As The Morning Show nears its highly anticipated season 4 premiere, many are hoping that it brings back some of the most shocking moments that made the first season such a tour de force. When Jennifer Aniston first clashed with Reese Witherspoon in the cast of The Morning Show, the electricity radiated from the screen. Their opposing personalities and backgrounds were a great story to explore.

Steve Carrell’s arc was enhanced by the innate lovability of the actor himself, and audiences were just as upset as the characters. The last two seasons have had their moments, with Billy Crudup bringing so much more of his personality to the screen, but the initial spark of electricity hasn’t been quite as strong. With a few adjustments and fresh takes, there is a way of injecting more of the season one quality into storylines. This would allow The Morning Show season 4 to recapture the show's magic.

10 Bring Back The Tension Between Alex And Bradley

The Two Characters Have A Complex Relationship

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are two powerhouse performers with multiple awards under their belts. Season 1 gave them a lot of meaty subjects to dive into, and seeing sparks fly between the two actors was thrilling. The dynamic between Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson was one of the early seasons’ most compelling aspects. Their complex relationship had a mix of professional rivalry and a connection that they felt on a personal level. Seeing these two particular actors squabble is also what makes the show so unique.

Their complex relationship needs to remain the focal point of the show, and viewers will always want more of their characters together.

Viewers were undeniably hooked, so bringing back this feeling of unease and doubt would be a great way to add fuel to the fire. As they co-presented the show in seasons 2 and 3, the mix of live TV and opposing views led to some good moments. Towards the end of season 3, Bradley gets her coveted spot on the evening news.

With Alex left to focus on her own shows, there seems to be a place of peace for the two. Perhaps the introduction of a new position that they both vie for, a personal issue that disrupts the relationship, or a mystery that keeps the audience guessing. Their complex relationship needs to remain the focal point of the show, and viewers will always want more of their characters together.

9 Make The Media The Focus Again After Season 3's Cyberhack Story

The Show Should Continue To Focus On The Current State Of The Media

In its first season, The Morning Show took on the #MeToo movement and presented a story that was relevant and relatable to many. There was an urgency to it that could be felt in every episode, and it brought down the curtain on a recognizable medium like a show everyone watches each morning. The hard-hitting subject matter shook the world to its core, and that's what made it a must-see TV.

Season 2's media focus was the COVID-19 pandemic, which while very relevant, was just a very dark and depressing time on many levels, which made for gloomy viewing. Season 3's cyberhack and merger plots had potential but didn't have quite as much impact.

To bring back that edge that season 1 had, the show should keep turning to the current state of the media. There is so much corporate corruption, and continuous power imbalances, and the ethics of broadcasting have been under additional scrutiny in recent times. This sort of honest critique of what's going on in the media landscape will keep the show grounded in real-world concerns that audiences will want to see a take on.

8 Bringing In New Characters

Like Daniel Henderson And Christina Hunter

One way to inject some fresh energy into a show is to introduce some captivating characters who shake up some of the power dynamics within UBA. In season 1, everything was new, and every character was a new person to explore. There have been some interesting characters across the seasons, like Daniel Henderson (Desean Terry), but some just disappear without much development or resolution. Christina Hunter (Nicole Beharie) was a great addition in season 3 to replace Bradley.

She's powerful and outspoken and fits very well within the dynamics of the established characters. Having someone exciting there to challenge the status quo, or create juicy new rivalries would bring in a lot of organic drama.

They could question the network’s values, try and usurp someone’s role, or be a mysterious agent of chaos. With a lot of competition potentially set up due to the merger, there's so much scope for some fresh blood. These characters should be just as interesting, compelling, and multidimensional as Hannah Shoenfeld (Gugu Mbatha-Ra) was in that initial season.

7 Give The ing Characters More To Do

Character Development Is Crucial To Keeping Viewers Emotionally Invested

What that first season of The Morning Show did so well was how deeply the characters were explored. The strength of the writing lies in its careful consideration of each of the central characters' emotional and psychological journeys. Seeing their views shift over time as they learn more information, or finding out new, hidden details was compelling viewing.

Seeing Stella's role develop and grow has been thrilling, and ending season 3 with the potential of being the CEO of the merged networks. As season 4 moves forward, it should keep delving into the vulnerabilities of Alex, Bradley, Corey, and all the others. As the years ed by, they have shown their growth, setbacks, and personal struggles.

This type of intimate character development is crucial for keeping viewers old and new, emotionally invested. It would also allow the talented actors to showcase even more of their abilities and range. With the influx of potential new regulars like Audra (Mindy Kaling) and even more involvement from Laura (Juliana Marguiles), there's potential to find out more about these fascinating characters.

6 Tone Down The Subplots & "Filler" Stories

The Show Must Avoid Distractions

One of the weaknesses of later seasons was over-complicating the plot with too many twists and turns that didn’t necessarily bring much to the table. To recapture the magic of season 1, The Morning Show needs to go back to that one overarching story that all ties together in a satisfying, if heartbreaking way.

In season 3 alone, audiences had to jump from the cyber attack on UBA, and the race for CEO. Then there was the Paul Marks and Stella connection, as well as Bradley and Cory’s secret. If the writing concentrates on fewer but more impactful storylines, then the quality can be at the forefront.

The show can create a tighter, even more engaging season. Avoiding distractions and slightly muddled arcs could help rectify some of the mistakes made in the last two seasons. Bringing back the attention to one or two big things will make the stakes feel higher and would allow for the players to all be more involved. There would be more interaction and less of a splintered feeling.

5 Focus On The Corporate Drama

Corporate Drama Is The Perfect Backdrop For Tension-Filled Episodes

The super high-stakes corporate drama involving UBA was an undisputed highlight of the first season. Sly remarks, office politics, and suspicious looks were all subtle ways of raising the tension. The pandemic storyline of season 2 created a lot of isolation which meant this aspect wasn't able to be the main focus. With the season 3 finale merger between UBA and NBN taking center stage next year, season 4 should bring back those cutthroat moments that are what make the world of corporate intrigue so exciting.

That can include navigating various power struggles and financial crises while digging into the consequences of executive decisions. There are so many real-world connections to be made that could be addressed in clever ways. As many shows have proved, corporate drama is the perfect backdrop for suspenseful, tension-filled episodes. And having each episode be as great as the last is the ultimate goal.

4 Continue To Bring In Current Social Issues

There Are Many Social Issues That Could Serve As Storylines

The Morning Show should continue to incorporate events that are happening in real time, as it has been doing. Weaving these stories into its narrative has been the highlight of every season so far. Addressing current concerns in a timely and thoughtful manner will help keep the show relevant and timely.

Season 2 explored the pandemic and other contemporary issues. This was a powerful message at the time and needed to be brought to light. The January 6 investigation had a prominent part in season 3, adding another popular talking point to the conversation.

This feeling that the events could be happening right now is what adds to the suspense. The rise of misinformation is a perfect topic to be discussed. Deepening political divides would make for a potentially divisive storyline, and the evolving role of tech companies in the media is a very juicy plotline to explore. There are plenty of social issues that could serve as poignant storylines for next season, and even beyond.

3 Focus On The Thrill Of The Scandals

It Could Be Something That Causes A Moral Dilemma For The Characters

Season 1 was rife with shocking revelations from the very first episode. A sex scandal with high-level cover-ups, and the involvement of multiple revered figures in show business. The way the tension mounted with each new detail was great storytelling. The high-profile scandals were what drove the plot forward with each new development. This pace, and trickling of information is what kept viewers on edge week after week.

Season 2 deals with a lot of the aftermath of this, while the conflict comes from who wears a mask and who doesn't, and what people's thoughts on the BLM protests were. Bradley's ties to Hal's insurrection connections in season 3 did have an element of shock value. Whether it's a corporate cover-up, or a salacious revelation about a prominent figure in the media the more complex and layered the better.

Quite often, The Morning Show trickles in a list of buzzwords like "wokeness" or "getting canceled", but it's not enough to throw these around without exploring them on a deeper level. It could be something that causes a moral dilemma for the characters, perhaps shifting viewers' opinions and expectations. Season 4 should bring back that thrilling, unpredictable element that made the first season so gripping.

2 Bring More Humor And Sarcasm

Following The Recipe Of Succession And Barry

While The Morning Show is primarily a drama, it also thrives on sharp, dark humor and sarcasm that’s so abundant in the writing. The wit of characters like Alex and Cory (Billy Crudup) added so many layers to the story. The unexpected humor kept things from feeling too heavy at times when viewers really needed it. There were some humorous remarks about the cyberattack in season 3, especially from Cory, to counteract some of the earnestness coming from Cybil (Holland Taylor).

Shows like Succession and Barry perfectly toed the line between serious and funny, and re-introducing more black humor could be the best way forward.​​​​​​​

Shows like Succession and Barry perfectly toed the line between serious and funny, and re-introducing more black humor could be the best way forward. This would be most impactful, particularly in moments of high tension. This would help balance the serious themes while giving audiences a bit of relief when things get too much to handle.

It's also important that the writing stays self-aware without crossing over into cringe territory. Having Alex wistfully contemplate wildfires with no particular context while looking into a fridge, just seems like it was added in to fill a random laugh quota. The key is to stay on track and make it relevant.

1 Bring Back Season 1's Tight Pacing

The Fast-Paced Storytelling Is What Made The Show A Success

The fast-paced, urgent storytelling of The Morning Show’s first season made every episode feel like a must-watch. With every new droplet of information, the viewers wanted more. That type of story delivery is what made the show a success, and bringing that back to the forefront would reawaken those early feelings. To recapture that energy, the next season needs to maintain a tight pacing. Season 2 was slightly off which worked with the slowness of the pandemic, and season 3 would have worked better without all the additional plots that broke up the flow.

Whether it's through even more focused story arcs or more quick-witted exchanges. It could rely more on short but impactful scenes, and quicker cuts between storylines. The goal should be to keep the tension high and the plot moving swiftly. Any lulls could disengage viewers, and perhaps that’s what happened a few times in The Morning Show seasons 2 and 3.