What is the plot?

The episode "DNF" of The Morning Show Season 3 opens with the fallout from the leaked photo of Alex Levy and Paul Marks kissing, which has caused a major PR crisis at UBA. Chip, a UBA executive, expresses his displeasure about Alex and Paul's relationship, seeing it as a liability. However, Alex decisively fires Chip, ending the discussion and asserting control over the situation.

Meanwhile, Christina, a UBA reporter, reacts strongly to the overturning of Roe v. Wade by posting a provocative photo on social media during a fashion event. This leads to a backlash, including an incident where someone throws paint on her just before she enters the UBA building. In response, Mia, a UBA executive, orders Christina to stop her Supreme Court coverage for her safety and assigns her a personal bodyguard.

Mia also confronts Andre, a UBA journalist who risked his life reporting from Mariupol but then appeared on a rival network without informing UBA. Feeling betrayed, Mia meets with Andre to express her frustration and leaves him. Later, Andre apologizes at Mia's office, and they have a tense but honest conversation about loyalty and the harsh realities of their profession.

Alex continues to manage the Cybil Reynolds debacle and successfully delivers a streaming, magazine-style interview show despite the personal and professional turmoil caused by her relationship with Paul. Her demeanor is surprisingly mature and composed, though the episode hints at her underlying stress.

Laura, Alex's girlfriend, becomes suspicious and uneasy about Bradley Jackson's behavior, particularly after Bradley spends an entire day with Cory Ellison and his mother without explanation. Laura's jealousy and concern lead her to investigate by reading through Bradley and Cory's emails and texts leaked in the UBA hack, searching for any signs of betrayal or hidden motives.

The episode also explores the complex dynamics between Mia and Andre. After their confrontation, Andre reveals that while hospitalized, he thought about being with Mia, signaling his desire to reconcile. Mia responds that neither of them will change for the other, but the episode ends with them sharing a hug and kiss, suggesting a tentative rekindling of their relationship.

Throughout the episode, Alex sacrifices aspects of her career and personal life for her relationship with Paul, a billionaire whose influence over legacy media companies is growing. Despite the challenges and public scrutiny, Alex remains determined to build a new media empire with Paul, even as her colleagues and the network struggle to manage the crisis.

The episode closes with the title "DNF" (Did Not Finish) symbolizing the unfinished and ongoing struggles faced by the characters, particularly Alex, as they navigate personal betrayals, professional upheavals, and the shifting landscape of media and power.

What is the ending?

At the end of The Morning Show Season 3, Episode 8 ("DNF"), Alex fires Chip after learning he lied about having COVID. The photo of Alex and Paul kissing leaks, causing turmoil. Paul shares a plan to liquidate UBA's assets and start a new media company, signaling uncertainty about UBA's future. Laura investigates Bradley's emails, uncovering troubling connections. The episode closes with Alex feeling isolated and uncertain about the future of UBA and her personal relationships.


The episode "DNF" opens with tension as Chip confronts Alex about the fallout from his dishonesty regarding COVID, which led to his firing. Alex decisively tells Chip, "You're fired," ending their professional relationship abruptly. This moment underscores Alex's growing resolve amid chaos.

Meanwhile, the leaked photo of Alex and Paul kissing spreads through the media, intensifying the personal and professional crises they face. Alex, despite the public scrutiny, remains surprisingly composed, managing the Cybil Reynolds debacle and delivering a successful streaming interview show. However, her relationship with Paul is awkward and lacks genuine spark, highlighting a disconnect between public perception and private reality.

Paul, worried about his business dealings, especially a shaky deal with NASA, confides in Cory about the precarious state of UBA. Cory warns Paul about the dangers of cutting him off from the company. Later, Amanda informs Paul that Kate might become a problem, adding to the mounting pressures.

At home, Alex briefs Paul on the turmoil at UBA, including her firing of Chip and a heated argument with Cory. Feeling isolated, Alex listens as Paul proposes a radical plan: liquidate all UBA assets, including the content library and licenses, to start a new media company once the Hyperion deal finalizes. Paul assumes Alex will be excited by this prospect, but she is taken aback, realizing the gravity of the situation and the potential end of UBA as they know it.

Parallel to this, Laura, driven by curiosity and perhaps jealousy, digs into Bradley's emails, many exposed by a hack. She discovers messages between Bradley and Cory about urgent matters, including FBI interest in January 6 footage. Laura's investigation reveals troubling connections, culminating in her exclamation, "F--king Hal!" upon uncovering Hal's extremist online presence.

The episode closes with Alex feeling increasingly alone and uncertain. Paul's plan hints at a major upheaval for UBA, while Laura's discoveries foreshadow further complications. Chip is out, Bradley's behavior is under scrutiny, and Alex's personal and professional worlds are unraveling, setting the stage for the season's final episodes.

Fates of main characters at episode end:

  • Alex Levy: Fired Chip, managing crises, feels isolated, uncertain about UBA's future and her relationship with Paul.
  • Paul: Proposes liquidating UBA to start anew, worried about business deals, involved romantically with Alex.
  • Chip: Fired by Alex due to dishonesty about COVID.
  • Laura: Investigating Bradley's emails, uncovering FBI interest and extremist connections.
  • Bradley: Under scrutiny due to her emails and behavior.
  • Cory: Warns Paul, involved in tensions with Alex and Paul.

This detailed ending highlights the unraveling of professional alliances and personal relationships, with UBA's survival in question and characters facing significant upheaval.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The Morning Show season 3, episode 8 titled "DNF" does not have a post-credit scene. None of the detailed episode summaries or recaps mention any additional scene after the credits, and the episode's main plotlines conclude within its 54-minute runtime without hinting at a post-credit sequence.

The episode focuses on the fallout from the leaked photo of Alex and Paul, the firing of Chip, Bradley's mysterious behavior, and other intense storylines, but all these are resolved or left on cliffhangers within the episode itself. There is no indication of a post-credit scene designed to tease future events or provide extra content beyond the main episode.

What causes the photo of Alex and Paul kissing to be leaked, and how does it affect their relationship and the network?

The photo of Alex and Paul kissing is leaked to the media after Paul Marks, a tech billionaire and potential buyer of UBA, decides to release it because he couldn't buy the photo otherwise. This leak causes a PR crisis for the network and creates awkwardness in Alex and Paul's relationship, with Alex frustrated that her personal life is overshadowing the news. Despite the fallout, UBA+ continues to promote the network, but Alex struggles with being the story rather than the news itself.

Why is Chip fired in episode 8, and what is his reaction to Alex and Paul's romance?

Chip is fired by Alex after he openly expresses his discontent with Alex's romance with Paul, which he believes has caused a PR crisis. Chip's frustration culminates in a tense confrontation during a Forbes photoshoot, but Alex abruptly ends the discussion by firing him, surprising both Chip and viewers.

What investigation does Laura undertake in this episode, and what does she discover about Bradley?

Laura investigates Bradley's behavior by reading through Bradley's emails, many of which are publicly available due to a hack. She finds messages between Bradley and Cory discussing the need to talk, as well as a message from Stella about the FBI wanting to see January 6 footage, which Bradley quickly follows up on. Laura's investigation reveals Bradley's secretive and possibly suspicious communications.

What challenges does Chris face related to her SCOTUS coverage, and how does the network respond?

Chris Hunter faces backlash after posting a photo on social media in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which leads to a hostile reaction including someone throwing fake blood on her coat at the UBA office. Due to death threats and safety concerns, Mia instructs Chris to stop her SCOTUS coverage and provides her with a personal bodyguard to ensure her safety.

How does Mia react to Andre's actions, and what is the outcome of their interaction?

Mia is worried about Andre after he risks his life to bring news from Mariupol and then appears on a talk show on another network without informing her, which she sees as a betrayal. She confronts Andre in person, expressing her frustration and ends their relationship. Later, Andre apologizes to Mia, indicating a possible reconciliation or at least an attempt to make amends.

Is this family friendly?

The Morning Show, Season 3, Episode 8 ("DNF") is not family friendly and contains content that may be upsetting or inappropriate for children and sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Mature sexual themes and discussions, including references to romantic and sexual relationships and inappropriate conversations about sex in a professional context.
  • Strong language and profanity, including frequent use of the F-word and crude anatomical terms.
  • Emotional and personal crises, with intense interpersonal conflicts and professional fallout.
  • Mild violence and physical altercations, such as fights and slaps.
  • Themes of sexual assault and power imbalance are present in the series overall, though not necessarily specific to this episode.
  • Alcohol use and references to drug use, including an overdose scene in the series.
  • The show deals with complex adult themes such as media ethics, personal privacy, and influence of powerful figures, which may be difficult for younger viewers to process.

The episode focuses heavily on adult relationships, professional and personal turmoil, and media industry drama, making it more suitable for mature audiences, typically rated for viewers 13 and older with caution for sexual content and strong language.