The Best Episodes of The Newsroom Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.3/10(23 votes)

   #1 - We Just Decided To

   S1:E16/24/2012

   "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

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   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
2. 

   7.8/10(18 votes)

   #2 - News Night 2.0

   S1:E27/1/2012

   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

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   Director:Alex Graves

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
3. 

   7.8/10(19 votes)

   #3 - The 112th Congress

   S1:E37/8/2012

   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

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   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
4. 

   7.8/10(17 votes)

   #4 - I'll Try to Fix You

   S1:E47/15/2012

   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

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   Director:Alan Poul

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
5. 

   8.1/10(17 votes)

   #5 - Amen

   S1:E57/22/2012

   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

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   Director:Daniel Minahan

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
6. 

   8.1/10(16 votes)

   #6 - Bullies

   S1:E67/29/2012

   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

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   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
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7. 

   7.4/10(16 votes)

   #7 - 5/1

   S1:E78/5/2012

   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

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   Director:Joshua Marston

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
8. 

   7.8/10(16 votes)

   #8 - The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn

   S1:E88/12/2012

   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

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   Director:Lesli Linka Glatter

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
9. 

   7.1/10(18 votes)

   #9 - The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate

   S1:E98/19/2012

   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

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   Director:Alan Poul

   Writer:Aaron Sorkin
10. 

    8.2/10(15 votes)

    #10 - The Greater Fool

    S1:E108/26/2012

    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

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    Director:Greg Mottola

    Writer:Aaron Sorkin