The Newsroom (OV)

Series Pilot. Surviving the fallout from a meltdown, ACN 'News Night' anchor Will McAvoy returns to his job and faces a new executive producer (a former girlfriend), a staff overhaul, and a breaking-news challenge.

Mac asserts control over the new incarnation of News Night and enlists a beautiful and brainy on-air economist, Sloan Sabbith, to do a nightly segment. Jim takes the fall for a Maggie miscue; a long-festering breakup secret gets out.

In an on-air editorial, Will apologizes for past newscasts and promises a new era of integrity for News Night. Will's new approach rankles CEO Leona Lansing. Jim soothes Maggie during a panic attack; Don charges Elliot to get in the game.

Will's 'mission to civilize' takes a hit when he finds himself in the tabloid spotlight. Wade approaches Will with a story; Don gets Maggie to fix Jim up with her roommate; Will refuses to follow the media rumor mill and make a call on a breaking story.

In the midst of its coverage of the ouster of Egyptian President Mubarak, the 'News Night' team learns of a teachers' protest in Wisconsin, prompting them to get side-by-side views of the simultaneous uprisings on air.

Will keeps a long-standing therapy appointment. Subbing for Elliot during the Japanese nuclear crisis, Sloan's interrogation of a Tokyo power-company spokesperson lands her in hot water. Will comes to recognize the causes and effects of being a bully.

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 anniversary party.

News Night's refusal to lead with a pair of sensational stories causes ratings to plummet--and forces Will and Mac to abandon their principles in order to lure back viewers and shore up the network's bid to land a Republican debate.

Will and the staff stage a mock debate for two Republican Party officials. Mac has an epiphany during a power outage; Charlie vets the credibility of an NSA insider; Lisa goes off-script during an interview; Neal goes undercover as an internet troll.

Season One Finale. Nina Howard surprises Mac with a damning revelation; Jim and Maggie reach a crossroad; Sloan weighs a new job offer; Neal uses his internet alter-ego to smoke out a threat. Will, Mac, and Charlie face off with Leona and Reese.