For years, I have been constantly
frustrated whenever it becomes time to try and predict this years Emmys. Part
of the problem has been there are - frankly - far too many great TV shows on
the air, and Emmy voters consistently seem to be stuck in old habits and locked
on certain predicates.
However, over the last two seasons,
there has been considerable reason for hope. Several series and actors that
have been consistently ignored were nominated last season, and while I wasn't
satisfied with many of the greater triumphs, many of the individual winners
pleased me greatly. And considering that several of the series that have dominated
these categories for the last three seasons are either off the air (adieu, Downton Abbey) or not eligible this
season (ta-ta Game of Thrones) there
is a very real possibility that some great series that would otherwise fall
through the cracks will be recognized.
Admittedly, one can't tell how the
eligibility rules will deal with certain show released on the cusp of
eligibility. Will House of Cards and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, released only
in the last few weeks be able to grab spots ahead other acclaimed Netflix
series that premiered in the fall of 2016? Will Twin Peaks be
considered this season or next season? Does it deserve to be? And how the hell
will we figure out the contenders for Best Actress in a TV Movie or Limited
Series? I'm not sure, and remember I don't watch everything on the air.
Nevertheless, I will give my due diligence, and make my best predictions.
Let us begin, as always, with Best
Drama
BEST DRAMA
The
Americans (FX)
For once, I am hoping that the
Emmys laziness when it comes to nominating series that got picked the year
before will work in this series favor. Its six nominations last seasons were
among the great pleasures of last year, and while it wasn't quite as good it
was last year, watching the general darkness that seems to be following all are
characters in both America and the Soviet Union has been one of the more
fascinating slow burns that I've ever seen, particularly when it came to the
Jennings' growing dissatisfaction with
their lot. It was nice to get nominated, now I want them to win. Time is
running out - for the Soviet Union and the series.
Better
Call Saul (AMC )
It's still not as good as Breaking Bad, but few series were or
are, and with each successive year as the 'mythology of the show opens a little
more (hello Gus Fring! Hi Lydia ),
it becomes arguably the best origin series in the history of the medium. But as
wonderful as seeing each of the Easter eggs linking back into the world of
Albuquerque, by far the most fascinating thing about this series is the degrading
relationship between the McGill brothers (each of whom deserves a nomination of
his own), and how much Jimmy continues to embrace his destiny with each
succeeding season. This is become a masterpiece in its own right, and even
though, like Americans, you know how
it will end, you can not look away.
The
Crown (Netflix)
Forget House of Cards. This is the Netflix series within the corridors of
power. As I said in an earlier review, Peter Morgan has always been good at
taking a look at the world behind the monarchy, but perhaps his greatest
accomplishment in this series has come in taking these people we have almost
come to see as caricatures and turned them into flesh and blood, living
creatures. It's already received awards from the Golden Globes and the SAG
awards. The Emmy nominations it will receive can't be far behind, perhaps from
those who see this as a Downton Abbey substitute.
Trust me. This is better.
The
Good Fight (CBS Access)
This may be my most controversial
choice, not merely because it is broadcast on a service that most Emmy voters
may not have been able to find. But the fact remains this is more than a sequel
to The Good Wife, although that alone
should be enough to push it into Emmy viewers sightlines (God knows it wasn't
for the last five years it was on the air) But the acting, writing, and stories
are at least as good as they were on the original series, and there are even
more interesting characters then before. Oh, and there's sex and profanity now.
Do you think now you'll be willing to
give them some Emmy love?
Mr.
Robot (USA )
I am well aware that average Emmy
voter, looking for new sci-fi, may very well turn their attention to the shiny
and new Westworld, and I realize that
there has to be some codicil in the Emmy bylaws that HBO will have a nominee.
(I'd rather it be The Leftovers, but
its clear by now that's its just not going to make it). But the second season
of the USA cyber-thriller was even more twisted than the first, as the world
reeled from the 5/9 hack, Eliot went on an even more twisted journey that last
year, and we got even more interesting characters than before (Hello, Grace
Gummer). Throw some of the most audacious teasers since Breaking Bad in its prime, and you have a series that defied the
sophomore slump.
Stranger
Things (Netflix)
Now, here's a series that should be
watched by everyone. A dark thriller dealing with monster. A story about
friendship growing up in the 80s. An homage to Spielberg and Stephen King. And
some of the greatest child actor performers TV has ever seen. This is arguably
the biggest sensation on TV in quite some time. And if the SAG awards and MTV
both consider it the best series on TV, its going to be very hard for me to
argue. This is the Netflix phenomenon that should be considered, not Orange
This
is Us (NBC)
Its been five years since a network
series has been nominated for Best Drama. (Though God knows that's not entirely
Network TV's fault) But now comes a series that defies all the rules of what
great TV should be on a network show. No antiheroes. No violence or profanity.
Just the story of a family that brings huge laughs and will start even the most
stoic viewer crying. Critics and audiences worship this show. Emmy voters, if
you blow it this time, there will be blood. Especially since it will mean MTV
and the People's Choice Awards are more relevant than you.
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