THE INTERPRETER | Keri Russell
THE SHOW | by Netflix The diplomat
THE EPISODE | “The James Bond Clause” (April 20, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | Mid Road The diplomatIn Russell’s Season 1 finale, up-and-coming Russell ambassador Kate Wyler engages in a heated power struggle on the streets of Paris and it’s tense, nerve-wracking, heavy, unsettling, and incredibly nuanced. It’s quite a show. And understand this: she is all alone.
The whole kerfuffle takes place over the phone, with Kate delivering an epic lick to her American contemporary Hal (the excellent Rufus Sewell), but Russell’s anger is so raw and visceral it’s as if he’s just standing in in front of her.
Of course, Americans The vet displayed the same level of commitment and seriousness throughout the eight-episode inaugural run of the political comedy-drama. Still, her performance in “The James Bond Clause” was particularly special, perhaps because the Debora Cahn-penned episode called on Russell to play out a multitude of emotions — and she nailed them all.
In his scenes with David Gyasi, who plays Kate other love interest Austin Dennison, Russell oozed charm, sexiness and vulnerability (the moment Kate, dressed in a red dress, first locked eyes with Dennison at the Louvre had the words “romantic gain” plastered all over ).
And in the climactic final moments of the hour – as Kate uncovered the plot behind the international tragedy that drove much of the season – Russell debuted a never-before-seen version of his tenacious and resilient alter ego, eaten away by fear and terror. Russell’s tear-soaked, shocked face perfectly conveyed the horror of the twist in the cliff. And that now makes us count the days until Season 2.
THE INTERPRETER | Kieran Culkin
THE SHOW | Succession
THE EPISODE | “Kill List” (April 23, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | Logan Roy’s death happened two weeks ago on HBO’s Emmy-winning corporate drama, but it’s only been a few days on the show, and the media titan’s sudden passing still sends tiny ripples through the characters’ psyches – ripples that can fit into an emotional tidal wave that comes out of nowhere. Logan’s youngest son Roman usually hides his feelings under a thick layer of snark, but his newfound grief over his father’s death resurfaced this week in an impulsive and potentially damaging meltdown, with Culkin delivering some of his work. the most intensely vulnerable on the series so far.
At the start of the episode, Culkin was in his usual wheelhouse as Roman dished out sarcastic insults and jokes, mocking his underlings, Gerri and Frank, basically everyone around him. But Culkin also hinted at subtle indications that Roman was feeling bad about himself, chafing at a car’s too-tight seatbelt and becoming irritable when Connor bugged him about holding a suit. Logan’s funeral. Roman might insist he’s already “pre-griefed”, but it was clear that his father’s death still weighed heavily on his mind – remember: Roman was planning to join Logan at ATN – and when Matsson tried to include ATN in the deal, Roman balked, Culkin injecting a heavy dose of filial guilt into the negotiation. Roman isn’t willing to part with his father’s crown jewel because it’s one of the last things he has to remember about him, and Culkin captured this heartbreaking truth as Roman quietly simmered the whole thing. episode…until Matsson called Logan “an asshole” during a mountaintop confrontation, unleashing a fierce defensive streak deep within Roman to spill over.
Culkin’s voice grew strained and high-pitched as Roman lashed out at Matsson for disrespecting his father and not giving them time to grieve. He suddenly declared, “We’re not selling you,” blasting a complex business meltdown on a whim and sealing it with a bubbling, “I hate you.” Roman quickly reverted to prankster mode afterwards, but we’ve already heard his hurt inner voice speak loud and clear. It was a devastating portrayal of how grief can make us act self-destructively, and Culkin reminded us that Roman is more than just a source of fun zingers.
Scroll down to see who scored honorable mentions this week…
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HONORABLE MENTION: Toheeb Jimoh
Image credit: Apple TV + screenshot
Ted Lasso‘s Sam Obisanya always tries to see the best in people. Heck, in this week’s episode, the midfielder tried to give a racist politician the benefit of the doubt. But once he discovered his restaurant in ruins, Sam could no longer ignore the hatred that fueled this act of vandalism. What followed was a brief but visceral outburst that offered Toheeb Jimoh a chance to show off his dramatic chops – and boy did he deliver. Sam’s anger reflected in Jimoh’s body language; his shoulders remained stiff even as the rest of his body vibrated with rage. And the way his voice cracked when Sam pointed out that the same people who loved him for scoring goals would “sack me wherever I came from” if he stopped winning games was particularly effective.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Nonso Anozie
Image Credit: Screenshot from Netflix
In episode 2, Gourmand was returning to the early days of The Great Crumble, dragging Nonso Anozie down for his strongest trick yet. After Tommy Jepperd lost his wife and child, Anozie’s shattered eyes and streaming tears broke our hearts. Sadness turned to rage, forcing the actor to let out a chilling cry as he tore his character’s house to pieces. And later, during a raid to try and free the hybrids, he proved he even had what it took to be an action star in the making. Throughout this rollercoaster of emotions, Anozie’s performance penetrated our souls. “Big Man”, an even greater talent.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Allison Miller
Image credit: ABC screenshot
A million little things approaching its final episode, and Gary apparently nearing the end of his life, we want to acknowledge the emotional and touching work of Allison Miller as Gary’s longtime love, caretaker and now wife, Maggie. In Wednesday’s episode, as Gary (James Roday Rodriguez, who we honored earlier this season) entered hospice care, Maggie quickly ended the conversation with a hospice nurse for having the panic attack. and sobbing that we all knew was coming. The moment is a common beat to dramatized cancer stories, but Miller elevated it by making his character’s pain so raw and specific. Miller allowed Maggie’s grief to rule her entire body, making her breathing quicken, making her voice high and strained as she cried. The mix of anger, anxiety, loss and love that Miller so beautifully conveyed was probably familiar to any viewer who has lost someone to a terminal illness. What beautiful and devastating work.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Gina Torres
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox
Tuesday’s episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star may have aired on Gina Torres’ birthday, but she’s the one who gave us the gift via her unforgettable turn as the victim of unnecessary church gossip. Every second of the hour’s final scene, in which Tommy delivered a scathing sermon to those who smeared his reputation, was dripping with delight – from Torres’ signature swagger with which she strode mightily down the aisle to that voice. imposing with which she struck her enemies. We would go to church more often if the sermons were This entertaining!
Which performance(s) hit your socks this week? Tell us in the comments!
