We are well into Emmy Awards campaign season, and with it the question of the episodes submitted by the nominated actors. The performers nominated in lead and supporting categories in comedy and drama are each called upon to submit just one episode from their eligible seasons to present to Emmy voters. In the past, shrewdly chosen episodes have certainly helped performers on their way to the podium. These days, with the entire academy voting for winners in each category, the suspicion is that episode selection doesn't matter as much as it once did. But the politics and vagaries of Emmy voting have always been something of a mystery, with the episode submissions a rare tangible piece of evidence. Did an actor pick an episode that put their best foot forward? Does that mean big emotional moments? Likeable character triumphs? A format-breaking spotlight-grabber?
Synopsis: Things start to come crashing down for John. He finally admits to his wife that they aren't as safe as he let on, and his siblings are starting to get more uncomfortable with the murder of you-know-who.
Both Chandler and Mendelsohn submitting the same episode is an interesting Emmys strategy, but it's one that's more likely to pay off for Chandler than it is for his dead fictional brother. This episode is kind to viewers who may be new to the series, and Chandler's breakdown is captivating to watch. It's not just his increasing panic that's remarkable; it's the volume of intricate plots falling on his shoulders at once. During this episode, everything John worked so hard to build and hide collapses, and Chandler's wide-eyed performance as he drowns in the middle feels equally deserved and sympathetic.
You can stream Bloodline's "Part 23" on Netflix.
Synopsis: Elliot is a disaffected young programmer struggling with mental health issues who finds himself drawn to the anarchic hacking group fsociety.
Rami Malek pulls something brilliant off here because by any measure, Elliot is not an easy role to play. He's a character who shifts through personas and mindsets in the space of a scene. He'll be withdrawn to his therapist in the same moment that he's passionately deconstructing our society to the audience. He'll be polite to his boss in the same frame that he's considering betraying him. The trick with Elliot, though, is that even he doesn't know who he is. This is a man forever falling through a series of funhouse mirrors bending in and out of reality. And yet, Malek makes this stone cold misanthrope become the audience's emotional guide into the world of Mr. Robot. It's a tour de force.
You can stream Mr. Robot's "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov" on Prime Video.
Synopsis: Jimmy deals with the guilt over his brother's medical emergency, ultimately confessing to screwing Chuck over.
Odenkirk submitted the final episode of the second season, an hour that packs a wallop but might end up being too plotty to let Odenkirk rise above his competition. He has a knockout scene at the end, when he's confessing to Chuck, but there are few bells and whistles on it. Still, if you're looking for an episode to remind you what a shockingly versatile and effective performer Odenkirk is in this role, "Klick" is a great option. He's an underdog this year, but I'm not sure he should be counted out.
You can stream Better Call Saul's "Klick" on Amazon Video.
Synopsis: Phillip must say goodbye to Martha as she is shuttled off to Russia. He spends the rest of the episode grieving her, snapping at Elizabeth about his involvement with EST, until he an Elizabeth are finally granted somewhat of a rest from their spy duties.
Matthew Rhys gives a breathtaking performance each week on The Americans, but the Martha storyline allowed him to go to an even deeper place this season. This is only further exemplified by the entirely unspoken opening scene of this episode; Martha and Phillip spend their morning getting ready to bring her to the plane that will take her away to Russia, without exchanging a single word until they arrive at the field. It was unexpectedly powerful, even for The Americans.
Of course, Phillip spends the rest of the episode mourning the loss of Martha from his life, lashing out at Elizabeth for not understanding him, or Martha, or his involvement in EST. As always, it is the subtleties in Rhys' performance that make the biggest impact: a sigh, broken eye contact, even cleaning Elizabeth's wound.
Unfortunately, this year's Actor in a Drama award is Rami Malek's to lose, so the real win is that Rhys was even acknowledged and included in this category, where he should've been four seasons ago.
You can stream The Americans " The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears" on Amazon Video.
Synopsis: Things with the Armenians reach a violent climax, while Ray is maniacal in his hunt for his wayward daughter.
You can see why Emmy voters consistently come back to the performances in Ray Donovan. Liev Schrieber especially is the kind of stone-faced rage volcano that harkens back to a Hollywood when men were men or some such. Schrieber is a good and talented actor, but put through the paces of these kinds of shootout-but-don't-tell-anyone-you-got-shot storylines, he doesn't offer too many surprises. Up against the likes of Spacey, Malek, and Odenkirk, Schrieber feels like a big long-shot.
You can stream Ray Donovan's "Exsuscito" on Showtime Anytime.
Synopsis: Claire continues to secretly negotiate as the hostage situation continues. Meanwhile, Frank confronts Hammerschmidt over his dark past.
In another year, House of Cards and Kevin Spacey would be a strong contender for the statue, but in the show's fourth season, it's starting to feel like Frank Underwood has overstayed his welcome. Frank has always been a dark character, but in this past season, he transitioned from fascinatingly cruel and manipulative to borderline unappealing. Spacey goes full Underwood, issuing a fierce scorched-earth strategy, which is a lot of fun to watch, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. With no disrespect to Spacey's incredible performance or President Underwood, after four years, it may be time for this character to step down.
You can stream House of Cards' "Chapter 52" on Netflix.