Nitrate

The Newsroom · S1 · E3

The 112th Congress

  • TV-MA
  • Jul 8, 2012
  • 59 min
  • 7.5

Will's apology for the lack of integrity in newscasts sets off constant critiques of the Tea Party before the November 2010 midterm elections, but draws the ire of network executives and Atlantis World Media CEO Leona Lansing. Meanwhile, Don confronts Elliot about his analytical skills. Jim helps Maggie during a panic attack. Mac is unnerved by Will's endless parade of romantic conquests.

Watch on HBO Max

About this episode

Will's apology for the lack of integrity in newscasts sets off constant critiques of the Tea Party before the November 2010 midterm elections, but draws the ire of network executives and Atlantis World Media CEO Leona Lansing. Meanwhile, Don confronts Elliot about his analytical skills. Jim helps Maggie during a panic attack. Mac is unnerved by Will's endless parade of romantic conquests.

Season 1

10 episodes
  1. 1We Just Decided To

    72 minJun 24, 2012★ 7.7

    "News Night" anchor Will McAvoy returns to work after a public meltdown to find most of his staff has jumped ship, but new hires help steer the show when news of a catastrophe breaks in the spring of 2010.

  2. 2News Night 2.0

    58 minJul 1, 2012★ 7.4

    MacKenzie takes charge of the revamped "News Night" and lobbies economist Sloan Sabbith to file a nightly financial report. Meanwhile, Jim takes responsibility for Maggie's mistake. Charlie puts a halt to Reese's meetings with Will. A confidential breakup story is a secret no more.

  3. 3The 112th Congress

    59 minJul 8, 2012★ 7.5Now viewing

    Will's apology for the lack of integrity in newscasts sets off constant critiques of the Tea Party before the November 2010 midterm elections, but draws the ire of network executives and Atlantis World Media CEO Leona Lansing. Meanwhile, Don confronts Elliot about his analytical skills. Jim helps Maggie during a panic attack. Mac is unnerved by Will's endless parade of romantic conquests.

  4. 4I'll Try to Fix You

    60 minJul 15, 2012★ 7.4

    Will becomes tabloid fodder after a confrontation with a gossip columnist on New Year's Eve, which threatens to undermine his credibility on a current news investigation. Meanwhile, Don urges Maggie to set Jim up on a date with her roommate. Mac's boyfriend pitches a story about the government's inability to prosecute financial crimes. Neal tries out his Bigfoot theory on anyone who will listen.

  5. 5Amen

    54 minJul 22, 2012★ 7.7

    News of unrest in Wisconsin in February 2011 in response to the governor's call for budget cuts bubbles up during coverage of the ousting of President Mubarak in Egypt, and Neal finds someone who can provide updates from Cairo as the staff strive to give equal attention to both uprisings.

  6. 6Bullies

    58 minJul 29, 2012★ 7.6

    Sloan subs for Elliot during the Japanese nuclear crisis following the March 2011 earthquake, but her harsh questioning of a Tokyo power-company representative could damage her credibility. Meanwhile, Will has a bout of insomnia that leads him to therapy, and he learns a lesson about bullying after his rude behavior in an interview.

  7. 75/1

    53 minAug 5, 2012★ 7.1

    An anonymous source contacts Charlie and provides advance details on an imminent story of national importance. When news breaks that the President will be making a televised speech that night, the 2.0 staff cuts short its one-year (and one week) anniversary party and rushed back to the newsroom amidst a flurry of speculation as to what exactly happened.

  8. 8The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn

    58 minAug 12, 2012★ 7.4

    The ratings for "News Night" plummet after it downplays a pair of sensational stories, and Will and Mac must find a way to lure back enough viewers to justify the network's quest to air a Republican debate. Meanwhile, Will considers writers for an all-access profile. Sloan is disappointed by the lack of coverage of an important financial story. Charlie learns a National Security Agency whistle-blower's identity.

  9. 9The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate

    55 minAug 19, 2012★ 6.7

    The "News Night" staff host a mock debate for two Republican Party officials. A power outage energizes Mac's thought process. Charlie evaluates an intelligence-agency insider's reliability. Lisa does an on-air interview. Neal poses as an Internet troll.

  10. 10The Greater Fool

    61 minAug 26, 2012★ 7.8

    Mac is shaken by a potentially devastating revelation from gossip columnist Nina Howard. Meanwhile, Sloan mulls a new job opportunity. Neal's Internet alias could prevent a catastrophe. Will, Mac, and Charlie confront Leona and Reese during a volatile lunch meeting.

Guest stars

Jane FondaLeona Lansing
Adina PorterKendra James
Chris ChalkGary Cooper
Wynn EverettTamara Hart
Tristin MaysKaraoke Girl
David HarbourElliot Hirsch
Charlie WeirauchJake Watson
Chris MessinaReese Lansing
Sarah Scott DavisTerry Smith
Margaret JudsonTess Westin
Thomas MatthewsMartin Stallworth
Trieu TranJoey Phan
Jon TenneyWade Campbell
Philip Baker HallBryce Delancy
Matt LongBrad
JD CullumFrank Guidry