The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 Review: ‘The Parent Trap’

The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 brings back both Alex Levy’s dad and Cory Ellison’s mom, and no one comes out of the hour unscathed. Because of what happens with each family — Alex’s dad remains terrible, lets her know that her mom abandoned her because of postpartum depression. Cory’s mom follows through on a suicide plan he first found out about in Episode 6, purely by accident (something I called “super heavy stuff to just use as an aside, to the point of being harmful” when it first came up) — ‘The Parent Trap’ gives both Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup the opportunity to remind us all that they can do, well, it all. These strong performances, opposite Jeremy Irons and Lindsay Duncan respectively, make for an hour that’s about as engaging, emotionally honest, and devastating as it gets this season.

But in an alternate universe, where we’re not stuck with far too much story crammed into just 10 episodes, it could have been so much better. It almost feels like this hour is part of a different series than the Bradley/Claire FBI saga of Episode 7 or even the one that highlighted Mia’s UBN exit. As long as this series remains so inconsistent in both tone and quality, even the stronger outings are going to suffer.

MORE: This season has had some major ups and downs. Nicole Beharie’s performance in the episode with Chris Hunter’s big reveal was a highlight, but Episode 4 was most definitely…not one we’ll be revisiting.

“I have made my decision, while I can still make one.”

There’s a lot about the end of Martha Ellison’s life that’s far too complicated to grapple with here. It’s also probably far too deep and heavy for a series that’s as uneven as The Morning Show to tackle. Honestly, I’m not sure what fictional medium would be the appropriate one, if any. Even so, The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 does a really good job of doing this story some kind of justice — both from the standpoint of staying true to what’s unique to Cory and Martha and gently working in some more widely relatable, or at the very least thought-provoking, ideas.

Cory’s in the middle of a “wig crisis” when his mom calls him, out of the blue, to say she’s ending it now. She’s not waiting. Because she can’t anymore, because after seeing worsening evidence of herself “losing it,” she can’t risk missing her chance and winding up unable to even make a decision. There’s a lot to be said about society’s ageism problem, ableism problem, healthcare access (not that Martha Ellison would need to worry about that), and many other systemic issues. But Martha’s fear of completely losing herself, and her horror at noticing those changes, transcend a lot of the debate around all of those things. And the way this episode keeps Cory in that space of denial, right up until the bitter end, is real and relatable, whether you’re watching someone you love declining in real time or blindsided by a sudden, unexpected end.

But back to Cory’s wig crisis for a minute. For a character who is so self-absorbed, loves to hear himself talk so much, and is (apparently) finally getting some work done on his film to just drop everything and try to rush and stop his mom from leaving him is…a lot. Crudup plays Cory’s initial reaction, both when he gets the call and when he first gets to the house, with these dynamics that highlight the back and forth between trying to keep everything normal…and being scared sh**less. Rocked to his core. Desperate for this not to be happening.

On the phone, he stops in the middle of that self-absorbed rambling to fully notice something’s off. Cory softens his voice as he tells his mom he knows what she’s going through is stressful and scary. Later, face-to-face with her, he’s in more denial than ever. The usual Cory Ellison fast talking is just a touch bit more desperate than usual, that bitter sense of self deprecation when he spills word soup about Antartica heightened. He puts his fingers in his ears like a little kid when Martha tries to tell him everything she did was for him, and when he puts that wig on his hand to tell his story about his movie’s main character, he’s almost hilarious. But only almost.

Because while the character is trying so hard to maintain a normal that no longer exists — maybe never has, considering our first impression of this mother/son relationship — we all know this is the end. Martha knows, that proud yet bittersweet smile from Duncan telling the story of a mother who really, truly does love her son. (Regardless of the mess he makes of everything.) And viewers know because we saw the character take her pills. Arguably, Cory knows, too. He might not know it’s about to happen right this minute, might think his showing up here today and his theatrics are enough to delay the inevitable. But he does know his mom’s death is both inevitable and will happen sooner than later.

So, it’s odd. I wouldn’t Martha’s final moments in The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 touching, exactly. But it’s…it’s as close to touching as this sort of farewell to a character we barely met from the perspective a son who’s awful a lot of the time, yet easy to empathize with here, can be. And when Cory gets out of his head and notices Martha’s not participating in the conversation anymore, and he can’t get her attention at all, that second, quiet “mom?” is spot on delivery from Crudup. Just devastating, and if nothing else about this episode does it, what we get off Crudup in that final reaction shot is probably going to generate (more) awards buzz. (Additionally, the silence in the scene, followed by only the sniffles, are great technical choices.)

But do we just leave aside the implications here? It almost seems like we have to because Martha’s not the character whose perspective we’re really meant to see. Cory is at the center of all things The Morning Show; Martha has only been here a few times and is just a part of his development. It’s more than just a little bit unsettling to say so. Did this person get a gift, an opportunity to end things on her terms in a way that’s illegal for a reason but also has the potential, in some ways, to be a mercy? Or did she manipulate her son to the very end and force him to live with the knowledge he couldn’t stop her — couldn’t save her? Both?

Without seeing where the character goes from here (after he gets up off that floor, that is), it’s difficult to decide whether or not The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 handled this very delicate, very complicated situation responsibly enough. If it’s just about making us feel bad for Cory to try to keep him “human” before he does something (else) awful, that’s unforgivable. But at least in the moment, it manages to come together in a way that seems to fit.

MORE: After a season of trying to force us to believe she was a hero, The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 2 actually put her in a situation where we wanted to root for Alex.

“You’ve resented my entire existence from the day I was born.”

As soon as Alex says she’s working on getting an interview with President Biden and can’t let anything mess that up for her, it’s obvious The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 is…not going to end with her getting that interview. More to the point, seeing as how the likelihood of Biden doing an episode of this series was likely less than zilch given real-world timing and logistics, hearing Alex say what she does makes it obvious someone is going to make her miss that huge opportunity. That person turns out to be her father. In more ways than one.

First, he’s drunk and disorderly. Then, dear ol’ Dad goes on Bro’s podcast. Insult to injury: He buddies up to his fellow misogynist and says something about his own daughter’s “terrible time with men” when Bro starts airing their dirty laundry — context free — in front of him. Between both of those things, Martin costs his daughter her interview. And, of course, he’s totally remorseless. All of this makes for some good TV, but the really strong stuff comes when he bursts through her door and starts yelling at her for slamming a car door in his face. Mind you, it’s her car, and he’s already disrespected her nonstop at her home, at her workplace, and in the car in question. But he’s her father!!!!

…who never even wanted her.

Alex finally forces her father to tell her why her mom left and why he erased all memory of her from their lives, and it’s gutting. She wanted a child, he didn’t, and after Alex was born, she suffered from postpartum depression. Eventually, she just left. It’s unclear whether Martin bothered to try getting her help, but based on the timeframe, who he is and how he behaves in general, let’s just guess no. He’s far from a likable character at this point (never was one) anyway.

Whether it’s trying to reason with the drunken old professor, the shock/horror at seeing him at the office, the even worse shock/horror realizing he’s doing that interview with Bro, or the awful silence in the car, Jennifer Aniston’s great throughout this hour. She is, of course, at her best during those gutting moments in Alex’s home, when she finally lets all those years of anger, and pain, and indignation out. And the best of her best comes during the big reveal. It’s as if we’re watching her get to the bottom of a lifetime of hurt, not just calling her father out on what he’s caused but also finally getting to the bottom of it — realizing the why and finding a whole new layer of torment from it.

Irons is brilliant, as well. For all Martin’s, eh, let’s call it horribleness, there are a couple of glimpses, here and there, that seem to show something approaching remorse. And that great love the character lost, very clearly, still just deeply hurts him. Irons’ timing is impeccable, really letting some of Aniston’s better moments land in a way that elevates what both actors are doing in the scene. Those little pauses of his even make the very end, when Martin gets up and just…leaves, a complete shock. Because we expect him to take that beat and then say or do something — anything — to try to make it right, or even to angrily storm off and make things definitively worse. But he doesn’t. It’s something new, different, more hurtful somehow. And that shot of him in the elevator? Wow.

I’m kind of torn on all of this being a catalyst for Alex to want to go ahead and sign those papers for Bradley, though. If she only became a journalist to try to get her father to see her, that shouldn’t mean a job that’s come to mean so much to her, and ethics she claimed to have in that space, should totally disappear. But we do need to find a way to connect these personal stories back to the big arc, so it works well enough in its way.

MORE: Our first impression of Martin Levy included phrases like “a terrible father and a misogynist.” Looks like those were understatements.

More The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 8 reactions

It’s the emphasis on the WHAT in that “what. happened” for me.
Same for the delivery on the “really” here: “Really. So, you didn’t think that you should tell me that you were working with the FBI when you came back?”
Also, if no one else is going to hold Bradley Jackson accountable, at least Alex Levy will. (However weird/problematic that may be, considering.)
“I can not have anyone, or anything, [CLAP] f**k this up!” People died from that clap, I fear.
This next part is both a moment and kind of the problem with the whole series: “How do you sleep at night?” “Me? How do you sleep at night?” These are, arguably, the two characters we’re supposed to root for. And yet, they’re both also kind of terrible in a way that doesn’t quite fit the hero characterization. Or it does, but then the “innocent” side doesn’t. Pick one! Anti-heroes are fine, but commit to that. I think we’re kind of aiming for “people are complicated and not all good or all bad” here, but more often than not, it just plays as confusion.
I didn’t need to see a single subtitle to know everything I needed to know about what was going on with Celine and her brother. Marion Cotillard is nuts good, and her general expression and demeanor screaming, basically “DARE ME,” throughout that scene is exquisite.
“The right wig is gonna get her the little gold man.” Me when I watch Rupaul’s Drag Race.
“My brain was my one constant, and now—…” Extremely relatable. This terrifies me. I totally get this line from Martha. Completely.
God, and she like…planned it all down to the final detail to make it as easy and organized on Cory as possible. (But it’s also totally manipulative and cruel to tell him like this, as well.)
“…don’t forget to get their coffee orders organized. Uh, don’t go to the bitter place, uh, go to the place that has the little…they put foam and little faces…” Good coffee is always important…
…and Alex Levy is so in panic mode.
The last thing we need is another unqualified bro running for anything, whatsoever.
“We need a win. We’re the last two standing.” “Like at the end of a disaster movie.” “Exactly. Try not to let the other stuff get you down.” From power moves and business speak to what sounds like actual concern on that “try not to let the other stuff get you down.”
“Parents are tricky.” Ya think?
“You peed on Paul Revere.” “It was Nathan Hale.” Oh, ok. Well, then. Problem solved!
Not the kids in tents mention. Seriously, The Morning Show, just avoid mentioning any of that altogether.
And here we have Daddy Academia attacking his daughter’s feelings with King Lear because she won’t, what? Drop everything to help him get out of the consequences of his own drunk and disorderly actions? Go away, dude.
“The Hitler Youth cop said I did a California roll…”
“This isn’t the kind of thing you just do. And d**n you for dumping this sh** on me today. You tell me that this is just a ploy to get your only and favorite son back into the house, and I will forgive you. Tell me that you’re sad, tell me that you need something.” “I’m glad you came.” The fact that he even thought/hoped she was manipulating him to get him there, just to do nothing…so. many. layers. of pain. Then, you add just how quiet and determined she is, and ouch.
“These same students you speak of are trying to destroy me for a crime I did not commit.” I mean, you deserve to be destroyed for the crime of being a horrible POS dad and wanting to be on the “woke is killing comedy” (or whatever) show, so. Whatever it takes!
I do appreciate him for correcting Bro on “irregardless,” though.
The way she barely gets the “keep it between us” and “whatever occurred between us” comments out of her mouth after previously being so in charge with cutting that show off.
“It’s not you. It’s your father.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.” “It’s your father. The thing in the Post this morning. His rant on that podcast. It doesn’t help the ageist narrative we’re fighting against with our guy.” He hears this and still…wants to turn it around and make it about time for her to help him out.
“And the only person that I actually feel like a failure around? Is you. Ever since I was a little kid!” “God, isn’t the statute of limitations up on your poor, old childhood?” Imagine being such a condescending MF to your daughter when she’s obviously this vulnerable and just plain hurt.
“I know. I’m not smart enough, I’m not academic enough, I’m just not enough.” Let’s all appreciate the physicality Aniston brings to this when she throws those arms out, only for them to come down and thwack her sides.
I mean, my God: “Here’s the brilliant professor, saddled with this simple daughter. But you know what? I actually wasn’t simple — I was a 10-year-old. And I still cleaned out your dirty ashtrays, cleared the table, did the dishes. Just you and me. And yet, every time you were around I felt…I felt more alone than I ever felt when I was actually alone.”
The break in Aniston’s voice on the “10-year-old” part of that chunk might about break some folks. (I am some folks.)
“…leaving me with this messy child I didn’t want in the first place.” My dude, you need therapy. Because no healthy person says this to a person who’s begging to be seen after a lifetime of begging.
“Dad, do you know how…badly I … I wanted to be somebody that you could love?”
All of this with Alex happening, as we’re watching Cory bizarrely have the healthiest time we’ve ever seen him have with his mom on the show while she’s in the middle of offing herself. What.
I have to hand it to Celine for having some great strategy with Bro’s podcast doing that bit to sell her bro’s Seine cleanup. But also: WHY.
“She’s a former District Attorney.” “…who are, oftentimes, political shills without a moral center.” “Thaaaat’s right. She is a former fascist district attorney who blew the case of a lifetime.” A parent and child collaboratively making up a story together, just with the usual roles reversed.
“My favorite line in the entire movie. And I made the writer put it in because, uh…of course he doesn’t know how women actually talk…” He’s not wrong on this with a lot of dudes…not sure if he’s right on this with himself actually knowing how women talk, slimeball that he is, but…the man made a point!
The contrast of Alex longing for that happy mom holding her as a baby/toddler, against Cory’s head resting on his dead mommy’s shoulder…oof.
I continue to love Celine and Cory together. Guilty pleasure or “horrible people gonna horrible” ship of the year? You decide.
“…all of their free CDs, they were sh***y CDs. That was the con. We just kept ordering. Yeah. Not buying. The American dream. We would just sift through all the sh** until finally we would land some good music…” Oh, but this brings back memories.
“The rest of our lives would never compare to the halcyon days when we got all the music we ever wanted in the mail for pennies. Long live the days of Columbia House. When I thought my parents were embarrassing, they knew everything, and they’d always be around. Yeah. Constant. Like, the Northern Star…Constantly in the darkness. Where’s that at?” It really was a much better time…and I love that sad, little smile on the comment about the Northern Star.
That big X on the floor, though.
So, Bradley went to Belarus anyway — without Alex’s signature and/or with a forged one. And, now, she’s…missing? Fabulous!