Season 1

• 

  9.0/104,121 votes

  We Just Decided To

  Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 6/24/2012

  "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.

  Director: Greg Mottola

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  7.9/102,471 votes

  News Night 2.0

  Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/1/2012

  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.

  Director: Alex Graves

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.2/102,285 votes

  The 112th Congress

  Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/8/2012

  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.

  Director: Greg Mottola

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  9.0/102,902 votes

  I'll Try to Fix You

  Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/15/2012

  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.

  Director: Alan Poul

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.5/102,185 votes

  Amen

  Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 7/22/2012

  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.

  Director: Daniel Minahan

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.5/102,063 votes

  Bullies

  Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 7/29/2012

  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.

  Director: Jeremy Podeswa

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.4/102,268 votes

  5/1

  Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/5/2012

  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.

  Director: Joshua Marston

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  7.9/101,778 votes

  The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn

  Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/12/2012

  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.

  Director: Lesli Linka Glatter

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.1/101,764 votes

  The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate

  Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 8/19/2012

  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.

  Director: Alan Poul

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin

• 

  8.8/102,092 votes

  The Greater Fool

  Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 8/26/2012

  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.

  Director: Greg Mottola

  Writer: Aaron Sorkin