Edward R. Murrow did something in 1953 that had never been done before. He confronted a member of COngress openly on television, laid out his lies, half-truths, and misinformation for all to see, but he was breaking new ground and his own network was not exactly sure they should be doing what he was doing.
What agonies did he go through leading up to his famous broadcast (and afterward which did not receive 100% endorsements from the press and public)? Did he have a wife to discuss his fears, his hopes, his uncertainties with? Were his children (if there were any) harrassed about their father's position on issues or slurred at by their peers after McCarthy suggested that Murrow had been connected with Communist activities and organizations that were fronts for Communist cells?
The only people we see him connected to at the hip were his work colleagues, and in particular, Fred Friendly (played by George Clooney). Were they the only people in his life he agonized with over what he was doing?
I think a glimpse at what was going on with the home front might have broadened our understanding of the man AND the journalist. If I had a criticism, it's that I wanted a more complete picture than simply that of a taciturn man with the weight of the word on his shoulders.
