Summary
The Morning Show has an ensemble of flawed characters, but one who could have arguably been an anti-hero like many others in the series can now be placed into the villain category with season 3’s controversial Billy Crudup subplot. Crudup’s performance has been one of the most exciting to watch in The Morning Show cast as he navigates Cory’s many schemes and his shameless, driven nature and behavior. Crudup holds the only Emmy and Critics Choice Awards won by The Morning Show and could add some more awards to his shelf for his portrayal of Cory’s Joker-like descent into madness in season 3.
The Morning Show season 4 was announced by Apple TV+ before season 3 even started airing, and it’s become clear that Crudup’s fantastic performance played a positive part in its renewal decision. From the beginning, Cory has been a character that viewers either hate to love or love to hate. However, this can also be said for almost every character as the majority have done something horrible at least once in the series, if not repeatedly. Regardless, The Morning Show season 3’s Crudup subplot may be pushing Cory too far at the expense of those around him.
Cory Is The Most Dangerous Character In The Morning Show Season 3
Since the beginning, most of The Morning Show characters have lived in the big gray area between good and bad and right and wrong. For the past two seasons, Cory has been painted as an egomaniac with his heart in the right place; even if his intentions are mainly just making sure that UBA is number one. In The Morning Show season 3, his delusion grows stronger–with Cory even calling himself “Jesus” in the first episode–making him the most dangerous character at the moment. His obsession with his vision and personal idea of success means he refuses to believe that he could be doing more harm than good.
In The Morning Show season 3, episode 7, Cory compares working at UBA to war, taking pride in the metaphorical bloodshed he’s caused because it means he has won, and he’s willing to continue hurting people to get his way. The Morning Show is full of characters like this, but what makes Cory more dangerous than the rest is that he not only has the power and the influence, but the close relationships to protect himself from expulsion. While characters like Paul or Fred have also been seen as egomaniacal, they are also considered UBA outsiders, whereas Cory has tried to make himself and UBA inextricably linked.
The Morning Show Hints Bradley’s Trust In Cory Will Cause Her Downfall
Bradley and Cory have an extremely complicated relationship in The Morning Show, mixing Cory’s betrayal, manipulation, support, and claims of love with Bradley’s desperation, stubbornness, sympathy, and loyalty. Their power dynamic has shifted multiple times, with Bradley turning to Cory when she’s desperate and in need of help or a friend and him doing the same. Still, Cory will ultimately always have power over Bradley, not just because he’s CEO, but also because he’s convinced her that he’s a trustworthy person and friend.
Cory’s manipulation of Bradley is at its worst in The Morning Show season 3 with their shared secret of Hal’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack and their coverup of it. Cory believes Bradley owes him, and though Bradley will occasionally push back at his demands disguised as requests, a large part of her agrees with his harmful narrative. Bradley continuously turns to him for help when she’s in trouble, assuming he has good intentions, which just continues the cycle of her “owing” him.
The Morning Show season 3, episode 7 unfortunately proved that Bradley might be too far gone to see his true nature. Even when Cory’s mom warned her and exposed his behavior for what it truly is, she fell for his routine of playing the victim. Cory’s downfall in The Morning Show season 3 seems inevitable, and if he’s bringing anyone down with him, it’s Bradley, who may be the only real ally he has left.
Cory Has Ruined Bradley’s Character In The Morning Show Season 3
The Morning Show has inflicted great trauma on its characters across three seasons, but Bradley is one character who just can’t catch a break. It’s become natural for Bradley to blame Hal, her mom, and even Laura, as sources of her pain but not Cory. Yet, Cory’s manipulation is the pattern that runs through every problem Bradley currently faces in The Morning Show season 3.
Bradley’s suffering is a necessary trait in her character in order to help empower Cory, who has confessed to thriving off fixing messes. It is Bradley’s suffering that makes her turn to Cory’s friendship. However, the series has given Bradley almost too much pain in The Morning Show to the point that it can feel pointless for viewers to root for her because she’s always going to fall back into detrimental cycles as long as Cory’s around. The only way to save Bradley’s character in The Morning Show season 3 is to get rid of Cory, but as it stands, that would mean getting rid of her too.
