NOMINEES: Kathy Bates for Harry's Law, Glenn Close for Damages, Claire Danes for Homeland, Michelle Dockery for Downton Abbey, Julianna Margulies for The Good Wife, Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men
ANALYSIS: Previously, I had seen Margulies' tape. This episode of The Good Wife dealt with a very tragic problem: the disappearance of a child. It's a tape that screamed "Emmy!!!!" and Margulies took the material in stride. Of course, her child didn't actually disappear, but Margulies got to show a very vulnerable, emotional side of Alicia that rarely comes out. In addition, she gets to be snarky and sarcastic with Michael J. Fox, and endearing and heartbroken when she ends her relationship with her boss. Margulies is the defending champion, and she's pretty darn good in this episode. She's definitely a top contender to repeat. Of course, five other competitive actresses stand in her way. Dockery was often considered the Downton Abbey actor/actress to most likely get an Emmy nomination (besides Maggie Smith, who was considered a lock), and she fits into the category quite nicely. In her episode, she gets to lament over "the one that got away," but, as I have expressed before, there are so many freaking cast members on this show, it's hard for a casual viewer like myself to identify and connect to each one. The only good thing is that Dockery's subtle and calm demeanor make a solid impression, and that's definitely why she's nominated here. I just have a feeling that the other actresses in this category are more prominent on their series and in their episodes, making them more likely to win. Next, I watched Moss' episode. While the focus is primarily on the other woman in the office (that would be Supporting nominee Christina Hendricks), Moss comes across strong. She's tired of being stepped on and disrespected at her job and in her noteworthy final scene, she quits her job under the man who says he made her who she is. Opposite Jon Hamm, she is strong and the final scene, where she makes her way through a celebration bash with her things packed up, makes an impact, as does the final shot of her smiling, beginning her new life, as she strides into the elevator. Moss started as Mad Men's unsung heroes, but now comes out on top as one of their best chances at winning an acting Emmy. But, as has been stated before, the Mad Men acting curse could once again strike Moss and her fellow Mad actors. Next, I watched Close's tape. Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved the first two seasons of Damages, and I think she absolutely deserved her win for this role. As Damages began to wind down its' run, I did not keep up with the show. In this episode, her character Patty begins talking to a therapist to get over mild anger problems, while advising her protege on a tough legal case. I really wonder if this was Close's best tape all season, because she doesn't do anything completely fascinating. She's just good. Since she's already won an award for playing Patty Hewes, plus the fact that Damages is not nearly as popular as it was a few years back, Close is not a threat for the gold. Another famous film-to-TV star is competing in this race: Bates. Just like Margulies, Bates gets a big Emmy bait tape as her character, Harry, deals with the death of her first husband. At first, she seems composed and able to hold it together, but by the end of the episode, we see the cracks in her armor. In between, she gets to fight a legal case, but her strong point comes in the last couple minutes when she takes to the piano and sings a song, and visits her ex-husband's grave. It's a good tape, but probably not good enough to win, but seeing as Bates is a big star and Harry's Law has been cancelled, voters may choose to reward her now before it's too late. Finally, my last episode was Danes'. Talk about a performance! I'd heard so many wonderful things heading into Homeland, but I only watched the first 30 minutes of the pilot and wasn't too thoroughly impressed. I was impressed, however, by Danes' performance in this episode. She is actually crazy, and the audience has to spend the whole episode going back and forth between sanity and insanity. She's schizophrenic, unsociable, and all-together quite frightening. With all of the buzz around the show and lead actress Danes, it seems pretty likely that Claire Danes has a great shot at holding the gold on the stage.
WHO SHOULD AND WILL WIN: While I have a bias for Margulies, and I wish Moss had only one more great scene, I have to say that the best performance, one most likely to be recognized by the Academy, is Danes in Homeland. She becomes a whole other being, and the final scene at the bulletin board just proves how deep in character she's willing to go.
RANKINGS:
1. Claire Danes - Homeland
2. Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
3. Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
4. Kathy Bates - Harry's Law
5. Michelle Dockery - Downton Abbey
6. Glenn Close - Damages
So what do you think? Can Danes win for her first nomination for Homeland or will Good Wife Margulies take the cake? What about Mad Men's shining female lead Moss, Downton Abbey's introverted Dockery, or huge movie-to-TV stars, like Bates and Close?! Hit the commetns section below!
Evan
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