Summary
UBA faces another dramatic, over-the-top crisis in “Ghost in the Machine.” The second installment raises the stakes even further, focusing on a topical cyber-attack storyline. This allows much tension and more of the show’s addictive witty humor to shine through.
We recap the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show Season 3 Episode 2, “Ghost in the Machine,” which contains spoilers.
It’s only been a week since the rocket launch, and UBA is already in crisis mode once again. “Ghost in the Machine” centers on a vicious cyber-attack that looks set to bring the network to its knees. The company is faced with a hefty ransom, and many of the team’s darkest secrets are ready to be unveiled.
The Morning Show Season 3 Episode 2 Recap
Before the hacking, let’s get back to that cliffhanger ending from episode one. The team lost their live feed and feared the worst. Suddenly, the feed returns, and viewers around the world continue to watch Bradley’s speech from space.
The launch was a success, but Paul is livid. The transmission error and Alex’s little disappearing act will be extremely costly for his company. Cory echoes this displeasure to Alex in person on the plane. She meets up with the team, discussing Luna’s arrest with Bradley in private.
Alex goes straight to Cybil at UBA headquarters next. She tells her about Cory’s dodgy deal; he wants to sell the network to Paul Marks. Alex is worried that it’ll ruin the company’s credibility, but Cybil promises that the deal will never go through.
What is Alex’s punishment?
Cybil appears to be one of Alex’s closest allies, but she instantly goes behind her back. Cybil wants Alex suspended for her little stunt. Stella proposes that they put her on the Morning Show five days a week instead, boosting the ratings while punishing their greatest host in the process.
During the Morning Show’s next recording, the network suffered catastrophic technical failures. The prompter cuts out, and then the power cuts entirely. When the power finally reboots, they realize that they have been hacked.
Stella takes immediate control, desperate to put an end to all this madness.
What information do the hackers release?
The employees are then sent emails revealing the entire staff’s personal performance reviews information and Cory is sent an intimate video between Bradley and Laura. Bradley confirms that the video was sent from her own personal phone. Stella realizes that the hackers now have access to everything that is connected to the network servers.
Bradley is overwhelmed by this video leak, which could very easily become a headline story in a matter of minutes. The company’s data has been compromised both on a business and a personal level. Cory is then sent the demands; the cyber-terrorists want $50 million within 48 hours.
READ: The Morning Show Season 3 Review
Adding another layer of tension to proceedings, the hackers playback this very conversation that just took place; they are recording everything. Stella orders all the employees to hand over their phones and electronic devices. Cory calls Paul, questioning whether the billionaire is behind the attack.
After a meeting with the main staff members, Stella informs Alex that she will be hosting the Morning Show five days a week as punishment for her actions. Alex refuses the gig, but Stella states that she has breached her contract she will be forced to comply.
Does UBA pay the ransom?
The employees worry about their darkest secrets being revealed. Bradley urges Cory to pay the ransom. He makes this very suggestion at an emergency board meeting. Cybil coerces the other board members to reject this option, though. They all agree, voting against Cory’s idea. They will not be negotiating with terrorists; they will not be paying the ransom.
Later, Alex and Bradley argue over the cyber-attacks. Bradley worries that if her secrets are leaked out, then they will ruin her reputation. But Alex is still bitter about her own history with the company; she argues that her privacy was never protected. Alex then finds out about Chip and Isabella’s secret romance.
The Morning Show Season 3 Episode 2 Ending Explained
Stella warns Bradley about the coming leaks. Bradley decides to still read the news that evening regardless. She delivers a powerful speech about UBA’s cyber-attack and our rights to privacy. Bradley publicly states that the company will not be paying the ransom.
The episode ends with Cory deciding to leak the news story about the merger with Paul Marks as a business strategy. Alex apologizes to Bradley about their argument; she offers to help her friend with the video leak. Then, in the final scene, Stella retrieves her confiscated phone, hovering over an image of her with Paul.
What did you think of Apple TV’s The Morning Show Season 3 Episode 2? Comment below.
