Oh, You’re the Sun Now? Giver of Life?
Joyce is preparing for her radio interview when she’s greeted by Maggie. Maggie is there to help her with her lines and prepare for the biggest night of her career. Joyce is about to be on-air with Dick Cavett.
Doug is at a meeting with Billy, an ex-football player who he manages to convince to come and be part of Minx magazine’s next issue.
Joyce eventually makes it on-air, where she’s interviewed about the magazine and its success. The interview goes okay, while Doug happens to be backstage watching on, arriving fashionably late after his meeting. He’s not the only one watching though, as Richie and Bambi both probe Tina about who she’s dating in between questions levelled at Joyce.
Dick introduces Victoria Hartnett, an author who is one of Joyce’s inspirations. Hartnett is unhappy with the magazine and has questions about Joyce’s real sense of control and the message she’s putting out there. ..
Joyce begins to stutter and lose her composure. She calls out the editorial power she wields (or doesn’t, as she insinuates) while a further twist sees Doug thrown onto stage too. ..
He hogs the limelight, bringing up a big bombshell reveal for the potential future issue of Minx. Doug proudly proclaims that Billy Brunson is the next cover star. Dick closes out the show claiming that “the best truths are naked ones” as Joyce is left silent.
The Episode Review
The double-bill of Joyce’s novel, Ulysses, and James Joyce’s play, The Dead of Night, comes to a close this week as both books are brought forward for all to see. This conflict is particularly damning to witness as all of this takes place live on-air with a big crowd and audience listening in.
In 1968, Joyce was supposed to be a major figure in the literary world. She published her first book, Ulysses, and became known for her powerful writing. However, Doug ruined what was supposed to be her big moment by taking credit for it. Joyce calls out Doug for his actions in this chapter.
With the future of Minx looking bleak, the ending leaves things hanging on a precarious knife edge for next week’s follow-up. ..