John F. Carpenter

Mac asserts control over the new incarnation of News Night and enlists a beautiful on-air economist. Jim takes the fall for a Maggie miscue while Charlie forbids Reese from continuing his furtive meetings with Will.

In an on-air editorial, Will apologises for past newscasts & promises a new era of integrity for News Night. His new approach rankles the CEO of ACN's parent company, who warns that Will's stance will not be tolerated.

A New Year's Eve confrontation lands Will in the tabloids. Against Reese's wishes, Will refuses to follow the media rumour mill and makes a call on a breaking story.

Insomnia drives Will to keep a long-standing therapy appointment. Sloan pushes too hard during the Japanese nuclear crisis and Will comes to recognise the cause & effect of being a bully.

Staff cut short their one-year anniversary party and rush back to the newsroom amidst a flurry of speculation when they learn the President will be making an impromptu national address on a matter of national security.

The refusal to lead with a pair of sensational stories causes ratings to plummet and forces Will & Mac to abandon their principles in order to lure back viewers & shore up the network's bid to land a Republican debate.