“The best things in life are free.”
This is the song that closes out the first half of Mad Men‘s final season, one filled with pain and growth and realization, a seven-episode showcase for some of the best actors and writers on television. “Waterloo” is a moving finale that sets up what should be a very intriguing final run of episodes.
“Does this family exist anymore?”
This question is posed by Peggy in the midst of a developing advertising strategy for “Burger Chef”, a process that involves not only hours in the office, but market research in the field (the field being a “Burger Chef” parking lot, of course). It’s a question that applies to nearly every character throughout this episode, one which is expertly crafted and impeccably acted. It’s Mad Men at its best.
“Get out while you still can!”
Michael Ginsberg warns Peggy and the rest of SC&P as he’s being wheeled out of the office, one nipple missing and downward spiral complete. Although the breakdown doesn’t have the effect it could’ve had, it’s still an incredibly sad situation to witness: here’s a man who’s unable to run away from the circumstances, who feels like he’s on the outside looking in, so much so that paranoia sets in and sends him hurtling over the edge.
“This agency has entered the future.”
The actual dismantling of the Creative Lounge is pretty much the perfect encapsulation of not only Don’s crisis, but also of the state of SC&P. Gone are the days of pitches and gone is the essence of true advertising, replaced by fancy computers as the walls metaphorically crumble around Don. Essentially, the new world of advertising breeds fear.
“Okay.”
Don Draper is paying for his actions. He’s suffering. He’s humiliated. Yet, at the same time, he’s not. “Field Trip” is a moving, compelling episode of television that effortlessly transitions into a new power situation, and it’s yet another installment in a final season that’s shaping up to be brilliant.
“Just write the truth.”
In our modern world–but especially in our business world–power plays an essential role in how we structure our offices, how we deal with clients and move up in the ladder and make our money. That is at the forefront of the proceedings at SC&P: although we may win our small victories, as Bonnie Whiteside says, “our fortunes are in other people’s hands”.
“She knows I’m a terrible husband.”
As we move into the final season of Mad Men, our characters are being stripped down to their most basic parts; no longer do they have anything to hide, for try as they might, they can’t stop the world from spinning and losing them in the shuffle. A sense of exhaustion permeates the atmosphere in “Time Zones”, one that portrays a group of people who’ve been stuck before and are stuck now.
Welcome to my coverage of the 2013 Primetime Emmys. As it’s less than a week away, I’ve decided to start a series in which I offer up my dream ballot for each major category. Then, I’ll look at the actual Emmy ballot and offer a “Who should win?” and a “Who Will Win?” for each. I hope you enjoy! Today, we’ll be looking at….
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Dream Ballot
HUGH DANCY, “Hannibal”
In a performance strikingly similar to wife Claire Danes’ Carrie Mathison, Dancy is playing the role of a mentally unstable, workaholic character. He commits to the role with sometimes terrifying resolve, resulting in a character who draws us in to his spiral into madness. His work in the later parts of the season is matched by very few.
ADEN YOUNG, “Rectify”
In an intense, complex, and moving performance, Aden Young delivered Emmy-worthy scenes across only six episodes. It’s a quiet performance, but that just makes it even more impressive. Young was always focused, even during scenes where he was just staring off into the distance.
BRYAN CRANSTON, “Breaking Bad”
Cranston is always at the top of his game as Walter White, and in the first half of the fifth season, he was just as good as ever, delivering a chilling performance as a mastermind on top of the world. His relationships with Skyler, Jesse, and Mike were all incredibly compelling and heartbreaking, and he was a major part of that.
JON HAMM, “Mad Men”
This guy deserves an Emmy. The problem is, there are so many other fantastic actors that he always falls by the wayside. Still, his performance in season 6 explored his troubled past, taking him down a dark path as he bounced off people like Peggy, Pete, Megan, and Sylvia. The finale was a masterpiece for both him and the show.
DAMIAN LEWIS, “Homeland”
Last year’s winner, Lewis remained superb as Nicholas Brody, delivering one of the best television performances ever in “Q&A” (one of the best television episodes ever, as well). Although the show went off the rails after that, he maintained that steely presence, taking his relationships with Abu Nazir and Carrie Mathison a step deeper.
MATTHEW RHYS, “The Americans”
I had an extremely difficult time choosing between him and Timothy Olyphant for the final spot, but I chose him. He handled Philip’s character shifts extremely well, interacting with Elizabeth and Martha in different ways. He can portray spy and regular person equally well, and he had a nice wig and glasses.
Who should win?
This may be the toughest category. Both Young and Dancy need recognition, as they’re both in low-rated, but brilliant shows. Lewis had the best episodic performance out of all of them, but the season as a whole wasn’t as great for him as season 1. Rhys was great, but not good enough to win. Hamm should have won already. Cranston should still win. I have no idea.
Others considered: Timothy Olyphant, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Spacey, Michael C. Hall, Jonny Lee Miller, Peter Krause, Clarke Peters, Andre Braugher, Michael Emerson, Joshua Jackson, Jeff Daniels
On to the real nominations…
Hugh Bonneville, “Downton Abbey”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Damian Lewis, “Homeland”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
Who should win?
Hamm
Who will win?
Spacey
Analysis: I think Spacey can take the crown and be the Damian Lewis of this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won; the voters love movie stars. Lewis also could win, considering “Q&A” was a perfect showcase for him, and Cranston was very good as well (I think that “Crawl Space” was a much better episode for him, though, and he didn’t win for that). Again, JON HAMM NEEDS AN EMMY. His work in the finale was magnificent.
Credit to Sundance, AMC, NBC, Showtime, FX, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Americans, Rectify, Hannibal, and Homeland for all pictures. I own nothing.
Welcome to this blog. There are millions of other blogs out there, but you chose to look at mine. No, you did not just randomly come across it; you chose it. I will accept nothing less.
As for what we do here, I think the title’s pretty explanatory. I’m a polar bear, and yes, I do watch TV. I am obsessed with various forms of pop culture, in particular television and film, so I started this to get my thoughts down in writing. I am a member of the fabulous online community of The AV Club (which all of you should check out), and I wanted to do something similar to that.
What will we review? Lots of stuff. Our TV reviews will include American Horror Story, Dexter, Breaking Bad, The Bridge, The Americans, Wilfred, Louie, Justified, Parks and Recreation, Community, Sons of Anarchy, Hannibal, Orange is the New Black, Boardwalk Empire, Homeland, Treme, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Archer, New Girl, Parenthood, Orphan Black, Person of Interest, The Walking Dead, Childrens Hospital, NTSF:SD:SUV::, Girls, Nikita, Strike Back, Veep, Banshee, The Vampire Diaries, How I Met Your Mother, Arrow, Revenge, Scandal, The Newsroom, Raising Hope, and others I can’t think of right now. Only some of these will have regular coverage, but I’ll try to get in some posts about all of them. I will also be reviewing new pilots, and may decide to pick up some more shows.
Our TV Classic reviews may include shows like The Shield, The Wire, The Sopranos, Deadwood, Friday Night Lights, House, 24, Lost, Chuck, Terriers, Arrested Development, The West Wing, Fringe, Boston Legal, and others.
*I apologize, but many of these shows’ reviews will start in the middle of their seasons, as I am just starting to write. However, I will try to give some thoughts on the episodes before.
Our film reviews will include whatever movies I decide to watch at home or in the theater, and can be new releases or old.
I might also post some random stuff; fan fiction, thoughts on entertainment news, etc.
Enjoy.
Polar Bears Watch TV 