Blueprints: "The Crown"

Jorge continues to look into the pilot episodes of the Best Series contenders before the Emmys on Sept 17th

When we discuss pilot episodes, we often talk about the importance of introducing the world and the characters for the first time to an audience: the opening shot of an episode, their first line of dialogue, or how the characters are described when they appear on screen. First impressions are crucial.

However, the final image of a pilot is arguably just as important as the first one. It is the thing that will grasp the audience’s attention for the last time and make them want to tune in to the next episode (or not).  It is also often the moment that sets up the story arc for the rest of the series and offers a glimpse of where the main storyline will lead...

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Who will win the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy?

By Spencer Coile 

When you consider all of the funny women working in television, you might think that the past winners in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series race would be competitive. However, with Julie Bowen, Allison Janney, and now Kate McKinnon monopolizing the 2010’s with two wins apiece, the other nominees don’t seem to stand a chance. (That’s not to say there aren’t shocking winners every once in a while – look no further than Merritt Wever’s win in 2013 for Nurse Jackie.) With McKinnon back in the race, can anyone overtake her?

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Blueprints: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

As we approach the Emmys, Jorge is looking at the pilot episodes of Best Series contenders. 

Amy Sherman-Palladino made a name for herself with dialogue. Best known as the creator of Gilmore Girls, but also behind the one-season wonder Bunheads, her newest series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel follows a 1950s housewife who finds refuge in standup comedy after her husband leaves her. The delightfully twee vintage setting and the world of verbose comedy sets and big performer personalities is a perfect fit for her now immediately recognizable patter-chatter, all anchored by a revelatory performance from Rachel Brosnahan. 

Let’s take a look at the climax of the pilot episode: Midge’s drunken, cathartic stand-up set. How she slowly wins the audience. How it escalates on the page. How the endless sentences, tangents, and colorful adjectives create explosive tension...

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Who will win the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Drama?

By Spencer Coile 

Emmy voting is currently underway (ballots are due on the 27th), so it’s time to start digging into some of the more exciting categories this year has to offer. The Supporting Actress in a Drama field is always tricky to navigate – we hope for inspired wins, but end up with repeat winners, such as Anna Gunn for Breaking Bad or Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey. 

That’s why it is exhilarating when an unexpected name is called on Emmy night, for instance: Archie Panjabi on The Good Wife or Ann Dowd last year for The Handmaid’s Tale. This year, Dowd is back. Will she repeat or will someone else be victorious? 

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Sharp Objects: Episode 7 "Falling"

previous recaps
1 "Vanish" Spencer
2 "Dirt" Nathaniel
3 "Fix" Ilich
4 "Ripe" Murtada
5 "Closer" Chris
6 "Cherry" Nathaniel 

Major series SPOILERS after the jump (and throughout Episode 7) so get caught up before reading more... 

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