'The Morning Show' Episode 9 sees Alex deny her part in enabling Mitch Kessler and it all seems part of a pattern
Spoilers ahead for 'The Morning Show' episode 9 ahead...
'The Morning Show' episode 9 titled 'Play the Queen' sees Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) stonewall Bradley Jackson's (Reese Witherspoon) request to allow an interview of Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell) on the show. She has reasons to be worried about being implicated as an enabler, along with seeing the network that she is a part of go down in smoke if this interview takes place and that pushes her to take some extreme measures to ensure that Bradley and Mitch do not get what they want. This is to bring to light the extent to which the network's Chief Fred (Tom Irwin) was involved in covering up for Mitch.
The last episode showed how Fred gave Hannah Shoenfeld(Gugu Mbatha-Raw) a promotion when she wanted to report Mitch's behavior. It was clear that Fred did not want Mitch to be the subject of accusations of sexual assault because that would clearly put the network and their show in trouble. When Mitch approached Bradley and mentioned that he had a person who is still working for the network that could corroborate his story, Bradley thinks about it a lot before she approaches Alex to discuss how the interview should take place. Of course, Alex loses it, and the frayed relationship that the two of them have, snaps.
Alex meets Mitch and explains to him that he will not be doing the interview with Bradley on The Morning Show. She tries to explain that this interview will end up putting her in a difficult position. This interview could also spell the end for her if she is in any way implicated as one of Mitch's enablers. Of course, Mitch explains to her that he is not after her or the show, but after Fred who sold Mitch out in the first chance, he got. Mitch wants to bring to light the role that Fred played in helping Mitch's image remain flawless so that the network could profit from it.
While Alex is desperately grasping at straws to convince Mitch to not go ahead with his interview, even with another network, Mitch cannot comprehend that Alex would stoop so low. In return, in the spur of a moment, Mitch responds, "The world is not ready to hold women accountable for their complicity. Even the ones in power."
Of course, Alex acts surprised at being accused of complicity, but to drive the point home, Mitch adds "You didn't roll your eyes at these women? You didn't make a joke at their expense? Mock their sometimes desperate behavior when I move on? I may have fu**** them, but you were very cruel. And words matter."
The role played by silence in this show's narrative is quite fascinating. Alex's silence about how Mitch's jokes were sexist remarks and inappropriate commentary, has pretty much left her at a disadvantage that she would have to be aware of for the rest of her career as a host. Getting defensive, Alex replies to Mitch, "It wasn't easy sitting next to you. You were powerful, intimidating, there were times that I have spent years trying to forget. I remember one time in particular."
She recalls a time when the two of them were on a remote in Chile and Mitch was angry about the coverage that day because he had felt that Alex had stepped on his time on air. "I felt terrible. I felt horrible. I wanted to make it up to you so we went out for drinks and more drinks. I just remember trying to get back to my motel room and then I remember waking up in a bed that wasn't my own. And I was in your bed. And I don't fully remember how I got there."
Mitch is shocked to hear this. He tells her "You wouldn't dare." Without an inkling of doubt or guilt, Alex said, "Try me." This is exactly how far Alex is ready to go to ensure that she can stay on top of the game. Despite it coming down to Alex turning on one of her only friends, she is ready to do whatever it takes to remain where she is today.
This is not the only time, Alex has shirked responsibility. Even when her daughter blamed her for the divorce with Jason, she doesn't take responsibility for the feeling that changed, or her attitude towards Jason. She doesn't accept that Jason was left to deal a lot of things by himself, all to support her ambitions, but she never reciprocated Jason's feelings or his love. An accusation that Alex hears from her daughter and not Jason himself. Yet again, instead of accepting how she was left with no time to nurture the relationship, Alex takes offense. She tells her daughter that she is proud of the news anchor that she has become and that ambitions don't necessarily mean the end of the relationship.
The next episode of 'The Morning Show' will air on Friday on Apple TV+.