The BEST episodes of The Newsroom (2012) season 1

Every episode of The Newsroom (2012) season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Newsroom (2012) season 1!

A newsroom undergoes some changes in its workings and morals as a new team is brought in, bringing unexpected results for its existing news anchor.

Last Updated: 11/28/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
We Just Decided To
star
8.45
3657 votes

#1 - We Just Decided To

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/24/2012

"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.

Directors: Greg Mottola
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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The Greater Fool
star
8.33
2397 votes

#2 - The Greater Fool

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/26/2012

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; and Will, Mac and Charlie confront Leona and Reese during a volatile lunch meeting.

Directors: Greg Mottola
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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I'll Try to Fix You
star
8.24
2713 votes

#3 - I'll Try to Fix You

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/15/2012

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; and Neal tries out his Bigfoot theory on anyone who will listen.

Directors: Alan Poul
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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Bullies
star
8.18
2692 votes

#4 - Bullies

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/29/2012

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.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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The 112th Congress
star
8.04
2921 votes

#5 - The 112th Congress

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/8/2012

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; and Mac is unnerved by Will's endless parade of romantic conquests.

Directors: Greg Mottola
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The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate
star
8.02
2474 votes

#6 - The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/19/2012

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.

Directors: Alan Poul
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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Amen
star
8.01
2631 votes

#7 - Amen

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/22/2012

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.

Directors: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn
star
7.97
2431 votes

#8 - The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/12/2012

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; and Charlie learns a National Security Agency whistle-blower's identity.

Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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News Night 2.0
star
7.91
2993 votes

#9 - News Night 2.0

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/1/2012

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; and a confidential breakup story is a secret no more.

Directors: Alex Graves
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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5/1
star
7.87
2618 votes

#10 - 5/1

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/5/2012

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

Directors: Joshua Marston
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
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