Ep 6. Hype

Lou Grant Season 3 Episode 6, titled "Hype," is an intense exploration of the consequences of careless journalism. The episode starts off with the introduction of a new publisher, Angela, who has a lot of fresh ideas for the newspaper. However, her approach is often reckless, and in this episode, she takes things too far.

Angela and her team run a story about a new coffee substitute that allegedly has all the health benefits of a regular cup of coffee but none of the drawbacks. As it turns out, the story was based on flawed research, and the product was actually dangerous to consume. When it becomes apparent that Angela and her team didn't do their due diligence before publishing the story, everyone at the newspaper is left scrambling to pick up the pieces.

While the coffee substitute story is the main plotline of the episode, there are also several other storylines running parallel to it. For example, Lou is struggling to deal with the fact that his sources are drying up – nobody seems to want to talk to him anymore, and he's left feeling like he's losing his touch. Meanwhile, Billie is dealing with a difficult case involving a young boy who has been abused by his father. These subplots help to add depth to the episode and keep the viewer engaged.

One of the most interesting things about "Hype" is the way it deals with the idea of responsible journalism. The episode raises questions about how much responsibility journalists have to ensure that their stories are accurate and truthful. Angela and her team are portrayed as being more concerned with getting clicks and driving traffic to the website than they are with the actual impact of the stories they're writing. This leads to a lot of conflict within the newsroom, as some of the other journalists – particularly Lou – are more concerned with the ethics of the situation.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, there are also some moments of levity in the episode. For example, when the coffee substitute story breaks, the newsroom is flooded with calls from angry readers and viewers. There are some hilarious moments where various members of the staff are forced to field these calls and try to calm down upset customers. These scenes provide some much-needed comic relief and prevent the episode from becoming too heavy-handed.

Overall, Lou Grant Season 3 Episode 6 is a thought-provoking exploration of the dangers of hype and sensationalism in journalism. It's a timely reminder of the importance of responsible reporting and the impact that carelessness can have on people's lives. Despite its serious subject matter, the episode is also entertaining and engaging, with strong performances from the entire cast. Fans of the show are sure to appreciate "Hype" and the way in which it tackles important issues in a nuanced and intelligent way.