We love everything about The Newsroom, so don't even start to try to tell us that it's unrealistic or that the characters are all too witty. The HBO series, created by Aaron Sorkin (Moneyball, The Social Network, and The West Wing), follows the crew of Atlantic Cable News who are trying to create, in the words of Jeff Daniels' character Will McAvoy: "A nightly newscast that informs a debate worthy of a great nation. Civility, respect, and a return to what's important; the death of bitchiness; the death of gossip and voyeurism; speaking truth to stupid. No demographic sweet spot; a place where we can all come together."
Which is super-commendable and all . . . but, what about the hookups? The sex scenes, for which we've come to know and love on premium cable? They're all but nonexistent through season one. But we're a pretty optimistic bunch, so here's the list of love action we want to when the second season kicks off Sunday night.
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McKenzie McHale and Will McAvoy
If you don't want to see these two get together, then you're kind of missing the entire point of the show. The love triangle thing between McAvoy and his sassy, passionate producer (and ex-girlfriend) McKenzie is the show's main relationship plot line. Sure, she cheated on him. But anyone who knows Will McAvoy knows he's not exactly easy to love. Forgive her, Will! And then get it on. Please? We're tired of waiting.
Maggie Jordan and Jim Harper
Maggie and Jim are the other starcrossed-ish lovers of the show. Their flirtation has been a factor since day one, and even through Maggie and her boyfriend Don are moving in together, she admits she's not in love with him. We take that as a hint that this season she'll finally get with Jim and we'll get to see cable news' most adorable couple do the nasty. Or something like that . . .
Sloan Sabbith and Brian Brenner
Arguably, this list could just say "Sloan and everyone" because she is by far the show's sexiest character. Add the fact that she's a genius and you actually start to get a little offended that she hasn't hooked up with anyone yet. If we could have our pick, we'd like to see her with Brian Brenner, the reporter Will chooses to write a piece about him. Of course Will only chooses him to emotionally torture Mac since Brian dumped her back in the day, but pretty much he's the only character we'd feel okay about getting with Sloan. Her sexy economist vibes would be perfect with his "messy professor" look. We know Papa Bear would totally love to hit that.
Tess Westin and Don Keefer
Wait, who? You know, Tess, the blond associate producer! Okay, so she's not a central character by any means, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't approve of her getting with Don Keefer, Maggie's man and the executive producer for another news show. Don's kind of a jerk sometimes, which is why we wouldn't want to see him with a character who we're emotionally invested in (read, Maggie). But he's kind of hot. And she's pretty hot. So that's enough reason for us.
Sloan Sabbith and McKenzie McHale
Here's how we see the plot line going. Remember when Mac admitted to Sloan that she had no friends and hoped that they could become best girlfriends -- or something like that? Well in season two maybe they'll start with bonding over harmless after-dinner drinks and talking about all the work-obsessed men in their lives. And boom, half a dozen shots of Patrón later we've got hot lady-on-lady love. Sure, it's a long shot, but don't act like you don't want to see that.
Season two of HBO's The Newsroom premieres Sunday, July 14.