And the Award Goes To … Part Three

The Series

As mentioned, and harped on, I have an issue with (almost) every nominated series being from a streaming network, however, here are my takes.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

This is the most problematic category in the whole thing.  How do you put the moving but incredibly brief performance of Bill Camp in “The Queen’s Gambit” up against the powerhouse performance of Daveed Diggs in “Hamilton”?  And why was Daveed Diggs the only one nominated from “Hamilton”?  No Lin-Manuel Miranda?  No Leslie Odom Jr.??? And yes, Ethan Hawke got “Good Lord Bird” made but the undeniable star, the one who was the glue which made it work, was the kid, Joshua Caleb Johnson.  How is he NOT nominated???  Fortunately, there is an easy out.  Mark Ruffalo was effing BRILLIANT playing twins in “I Know This Much is True”.  As soon as I saw the first episode, he had me.  Mark Ruffalo wins.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

Kerry Washington, “Little Fires Everywhere”.  Cate Blanchett was good, Anya Taylor-Joy is an up-and-comer, but Kerry Washington carried the ball beautiful in her roundabouts with Reese Witherspoon and it was remarkably different from “Scandal”, showing vulnerabilities Olivia Pope never had.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles for playing a role that is virtually impossible.  He got the subtlety, the pain, the ego of a man so well known that even a passing imitation is fraught with challenges.  Rege Jean-Page gets a nod here.  He manages to transcend being just too pretty, but “Bridgerton” was just too much fluff.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

This was challenging.  Three actors from “The Crown”, which I loved, and two from “Ozark” which I didn’t.  Gillian Anderson was brilliant as Thatcher but I take issue with her “what nationality is she” game.  She will win but it’s worth looking at the other actors.  Olivia Coleman is brilliant, always, but has won before.  And reportedly hated playing the Queen.  Which leaves Emma Corrin as Diana.  She gets it.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Nicholas Hoult in “The Great”.  He entirely consumed every scene he was in, making Peter the most intriguing and detestable creature ever seen on television.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Since I pretty much hate “Dead to Me” and “Schitt’s Creek” I’m going for Kaley Cuoco, in “The Flight Attendant” here.  But “Schitt’s Creek” will win.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

This came down to “Lovecraft Country” or “The Crown”.  Both are compelling and have top-notch casts.  “The Crown” won my vote because of its ability to remain transformative and brilliant in its fourth season.  Not many shows can keep the energy going this long.  “The Crown” not only continues strong, it grows richer and MORE relevant as time passes.  Brava, Bravo.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

“The Flight Attendant” is a worthy runner-up but “The Great” wins this hands-down.  There is a kind of magic in how the dialog is batted around, making the show impossible to turn away from.  One of the most overlooked, I think, yet one of my favorites.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series

This was surprisingly difficult in some ways.  All five nominated series have lots and lots of kick/shoot/blow ‘em ups.  And they are all a little different from each other.  “The Boys” celebrated the grotesque, having at least one body turned inside out with every episode.  “Cobra Kai”, a spin-off of “The Karate Kid” films, has plenty of martial arts but they are run of the mill rather than inventive.  In “The Mandalorian” an incalculable number of storm troopers meet their demise.  “Lovecraft Country” allows the haunted to fight back for a change, resulting in a sloppy red mess more often than not.  My vote here, however, goes to “Westworld”.  At first a simple western they have graduated and grown up, as it were.  With the addition of Samurai they have now added swords and mix that with urban warfare in a way which is fresh and unexpected.  “Thandie Newton with a Katana” is all you need to say.  “Westworld” wins.