Interview with Abe: Carter Burwell

I was thrilled to get to speak with one of my favorite composers, Carter Burwell, about his work on “The Morning Show” and other projects, for ShockYa. Watch our conversation in full below!

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

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 10 “Fever” (B)

This was definitely a dramatic episode, one that tried to come close to the impact of Alex and Bradley going on live television to take down the toxic culture at their network in the previous finale. But even though the sexual harassment and assault storyline in season one was also invented, there was something that felt less genuine about Alex getting COVID and then being featured in her own lengthy, truth-laced rant on camera about how she was coping with it. What spoke to me more was the way in which the real-world consequences for normal people were explored, like Daniel quitting and citing the realities of him being a black man sleeping in his car while he was driving out to LA to get his grandfather. Cybil being the only one to sit masked in a meeting about postponing the launch, which Cory had to wait on but finally decided to do, was another solid but subtle example, as was Cory putting glass up around his desk after he and Stella looked at each other and realized that maybe they shouldn’t be sitting quite so close together. Cory confessing his love for Bradley wasn’t the redemption I thought we might get from the man who nearly blew up her newfound same-sex relationship, and she seemed too focused on finding her brother, which she did thanks to Alex’s encouragement of her using social media, to truly process it. I’m not sure what to make of Paola showing Cory the video of Mitch, and whether that fully closes Mitch’s storyline or threatens to open it again in a potential season three. I do like these characters and did find this show mostly compelling this season despite a few questionable points, and I would certainly watch more of it if a season three was commissioned.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Reese Witherspoon

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 9 “Testimony” (B)

After a strong recovery involving Mitch’s death and the resulting rush for information, this episode was a less comfortable follow-up, one that once again sensationalized some of its storyline to questionable effect. It did take me a moment to realize that Paola being at the memorial meant that she had somehow flown in from Italy in the middle of the worst part of COVID in that country, which we then learned was a result of Alex arranging it. That freedom of travel thanks to means is jarring to think about, especially since, in this case, it meant that Alex had gotten COVID and exposed everyone at the memorial and at the studio. It’s strange to think that this season will end just after this, with only one episode left, though I think that’s very much like real life, which was interrupted with plenty of plans derailed for nearly everyone in the world. Alex being cancelled, whether that’s a permanent status or not, seems quite insignificant in the scope of that. I was so happy to see Bel Powley back as Claire, but her happening to be free during Mitch’s memorial brought a swift end to the possible resumption of that relationship since even being there to pay tribute to him was seen as enough of a slap in the face to Hannah’s memory that Claire won’t likely want to even consider being with him after that. Bradley and Laura seem like they may be headed for happiness after all, but that delivery and Hal’s nature may prohibit that from happening even more than the pandemic.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 8 “Confirmations” (B+)

Okay, so this was a more positive follow-up to an episode I didn’t particularly care for that mostly excelled at displaying the way the news machine works when being on top of a story is of utmost importance, and in dealing with complicated grief. Cory trying to spin the book release in some positive manner was interrupted by an unexpected question from an Italian reporter requesting a comment on Mitch’s death, and it was so interesting to see how that led to an intense investigation that started at a place of almost zero knowledge. Chip got the furthest, calling to impersonate Alex and find out her last credit card charge, and then he spiraled when he thought that Alex might have been in the car. They seemed to be on better terms when they were both just relieved to see each other, but then she listened to his terrible voicemail, which got her so furious, mostly with him not letting her feel what she wanted to in that moment. Paige also switched right away from mourning to anger at Alex thinking she was guilt-free in the dissolution of their marriage and everything related to Mitch. Ultimately, Bradley did a great job of reporting the complicated news, which was even more impressive considering her brother’s charged and disruptive visit to the studio. Mia’s announcement to everyone was also poignant and respectful, and the fact that she reached out by text showed that she did still feel her own complicated connection to Mitch, even after everything that he did.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 7 “La Amara Vita” (B-)

I’m not sure I can get behind the events of this episode and the general decision to bring Mitch back as a character if the ending indicates what it seems to have indicated. While this show has recently featured supporting players of color navigating the various ways in which they aren’t given the same opportunities and continue to be discriminated against, it still does center the white leads and their arcs. I’m not sure that’s a problem, but I also don’t get whether this is supposed to be a forgiveness tour for Mitch on behalf of other offenders who weren’t “that bad,” as seems to be the implication from him saying that he never meant any of it but may have still done it. It did make sense that he would be angry about Alex wanting to ensure that she didn’t end up cancelled like him and wanted to be as far from associated with him as possible. Seeing the bond that they still had was worthwhile, since it does show how people are willing to forgive things they know may be true because of preexisting relationships and memories. But Paola pushing Mitch to kiss her and that his reluctance was a sign that it was okay was more questionable, and then this episode just pivoted to scenes of sleepy driving on windy Italian roads. This show hasn’t, as far as I can remember, featured characters flashing back to what other people said as they ponder what has happened, and I’d rather a return to more literal and direct storytelling. If Mitch dies now, are we supposed to feel sympathy for him? I’m curious to see how it’s handled but also a bit puzzled about this focus and detour.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 6 “A Private Person” (B+)

This network’s shows are supposed to follow a certain script, and it seems like just about everyone is going on air either planning to deviate from that or without having much of a conversation first. In his efforts to be noticed, Daniel continues to make questionable decisions, like reminding Dave Foley’s Peter Bullard what he said about him on his show. Yanko’s career doesn’t seem to be coming back either, and he didn’t react well to Stella telling him that she needed to suspend him. Alex’s continued absence isn’t reflecting well on anyone, and Chip is getting the most flak for it, which prompted him to have an uncomfortable exchange where he came off as predatory and entitled, which only got him angrier. I did enjoy Cybil describing herself to Stella as a cockroach, and I have a feeling that Stella isn’t going to be sticking around nearly as long. Hal’s visit was particularly poorly-timed, and it made things more awkward when Cory came over to allay his guilt for having betrayed his friend. Having the story break the first day that she was on air next to Laura sent her spiraling, though she did an admirable job of staying focused during the Groucho Marx bit right after she found out. The way that she keeps pushing Laura away when she offers comfort is not good, but it does seem like she wants to give the relationship a real shot, which won’t be easy. We didn’t see any of Mitch in this episode, but Mia seemed very upset to find that she might somehow be involved in Maggie’s book.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 5 “Ghosts” (B+)

The pandemic hasn’t even hit in America yet and everything is already starting to unravel. Alex’s back pain was the least of her worries, and she managed to lash out at just about everyone in her life. Audra was incredulous that Alex thought she had always been gracious to her, and she didn’t want to hear the truth about what she might have said from Chip, who thought that he was protecting her by talking to Maggie. Confronting Maggie in her hotel room and seeing that the book was so much worse than she could have thought was the last straw, enough to compel her to skip the debate and fly home alone. Yanko is also seeing the repercussions for not being authentic enough in his apology, and the video captured of him punching out the man who screamed at Stella isn’t going to help at all. Cory didn’t consider for a moment that Bradley and Laura were together until he thought about it and called her, and she’s not likely to forgive him for leaking their relationship to the press to give them a more salacious story than the smear campaign against Hannah. David Paymer turned in a memorable performance as Hannah’s father who Cory tried to warn against continuing his lawsuit. Mitch did not get off to a good start with Paola, but it now seems like he’s reflecting in depth on what he did in what may be an attempt to salvage his reputation, which likely won’t be a good look.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 4 “Kill the Fatted Calf” (B+)

I keep waiting for COVID-19 to start dominating everything, but it’s taking a while and Alex is still the top trending topic. Daniel made it back from Wuhan without any issue, which has only reinforced the lack of recognition he feels he has received, prompting him to make a big gesture to indicate that he has charisma, which didn’t appear to work. It is interesting to note that this show features only white leads yet does a great job of making use of its supporting cast to highlight the issues with diversity that are present in much of the industry. Greta Lee in particular is a great addition as Stella, who is fierce and effective but still has people complaining to her constantly after Cory chewed her out for not doing what he asked. Yanko needing to apologize for something that he didn’t really think he did wrong was indicative of the thin line between acceptable and offensive which often prompts users in online forums to call for the cancellation of particular individuals. Mitch doesn’t seem to be suffering much from that in Italy, but I had forgotten that he was in Italy at the start of the pandemic, not that it’s likely to be all that bad for him since he’s apparently going to be quarantining with his new protégé. Bradley’s unwillingness to acknowledge her identity nearly ended her relationship with Laura, and it made for one very uncomfortable scene with Stella. I’m intrigued to see where that goes next, and whether it’s a lasting romance or something that ends badly with Laura using what she’s learned to destructive effect.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 3 “Laura” (B+)

On a show that already has a superb ensemble, it’s great to see the addition of even more talent. I’m particularly pleased to see Julianna Margulies in this role since I know her best from “The Good Wife,” and this is a much more abrasive, pushier part, a step up from the lackluster guest arc she had on “Billions” last year. She started off very poorly with Alex, aware of how she was waiting until she walked in to come out of her dressing room and then asking questions she knew were too pointed and not approved. Bradley, on the other hand, seemed to want to get along with her almost just to piss Alex off, and she came up with quite a creative way to dodge an uncomfortable moment by turning it into something very different, a development that won’t please Alex at all when she finds out. Daniel’s continued attempts to sound the alarm about coronavirus in Wuhan are being ignored, and given the timeline of the show, that’s not going to last long. Chip’s return to work was awkward, but he is clearly a good fit for the job and for watching out for Alex. Mitch isn’t doing so well at resisting the temptation to do anything but stay off the radar, and while he’d like to think his intentions are pure, that’s not likely to be perceived as the case once he ends up back in the public eye in a different media role to some degree.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 2, Episode 2 “It’s Like the Flu” (B+)

In building up to the pandemic, this show is doing a solid job of portraying how much of the media did underplay its potential seriousness, with Daniel as the sole champion of spending more time on it and then getting sent on a plane to Wuhan because he didn’t want to continue not talking about it. For the moment, much is being made of Alex’s impending return to the network, with Will Arnett’s Doug whispering in her ear to make her as confrontational as possible while she tiptoed around the studio before her deal had been officially announced. The increasing guest list for the dinner party at Cory’s made everything more complicated, and Cory having to go appeal to Bradley so that she could bother to show up didn’t bode well for a successful group dynamic. Eric’s interaction with Alex when he found her hiding in his dressing room was unexpectedly prickly, and Daniel was the least excited to see her since he held her responsible for his stunted career. Bradley and Alex having it out was also particularly formidable to watch, and I’m eager to see how they’ll be on-air together, provided they actually get to do that before things shut down. Having Hannah’s family’s lawsuit still be a plotline is an important reminder that Mitch’s behavior is not something that can be easily forgotten, and seeing Mitch in Italy was also hard to shake. His new friend seems very interested in getting to know him while he’s just trying to remain anonymous, and I’m glad that he’ll continue to be a part of the story since it’s a very interesting plotline. I’m happy that Alex went to go see Chip to get him back since it would have been a shame to have Mark Duplass not be on the show anymore. Now, how do we get Bel Powley’s Claire to return?

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.

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

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 10 “The Interview” (B+)

It took me longer than I had planned to finish this episode, and in that time, Jennifer Aniston managed to win a SAG Award, which I definitely didn’t expect but makes more sense given this powerful finish. Alex wasn’t a big part of this hour in its first half, avoiding Chip as she knew what his fate would be. His getting fired wasn’t a surprise but it still complicated their plans for Mitch’s big interview. Bradley talking to Hannah about her involvement in the story they were going to do did not go well, and, though she knew this job offer based in Los Angeles wasn’t entirely merit-based, the idea of starting over seemed to appeal. Unfortunately, she did not get a happy ending at all, and Bradley coming up to announce her death made Fred’s attempt to spin things against Chip and allegedly in Hannah’s honor all the more despicable. Alex blowing up at the passerby too intent on getting a selfie on the street showed her rage, but she got to say a lot more than that when she got up in the middle of their report and starting pacing in front of the camera. Throwing water in the face of the new producer was just the start, and deciding on-air to go for it with Bradley and say as much as they could before getting cut off made for one of the most formidable scenes this show has presented. Cory waving to Fred while Mia closed the blinds on him was perhaps a bit dramatic, and ending with Chip looking overwhelmed watching it and Mitch sitting all alone with a bruised eye at a long table was powerful. This has been a great first season, and I’m eager to see what season two brings.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Billy Crudup as Cory

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 9 “Play the Queen” (B+)

This show finished airing its first season a few days before I reviewed the previous episode, and I’m catching up now on the remaining two installments right in the thick of awards season after this show failed to win the two Golden Globes I predicted it to this past Sunday night. This episode was intense, the definition of a penultimate installment that’s building for a truly explosive finale to come. Mitch going to see Hannah at the start of the episode to tell her that she could take control of her story seemed to catch Hannah off-guard, but it wasn’t until the scene at the end of the episode where Hannah tried to get Mitch to see things from her perspective that Mitch showed just how unable he is to see his own role in things. Chewing Hannah out for being too smart not to know what was going on was cruel, and the fact that he doesn’t believe he did anything wrong explains why this kind of thing happens so often in the industry. Claire sadly broke things off with Yanko for just that reason, since their relationship was completely consensual but even Hannah thought that it was problematic when it wasn’t. Alex did not react well to Bradley telling her that she met with Mitch, and her going straight to Fred to tell him what Bradley was planning demonstrated just how much she was looking out for herself. Throwing Chip under the bus is a decision she’ll surely regret, but he also didn’t mention anything to her about his separate meeting with Bradley and Cory. I didn’t mention just how excited I was that the incredible Billy Crudup scored a SAG nomination along with costar Steve Carell to go with his show-representing Critics Choice bid.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 8 “Lonely at the Top” (B+)

It took me a minute to realize that this was a flashback to a time when Mitch still worked on the show, and it was very effective to see him in such a comfortable setting that helped to explain how he was able to get able with a lot of his behavior. It’s so interesting to see how he’s portrayed by Steve Carell, who picked up a deserved SAG nomination for his performance, in a way that makes him mostly likeable but showed just how many buttons he was subtly pushing. Alex laughed off his comment about her wearing dresses like the one he pointed out, and the content of his surprise party showed exactly what kind of things he liked, namely in the form of Martin Short’s Dick Lundy, who experienced a downfall of his own sometime between the events of this episode and the previous ones. Paige was furious at him on their drive home because she knew about his affair, but that didn’t seem to lead to too many consequences for him. Asking for Mia to be taken off his team and for Hannah to be added to it seemed potentially problematic, but things got much worse when they flew to Las Vegas for the horrific shooting and he chose that moment to make a move on her. Gugu Mbatha-Raw was excellent in this episode, demonstrating her complete shock when he did that and she just didn’t know how to react. When he barely even acknowledged her in the hall, she marched straight into Fred’s office to report it, resulting in him offering her an on-the-spot promotion and clarifying that, when people do great things, they get rewarded. That was a heinous response which hopefully isn’t entirely true-to-life for similar situations, and seeing Weinstein’s abuse first being reported made the scene all the more devastating. The formation of a far healthier and more positive consensual relationship between Yanko and Claire at the same time was affirming, and I think we’ll have plenty to think about when we presumably return to the present in the final two hours of the season.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 7 “Open Waters” (B+)

Sure, things might not actually happen like this in the real world, but this show knows how to present compelling speeches. It feels like Aaron Sorkin could have written a lot of this, though the content is more often personal than political. The MVP of the hour was Karen Pittman as Mia, who didn’t ask for the man who made a crude comment to her to be fired and then wasn’t ready to be blamed for it, resulting in a pretty memorable loudspeaker session in which she warned “dicks beware,” among other things. Chip said about all he could after that, urging everyone to heed what she said and get back to work. Yanko and Claire’s decision to go to HR to come forward with their relationship did not go particularly well, though Yanko didn’t seem nearly as shaken by it as Claire did when she was repeatedly asked if she needed help getting out of it and if she had been taken advantage of when all she wanted to emphasize was that it was completely consensual. We keep seeing Mindy Kaling’s Audra trying to get inside Daniel’s head, and I’m curious what will come of that. Alex talking to her daughter about her divorce did not go over well, and she lashed out in a pretty harsh way at the end when she got tired of the response. I’m worried about how flirtatious Cory and Bradley are being since their working relationship will likely be seriously jeopardized if things turn personal. Bradley seems ready to talk to Mitch, which is sure to be interesting and enlightening.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 6 “The Pendulum Swings” (B+)

This episode was very different than the one that came before it, more sedated because of the wildfire scenery behind it and disconnected from everything with Mitch aside from that one email that Bradley got at the end about him wanting to talk. The tension between Alex and Bradley got even crazier as Alex lashed out at her for always wanting to find a big, game-changing story when one is not always there, and she was still angry at her after she managed to calm her down a bit following her on-air breakdown related to her divorce. I didn’t even fully realize that Jason and Alex were still technically married since their relationship seems cordial but mostly like a formality, and he came into that conversation ready to not have his feelings diminished by, as he claimed, her consistently larger crises. Bradley’s eagerness to investigate the story about rich people hiring private firefighters seemed like exactly the kind of fight she wasn’t going to win, but Chip is ready for battle, determined not to listen to Fred so that he might be able to help Cory secure his job, which interestingly shouldn’t provide all that much stability. Watching Cory take down a pilot in such a calm and blistering way was really something, and Billy Crudup continues to be one of the strongest performers on this show, and he completely deserves the surprise SAG bid he earned last week. I’d also cite Bel Powley once again, as Claire managed to secure an intriguing new job just as Hannah appears to have caught wind of her relationship with Yanko.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 5 “No One's Gonna Harm You, Not While I'm Around” (B+)

I appreciated this episode because, even though it had two predictable developments – Bradley was going to sleep with the bartender and Mitch and Alex apparently have a past – it complemented those with some genuine surprises and very watchable moments. I’m speaking specifically of Cory’s attempt to apologize to Alex for being awful to her, which she chose not to accept, prompting him to start singing a tune from “Sweeney Todd” that he reminded Alex was a duet. I loved that scene and the performances in it; I just wish the singing had been a bit more natural instead of seemingly lip-synched for the sake of showier production values. I’m glad that we get to see Mitch again, who boldly marched in to work and asked people to speak up for him. We know already that Fred is pretty despicable as a person, and Mitch’s promise to take him down with him rather than be thrown under the bus is ominous and can’t lead anywhere good. Alex tried to control the story that Bradley gave Marcia Gay Harden’s Maggie Brener from New York Magazine and failed, and she evidently had more than a friendship with Mitch, even if their quick kiss isn’t indicative of just what the nature of that really was. Bradley going out drinking with her colleagues wasn’t necessarily a good idea, and the most memorable moment of that storyline was Mia shouting down a callous Claire and nearly revealing just how close she was to what happened with Mitch.

What I’m Watching: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 4 “That Woman” (B+)

I’m pleased to see that, after the initial three-episode premiere, this show isn’t showing any signs of letting up. I thought that the big moment of the hour was going to come when Bradley accidentally revealed that she had an abortion at age fifteen on live television, but it turns out that she was more than ready to try for authenticity after that hammed-up fabrication of her childhood with her mom when she got to sit down and talk to Mitch’s accuser. Fred always goes berserk whenever something starts to happen, Chip gets angry, and Cory just gets excited, eager for it to keep going so that the show can actually be dynamic and interesting. There’s only so much more that both Bradley and Alex can do and get away with, though I guess they have the benefit of their on-air presences to prevent too many penalties since audiences get to react before the producers and network executives. As an investigator is brought in to interview everyone about Mitch, I’m appreciating the focus on Yanko and Claire, and I’m thrilled for the showcase for actress Bel Powley, who argues that she has the power imbalance over him rather than the other way around. Mia being revealed as the one who reported Mitch without the intention of getting him fired is interesting, and Bradley sure pushed her without understanding the whole picture. I can honestly say I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m officially hooked and on board for the rest of the season.

Take Three: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 3 “Chaos is the New Cocaine” (B+)

I’m beginning to understand why Apple TV Plus chose to debut the first three episodes all at once. I’ve enjoyed getting to experience them one a time, but as one set, it’s definitely a strong opener. I also see why the praise for Jennifer Aniston has been so robust, and it’s very likely that she’s going to earn awards given the writing for her character and the sharpness of her delivery, in contrast with much of her previous work. Reese Witherspoon is just as good, and while I wasn’t too fond of her accent initially, I’m glad to see her branching out from an equally great turn in “Big Little Lies” for which she could actually compete with herself at the Golden Globes and other awards ceremonies. The two of them were superb in this hour, and I also very much appreciated Billy Crudup’s performance as Cory, who successfully changed the narrative and owned this major bombshell delivered by Alex and then had an entertaining back-and-forth with Bradley about just how combative she was. Mia stepping up to be Bradley’s producer was an interesting move, and she and Alex had a loaded conversation about their personal relationships with Mitch. It’s so intriguing to see how Mitch continues to be determined to tell his story while finding few friends. Martin Short’s Dick quickly revealed himself to be far more extreme than Mitch, and it was no surprise that he took Mitch’s identification of him as a predator as an insult. The final shot of the episode offered what I guess counts for Alex as a gesture of support: the least comforting instance of hand-holding I’ve ever seen.

Round Two: The Morning Show

The Morning Show: Season 1, Episode 2 “A Seat at the Table” (B+)

Well, this was quite the follow-up to an already very memorable pilot episode. I’m glad to see that the big scenes that both Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston got in the first hour weren’t one-time shots, and they both got to express themselves a few times in this installment. After being blindsided by the news about Mitch, Alex is reclaiming whatever power she can, demanding cohost approval and refusing to go on until Chip promised to get it for her. After she freaked out in the car on the way to the event and then got knocked down by Cory when he told her she’d never get cohost approval and that they had bought the award for her, she executed the perfect revenge by calling Cory’s bluff and publicly announcing Bradley as her new cohost. That’s going to be very interesting considering how much she hates her, and I suspect they’ll only end up becoming allies because Alex realizes she can use her to get what she wants and make Cory pay for being so cruel. Steve Carell got a few great scenes too as a man with far too much to say and few friends left. His “first they came for the rapists” bit was cringe-worthy, and it’s a relief that he decided to go home rather than crash the function. I like that we’re seeing a bit of the supporting players, like Hannah trying to get the woman who wanted to talk about Mitch to do it on their show and Yanko and Claire, whose secret relationship with “climate change” as a safe word might look very different under a new microscope. I’m definitely on board for episode three and beyond.