This is such an atypical episode of The Morning Show. There is no heightened drama for the sake of advancing the narrative; instead, it allows the characters to sit in the discomfort of shared DNA.
Family emerges as the primary theme here as multiple characters confront the complicated nature of this valued connection while learning some things they have never known.
Selene deals with a future without Miles as her brother arrives with some demands from their father, Alex’s issues with her father come to a head, and Cory deals with something I’d never wish on my worst enemy.
We’ll start with Celine because her family issues pale in comparison to Alex or Cory.
We Are the Dumonts, We Don’t Feel
In my review of The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 7, I wondered what Celine sees in Miles. He doesn’t come from a wealthy background, he’s not exceptionally talented, and I wouldn’t say he brings much to this relationship in the way we expect from power couples.
However, I forgot that sometimes people fall in love not because they need something from the other person that society expects them to find, but because they get fulfilled in a way society could never.
Celine is in love with Miles, and since we don’t know much about their history, I’m willing to bet that he completes her. He makes her feel safe in his arms and out in the world because he fights for her in a way her optics-obsessed family has never.
That said, whatever existed between them is broken beyond repair. Love doesn’t burn as brightly as it once did, and trust has been demolished. No matter how much she wants to hang on to it, Celine is hurting herself more. I hate to agree with her brother, but she should leave him.
We Are the Levys, We Have No Hope
While Celine has the luxury of leaving her ex-husband, Alex can never leave her father. They are tied together by history and blood, and it becomes clear how closely they are connected.
I haven’t quite understood Martin Levy’s role in The Morning Show Season 4. He seemed to appear out of nowhere and started causing turbulence in Alex’s life.
Given how scarce Alex has been this season, it hasn’t felt like it would amount to anything, but this episode hints that there might be some payoff in the long run.
It’s painful to see how broken things are between them, yet they are trying to make it work. Alex has lived her entire life trying to prove to her father that while she isn’t a powerhouse in academia, she is just as talented.
Meanwhile, Martin has been trying not to blame her for losing his wife after she was born. However, a lot of the blame lies on Martin’s side.
It is not Alex’s fault that she was born or that her mother suffered post-partum depression. It is not her fault that she wasn’t interested in the latest development in the world of academia.
Like many parents, Martin wanted a certain version of a family, and when he didn’t get it, he gave up. He even lashed out at some points.
There is so much broken between them that it cannot be repaired. When we leave them, there is no resolution, something that might have happened numerous times before, hence why they are not part of each other’s lives as someone would expect.
We Are the Ellisons, We’re Never Letting Go
On the other hand, Cory’s mother was the ideal parent. One can see the adoration in Cory’s eyes whenever he talks to her.
I will set aside my dislike for Cory for a moment and take in the human moment he is going through.
Learning that your only remaining parent is dying today and there is nothing you can do about it is not a situation many people will ever find themselves in.
He has made a career out of persuasion, bribery, and threats, but none of those tricks will work here. His mother will die, and he has no card to play.
Their relationship is sweet, even if it’s quite tragic. In some twisted way, Cory is lucky that he gets to spend her last moments with her while they make up some ridiculous storyline for a movie.
Most people don’t get that, and I can think of worse ways for someone to lose their mother.
And I do understand where Martha is coming from. Having a terminal illness that robs you of the best parts of yourself is a hard thing to contend with. A brain that functions properly is crucial.
The more she delays, the more she loses herself, and within a few weeks, the power of choice will have slipped from her hands. I don’t think I would have the courage to go through with it, but I understand her decision.
Bradley Decides to Ask for Forgiveness Later
However, I fail to understand Bradley’s decision to go to Belarus without anyone looking out for her. Belarus? That place is a reporter’s kryptonite.
She has always been a wildcard, and this decision aligns with her brand, but that doesn’t make it any less foolish. And you want to know why I think she did that? Because she’s blaming herself for what happened to Claire, and rightly so.
She takes this reckless risk to absolve herself – a pattern she’s repeated before. The problem is all the people who will be hurt in the process, including herself.
We make some headway into the chemical company mystery and learn that it was an active effort by the Dumont family to bury the story.
I don’t know where everything goes from here, as a lot of things are happening at the same time, and I love it. I like being surprised.
Gut Check
Given the previous episode, “Parent Trap,” feels like an upgrade. I’m not sure how I feel about the lack of plot development, but we’ll see what happens in the next two episodes. However, a show with three weak episodes now is not doing itself any favors.
Stray Observations
- I will forever love the screaming matches between characters on The Morning Show. They make me feel alive!
- You know who has earned the right to binge on cocaine all night? Someone who has lost his mother.
“The Parent Trap” explores complicated family relationships well, but I’m not sure what that does for the season. Will Celine obey her father’s wishes? Will Alex finally give up on her father? How does Corey move on without his biggest champion? These are questions that need answers, but how it affects the story is anyone’s guess.
Over to you, The Morning Show Fanatics. What did you think? Is Bradley punishing herself? Are we about to see an even deeper connection between Corey and Celine? They have similar aspirations after all.
Drop a line in the comments section. It’s always fun to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, if you’re craving more drama, Fire Country is serving it this season.
-
The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 Review: The Parent Trap
The Morning Show Season 4, Episode 8, forgoes high-stakes drama and delves into the root of the issue of everyone’s existence: parents.
-
The Last Frontier Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Arnaq Pushes Conspiracy into Overdrive
Frank’s family drama and Levi’s secrets collide with a HAARP-size conspiracy in The Last Frontier Season 1 Episode 5: “Arnaq.”
-
The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Person of Interest
A scattered episode with no emotional payoff. The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 6 proves the show’s losing focus. Our review!
-
The Last Frontier Season 1 Episode 4 Review: American Dream, Alaska Style
The Last Frontier Season 1 Episode 4 slows down while Frank and Sidney deepen their bond, Havlock shows his softer side, and Luke… well, he flips a truck.
-
The Last Frontier Exclusive Sneak Peek: Can Havlock Possibly Survive That Fall AND the Frozen Forest Below?
Havlock fell off a cliff, but let’s be honest — the guy’s too stubborn to die. Watch our exclusive sneak peek from The Last Frontier to see if he survives!
TV Fanatic is searching for passionate contributors to share their voices across various article types. Think you have what it takes to be a TV Fanatic? Click here for more information and next steps.
The post The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 Review: The Parent Trap appeared first on TV Fanatic.