THE ARTIST | Anna Torv
THE SHOW | HBO The last of us
THE EPISODE | “Infected” (January 22, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | To say that Torv made the most of his brief stint on The last of us would be quite the understatement. In just two episodes, the Fringe The vet created such a complex, multi-dimensional character that we were heartbroken when Tess was killed in the tense hour of Sunday.
Although two decades of dystopian life have hardened Tess’ outer shell, Torv has always remained attached to the underlying humanity of her alter ego. The actress highlighted this silent vulnerability in the final act of “Infected” when Tess – unbeknownst to viewers at first – was bitten by one of the cannibalistic creatures.
From the subtle note of warmth she imparted to doomsday partner in crime Joel as he bandaged his injured foot, to the frustration she sparked when he refused to see their End of Days glass half full, Torv subtly shifted Tess’ energy from badass survivalist to badass living on borrowed time.
And when Tess exposed her terminal state, Torv smashed all of her character’s walls of self-protection in one fell swoop. Filled with a mixture of despair and anguish, Tess pleaded with Joel to complete their Ellie-centric mission and save himself (and, in turn, humanity). “I’m never asking you for anything, not to feel what I felt…” she cried, Torv layering every anguished word over 20 years of complicated romantic baggage. “This is your chance. You take it there. You keep her alive. And you got it all sorted.
Tess ultimately saved the day, but Torv was the real hero of the episode.
HONORABLE MENTION | Earlier this season, Leverage: Redemption alludes to Sophie’s complicated past with someone who was like a daughter to her. So when frosty Interpol detective Astrid was revealed last week as said daughter-in-law, we were frankly bowled over. But that just paved the way for the finale for really we move, as series vet Gina Bellman and guest star Alexandra Park (The Royals) each let down the walls of their characters. Park really wowed us when the stone-cold Astrid had her elusive stepmother held at gunpoint, only to lower her gun as Sophie explained her vanishing act years ago. After a fun piece of theater in which the duo collaborated to catch a thief, Bellman in the ladies’ closing scene exuded such a sweet, motherly warmth, as Sophie and Astrid reflected on a fond memory.
HONORABLE MENTION | Gossip Girl Showrunner Josh Safran says the only thing that will keep him awake at night is knowing the series ended with his beloved band – Audrey, Aki and Max – on the outs. Of course, we understand his frustration at the lack of closure, but keeping this trio together in Thursday’s finale would have deprived audiences of Thomas Doherty’s devastating performance as the victim of a failed romantic experiment. Contrary to his character’s signature swagger, Doherty is at his best when Max allows himself to be vulnerable, and we haven’t seen him this raw since a certain professor played with his heart in Season 1. From now on, the Max in HBO Max is for Max Wolfe.
HONORABLE MENTION | One of the toughest roles played on television this week was Ava, a deaf surrogate who, in the second episode of Fox’s Accused anthology decided to kidnap the baby she delivered for a couple, suspecting they wouldn’t let their deaf child grow up in a signature environment. Switched at birth Former Stephanie Nogueras rose to the challenge, however. Yes, his Ava acted impetuously, criminally. And in Ava’s on-the-run exchanges with boyfriend KJ, Nogueras communicated a disturbing degree of impulsiveness. But when Ava next took the stand at trial, Nogueras saturated her signature with so much passion and sincerity that you kinda caught on when the couple pulled their case.
Which performance(s) made you crack up this week? Tell us in the comments!