The Morning Show Season 2, Episode 1 recap: My Least Favorite Year

The Morning Show season 2 premiere pulled no punches, continuing several storylines set up in season 1 and introducing even more complications into the mix. (Did you catch all that COVID foreshadowing?)

After Alex’s (Jennifer Aniston) very public, very dramatic exit, The Morning Show has been struggling in the ratings — and the cast and crew have been struggling in their personal lives, with many of them no longer with the show at all.

But the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same. While Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) and Alex haven’t spoken for months, it looks like they’re about to have a reunion very soon if Cory has anything to say about it.

Let’s break down what happened in the Apple TV Plus show’s season 2 premiere.

The Morning Show Season 2, Episode 1 recap: Who to pair with Bradley?

With Alex gone, Bradley has a new partner hosting The Morning Show with her: Eric (Hasan Minhaj). Charming and sweet, the two of them get along well and have an easy dynamic.

But despite enjoying Eric as a cohost, Bradley is getting frustrated, as she doesn’t feel she’s getting the respect she deserves at the show even though she’s made countless sacrifices for it. She hints to Cory (Billy Crudup) that she wants to be switched over to the evening slot so she can cover more serious stories, reminding him that he owes her since she helped him get his job back after he was fired for his part in the hijacking of the show.

Although Cory assures Bradley he has her back, she learns this is not the case when Eric breaks the news that they’re moving him to the evening spot instead of her. Bradley and Cory get into a screaming match, with Cory venting about the pressure he’s under and the fact he’s only trying to do what’s best for her.

The Morning Show Season 2, Episode 1 recap: Alex’s enjoys her new life…and gets a visit from an old acquaintance

Though Cory goes through the motions with Stella (Greta Lee) to fill Eric’s slot with a man named Aaron, he’s secretly pushing his own agenda behind the scenes: to get Alex back. She’s the only one with the polish and poise to balance Bradley out. Plus, she’s now something of a feminist icon.

Unfortunately, Alex has no interest, having moved to Maine and pivoted to writing a memoir. But not everything is smooth sailing with her book. Her editor tells her that she needs to dig deeper with it, encouraging her to dive into the Mitch situation so she can respond to whatever may come out in Maggie Brener’s book.

Cory begs Alex to return to The Morning Show for a year, saying she’s the only one who can save them and they were foolish for letting her go. Though he promises she’ll be his first priority and they’ll give her an incredible deal, it’s not enough to win Alex over — she’d rather die than come back.

Alex, however, has a change of heart after visiting a (subpar) fortune teller at a holiday party who tells her that she’s running away from things. Shaken, Alex goes outside and listens to a last-ditch voicemail Cory left her saying he doesn’t think she’s done her greatest work yet. This makes Alex emotional, and she calls Cory, unofficially saying she’ll return. Cory is ecstatic, promising her a primetime show in the future and swearing that she can trust him to have her back.

The Morning Show Season 2, Episode 1 recap: The rest of the crew is scattered

While some of the original crew is still at The Morning Show, many of them are now scattered. Chip is working at a small local station, finally giving him time to spend with (and eventually propose to) his girlfriend. Yanko is mourning the departure of Claire, who has left to study for the GRE after the trauma of Hannah’s overdose.

Speaking of Hannah, toward the end of the episode, Cory sees a headline that her family is filing a wrongful death suit against the show. This, on top of the news about staff member Ray Marcus’ verbal abuse, is not boding well at all for The Morning Show crew.

What did you think of The Morning Show season 2 premiere? And what do you think we can expect to see this season? Comment your thoughts below!