Ep 16. Cover-Up

Lou Grant season 3 episode 16, titled "Cover-Up," follows the staff of the Los Angeles Tribune as they grapple with the decision to run a story on a controversial politician. The Tribune has come into possession of some damning documents that suggest the politician engaged in illegal activity, but the staff is hesitant to publish the story due to the potential backlash and legal repercussions.

As the Tribune staff debates what to do, they are approached by a mysterious woman who claims to have crucial information about the politician. She refuses to reveal her identity or provide any concrete evidence, but insists that the Tribune needs to run the story in order to reveal the truth.

Meanwhile, Lou Grant (played by Ed Asner) is dealing with his own challenges as editor-in-chief of the Tribune. He's under pressure from the newspaper's owner to increase circulation and boost profits, and one of the ways he's been instructed to do this is by running more sensational stories. Lou is conflicted over this directive, as he believes in the importance of journalistic integrity and accuracy above all else.

As the Tribune staff continues to investigate the politician, they uncover more evidence that supports their original story. However, they also discover that the politician's team has been working behind the scenes to suppress the story and intimidate anyone who might speak out against him. The staff realizes that they are up against powerful forces that will stop at nothing to protect their interests.

In the end, the Tribune staff decides to go ahead and run the story, despite the potential consequences. The politician and his team retaliate by launching a smear campaign against the newspaper and its staff, accusing them of bias and unethical behavior. Lou and his team are undeterred, however, and continue to stand by their reporting. In the final moments of the episode, Lou delivers a powerful monologue on the importance of a free and independent press, and the responsibility that comes with being a journalist.

Overall, "Cover-Up" is a tense and thought-provoking episode that explores the complex ethical dilemmas that journalists face when reporting on controversial subjects. The episode also showcases the excellent writing and acting that made Lou Grant a beloved and critically acclaimed series.