Follow link for a little heartbreak.

Whatever flaws Boardwalk Empire might have in the heavy-handed-symbolism/tyranny-of-history department, they always manage to have at least one great scene an episode.  After the crapfest that has been HBO's summer programming, I'm very much looking forward to a huge uptick in quality.

Whatever flaws Boardwalk Empire might have in the heavy-handed-symbolism/tyranny-of-history department, they always manage to have at least one great scene an episode.  After the crapfest that has been HBO's summer programming, I'm very much looking forward to a huge uptick in quality.

I didn't know the V-feeding packmaster had such passionate fans.

I didn't know the V-feeding packmaster had such passionate fans.

Jesse's read on the third one gives him the win in the "Which Breaking Bad character gets the most effective use of the word fuck contest," at least until it's revealed in 5B that Holly's first word is Fuck.

Jesse's read on the third one gives him the win in the "Which Breaking Bad character gets the most effective use of the word fuck contest," at least until it's revealed in 5B that Holly's first word is Fuck.

Agree.  If I had to make a bet that would almost certainly be wrong, 5A ends with Walt at the height of his power, 5B tracks an epic collapse, and the series's ending involves an M-60 and a 52nd birthday.

Agree.  If I had to make a bet that would almost certainly be wrong, 5A ends with Walt at the height of his power, 5B tracks an epic collapse, and the series's ending involves an M-60 and a 52nd birthday.

I always feel sick with Breaking Bad.  Then, I watch Newsroom and get angry.

I always feel sick with Breaking Bad.  Then, I watch Newsroom and get angry.

Hey, me too!  It seems every week ends with some kind of brutal violence or gore.  This show makes that kind of thing boring.

Hey, me too!  It seems every week ends with some kind of brutal violence or gore.  This show makes that kind of thing boring.

The Newsroom is running neck and neck with the GoT newbie board for favorite comments section of the year.  Where else are you going to get a well-informed takedown of a pompous blowhard, and an informative discussion on Glass-Steagel?

The Newsroom is running neck and neck with the GoT newbie board for favorite comments section of the year.  Where else are you going to get a well-informed takedown of a pompous blowhard, and an informative discussion on Glass-Steagel?

@avclub-eac75edc18b8546c46893fe4b75ab995:disqus I'm only familiar with Sorkin through his movies, and I think The Newsroom is objectively horrible.  As exhibit A, I'd offer Will McAvoy walking through a steam-filled street at night.

@avclub-eac75edc18b8546c46893fe4b75ab995:disqus I'm only familiar with Sorkin through his movies, and I think The Newsroom is objectively horrible.  As exhibit A, I'd offer Will McAvoy walking through a steam-filled street at night.

I read that same review, and from what I remember, it wasn't about the show.  It was about the show's argument, which is something disgraced-newsman Rather had been saying for awhile.  He was the choir the show is preaching to.

I read that same review, and from what I remember, it wasn't about the show.  It was about the show's argument, which is something disgraced-newsman Rather had been saying for awhile.  He was the choir the show is preaching to.

First, I don't think the reviews have all been of the salting-of-the-earth variety.  Haven't the last few got high C's or low B's?