The Parent Trap (The Morning Show)
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Episode 8
- Sharon Hoffman
- Micah Schraft
| "The Parent Trap" | |
|---|---|
| The Morning Show episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Miguel Arteta |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography by | John Grillo |
| Editing by | Sidney Wolinsky |
| Original release date | November 5, 2025 |
| Running time | 46 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Parent Trap" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American drama television series The Morning Show, inspired by Brian Stelter's 2013 book Top of the Morning. It is the 38th overall episode of the series and was written by consulting producer Sharon Hoffman and executive producer Micah Schraft, and directed by Miguel Arteta. It was released on Apple TV+ on November 5, 2025.
The show examines the characters and culture behind a network broadcast morning news program. In the episode, Alex tries to secure an interview with Joe Biden, while having to deal with a new controversy from his father. Meanwhile, Cory's mother takes a devastating decision, and Bradley sets out to meet with a new whistleblower.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise towards the performances.
As Alex tries to secure an interview with Joe Biden, she confronts Bradley for getting Claire arrested. Bradley defends her actions, maintaining that she was under pressure. She also reveals that she is travelling to Belarus to interview another whistleblower, asking Alex to sign off on it, but is refused.
Celine is advised by her brother to return to France, as their family is unimpressed with her handling of UBN. Cory learns that his dementia-ridden mother plans to die by euthanasia. Despite his pleas to convince her otherwise, Martha professes her love for Cory, and then secretly ingests a euthanasia tablet while he is away. Upset over his mother's death, Cory goes on a drug-fuelled binge with Celine.
Martin is arrested after urinating on a statue in public, and Alex is forced to take him home. Martin asks to appear on TMS to defend himself against Justice's plagiarism accusations, but Alex refuses. He is allowed by Brodie to guest on The Brofessional where Martin defends himself and they discuss the First Amendment. Alex forces Martin to exit the show early, believing Brodie was trying to get back at Alex over their previous sexual encounter. On the drive home, Alex is informed that the White House has passed on the interview after Martin's appearance.
Angry, Alex confronts Martin for his treatment and failing to appreciate her. Martin is unsympathetic and coldly reveals that he has always blamed Alex for the disappearance of his wife, who ran away after struggling with postpartum depression. Devastated, Alex visits Bradley at her apartment, but only finds Chip, who tells her she already left for Belarus. They are worried about Bradley, as she has not reported back.
Development
Production
The episode was written by consulting producer Sharon Hoffman and executive producer Micah Schraft, and directed by Miguel Arteta. This was Hoffman's first writing credit, Schraft's third writing credit, and Arteta's third directing credit.[1]
Writing
Billy Crudup explained Cory's reaction to his mother's death, "The notion of Lindsay, my mom, making a decision like that, it was very, very easy to access any kind of attachment I had. In fact, I think it was harder to restrain it for me, because he hasn't had many cathartic moments. And for somebody who's holding so long to be given the opportunity, there were stores and stores of that."[2]
On Martin's confession to Alex, Jeremy Irons said, "I think he realizes how he's messed up and what a terrific person she she[sic] is. I also think it's the relief of having actually said what he had to say, and to hear what she had to say. I think it's very important for all of us to to{sic] not hold back, not hold in, but to let out what the problem is."[3] He added, "It's those little things, memory, which make something seem as real as I hope it did. It certainly felt real, and you, as an actor, use all that."[4]