Lou Grant Season 5 Episode 11 Cameras
- January 25, 1982
- 46 min
Lou Grant season 5 episode 11, titled "Cameras," is focused around a news team and their struggle to balance their own journalistic integrity with the increasing use of cameras in their work.
The episode opens on a somber note, as the newsroom learns that the sister of one of their own, Joe Rossi, has been killed in a hit and run accident. With photographer Dennis Price, Joe sets out to investigate the incident and track down the driver responsible. Along the way, they encounter a local politician whose views on the use of cameras in journalism clashes with their own. He argues that journalists frequently exaggerate details and manipulate public opinion, all in the name of ratings and profit.
Tensions continue to escalate as they get closer to uncovering the truth behind the hit and run case. They encounter additional difficulties when their camera crew faces accusations of filming in inappropriate locations - a particular sticking point given the current political climate. However, Joe, Dennis, and others in the newsroom remain steadfast, believing that capturing the truth through the lens of a camera is the most accurate way to report the news.
As the episode reaches its climax, the news team is able to locate the driver responsible for the hit and run accident. They have an opportunity to get footage of the driver and bring him to justice, but doing so would require them to cross a line they're not sure they're willing to cross. It's a moment that forces each character to seriously consider what they believe in, and what they're willing to do to protect it.
Overall, "Cameras" is an engaging and thought-provoking episode that focuses on the role of journalism in our society. Viewers will be drawn in by the tension and moral dilemmas faced by the news team, as well as the timely topic of media ethics. It's a testament to Lou Grant's ability to tackle complex issues with subtlety and nuance.