‘The Newsroom’ season 3, episode 5 reaction: Sam Waterston on ‘News Night’ shocker

Typically, “The Newsroom” is not a show that really goes for the big “shock” moment that gets people on Twitter buzzing. With that in mind, when they do something that blows your mind a little bit, it does tend to stand out more than it would otherwise.

At the end of tonight’s new episode of the show, we saw the character of Charlie Skinner suffer a heart attack, and Mackenzie told us in the closing minutes (during a conversation with Will) that he was gone. This is clearly a game-changer at ACN, since it means that almost everyone within the newsroom is suddenly vulnerable and no longer protected by Pruitt.

Did Sam Waterston himself see this death coming? It doesn’t sound like it, given that he tells The Hollywood Reporter that he did not know about his character’s fate before anyone else:

“I found out when I read it. I had no clue … It’s the way I like to find out what’s happening in the show in general. To find out that this is what’s going to happen that way was fabulous. I really enjoyed it. It was at a big table read with all the writers and the company. It was an unforgettable moment and was just delightful. If anybody else knew, I don’t think it was many people. It was completely news to me, which was the best.”

With all of this being said, Waterston added that this was a great way to go out on the show, and that many people on set who were not filming wore bow ties the day that his final scenes were shot.

Will you miss Charlie on the “Newsroom” series finale? Share your thoughts and reactions to this episode in the comments now, and head over here to read our full review of tonight’s episode now. Also, you can sign up now if you are interested in getting some further TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter.