The Morning Show – S04E07 – Person of Interest | Transcript

The Morning Show
Season 4 – Episode 7
Episode title: Person of Interest
Original release date: October 29, 2025

Plot: Bradley is asked by her FBI handler to locate Claire, who is now wanted by the FBI due to her connection with Extinction Revolt. Yanko receives a visit from Claire and agrees to let her stay at his apartment; the two reflect on their past relationship. Despite his unresolved feelings for Claire, Yanko officially decides to propose to Ariana, who happily accepts. Following Stella’s resignation, Alex is approached by a reporter intending to write an exposé about UBN’s workplace culture. Brodie helps Alex by opening up to the reporter about his turbulent childhood, redirecting the focus of the article. Alex has sex with Brodie, but sends him away afterwards. At Alex’s request, Christine conducts a follow-up interview with Roya on TMS in order to bolster Roya’s asylum case. Upon discovering that Claire is staying with Yanko, Bradley hesitantly agrees to help Claire run away by lying to the FBI about her whereabouts. The following morning, however, Claire arrives at UBN, having organized a live interview on TMS to prove her innocence. Worried that she will be implicated for aiding a fugitive, Bradley alerts the FBI, who promptly arrive at UBN to arrest Claire.

* * *

The Morning Show – S04E07 – Person of Interest | Transcript

[“Nemesis” playing]

[music ends]

[thunder rumbling]

[electricity buzzes]

[object taps]

[object taps]

Claire.

I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go. I…

It’s… Come in, come in. Come in. Yeah.

[sighs] Come in.

It’s okay. W-What’s going on?

[sighs]

What happened?

They raided us. They took everything.

[stammers] Hard drives, IDs…

Okay, wait. [stammers] Who’s “they”?

The FBI.

The F…

Jesus, Claire. What’d you do?

I…

You know, actually, no. Yeah, don’t…

Don’t tell me. Yeah.

The less I know the better.

Yeah.

Can I stay here?

Just for a couple of hours.

I’m so tired I can’t think.

Does anyone know you’re here?

No.

No, no. I made sure I wasn’t followed.

I’m… I’m safe. For now.

Okay. I’ll make up the couch.

[exhales sharply] Thank you.

[knocks on door]

[Bradley] Hi.

Uh…

Can I take your coat or…

[sighs] Bradley, I stuck my neck out for you with my supervisors and told them, “We can trust her.

Let’s make her an asset, let’s let her go back to New York.”

Okay. You can trust me.

[stammers] I could’ve saved you the trip.

I already told you I don’t know where Claire is.

But you just so happened to have a file on the activist group that she’s a part of.

Which you then happened to pass along to Eagle News, who then called us because that was the right thing to do.

Okay, yes. [sighs] All right.

Listen, she did reach out to me. [sighs] But then she dropped off the map and she told me not to contact her.

I’m trying to tell you, like, I…

I can’t be helpful with this.

You’re not hearing me, so let me be very clear.

I did something nice for you, and now you need to do something nice for me.

Or going back to West Virginia is going to be the least of your worries.

A leaked audio recording has surfaced of Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, discussing the recent controversy over an upside-down American flag that was prominently displayed in their front yard at their Virginia home.

Mrs. Alito denounced her critics as “feminazis,” and suggested she may pursue libel lawsuits against the press.

More on that and other news after this break.

And we’re clear.

[alarm buzzes] Geez, they should just start a Real Housewives of the Supreme Court.

You can pair her and Ginni Thomas, and a bunch of frozen margaritas.

Yeah. I… I respect that she refuses to be silenced, okay?

I mean, what’s more American than having an opinion?

[Layla] Hey, heads up. [sighs]

We’re putting together copy now.

Noah Bain, head of the eco-activist group Extinction Revolt, has been arrested.

They think it’s in connection with that oil platform fire that killed two people last year.

All right.

Thank you.

[colleagues chattering]

Hey, uh…

Can you, um…

Oh, right.

I know this sounds crazy, but you haven’t heard from Claire, have you?

No. Why? What’s going on?

I have a source that, uh, told me the FBI has a file on that group that she’s involved with.

And I’m just worried she might be in trouble.

What do… What do you mean, “a file”?

Oppo research stuff. It’s serious.

They’re looking for her.

There’s a lot of talk about infighting behind the scenes.

Sure. I know. And that’s actually why we wanted you to come in and sit down with us, Kabir.

So we could just, you know, set the record straight.

I’m sure your readers at The Times would appreciate that.

Mmhmm. Okay. So, for the record, what did you think when Stella Bak’s AI started to hallucinate at O24?

Hmm.

[smacks lips] Machine learning is only as good as its inputs.

And let’s face it, most people are garbage in one form or another.

That being said… [whispering] …I’d be into having AI Stella on my podcast.

Obviously, O24 was a… a shock, you know?

But if there is a silver lining, it helped us refocus our priorities.

And-And the Olympics being right there at the top of the list.

And what’s the fallout from the Roya Nazeri defection?

There will be more news on that soon.

But, as I was saying, w-we’re trying to look at this, almost two years into the merger, as a reset.

[inhales deeply] So, a public meltdown, a stock drop of 6%, and your CEO out from a sex scandal is a reset?

Holding CEOs to account is good.

And, honestly, there’s probably a lot more housekeeping that could be done here.

You know, when your computer slows down from all the porn and you just gotta wipe the hard drive, hmm?

Bro, let’s focus, please.

I think Bro raises a valid point…

Yes.

…about the company’s leadership.

Fred Micklen, Mitch Kessler, Cory Ellison, Stella Bak…

Weirdest gang bang ever.

Bro…

Is this institution fundamentally corrupt?

Or does it just attract corrupt people?

Dude, once they said corporations were people,

what’d you think was gonna happen?

Excuse me, this is a very different company and a different culture.

And we’ve worked really hard to atone for the sins of the past.

It’s true.

[Alex, Bro] Mmhmm.

The personnel is different now.

Except for you, Alex.

You’re the throughline of all these scandals.

Why do you think that is?

Any comment?

I just can’t believe you. I can’t.

Why did I think you could help with damage control?

You’re like a little fucking kid with a match in a fireworks store.

Ten minutes. I just needed ten minutes for you to not go off the rails.

You keep acting like I owe your beloved institution something. I don’t.

Listen, you work here, okay?

This is your home.

I’m a hired gun on a two-year deal.

I could take my podcast anywhere.

You could take your show anywhere.

I don’t understand why you don’t.

This place isn’t warm and fuzzy, it’s a fucking snake pit.

Kabir ain’t wrong.

Hey, listen to me.

And I know that you won’t give a shit about this, but I have worked here for 22 years.

And I have given everything to this place.

And you know what?

I actually do believe that there is something good about it.

Because I refuse… refuse to accept that I’ve been wasting my time, ’cause that will just make me feel like shit.

Jesus.

[elevator bell dings]

[Remy] Here you go.

Oh, thank you so much.

[chuckles] You’re welcome.

Your producers will be here in ten to prep for the Roya interview next week.

[sighs] I can’t do it. I can’t do it.

[stammers] This Kabir article is about to cover me with mud, and if I interview Roya, it becomes all about me. All right, so, no.

Okay. Got it.

Um, hey, where are we with her asylum?

Any word from Senator King’s office?

Yes. I think she’s afraid of it.

Uh, might be the whole Iran thing.

The Middle East is radioactive right now.

Oh, God. All right, we have to find somebody else.

Yeah, I’ve been making a lot of calls.

Getting a lot of nos. There’s primary fights coming up. The Hill is skittish.

Oh, God. Just… ‘Tis the season of chickenshit politicians.

[sighs] All right, just keep making calls.

Okay.

[people chattering]

Hi.

Hey. Have a seat.

Thank you.

[Ben sighs]

Office looks good.

Gonna… Gonna put some doors in or you gonna leave it like this?

I kinda like the open door thing.

Huh.

Yeah, I want people to feel like I’m available.

Like we’re all in this together.

How’s that working out for you?

You know. Baby steps.

Yeah. [chuckles] We’re having a little staff party later.

You should swing by.

[clicks tongue] I got a call this morning about a Times feature.

A reporter asked me to sit down.

Okay, Mia, you tried this dance with Stella, and I am not feeling the music, so, we’re gonna hold.

No pod deal. No news magazine show.

Chris gets a 5% bump to save face, and then we all get back to work.

Oh, I think her face is saved.

She’s never had more goodwill.

I don’t care if she has been singing the national anthem with Taylor Swift.

We do not have the cash right now.

Are you aware that Fred Micklen bought off an independent legal team investigating the Mitch Kessler scandal?

[ominous music playing]

No. No, I… I wasn’t aware.

Hmm.

Let me guess, a little bird named Stella has been chirping in your ear?

Yeah, you know, the bird’s a stork, she dropped a bundle of joy in my lap.

Actual documents that a certain reporter would be very interested in reading.

You still want my job, huh?

[chuckles]

I am having so much more fun on this side of the table.

[inhales deeply, exhales]

I’ll have to discuss Chris’s deal with Celine.

Her deal and my deal.

[pensive music playing]

[pan sizzling]

[utensils clinking]

[chuckles] I know that smell.

You know, you gotta eat something.

Yeah, sorry I slept so late.

Um, I’ll get my stuff together.

[mumbles] If I wanted you to leave I wouldn’t have made you eggs just the way you like them.

[sighs] Thank you.

Of course. Yeah.

You sleep okay?

Yeah, it’s a nice couch.

I told you. Yeah, you know, it’s…

Memory foam mattress.

So, yeah…

[chuckles]

[stammers]

[sighs, whispers] Oh, God.

Good.

Yeah? Mmm.

It’s funny how easy it is to slip back into things.

Well, maybe ’cause it’s a secret.

You know, like it always was.

Wasn’t that the fun part?

Mmm, yeah, it was. Yeah, for a while, yes.

Yeah, until it wasn’t.

Never had a real date.

I never even told my family about you.

And you regret that?

Sometimes, yeah.

I should go.

No. [stammers] Actually, you… you should stay. I… Um…

I talked to Bradley.

I’m… I’m really worried you’re not safe.

What did she say?

[“Confession” playing on speaker]

[Layla] I love mandatory unpaid work events.

[Rena] But it is free pizza.

And it’s cold.

A pizza party. Wow. I feel so appreciated.

There better be cauliflower crust.

Yeah, I was really hoping for a topping of, I don’t know, better working conditions?

Mmm… Mmm.

[grunts] But, hey, at least there’s karaoke, right?

Thanks, Ben.

Thanks, Ben.

Thanks, Ben.

Oh.

[Chip] Did you have any reason to think that there was something wrong?

No. [stammers] We all played in that creek when we were kids.

Every summer.

Uh, you know. So, we let her go with her cousins and… And her friends…

Come home muddy.

We’d say it’s good for ya, then we’d hose ’em off in the backyard.

[Chip] And-And when did you notice that, you know, she might be sick?

Um, about a year ago. And her friends too.

[Chip] And are there other kids from other neighborhoods?

[parent] I had a friend who worked the line when she was four months pregnant and she quit to have the baby.

Um, and, uh, he didn’t come out right.

[Chip] What do you mean?

[parent] You’ll have to talk to her about that. It’s not for me to speak on.

[chuckles] Hi, honey.

[sing-songy] Ooh, look at this. [chuckling]

Oh, she is up and at ’em today.

You caught us on a good day.

Yeah. [chuckling]

[Chip] Hi there, young lady. How are you?

Good.

[button clicks]

[sighs]

How old is she?

She’s five.

[sighing] Oh.

And there’s more of them.

I have half a dozen interviews.

I’m cutting it together right now.

Okay. I wanna see everything you’ve got.

Yeah. Have you talked to the whistleblower?

Yeah. Sophia’s in Belarus hiding with relatives.

Belarus? Shit, that’s not ideal.

Um, can we get her to Vienna?

Maybe you can meet her there?

I’m just… I’m going slow ’cause I’m trying to get her trust.

I really don’t want to scare her.

But, um… there’s something else.

The FBI is asking if I’ll help them find Claire.

Uh, okay.

But you’re not gonna do that, right?

I mean, she’s one of us.

We gotta protect her.

She’s, like, the… the key to pulling this whole thing together.

I know, no. Of course, of course. I just…

I can’t tell them to fuck off, you know?

It’s… It’s the FBI.

It’s very… complicated.

What’s complicated?

We don’t have to help them.

I mean, what do they know? [stammers] They know I’ve talked to her, and they’re not letting up on me.

Shit.

Honestly, I’ve been worried that maybe…

[sighs] Maybe I’m a liability in all of this. I…

Maybe I should step away.

No. Bradley, no. No.

I mean, you’re… you’re too… you’re too important to this whole… whole thing.

And, you know, you’re public, you know? You…

I don’t think you understand how much people trust you.

I’ve seen this.

They watch you and they, like, see this better version of themselves.

Someone who is not afraid to do the right thing.

WeWe need you.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, I should probably take this.

Yeah, okay.

I’m gonna get a drink. I’ll see you…

Okay, yeah. I’ll see you in there.

[buzzing continues]

Hey.

Uh, hey, Bradley.

Um, I-I was hoping we could talk.

Okay.

In person.

[“Look At You” playing on speaker]

[Bree] Cheers.

[Jamal] Bottoms up.

Chris. Glad to see you.

I think we found a way to make everyone happy.

I heard.

I can’t wait to put this in the rearview.

My eyes are on Paris.

Yeah. About that. I need to talk to our Olympic partners to see what’s feasible and who they want representing them.

Okay, hold on.

Are you saying I might not be going?

I’m saying that you have a complicated narrative now.

You know, with the whole Rio thing.

But I’m working on it.

Nothing’s set in stone. Okay?

[music continues]

You’re not, uh, actually gonna sing, are you?

Uh, no. No, I just needed something to do ’cause your colleagues are a bit chilly.

Oh, well. There’s not a lot of love for Bro in here. I’m sorry.

Oh.

Mmm.

You think it’s ’cause of Bro?

Mmhmm.

I think it’s ’cause I’m hot.

That too.

Sorry if this is… Is this awkward?

I don’t wanna–

No, no. No, I think it’s fun.

I mean, I love public shit. It’s kinky.

[chuckles]

Right. Well, I’ll see you later, right?

Definitely.

[music continues]

[sighs]

Cheap vodka for the win?

Oh. Bless your heart.

Yes. [chuckles]

Thank you.

Cheers.

Cheers.

[sucks teeth] I’m starting to think you kinda miss me.

Or, now we have a great relationship where we have actual boundaries.

It’s kinda cool.

Good boundaries. They’re good.

Oh! That, by the way, I forgot.

I have a favor to ask of you.

Your friend Kabir…

Mmhmm.

…is kinda coming after me.

And, honestly, the last thing we need is more bad press, you know?

I’ve worked too fucking hard for some corporate raider to come in and just blow this all up.

So, if you just could maybe, I don’t know, push him towards another angle

just to get him off of me.

Mmhmm.

Uh, no.

[stammers]

No. I’m sorry, I can’t.

Actually, I… [stammers] …I don’t want to.

You don’t… Why not?

Wh… I don’t have to give you a reason.

I can just say no.

Jesus Christ, Chip.

I know that you can “just say no.”

Okay. So, that’s what I’m saying.

That’s my boundary. That’s

Oh, that’s your boundary?

Well, it’s one of them. Yeah.

Oh, I’m sorry.

Well, what about professional courtesy?

This is a work issue.

“Professional courtesy,” what–

Yeah. I helped you out with Bradley and that story.

What the fuck happened to you? Honestly.

What?

You were the best on-air reporter in this business and now you’re, like, playing C-suite games.

And, honestly, it’s… it’s turning you into one of these…

[sighs] …executive reptiles, man.

Did you just call me a reptile?

Jesus, Chip.

[sighs] So, whose terrible idea was this?

Yours.

Mmm.

God. Listen, you know what?

Their whole attitude, it’s just because they think you’re Celine’s guy.

Yeah, it’s a funny feeling being hated for things completely out of your control.

Yeah.

[“You Don’t Own Me” playing]

♪ You don’t own me ♪

I mean, really?

Are you kidding me right now?

♪ I’m not just one of your many toys ♪

[Alex] Oh, Chip.

♪ You don’t own me ♪

That’s right.

Come on, let’s back him up.

Oh, my God. No, no, no.

Come on.

♪ …I can’t go with other girls ♪

Hmm. Okay. Yeah.

You’ve got the whole gang now.

♪ And don’t tell me what to do ♪

♪ And don’t tell me what to say ♪

♪ And please when I go out with you

Don’t put me on display ♪

Okay, I’m out of here.

Bye.

♪ You don’t own me ♪

[all cheering]

♪ Don’t try to change me in any way ♪

[Chip] That’s right! Okay.

♪ You don’t own me ♪

[all] Whoo!

♪ Don’t tie me down

‘Cause I’ll never stay ♪

[Chip] Who wants it?

She’s got it.

♪ I don’t tell you what to say ♪

♪ I don’t tell you what to do ♪

♪ So just let me be myself ♪

♪ That’s all I’ll ever ask of you ♪

[cheering]

[song continues, fades]

[door opens]

[Yanko] Come on in here. Over here…

[Bradley] Okay.

Claire?

Are you okay?

[sighs] Um, I-I’m fine.

I’m… I’m good. Yanko’s helped. Um…

Yanko said you have a file on our group.

I need to see it.

I… I need to know what we’re up against.

Okay. Just calm down, Claire.

People died on that rig.

Yeah, and it was a fucking setup.

That platform was leaking oil into the ocean.

We were about to go public, so they started the fire and blamed it on us to cover it up.

Bradley, please. Can I…

Can I see the file?

[tapping buttons]

There.

[phone chimes] [Claire] Thank you.

Can I have something to drink?

Yeah, yeah, of course.

Uh, here. Why don’t you come in here?

[Claire sighs]

So, what do you want?

Water? Or you want, uh…

I got wine too, if you want.

Are you sure about this?

I’m not doing anything illegal here, okay?

Except for harboring a fugitive.

No, alleged… alleged fugitive.

[sighs]

I’m assuming that your fiancée has no idea what’s going on here.

No. And I’m not engaged, okay? Not yet.

[scoffs] Okay, how would you feel if Ariana just shacked up with some ex without telling you?

[Yanko] Wh-What do you want me to say? Huh?

Claire… [stammers] …she’s always been there in the back of my head, okay?

And she asked me to reach out to you, ’cause she trusts you.

And you wanted to see her.

You were worried about her. Okay?

I know.

So, I’m not gonna turn my back on her right now. Okay?

[whispering] What kind of man would I be?

[sighs]

I knew it. They’re putting it all on us.

The fires, the deaths, everything.

We have evidence that the company was violating safety standards.

We-We have real, verifiable documents.

I can get them.

Okay. Then you can take them to the FBI, hire a lawyer and set the record straight.

No, I can’t do that.

Claire, this is so much bigger than you.

[Claire] Yeah, I know that! I…

No, you don’t. I have a source on Wolf River because of you, because of the information you gave me.

How am I supposed to go to a source if the FBI’s breathing down my neck?

They came to me. They’re looking for you.

Just go talk to them.

What, w…

If they’re asking about me, it’s too late.

I-I’m in there, “Individual number two.”

W… Wait. You’re the person funding the group?

Yeah, of course I fund…

What else am I supposed to do with my family’s dirty money?

Oh, my God.

Two dead bodies and a paper trail. The FBI, they’re not asking questions, Claire.

They’re gonna put you in prison.

You-You gotta run.

No, you can’t run.

You have to turn yourself in.

No, absolutely not.

They’re gonna find you.

They won’t. I’ll go to another country.

And what, hide in some nonextradition country for the rest of your life, looking over your shoulder?

Are you kidding me? Go to the Feds and cut a deal while you can.

The FBI isn’t gonna help me, Bradley.

I hate to break it to you, but it’s not exactly their thing.

Yanko’s right. I… I have to run.

Any word when the Kabir article is gonna drop?

[Remy] No word yet.

[Alex groans]

So, there was some news about Paul Marks and Ava.

Just gossip. Do you want to see it?

Nope. We’re very busy.

Okay.

Okay. What is it?

Hmm… [breathes deeply] Oh!

Shopping for engagement rings at Tiffany’s. That’s nice.

You’re too good for him.

Sorry, but you are. [chuckles]

[sighs]

[knocks on door]

Hey!

Hey, you wanted to see me?

[Alex] Yes, come on in.

Congratulations on your deal.

Looks like you are now stuck with us.

Mmm, thank you.

So, what’re you thinking about your new show? Any ideas?

I want to hold a beat on that.

I am rethinking the format with Mia.

I’m sorry. [stammers] We’re preparing a press release.

I just need a sec.

Uh-huh. Okay.

Uh, youyou do realize that it took me two decades and a predator to get half of what you just got?

Yeah. And I got it on the back of my stillborn baby.

Uh-huh. Yeah, I know.

You told the truth, it gave you power.

Now, you gotta use it.

Do something with it.

Yeah. [inhales sharply] I just need to find something that matters.

I understand. I get that.

[gasps] Why don’t you interview Roya Nazeri?

That’s your interview.

The Times is coming out with a shit article about me, and I don’t want it anywhere near her.

I need a journalist, someone people are rooting for.

And it’s the only way Washington will listen.

You want redemption?

Get Roya asylum. That matters.

Okay.

[sighs]

Hey. Is everything okay?

Yeah, well, I was gonna file a missing persons report, but they told me to check your dressing room first.

Oh, I’m sorry. Sorry. Come in.

Come in. I’m sorry, honey.

I’m just really feeling the grind right now.

I mean, all… all this stuff with Stella, you have no idea.

I mean, they-they’ve got me shuffling in and out of the Teacup.

Every morning I get up, I have no idea what I’m doing. [sighs]

[sighs] Yanko.

Yes?

You know I don’t need a dance number, right?

Or people wearing sequins.

Just needs to be us.

[sighs] I…

And a ring would be nice too.

I… I know. I know. [sniffs] You sure you want this?

What? Oh, come on. Of course I do.

Let me finish.

‘Cause if you don’t want this, then please don’t propose. Okay?

Don’t do that thing where you talk yourself into it, and then five years later you wake up and you realize that it wasn’t meant to be and you leave.

‘Cause I couldn’t take that.

Ariana, I just… I just need a little time.

Okay?

I’m sorry that I just showed up.

Now I’m the crazy girlfriend.

Oh, no. No. No, really, no.

I’m glad you came.

[shakily] Yeah, yeah. Me too.

Hey…

[door opens]

[door closes]

[sighs]

[speaking Farsi]

[in English] When you put on your mask, you can be anyone you want to be.

[Alex] And that must feel liberating.

[Roya] Yes.

It makes me feel free.

Mr. Nazeri, good to see you.

Hello.

I heard you wanted a word.

Yes. Uh, thank you.

Well, no one seems to be able to tell me.

[sighs] If Roya does this interview tomorrow morning, will she be able to compete in Paris?

I hope so. I…

I’d say, maybe as an Individual Neutral Athlete.

A girl without a country.

If we don’t get asylum.

[Chris] We’re hoping this interview will help with that too.

I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.

I’ve been thinking about everyone we left behind.

My colleagues.

Her mother.

We’ll never see them again.

It hurts.

But I’m afraid to let her see that.

I don’t want her to think this was a mistake.

I think that it’s okay to show her your pain.

My daughter knows, um, a little about mine.

Even if she’s too young to understand it.

You want her to be an Olympic athlete?

[chuckles] I want her to do what makes her happy.

Whatever gives her self-respect.

She’s lucky to have a mother like you.

[door closes]

Claire?

Claire? [stammers]

[Claire] I’m in the bath.

S-Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be back yet.

Oh, no, that’s okay. Um, c… can we talk?

[Claire] Of course. Sorry, I just wanted one last moment of calm.

Yeah, no. That’s… It’s fine. Take your time. Yeah. I’ll be right out here, okay?

[Claire] You know that woman in the photos on your fridge?

Yeah?

Is she your girlfriend?

She is, yeah.

What’s she like?

She’s funny. She’s…

But not like, you know… Like, you can’t always tell it’s a joke with her.

And then she’ll smile, and then you’re like, “Okay, never mind.” [chuckles] And, uh, she loves to dance.

She says that it’s the only way toto never get old.

And she can deal with my family.

Are you going to marry her?

Uh, I got a ring.

Can you come in here?

I don’t want to talk to a door.

[“I Don’t Want to Live, I Don’t Want to Die” playing]

[sighs]

Yanko.

[sighs]

I’m really scared. [sighs] You know, if… if I run, I… I can’t come back.

But if I stay…

Claire, you can do it.

You can do it. You’re strong. Okay?

You always have been.

[inhales sharply]

Hey, maybe you could come with me.

Buenos Aires, Rio or…

Maybe we could have a second act.

You know, four years ago, that’s… that’s everything I wanted to hear.

[laughs] What, the old Yanko would be packing his bags right now?

[chuckles]

[laughs] How would we live? [chuckles] Same way anyone else lives.

Just make it work.

No. Oh, God. You make it sound so simple.

Yeah.

I don’t really need much.

I don’t think you do either.

You know, sometimes I-I do wonder what the hell I’m doing here. You know?

I’m an anchor on The Morning Show.

I mean, it’s probably the high point of my career, and does it even matter? I mean, really.

And if my job… if it went away, like, then what?

Like-Like, what would I have left?

Maybe I don’t need any of it. [scoffs]

[song continues]

[Claire] Yanko.

Will you hold me?

Just for a little while.

[Roya] Okay. Tuck in your elbow. Yeah.

This?

En garde! Prêts?

Mmhmm.

Allez!

Ah! One motion.

One motion?

Just one.

See? Details, people.

Ooh!

Prêts?

Allez!

[exclaims] Yes! You got me! [laughs]

[screams, laughs] You’re going easy on me. [laughs] Well, you are wearing heels. [laughs] You’re gonna be unbeatable, Roya.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Oh, my goodness.

[sighs]

[chuckles] We are all hoping that you make it to Paris.

I know I will be rooting for you.

Our viewers will be too.

You are already a champion!

And we’ll see you all tomorrow.

[chuckles] Incredible!

[Roya] Thank you.

The Times article just dropped.

[phone buzzes]

And? How is it?

You should read it.

I just texted it to you.

[sighs] Okay.

[Alex inhales sharply]

Oh, my God!

[phone buzzing]

[sighs] Oh.

[buzzing continues]

[chuckles]

You know, I love that you still use the phone to call people.

[Alex] Ha. I know.

I’m weird that way. So, uh…

I-I just read the article.

Oh, yeah. Did it, uh, make me sound like a pussy?

No. Not at all, actually.

Uh, I…

It’s just quite a… childhood you had.

Well, people love a trauma plot, don’t they?

They’re like, “Yeah, we get it now.

Ooh, tragic childhood.”

So, anything about those old UBA dicks?

No. Nothing.

Nothing on Fred, nothing on Cory, barely anything about Stella.

And, uh, nothing about me.

So, um, I just…

I really just wanted to say, “Thank you,” ’cause I-I know you didn’t have to do that.

Oh, I went back to Kabir for me.

I got a comedy tour this summer.

We spiked ticket sales this afternoon.

[chuckles]

We’re adding new dates now.

[laughs] Why do you do that?

I don’t understand why you do that.

Why can’t you just admit that you wanted to help me?

What? You want flowers too?

[scoffs] Wow.

What’re you doing later tonight?

[smacks lips]

I’m, uh, gonna finish up work, uh, head to a jam session in the Village.

Wanna come?

Not even a little bit.

But, um, if you’re in the neighborhood, why don’t you come by my place for a drink?

Uh… Sure.

Yeah. Send me your address.

Okay. I’ll see you late…

I’ll talk to you later.

[sighs]

[knocks on door]

Good show today with Roya.

Your engagement numbers are through the roof.

Keeping it upbeat was definitely the way to go.

Thanks. I hope it works.

They deserve a break.

Yeah, you all do.

[Chris] It’s funny.

When I first, um, started running, I loved the beautiful objectivity of it.

You were either the fastest that day or you weren’t.

I thought all of life should be that clean. It’s not. [laughs] I wanna feel like I won and I deserve it all.

I don’t.

I’m just trying to shake that feeling.

Hmm.

I get it.

But, I mean, you’re not in this alone.

How can I help?

I don’t know. [chuckles] Well, when you decide, let me know.

[Chris] The medals from Rio.

[sighs] They don’t belong to me.

Maybe I should give them back.

…do, like, so many burpees at the end!

I know, I was dying!

[laughs]

I’m gonna be so sore.

I know, I did it…

It was a lot.

Ariana.

You want me to stay?

Uh, no. It’s fine. I’ll text you later.

Okay.

You know, Yanko, I really just don’t want to get dumped outside of my gym.

I really like it here, so maybe we could just go down the block or something?

You know what? I don’t know. I… I just…

Uh, you don’t even have to say anything. I just…

Oh, my God!

[Yanko] Ariana, I’ve done a lot of thinking, and, uh… of all the lives that I could live, the-the only one I want is the one that I… that I can have with you.

[sniffles] I look like shit. [chuckles]

[chuckles] No, you’re beautiful.

[sniffles] Oh, and I couldn’t wait…

Baby, I couldn’t…

I couldn’t wait for the right TMS dance number.

And doves are a fucking pain in the ass.

They just shit everywhere.

They’re basically fancy pigeons.

[laughs] I love you. So, please, Ariana, will you marry me?

[laughs]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, Yanko.

[cries, whimpers]

Oh, my God. I love you.

Aw…

[bystander] How sweet.

[kisses]

[Ariana cries, giggles]

[moans]

[“Bulletproof” playing]

Cheers.

Cheers.

Mmm. Whoo!

Wow.

So, why did you call me? [clears throat]

Mmm…

Because you did something really nice for me today, and I just wanted to say thank you.

So, you’re saying I don’t have to fuck up your network to get your attention?

[laughs] No.

Uh… Can I ask you a serious question?

Oh, my gosh. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me a serious question since I met you.

[inhales deeply]

What… What part of this is real?

Like, what… This whole “Bro Hartman” thing, what part of it is you?

Ask me a part, and I’ll tell you.

[clicks tongue]

Did your dad really put out a cigar on your chest?

Hell, yeah.

“Hell, yeah”?

Mmm. Wanna see?

Oh, that’s okay.

Okay. I’m not trying to take my shirt off

in your living room.

No, I know…

It’s one button.

Okay. I’ll… I’ll…

Show me.

Yeah.

Mmm.

It’s not that bad.

It really didn’t hurt that much.

I was pretty fucked up at the time.

“Fucked up”? Didn’t you say you were ten?

Yeah, I was mature for my age.

Listen… [clears throat] …he formed me. It wasn’t pleasant, but I’m here. I’m alive.

Maybe, if it wasn’t for him, I’d be a welfare drunk just like he was.

Maybe he broke the cycle of poverty and drug use by being such a fucking dick.

[breathes deeply]

So, is that how you make sense of it?

Mmm, yeah, when I think about it, which, you know, isn’t very often.

Mmhmm.

Now, it’s your turn.

Oh, God!

Forget about work for a second.

Lay it on me.

Well, my father also was an asshole.

But I figure… figured out how to deal with that.

And my mom… left when I was about two, and died soon after that.

Wow.

What happened?

Um, uh… I don’t really know. I…

My dad didn’t… never wanted to talk about it.

Mmm.

And, uh… I mean, I have pictures of her, you know?

And I think I remember her, but I just… I never…

I don’t really know if I’m just kind of creating memories, you know?

Hmm.

Now that’s unfiltered. Finally.

[Alex chuckles]

[clicks tongue, sighs]

I don’t know why you’re afraid of me.

I’m not… afraid of you.

[chuckles] Maybe you’re not afraid of me, but… you’re afraid of something.

Is it this?

Maybe.

Good.

She called me and told me she left the country, but I don’t know where.

I wanted to tell you myself.

And you never saw her in person?

No.

You know, Bradley, I’ve seen literally hours of your show, so I can tell when you’re lying.

You know, I’m getting really tired of you accusing me of being a liar.

Hmm…

I haven’t violated my agreement.

Claire is not part of my case.

Claire is part of a domestic terrorist cell, plain and simple.

And what you’re doing right now is called aiding and abetting.

I’m a journalist, and I have a right to protect my source.

[scoffs] Why don’t you tell it to the judge? See how it plays.

You’re getting quite a track record for troublemaking.

So, here’s the deal.

If you find out where Claire is, and you don’t call me, you’re gonna spend the next ten years in a federal pen.

[ominous music playing]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Alex] Mmhmm.

[Bro] Ah!

You know, I like this look for you.

[Alex] Mmm.

[Bro] Mmm.

[Alex] Um…

[kisses, moans]

[chuckles]

[kisses, moans]

[chuckles] You know what?

Um, I have to be up so early tomorrow.

I have a huge day.

Yeah. Yeah, okay.

[kisses]

Um, do you want me to call you my car?

Oh, no. I can get a cab.

You know, you should come watch us play music sometime.

You must like music.

Yeah. May-Maybe. I don’t know.

I’m… [inhales sharply] We can treat this like a yoga class.

Same time next week?

You know, Bro.

I just really… I’m so busy right now.

Yeah. No worries.

I’ve been to this rodeo before.

Well, have a good one, Alex.

Oh, my God. What’d I do?

Okay, everyone, ten minutes.

[chattering]

[chattering]

[Yanko] Uh, yeah. One second.

Heads up, I cut down the Russian navy dolphins segment.

[mutters] Yeah. I was actually gonna come see you. Come in. I wanna talk to you.

What’re you doing here?

I’m going on TMS. I got the documents.

Proof it wasn’t us, and that they started the fire.

We’re dumping the housewares segment, and we’re giving her five minutes.

Then we cut to commercial, and go to the Pat Sajak tribute.

Does Ben know about this?

I told him that we’re doing a follow-up on the eco-protest

with a member of Extinction Revolt.

But he doesn’t know who it is.

Can you just give us a second?

Fine. We’re live in five.

You’re on at 7:48.

Mmhmm.

[sighs]

[door opens]

[door closes]

If you do this, Wolf River is over.

I can’t report on it.

More people are gonna get sick, Claire.

And if I don’t, these documents will never see the light of day.

I told them you left the country.

I lied for you.

I straight up fucking lied to a federal agent!

Bradley, nobody asked you to do that.

[Claire] I need the world to know that my friends didn’t kill those people on that oil platform.

If you go on TMS, I’m gonna be arrested.

You’re gonna be arrested.

We’re not murderers, Bradley.

We’re trying to make things better, to actually make a difference.

If I let them get away with this, then everything I’m trying to accomplish, it’s done. It’s over.

Five minutes. Five minutes.

As soon as I’m off the air, I’ll be out the door. I promise.

Yanko, this can’t happen.

Come on.

The FBI, they’re not gonna arrest you.

Once this goes public, it’s gonna be everywhere.

She needs our help, and we’re gonna give it to her.

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

[panting]

[line ringing]

Come on, come on, come on.

[Roya] What happens if this doesn’t work?

[phone buzzing]

[Alex] You have nothing to worry about.

Just be you. Okay?

Senator King, she loved the interview.

She really wants to help.

Will I be able to compete?

[clicks tongue]

[Alex] Let’s just get you asylum first.

[voicemail] Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system…

Shit!

[Bradley] After the break.

He was just a Polish kid from Chicago… who became the face of one of the greatest game shows in history.

We’re gonna honor Pat Sajak. Stay tuned.

Okay, we’re clear.

Two minutes. Two minutes.

I’m gonna… gonna get Claire prepped. Okay?

[phone buzzing]

All right. So, listen. Just-Just remember, just stick to the format, okay?

I’m asking questions.

It’s an interview, okay?

It can’t look like I gave you a megaphone, ’cause that’s not gonna help your cause.

Yanko, I used to work here.

Remember? I got it.

Yeah, no, I know. I… I was just… Okay.

Thank you.

Of course.

♪ Oh, you let your feet run wild ♪

♪ Time has come as we all fall

Go down ♪

♪ Yeah, but for the fall, ooh, my ♪

♪ Do you dare to look him

Right in the eyes? Yeah ♪

♪ Oh, ’cause they will run you down

Down till the dark ♪

♪ Yes and they will run you down

Down till you fall ♪

♪ And they will run you down

Down to your core ♪

♪ Yeah, so you can’t crawl no more ♪

♪ And way down we go, go, go, go ♪

♪ Oh, way down we go ♪

♪ Say way down we go, ooh ♪

♪ Oh, ’cause they will run you down

Down to your core ♪

♪ Oh, way down we go ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ And way down we go, go, go, go, go ♪

♪ Oh, way down we go, ooh ♪

♪ Way down we go ♪

Bradley, you may not know this, but Pat Sajak hosted more episodes of Wheel of Fortune than any host of any other game show.

Is that right? More than Bob Barker?

Oh… blew Bob right out of the water.

Wow!

Well, here’s our tribute to the legend.

[Julia] Okay.

We are in the package, 30 seconds.

[chattering]

I know you gave her up.

I begged her not to come on the show.

I tried to warn her.

No, no. No, she trusted you, and she trusted me.

[Bradley] I’m sorry.

But I didn’t have another choice.

I will never sit next to you again.

And in five, four, three…

A king among men.

Thanks for all the vowels, Mr. Sajak.

More after this.