Raw Data: Willie Pete

Initial thoughts and observations for Newroom episode 2-03 "Willie Pete" written by Aaron Sorkin, and staff writers Michael Gunn and Elizabeth Peterson.  Interesting how many of the writing credits are going to writers who have few credits to their name.  It is possibly due to Sorkin's tendency to use the writing staff primarily as researchers and writing most of the script himself.  Lesli Linka Glatter has of course directed a ton of stuff over the years, but is also named on the upcoming first two episodes of Homeland Season Three.

• Why not "Whiskey Papa"?  "Use the NATO phoenetic alphabet!"
• Nothing like deadpanning a candidate's exact words to show how silly they sound
• The DADT debate question is a moment exactly ripe for this show, where the GOP primary showcased the despicable character that led Will to where he is today
• And how about condemning them to hell "not soon enough"?
• The whole thing is very Olberman-esque, particularly "witless bullies and hapless punks"
• For all Will's indignance, Sorkin balances it with Liam's * "So what?" reaction, where he reminds Will the contempt Will has for the Tea Party mirrors the contempt Liam has for Will.  Also Liam is Will's boss.  Or his boss's boss, but in practice, his boss.
•  They are doing a good job here conveying the lack of reporting that goes on during the campaign.  Partially due to laziness, partially due to a go-along-to-get along attitude (and a desire to be friends with these guys? **) most of the young reporters are content to regurgitate the packets provided by the Romney spokeswoman.  Showing the absence of something, while still conveying the message, is a difficult thing to do in television.
• All the same, Jim's coup didn't unrealistically work and the Mod Squad is left on the side of the road to be eaten by zombies.
• Sierra de la Ventana is really wanting this story to be true, and is really focused on winning his reporting prize, commandeering (Mac's) associate producers to help with his project
• Sierra is also really terrible at hitting the recycling container with his crumpled up pages.  If he worked near me I'd be all like DUDE PICK UP YOUR GARBAGE OR MOVE CLOSER TO THE GARBAGE CAN YOU ARE THE WORST SHOT EVER.

• Maggie (the terrible one) feels some placebo like side effects but no one bothers to tell her it's probably because her default setting is unbalanced.
• All she needs is something to make her more unbalanced.  Maybe it'll work out though like all the diseases in Mr. Burns's body being in perfect balance so as none of them can take effect (Three Stooges Syndrome), and the weird side effects will make her normal
• Probably not
•  Did they bring the funny?
• "I'm delightful." - Olivia Munn nails the delivery
• "Book agents beat their wives." - true facts from Don Keefer
• Don and Sloane remain one of the best pairings together and best characters, individually

* Very much struggling to remember names this season but I feel like Chris Messina's character has one of those somewhat recently popular names like Rory or something.  Regardless, he's Ellen's friend from Damages *** ** WHY?! *** This presents a problem in the Newsroom-Damages crossover where Will hires Patty Hewes, though I'm not sure why Ellen's boyfriend would have to be involved so maybe it's okay. What people (media) will be angry about:
Will's mission to civilize the Internet pops up again.  No doubt this will cause scorn among everyone in the tubes who believes Aaron Sorkin is communicating directly to them, about them (but not you specifically.  You're too small time).  Paraphrasing some old quotes about profanity, Will states "Snark is the idiot's version of wit."  This storyline is particularly a target of scorn because it focuses on the Internet and the media.  Internet media should sit in the quiet room for a little bit before reacting so they don't hurt themselves further.