NEWSREADER S3 EP 1-2 FULL LENGTH REACTION
Added 2026-02-12 06:17:27 +0000 UTC
Comments
Idk man, the moment Kay showed interest in Dale, sirens were going off in my head. It feels so forced to me and she *is* Evelyn’s daughter. I have no proof, but I feel like she’s up to no good and I just don’t trust her! 😑 She also got on my last dmn nerve in season 2, so I admit I may be biased. Lol 100% agree that Dale was grimy for not giving Noelene any credit for her work. He’s becoming more cutthroat, trying to play the game for his own benefit even if it means undercutting others who help him along the way. I may be wrong, but I think we saw evidence of this at the end of season 2 when he threw Gary (I think that’s his name?) under the bus and now we’re seeing it with Noelene. This fundamental shift in his values is partly why I’m feeling so uneasy about his sudden interest in Kay. He’s getting lost in the sauce - he now has all the fame, money, and social validation he didn’t have access to before and he’s losing himself in it. And even after seemingly getting everything he’s ever wanted, he still seems so unfulfilled and hollow inside. He’s becoming unrecognizable in some ways and I’m really worried about him! 😭 “This is a different environment. You got a bonsai tree behind you now,” had me cracking tf uppppppp 😭🙏🏿
J L
2026-02-23 07:35:35 +0000 UTCYou're more than right Kayla..Ill need to go back and see the Dale cheating situation because I've forgotten. Was it him kissing Tim or was there something more that happened??
Raymond Walker
2026-02-15 10:39:11 +0000 UTCI fully understand your viewpoint on the whole Helen doubling back topic but we do have to remember that Dale fully cheated on Helen during their relationship and she still welcomed him with open arms so I still personally think it’s unfair to hold Helen to the standard of not doubling back when Dale wasn’t held to that same standard when the cheating situation happened. I love hearing the different viewpoints though!
Kayla
2026-02-15 06:50:44 +0000 UTCThis was crazy work. 😂😂😂
Melissa
2026-02-13 13:09:36 +0000 UTC“You can’t do that shit everywhere Helen, you got a bonsai tree behind you, you know?” 💀
Lee
2026-02-13 02:38:45 +0000 UTCThere’s definitely an undercurrent of “difficult woman” always at play with Helen in the work place. I had an incredibly toxic job working for a Lindsay and that first job in a “real” professional environment was so shocking to my disregulated system. I was one weird vibe away from a panic attack, all the time. I’ve definitely been in Helen’s shoes here, very triggered and ready to defend myself, and it’s simply not appropriate in other offices. But this is a really interesting question because we also have Jean blowing up at Lindsay in this set of episodes too. (And good for her) Dale still feels like he’s roleplaying with Lindsay (like he does with Nick, the escort). But we saw how hurt he was by the sphincter comment (near tears), and he overcorrects because Lindsay only cows to male strength. With Helen, I think she’s still fighting Lindsay and trauma from him in the new newsroom. I’m sure it feels less appropriate because of her gender, and the way women are conditioned to communicate our feelings, but I think it’s also because of the target. If she had the same blow up with Lindsay, I’d think “get him” but then she has it in a new workplace with this reasonable and calm guy and I’m just 😬. BEEN THERE.
Jessica
2026-02-13 02:08:24 +0000 UTCReminder that I haven't seen S3, so anything I write is only my thoughts in the moment, but I caught a look on Helen's face when there was talk about having children (I can't remember the scene exactly), but the look made me feel like there is a backstory there for Helen -- or maybe it's just a sadness that she hasn't had children. I feel like Dale is on a dangerous path with his lover and his desperate need for validation. I'm especially worried, knowing the time period and that it came up in S1, that Dale is at risk for HIV, which may put multiple partners at risk. I pray I'm wrong. It doesn't feel like they're telling that kind of story, but it was a passing thought.
Melissa
2026-02-13 01:28:53 +0000 UTCThanks for coming back to the commentary on Helen and Dale from the end of S2. I'm so happy that in this community we can share our views without feeling attacked or like we're wrong for having our own interpretations or reads. 🙌 I really respect that you will revisit these things, too, Raymond. You do make an excellent point on the "coming back around" after being with someone else. For S3 so far, I have these questions: 1) Do you, FT, and you, patrons, think that if a man blew up at the producers like Helen did that it would be received the same way or differently? 2) In comparing Helen's blow up at her new job to Dale's blow up at Lindsay (I think they were back to back scenes), what do you think about the similarities and differences in the characters who are upset, how they handle it, and how it is received? I will share my thoughts, but I want to watch these episodes again. I've never seen S3, so I need another viewing to really settle in on some of my own takes. But these two things def stood out to me (and they're closely related) to the point that I was talking back at the TV. Lord, help me! 😂🤦♀️😬 So happy for Noelene & Rob and sweet Hana! 💖
Melissa
2026-02-13 01:23:44 +0000 UTCI . . . do not. I dont know why. I don't dislike or hate her. Maybe she reminds me of someone or something. 🤷♀️
Melissa
2026-02-13 01:13:56 +0000 UTCWhaaaaaaatt..ok that's interesting
Raymond Walker
2026-02-13 00:40:01 +0000 UTCAaahhh thank you Jess i completely forgot about this
Raymond Walker
2026-02-13 00:39:37 +0000 UTCI think we’re all just dying for feedback and validation, all the time. The internet is a feedback machine. I know I get a little dopamine hit every time someone clicks the little heart button under a comment of mine. I can’t imagine how addicting that feeling must be for someone like Dale, just a firehose of adulation. I’m sure it quickly escalates, requiring more and more praise for the same reward. I hope he can stay humble and focused on the work for its own sake instead of chasing that high!
Valaree
2026-02-12 23:33:04 +0000 UTCJust as a reminder, Evelyn knows about Dale and his “tryst” with a male cameraman. Evelyn warned Helen that the story was coming out after her decency in killing the Kay story. It’s super interesting that Evelyn doesn’t just expose Dale to Kay. Maybe the more Evelyn says not to do something, the more Kay finds it irresistible. Or she’s trying to guide her daughter like she did Geoff and the same tactics don’t translate. But I’m sure she believes that Dale is exclusively gay and will break Kay’s heart. I can’t imagine she knows what bisexuality is.
Jessica
2026-02-12 21:30:36 +0000 UTCThe little vibe that Dale and Kay have is partially that Sam and Philippa are long term partners IRL.
Jessica
2026-02-12 19:53:53 +0000 UTCI love Dale’s mother SO much
Jessica
2026-02-12 19:37:07 +0000 UTCENJOY!!!!😁
Raymond Walker
2026-02-12 11:54:49 +0000 UTCOkay, so I haven't watched S3 yet, and I am so stoked.
Melissa
2026-02-12 11:36:49 +0000 UTC
