I was a passionate defender of HBO’s much maligned drama The Newsroom last year, and I’m sure I will be again now that the new reviews are in and they aren’t any better than last year. Of course, the key difference between now and then is that this single episode didn’t grab me the way last season did.
This episode is largely about the fallout caused by Will calling the Tea Party the American Taliban, and that’s partially interesting. Still, there’s a noticeable lack of big speeches and inspirational moments. Plus, I really hope that this season won’t cover last year’s presidential race in any big way since we’re all pretty sick of it.
Still, Jeff Daniels remains aces and Olivia Munn is excellent as a sexy economics reporter (as if there could be any other kind played by her), and I’m willing to bet things will pick up in a few episodes just as they did last season. Grade for season premiere: B