The Toledo Truthteller celebrates 125 years of operation, or as Ned puts it, “preserving journalism’s history by protecting its past.”
Lisa from HR physically captures and wrangles Esmeralda into a box as a last case scenario for all the unanswered emails about Esmeralda’s long overdue sexual harassment training. Esmeralda, a former alcoholic, and others required to do the training, form a sexual harassment “Breakfast Club” after she comments that nothing in the video seems inherently sexual or harassment-like.
Reporters from other local outlets come. The biggest gimmick was recreating the paper’s work environment from yesteryear, including a printing press, a tray of imported oysters, and a matching candy-striped uniform for all employees.
Oscar invites former paperboys of the paper, now senior citizens, from a local convalescent home. Ned uses them for a gimmick where the gentlemen ride their tricycles to sell the appeal the same way they used to sell papers. Oscar is smitten with the coordinator of the convalescent home, Bennett. Detrick fears that Oscar is being played by Bennett, unaware of the fact that Oscar planned on casually seeing Bennett so that he would have a place to stay while his cabinets are being repaired at this apartment.
Nothing goes as planned when Ned catches wind of a publication’s already released review of the poorly received white-washed theme, especially as the outlets inquired about financial feasibility behind the theme considering they are the only print publication still operating. Ned denies authentic culpability.
Mare anticipates the negative coverage coming from TTT’s sister paper and turns to Marv behind Ned’s back. Marv immediately calls in Ned to resolve the matter. The negative publicity would damage their reputation with their advertisers, so he takes Mare’s suggestion to pull the unflattering coverage overall.
The damage control causes Ned and Mare to bicker in front of Marv, who tells them that he knows they are dating. Mare is shocked by the left-turn accusation until Ned confesses that he told HR about their relationship. This predictable rift in their relationship causes Mare to surrender, suggesting that she write for their sister paper in Cincinnati that has vacancies.
Lisa returns to the HR training video amidst Esmeralda brazenly flashing the camera. Lisa releases the slightly horrified (although complicit) remaining participants of the training…”except for you, you’re coming back tomorrow,” Lisa tells Esmeralda.
“Of course,” Esmeralda replies casually, “I work here.”
This episode’s irreverence could clear cloudy skies (or tornadoes, as it were). The added benefit of streaming The Paper on Peacock is that it bypasses the network’s censorship, such as Oscar asking Detrick to stop c*ckblocking him. Detrick replies, “I am not c*ckblocking you. I’m c*ckprotecting you.” Oscar frustratedly replies, “My c*ck doesn’t need protection,” before he turns to the camera and says “All c*cks need protection.”
Rating: 7/10