memorable, and it’s interesting to see this one pick up first with chaos and then with shots of the completely abandoned New York City streets during the pandemic. I like the idea that, unlike “The Newsroom,” which manufactured a news storyline for its second season, this show is merging its universe with the real world, which will most definitely affect the network and the show. Alex was mostly absent for the episode while Bradley took center stage, and she does seem to be acclimating to everyone and to her role even if they’re not quite growing fonder of her. I was pleased to see Hasan Minhaj as her new and apparently departing co-anchor, and Greta Lee from “Russian Doll” as a new higher-up employee. I am missing Hannah and Claire, and while seeing the former again won’t be possible outside of a flashback, I do hope Bel Powley will return soon. The celebratory nature of New Year’s Eve is sure to make for a stark contrast with the quiet and lack of in-person events. Corey trying to bring back Alex was another out-of-the-box idea that no one is going to like, and I imagine that the board member played by the always fantastic Holland Taylor, seen recently on “The Chair,” won’t be happy about that, especially after she unsuccessfully tried to fire Corey months earlier. This episode was really all about (re-)setting the scene, and I’m looking forward to diving more into all the characters in future installments.