It's walking papers for Eugene Kincella, ending Alan Oppenheimer's recurring role as the head of the network news division after four seasons. Julius Carry is his replacement, Mitchell Baldwin, making instant changes that are very unpopular (the biggest of which is the removal of the donut table and coffee and water service), as well as the editing of individual news stories by two minutes which is also very unpopular. The fact that Murphy doesn't stand up to him makes miles think that it's because Mitchell is black and she doesn't want to rock a racial boat. This little expose of early political correctness is presented in a humorous way and each of the staff members has to reach into their own secret prejudices and insecurities over racial issues to come to terms with the problem. Murphy's acknowledgment of white liberal guilt makes her think about how she's going to deal with this and come off with integrity and fairness. "I have been open, attentive and very supportive", she tells him when they finally meet, indicating her insecurities, and it's ironic when he confesses that he used that white liberal guilt to make those changes without objection. It's amusing how they come to an understanding, respecting each other yet obviously creating a challenge that both will be interested in handling in their on inevitable way. Carry only makes a handful of appearances so this isn't a major change in storyline, just behind the scenes staff. But frankly, I would have preferred that Oppenheimer stayed on.
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