‘The Newsroom’ season 3, episode 5 review: Who died, who kissed, and who battled?

With there only being one episode left of “The Newsroom” before the series finale, we knew things were going to build up to a pinnacle.

What we did not expect to see during this episode was specifically the loss of a major character. Then again, maybe we should have seen it coming. HBO teased a death in a synopsis a little ways back, but the strength of this story was so great, we completely blocked out everything that was in a press release.

What does Charlie’s death mean? It is certainly quite a bit and then some when it comes to ACN, and everyone within the group. What made this so powerful was just the way that it was directed, with his body falling in a split second after screaming at the staff over Sloan Sabbath’s interview with the developer of a controversial new app. This in turn led to Pruitt charging into the studio and demanding she and Mackenzie be fired on the spot for their insubordination.

Without Charlie there, Pruitt could in theory have free reign to do just about anything and everything he chooses with the news, which may mean better ratings, but at the expense of what ACN stands for.

Meanwhile, the rest of the episode at least contained some lighter moments, such as Jim and Maggie finally deciding to give romance a trip, even if it came after a botched attempt to get on a flight that Edward Snowden was supposedly going to be on.

Also, Will McAvoy was finally released from prison, and it seems like he may be able to breathe a little easier with his wife … though the news of Charlie’s death is going to rock him completely.

If you weren’t tearing up during the montage at the end of the episode, we’d be shocked; we’ve always loved “The Newsroom,” but watching the politics and the conflict reach its peek, and seeing them collide with a great human tragedy, brought this show yet again to another level. Grade: A.

What did you think about tonight’s new episode of “The Newsroom”? Share with a comment.