"Election Night Part II," otherwise known as the second season finale of HBO's "The Newsroom," proved that even jaded journalists can have moments of pure, sentimental sweetness.
The season ended very neatly-- almost too neatly for some. The finale was almost a clichéd happy ending to the sophomore season of a show that is built on melancholy. However, the finale brought a seemingly happy ending to a long feuding couple, finally adding a touch of pure happiness-- and not tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic happiness-- to the series.
The second part of the season finale picks up on election night, where the penultimate episode left off. Charlie (Sam Waterston) and Will (Jeff Daniels) want to quit ACN after the Genoa debacle, and Will has finally given in to Mac's (Emily Mortimer) pleading to fire her. Leona (Jane Fonda) does not want to fire Charlie and Will.
At the election night party, a high-as-a-kite Leona tells Charlie that her son, Reese (Chris Messina) will be making all decisions regarding the lawsuit, and in effect, Will and Charlie's resignations.
Charlie says, "I'm relieved," upon hearing this news, although he doesn't look it. After trying to convince Leona--and themselves-- that they wanted to resign, deep down, Will and Charlie don't want to leave the close-knit "News Night" family. The senior staff of ACN also pledge to quit if Will and Charlie do.
Thinking that they are both getting the axe, Will and Mackenzie give a segment to Elliot (David Harbour) and Don (Thomas Sadoski) to pass on the news torch.
Will and Mac once again start to squabble about their break-up, with Will giving an unconvincing explanation for having the engagement ring in his desk.
Charlie then gives Will a speech about why they both should stay on, which also convinces Will to forgive Mac for her past transgressions. Before viewers knew it, Will was getting the ring out of his desk drawer and running all over the studio looking for Mac.
When he finally finds her, he says, "I didn't return it, because I'm in love with you, and will you marry me?"
MacKenzie, unsurprisingly baffled, replies, "What the f**k is happening right now?"
Then Will recites a declaration of love that is achingly sweet. "Let me just say, I think you should. I think you should say yes. But no matter what you say, there's no chance I am ever gonna hurt you again. And no matter what you say, I am gonna be in love with you for the rest of my life. There's no way out of that. That's just a physical law of the universe. You own me. No matter what you say, I will never stop."
Once Mac says yes, Will blurts out a "Thank God," and they engage in a passionate kiss.
Meanwhile, Jim (John Gallagher Jr.) tries to make amends with his ex-girlfriend, Lisa (Kelen Coleman), who happens to be working at the election night party handing out champagne flutes. Jim then makes a call to Hallie (Grace Gummer) to reaffirm the state of their relationship before Jim finally finds out from Maggie (Alison Pill) what happened in Uganda, which explained why she chopped and dyed her hair.
As for Sloan's (Olivia Munn) book, we find out that Don was using fake names (taken from musicals) to drive up the cost of her economics book that no one wanted to buy. Once Sloan figures out it was Don, she barges into the control room, signs the book, kisses Don in front of everywhere and slaps the books against his chest before waltzing out. After Don catches his breath, he says the laugh-inducing line, "What I have can't be taught!"
Back in the newsroom, Reese says that he's not going to settle with Jerry (Hamish Linklater), and he also isn't accepting Charlie, Mac or Will's resignations. Just after that happy news breaks, Will ups the happy factor with the news that he and Mac are getting married.
And with that, the second season of "The Newsroom" was tied up in a neat, happy bow. Viewers will have to wait until next season to see if the team's collective happiness continues.
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