For those of you that don’t know, at the Emmys contenders must submit sample episodes to be judged by voters. Series submit six episodes that are paired up into three “tapes” that are handed off to three sections of judges. Actors submit one episode.
Tape A: “Confessions” and “Rabid Dog”
Tape B: “To’jajiilee” and “Ozymandias”
Tape C: “Granite State” and “Felina”
I think the first tape is a huge mistake. While “Confessions” is a great episode, “Rabid Dog” was easily the weakest episode of both halves of the final season of the show. The fact that they submitted it over the first two episodes of the season is surprising. However, I don’t think it’s a huge problem. Their second tape is one of the strongest Emmy submissions in history. The episodes flow so well together with the cliffhanger of “To’jajiilee” being resolved in “Ozymandias.” It also doesn’t hurt that “Ozymandias” is one of the best episodes of drama in years. The last tape is a strong one as well. Although “Granite State” was a bit too slow for my liking, it will play off well to voters with its more subdued plot than the finale.
Bryan Cranston | Lead Actor in a Drama Series | “Ozymandias”
He really submitted the best episode possible. The first 20 minutes involved him pleading for Hank’s life, then he had the wonderful final phone call with Skylar, which was pretty much a master class in acting. His biggest hurdle is going to be the gap between his scenes.
It’s no where near as strong as his winning season 4 submission “End Times”, but it is close. He has a straight 20 minutes of crying and anger. It’s the definition of a watershed episode. The biggest problem with his submission is that he doesn’t show up until around halfway through the episode, unlike Peter Dinklage who appears throughout his (although his winning speech is at the end) and Josh Charles whose likely submission is very front heavy.
She submitted perfectly. She has a short scene in the beginning of the episode, but then she gets to talk to Walt Jr. about Walt, scream at Walt to get out of the house, chase Walt after he takes their baby, then she gets to play wonderfully across from Bryan Cranston on their final phone call. It’s really a phenomenal submission and I can’t see her losing.
Dance musical Illinoise takes the songs of Sufjan Stevens's album of the same name and… Read More
Challengers follows a decade-long love triangle between three would-be tennis stars that culminates in a… Read More
A group of journalists and war photographers trek from New York to Washington, D.C. while… Read More
Preceding the 1976 classic, The First Omen follows a young nun-to-be who discovers an insidious… Read More
Dev Patel's directorial debut Monkey Man follows an Indian man on a mission for revenge… Read More
After a homophobic attack, a gay man sets out for revenge on his assailant when… Read More
Leave a Comment