“Alex Levy is Lazarus and that makes me Jesus, except I’m in more houses seven days a week.” –Cory

The Morning Show has been one of Apple’s most high-profile series since the streamer began in 2019, but it’s not necessarily the best. Still, there is a new season and doubtless many are interested to see where this is going. Especially since the initial premise has disappeared.

We pick up in March of 2022 as the show continues to dwell in the recent past. Alex (Jennifer Aniston) concluded last season with a brave broadcast despite having gotten COVID. Turns out that not only made her a star—and got her a new show called Alex Unfiltered—it also saved UBA Plus, much to the relief of Cory (Billy Crudup).

As we begin, Alex is preparing to celebrate 20 years with UBA by going up in a spaceship created by Billionaire Paul Marks (Jon Hamm). It’s all part of a network-wide celebration, but Alex is still chaffing at her role and her lack of influence over the bigger picture.

Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) meanwhile is host of the evening news. So, you guessed it, neither are actually on the titular Morning Show. She’s living the single life and trying to do her job. The premier sees her getting an award for her reporting, while she still tries to push the envelope with stories she covers.

On the actual Morning Show, Yanko (Nestor Carbonell) is joined by a new anchor, Christina (Nichole Beharie), which promises to provide more storylines as the season moves forward.

The first half of the episode, and in fact much of the episode was a little slow. We’re playing catch up and waiting for the drama to develop. Near the climax, Alex learns that Cory is trying to broker a deal with Paul Marks to buy UBA. The fact she wasn’t consulted leaves her reeling and a little frustrated.

At the same time, Bradley learns that a source on a story that got nixed regarding better access to abortion was arrested at the border. She drops everything to head to Texas. Alex, seeing an opportunity to stick it to Cory and help a friend, takes off to cover the story, abandoning her trip to space with Paul Marks and ruining Cory’s big deal.

Instead, Cory pivots, snagging Bradley as she gets off the plane and convincing her to take the trip. So, in essence Bradley and Alex switch places. That leads to the most interesting moment of the episode, a cliffhanger as the ground and UBA producers lose contact with the rocket carrying Bradley, Cory and Paul Marks.

More to come on that in episode two! Let’s hope the show picks up the pace a bit, too.

Episode MVP: I’m going with Alex. She’s more confident and makes a bit of a power move at the end.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.