Emmy Review: Drama Series
Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 12:28PM
Will HBO or Netflix reign on Emmy night?
This year’s Best Drama slate includes seven past nominees and one freshman series. There are heavy hitters but also major omissions like Big Little Lies, The Morning Show, and This Is Us in favor of shows that didn’t consistently show up across categories. To me, Succession, which I’m predicting will win lead actor, supporting actress, guest actress, and writing, seems like the safe frontrunner, like Game of Thrones was last year. But are we missing another show that could win it instead?
I’ll try to avoid major plot details in my analysis – but if you’d like more spoiler-filled descriptions, click on the episode titles. Let’s consider each nominee…
Better Call Saul (AMC, 7 nominations)
This is the fifth nomination for this New Mexico-set law drama, which took the 2017-2018 season off. Season five edges this show’s storyline closer to its drug cartel roots from Breaking Bad while distinctly remaining its own separate show, which is not an easy feat. Before nominations were announced, I thought this show could pull off a win, but then stars Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy) and Jonathan Banks (Mike), who earned nominations for the first four seasons, were snubbed. The earliest of the six submitted episodes, “The Guy for This,” features a callback to Breaking Bad and sets up the arc that dominates the final five episodes, which serve as the other choices. “Wexler v. Goodman” and “JMM” are strong spotlights of the relationship between Jimmy and Kim, while “Bagman,” “Bad Choice Road,” and “Unforgivable” are a powerful trio of extremely intense hours to close out the season (two of which are up for writing). Assuming its cast – including never-nominated MVP Rhea Seehorn (Kim) – are indeed nominated next year, this show will have a better shot at winning for its sixth and final season.
The Crown (Netflix, 13 nominations)
This is the third nomination for the regal series, which returns after taking last season off with an entirely new cast playing older versions of the characters. Each installment of this show feels like a history movie, and there’s such a clear investment both in staging that history and creating compelling characters that really are cinematic in nature. Though it matched the total number of nominations it received for season one and season two, Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip) and Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), who I would personally award the lead actor and supporting actor trophies this year, weren’t nominated. They each anchor one of the submitted episodes – “Moondust” and “Tywysog Cymru,” respectively – in a formidable manner, and, coupled with the entertaining “Margaretology” and the gut punch of “Aberfan,” this is a terrific slate representing some of the best television of the season. “Bubbikins,” which brings in Prince Philip’s mother, is another solid hour, though I wasn’t as fond of the season finale, “Cri de Coeur.” This show did win the SAG Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series back in January, but I think acting trophies for the stars who were nominated – Olivia Colman (Queen Elizabeth) and Helena Bonham Carter (Princess Margaret) – are likelier than a victory here.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu, 10 nominations)
Now here’s a bit of a head-scratcher. This show, which won this prize for season one, was able to compete last season for three “hanging” (the technical term, but probably not one we should use with this show) episodes from season two that aired late and earned eleven nominations. Now, for its third season, which was comprised of thirteen episodes, it netted only ten nominations. The most concerning snub is that of star Elisabeth Moss (June), who won for season one, and past winner Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia) is also missing from her category. While season three wasn’t as strong as the first two years of this show, it is still a disturbing, prescient, and important show. “Unknown Caller” and “Household,” from the middle of the season, deal with Gilead’s relations with Canada and the larger world, while “Unfit” and “Heroic” zero in more of the intimate experiences of June and the other handmaids. The final two episodes of the season, “Sacrifice” and “Mayday,” have the biggest emotional payoff and serve as the best showcase of why this show is still relevant. A win this year just isn’t going to happen, but I’m glad this show hasn’t been forgotten like it was at the Golden Globes.
Killing Eve (BBC America, 8 nominations)
After just two bids for season one, this show performed impressively with nine nominations for season two. Despite plenty of competition and lower buzz, season three returned in most categories, including repeat citations for stars Jodie Comer (Villanelle), Sandra Oh (Eve), and Fiona Shaw (Carolyn). I’ve never loved this show and would argue that, overall, all three seasons are all about equal to one another in quality, with some high points. My favorite episode of the season, “Management Sucks,” was one of two out of a total eight installments not chosen as this show’s submissions, which is puzzling. “Meetings Have Biscuits” was a solid start, while the next three episodes, “Still Got It,” “Are You From Pinner,” and “End of Game,” were too focused on all the characters being away from each other. The last two episodes, “Beautiful Monster” and “Are You Leading or Am I,” made this show, which had already been renewed for a fourth season, feel increasingly directionless. This show’s nomination is its win, and it definitely doesn’t deserve to take this prize this year.
The Mandalorian (Disney Plus, 15 nominations)
This show managed two impressive feats: it’s the only freshman series nominated for either Best Drama or Comedy Series and the only series from a new streaming service to crack the top races. I, however, can’t understand why it’s here. I’m a big fan of Star Wars but didn’t see any reason to keep watching this show past the pilot, and when I want back to do so following its inclusion here, I found it to be lackluster and at most satisfactory, best compared to the disappointing Solo: A Star Wars Story. Obviously that’s not a popular opinion, but this show also netted almost entirely technical mentions, aside from one guest acting bid for Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon). With only eight episodes to choose from, the submissions leave out the action-packed “Chapter 5: The Gunslinger” and “Chapter 6: The Prisoner” in favor of the expository “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian,” “Chapter 2: The Child,” and “Chapter 3: The Sin,” the more cinematic “Chapter 4: Sanctuary,” and the suspenseful two final hours of the season, “Chapter 7: The Reckoning” and “Chapter 8: Redemption.” This show evidently has a fanbase among Emmy voters that helped it get here, but I’d be shocked it if could win without clear support in the major categories.
Ozark (Netflix, 18 nominations)
Most shows earn fewer nominations each season, but not this one. After five bids for season one and nine for season two, Netflix’s dark money laundering series is now tied for the most-nominated drama of the year. I watched only the Emmy-selected episodes of the first two seasons and couldn’t understand the love for this show, but after taking time to watch all of season three, I do think that it’s improved and there is something compelling here, particularly when it comes to the performances (including the regrettably snubbed Tom Pelphrey, who plays Ben, and Janet McTeer, who plays Helen). I wouldn’t have included season premiere “Wartime” or finale “All In” in the submissions, but they’re still important, tone-setting installments. Most of the back half of the season – “Su Casa Es Mi Casa,” “In Case of Emergency,” “BFF,” and “Fire Pink” – present a strong narrative whose troubling, irreversible implications should be clear even to the casual viewer. Though I wouldn’t have included it, it’s a bit stranger that “Boss Fight,” one of three episodes up for writing this year, isn’t one of these six. This show’s two-part final fourth season has already been announced, and I’d expect it will win Drama Series by the end. It’s definitely possible that could happen this year – maybe it will if voters realize the Byrde family has more redeeming qualities than the Roys?
Stranger Things (Netflix, 8 nominations)
This science fiction/horror series netted eighteen nominations for its first season (I predicted it to win this award that year) and twelve for its second before taking last season off. This year, it lost its typical nominations for writing and directing as well as missing out on bids for stars David Harbour (Hopper) and Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven). And yet, without all that, it still managed to show up in this category. Even if it was a surprise, I’m happy about it. My journey with this show has been unlike most. I didn’t watch when it premiered because I generally avoid horror, and when I finally did, I realized that it was very strong even if it wasn't exactly my kind of show. I liked season two even more, and thought season three was just as terrific. An eight-episode season means only leaving out two episodes in submissions, and missing the mind flaying-centered second and fifth hours isn’t a big deal. I enjoyed the adventure-themed “Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy,” “Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard,” and “Chapter Four: The Sauna Test” and still remember the thrill of the action-oriented final three episodes, “Chapter Six: E Pluribus Unum,” “Chapter Seven: The Bite,” and “Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt.” Don’t expect this show to win under any circumstances, but I’d love if it did.
Succession (HBO, 18 nominations)
I was dubious throughout the entire predictions process with this show because of the simple fact that it earned zero acting nominations last year for season one, netting just five bids that resulted in two wins, for writing and main title theme music. There’s no reason to be cautious anymore since this show is now tied for the most nominations for a drama series this year, and a full half of those are for acting. I watched the submitted episodes of season one and wasn’t enthralled by this show, but I do have a better sense of why people love it after screening all of season two in preparation for its inevitable inclusion here. I still don’t love everything about it, but I can appreciate its nuances and strengths. I was still wavering through the first three episodes – “The Summer Palace,” “Vaulter,” and “Hunting” - but was much more on board with the three later selections – “Tern Haven,” “DC,” and “This Is Not for Tears.” Ultimately, I just don’t see a way that this show loses after its powerhouse nominations performance.
Personal Ranking:
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The Crown
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Stranger Things
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Better Call Saul
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The Handmaid’s Tale
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Succession
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Ozark
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Killing Eve
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The Mandalorian
Predicted Winner: Succession
Potential Spoiler: Ozark
Which show are you rooting for?
DRAMA
Actress | Actor | Supp Actress | Supp Actor | Guest Actress | Guest Actor
COMEDY
Actress | Actor | Supp. Actress | Supp Actor | Guest Actress | Guest Actor
LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Limited Series | Movie | Actress | Actor | Supp Actor | Supp Actress
MISC
Costumes, Fantasy | Costumes, Period | Animated Program
Reader Comments (17)
I am predicting SUCCESSION with a chance of OZARK.
Out of the nominees, I'd probably vote for OZARK. Huge level-up compared to its dreary first two seasons.
As a big fan of THE HANDMAID'S TALE, I am still crushed by its underperformance. It is the weakest season of the show so far, but it is far from bad.
"Mayday" should have easily netted them Directing and Writing. Moss missing Actress is huge WTF. Yvonne Strahovski and Ann Dowd deserved to get in Supporting Actress. Julie Dretzin and O-T Fagbenle would've been my personal picks for Guest Actress and Actor, but they weren't even nominated. The snubs for Cinematography, Film Editing, and Music Composition are travesties.
I am weirded out by their submissions though. They submitted the highly polarizing "Unfit" and "Heroic" over the more acclaimed ones "Bear Witness" and "Liars". Huh.
THE MANDALORIAN and especially KILLING EVE have no business being in this category.
I struggle to understand your resistance to Succession but I am with you on Stranger Things having a pretty great third season. It's such good popcorn entertainment.
I loved "Succession" but I'm glad you thought "The Crown" had a strong season. It's easy to take "The Crown" for granted, but it manages to make me interested in a family I thought was a ridiculous anachronism. No small feat.
But I am still rooting for "Succession" which is contradictory, but that's the way it is with emotions sometimes.
I'm The Crown's bitch. What a show. They even gave us Harry Treadaway as a toy boy.
@Carlos I agree with everything you said. I didn't love "Heroic." I also don't understand why "Holly" was the season two hanging episode that got all the attention when "The Word" impressed me much more. I actually don't dislike KILLING EVE all that much but it's not and has never been one of the best shows on television.
@Nathaniel I'm planning to watch the next season of Succession when it first airs, which might help my perception of it. The same goes for Stranger Things, which I feel like I'd enjoy more if I was experiencing at the same time as other people. It's just hard with the streaming shows to get through so many episodes at once, especially when so many other shows keep premiering!
I'd love a win for Stranger Things. I enjoyed that show more than any other this year, with the possible exception of The Good Place. It wasn't as brilliant as Unbelievable, but it was definitely more fun! It won't win, of course. I think Succession's got this in the bag.
At last! Abe...squee! Great piece. It’s probably Succession, then Ozark then The Crown.
It's almost laughable compare the level of greatness of these seasons of SUCCESSION,and OZARK to the other nominees here; THE HANDMAID'S TALE , THE CROWN and KILLING EVE are still excellent but all have had far superior previous seasons whereas Succession and Ozark are just brilliantly improving.
MY Personal Ranking goes like this:
1- Succession
2-Ozark
3-The Handmaid's Tale
4- Killing Eve
5- The Crown
6-Stranger Things
7-Better Call Saul
8-The Mandalorian
More likely/deserving final season win in future; Ozark or Better Call Saul?
I absolutely love "Succession," both in its willingness to make every single one of its major characters slimy and unlikable, and its realization that nothing better captures our era than the psychopath billionaires at the top. Definitely for me the best drama series on the air -- with the possible exception of "Saul."
I'm surprised to learn it got so little last year, especially as the two seasons are quite similar. But I don't see any of the other choices as strong enough to defeat it -- its impressive tally may just reflect a weak field, at least as Emmy-bait goes.
It's weird that as a big TV watcher I've seen every episode of every season of half of the nominees—The Crown, The Handmaid's Tale, Stranger Things and Killing Eve—and basically zero of the other half—Succession (wasn't interested, am now), Ozark (not interested enough to overcome my aversion to Laura Linney), Better Call Saul (hated the pilot, but it's now on my binge list) and The Mandalorian (couldn't be less interested).
Of the four I've seen, I'd rank them as listed above. I'm predicting Succession, because it seems to make sense.
Aberfan. Wow. What an episode.
"Succession." I think it's best.
The Mandalorian is brilliant storytelling and absolutely deserves its nomination. It uses cutting edge technology for completely character-driven action. And the central character is remarkably well-drawn and clearly defined, despite the fact that we can’t see his face. It utilizes stillness so well. The show is a marvel of direction and production overall.
I'm just really hoping the Emmys give the now revived Cobra Kai (Cobra Kai Never Dies!), whether they call it a drama or a comedy (the mix is 50-50, so it's plausible to run in either), ALL THE LOVE in whatever season block it's eligible for. Not only way better than the premise (80s Bully, The Show) implies it should be, but also the Best Live Action TV Show since The Wire, easily.
Volvagia -- wow. you're really in love with it! I wouldn't go that far (at all) as it's kind of super broad and repetitive, but I will say that it's a great deal of fun ... we should probably write about it here!
I binged both 'Succession' and 'Ozark' over the last few months, and I loved them both. 3rd season of 'Ozark' was really strong (That Ending!) and McTeer and Pelphrey should have been nominated.
'Succession' is my favorite in this category, I'll be happy if it sweeps, strong work all around.