Samuel Brace on the Best TV Drama Emmy, what should be nominated, and what will be nominated…
With voting ending for those with ballots last Friday and the Emmy nominations announcement coming in the middle of next month, I’ve been thinking about all the great TV dramas of the past year. There has been many an excellent show to champion recently and even though all time great series like Breaking Bad may have said goodbye there is still an awful lot to be excited about.
Now, I am normally a little contrarian it seems with my picks for this sort of thing, not by design but perhaps more simply out of differing tastes from mainstream consumers of content. The shows I want to be acknowledged are normally quite different from the shows that actually do get nominated. Sadly, I am always one to set myself up for plenty of disappointment come awards time.
Anyway, I thought I would give you guys a glimpse into my thinking regarding this year’s Emmy for Best TV Drama Series, the shows that I want to get nods Vs the shows I think will receive this honours.
THE NOMINATIONS I WANT
Game of Thrones
Putting aside my fandom of the show, there is no denying GOT is an outstanding series, ticking all the boxes required to be claimed a great show. Season 5 may not have been its best but it is still better than 99% of other shows on TV. I will be most upset if it misses out.
Hannibal
God, I love this show. The fact that I am one of the few who watch this masterful series and the fact this has led to the shows cancellation, makes me pretty mad to put it lightly. Hannibal is glorious but for one reason or the other it has never received the love it deserves. I don’t expect this to change at all this year but I will be hoping the scales will finally fall from voter’s eyes.
The Leftovers
Like Hannibal, The Leftovers doesn’t really stand a chance of being nominated. Even though it’s on HBO and is an expertly crafted and an even more immaculately scored series, the show wasn’t bestowed with the critical buzz or mass fan following it merited when it debuted last year. I wouldn’t fall off my seat like if Hannibal got nominated but I would be shocked to say the least. Here’s hoping.
Better Call Saul
The spin-off to a heralded TV series being nominated for an Emmy? Doesn’t sound likely, does it? But the original show being the juggernaut that Breaking Bad was and the spin-off being as fantastic as Better Call Saul is, makes this a much more likely option. With plenty of support from critics, especially for its actors, this one could definitely make the cut but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it was left out.
Bloodline
This is a long shot but one I am really hoping for. I adored the first season of Netflix’s new series starring Kyle Chandler. Everything about the story of the Rayburn family and their Florida Keys escapades riveted me from start to finish. It’s more likely (though not much) that Ben Mendelsohn will be nominated for supporting actor but regardless this show is one I am really pulling for. I couldn’t get enough of it.
Mad Men
A nomination for Mad Men this year is pretty much guaranteed. With its last ever season in the books; it would be a shocker to all if it wasn’t at least nominated one last time. I became slightly indifferent to the show’s past few seasons but I thought seven really got things back on course and delivered a wonderful ending to the now iconic series. This pick should be one where I actually get my wish.
THE NOMINATIONS I EXPECT
Game of Thrones
As mentioned above, Game of Thrones was great this year, perhaps not as perfect as seasons past but still a cut above the rest. I fully expect it to be rewarded for another year of television excellence.
Mad Men
The same with Game of Thrones, this is a show where my hopes meet my expectations. Mad Men will be nominated for its final bow and could very possibly win the entire thing. The series as a whole deserves it and there should be no surprises to be found here.
House of Cards
I actually loved season 3 of this political Netflix drama. Some weren’t as in love with it as seasons 1 and 2 but I enjoyed these most recent episodes as much as I did any of the earlier installments. It could have indeed made my list for what I want to be nominated but this year was just too crowded with other gems. However, I fully expect voters to stay with the Underwood’s and give it another nomination. I doubt the slight dip in enthusiasm will hurt it much.
The Affair
I started off really loving this series but as time went on — and as I discovered the much more interesting and dynamic Bloodline — my passion for it waned considerably. I am in the minority however with this viewpoint and I would be surprised to see it not mentioned come nominations time.
The Americans
Along with House of Cards, The Americans could have easily made my list another year. I fully enjoy The Americans every time I put it on but I find myself never really dying for the next installment. It’s an excellent show but doesn’t grip me like others I have mentioned. This won’t stop it from being nominated however, season 3 was adored by critics and I can’t see it being left out of the party.
Orange is the New Black
This one I toyed with. I love OITNB, I think it’s a great show and I’m a big fan of Jenji Kohan but there is something about the series that doesn’t quite grip me the way others manage. I am not a ballot holder however and I believe it stands an excellent chance of being nominated this year. It is placed very well politically to receive a nom, appeals to a wide variety of fans and really it’s just a damn good TV show. I think the switch from the ‘Comedy’ to ‘Drama’ category this year actually helps its chances and I would not be surprised to see it acknowledged come July.
Well, that’s my take out of the way. What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? Both? Let me know. TV is nothing if not worth debating.
Samuel Brace
https://youtu.be/IkCIASOuyCw?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
