'The Newsroom' Episode 8 Review and Recap: 'The Blackout Part 1' Lights Up the Season

While the newsroom staffers attempted to stop a ratings plummet, "The Newsroom" halted its season-long plummet with a smart, strong episode. And welcome back, Mackenzie. We like you so much better with a brain. What happened: Will courts New York Magazine writer Bryan Brenner to write a feature story on the changes "News Night" has undergone since the "2.0" makeover, as a method of combating the negative press from tabloid Tmi. As it turns out, Bryan is Mackenzie's ex-boyfriend and the man with whom she cheated on Will. Reese informs Will, Mackenzie and Charlie that "News Night" not covering the Casey Anthony story resulted in a ratings plummet. Will is anxious to do whatever it takes to save face -- the show is hoping to air a mock debate, and needs good ratings to assure the debate's fruition. Mack, however, is staunchly against the team morbidly focusing on a horrific case, »

- Beth Hanna

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