Ep 4. Unintended Consequences

In "Unintended Consequences," the fourth episode of the second season of The Newsroom, the news team at Atlantis Cable News (ACN) must deal with the aftermath of an on-air mistake. During a live broadcast, anchor Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) mistakenly says that convicted serial killer Mark O'Mara will be executed, when in fact his sentence has been commuted to life in prison. The mistake quickly goes viral, and ACN faces backlash from viewers and critics.

In an effort to mitigate the damage, ACN launches an investigation into how the mistake happened. As the team digs deeper, they uncover a complex web of factors that contributed to the error, including faulty reporting, lack of fact-checking, and pressures to break the news first. Meanwhile, Will struggles with the guilt of the mistake, and faces scrutiny from the network's executives.

The episode also explores the personal relationships of the ACN staff. Sloan Sabbith (Olivia Munn) grapples with her feelings for Don Keefer (Thomas Sadoski), while Jim Harper (John Gallagher Jr.) continues to pursue Maggie Jordan (Alison Pill) despite her recent breakup with Don. The tension between the two men reaches a boiling point, resulting in a confrontation that puts their friendship to the test.

Overall, "Unintended Consequences" is a tense and thought-provoking episode that delves into the complexities of journalism and the impact of mistakes on both personal and professional levels. It showcases the strengths of the show's ensemble cast, and sets the stage for the high-stakes drama that follows in the rest of the season.