MovieChat Forums > The Newsroom (2012) Discussion > Mackenzie Mchale

Mackenzie Mchale

posted 7 years ago by IrisJ123
4 replies | jump to latest

OK, I just finally decided to watch this. As a journalist myself (mostly print, not TV), I avoided the show for years because it sounded extremely annoying. I am on episode 4, and it is proving to be just as annoying as I had imagined -- in fact, even more.

Yes, I know I'm in early days, but, Jesus, this is bad.

Of all the irritating characters, I find Mackenzie to be the absolute worst. There is NO WAY this woman is a hardened conflict journalist who spent years embedded with soldiers in Afghanistan. She is a ridiculous, ditzy, fluttery mess -- she doesn't even seem smart. How the hell she didn't get herself killed as an embed is entirely beyond my understanding.

[–] IrisJ123 7 years ago

Wow -- and now on episode 5 she admits she knows NOTHING about the economy? And she has to use her fingers to do simple math? And she thought This Old House was about ONE house the whole time?

OK, I get it now -- she's actually, clinically mentally challenged.

[–] charlestontracy 7 years ago

You admit you already had hesitations about the show, so I guess you just decided to look for something to bother you. They gave the character quirks to make small comic reliefs during the show, big deal!

Let me remind you.....IT IS A TELEVISION SHOW. IT IS MAKE-BELIEVE!

I don't think anyone believes this is a true reflection of real life.

[–] juviejay (456) 3 years ago

I agree with the OP. Although I liked the show, and I like Sorkin, I don't think MacKenzie was a very good character. I didn't like Maggie that much, either. Both needed to exhibit more confidence and less concern about their romantic lives.

[–] hootiehome (408) 2 years ago

She come's off intelligent most of the time to me. Her speeches to Will in episode one are all fantastic and educated. But, counting on her fingers does not indicate low intelligence. It for sure makes her more endearing.

I have no experience in journalism, so I cannot not speak to how she seems is that direct regard. I am in the military, so I could pick apart any movie that has a military element, but I choose not to. I want to enjoy it. And I am aware that it is "military based", not a documentary. Except for the part in Transformers with the jets at the end... could not hold myself back. Fuck that sequence!!