TV Performance of the Week! Archives

My performance of the week ending 5/30/20 on TV goes to…

Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia Blake on The CW’s The 100.

Let’s talk about one of the most brilliant and incredible character transformations on a television series of all time. The quiet girl under the floor has stepped out of her big brother’s shadow, embracing love, heartache, leadership, loss, and happiness. While a lot of the attention still centers around Clarke, Octavia has quickly become the heart and soul of The 100 and season 7, episode 2 is another great example of this.

Octavia and Bellamy The 100 CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

Please note spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on season 7.

It’s not easy finding your way, especially when you grew up as a secret. Octavia only really knew Bellamy as her family, but she quickly became a reliable member of the group once our favorite characters made it down to earth.

After experiencing life out in the open with brand new eyes, Octavia met the love of her life, Lincoln. Their love was beautiful and transcendent of everything else around them, but Lincoln was killed in front of her, which was one of the most heartbreaking moments of the entire series for me.

Octavia and Lincoln The 100 CW — Images courtesy of The CW

Octavia turned her grief into strength and trained with Indra to become an unstoppable warrior. She was driven by revenge and eventually shattered her moral compass when she became the leader of Wonkru…Blodreina. Remember that familiar chant?

Octavia Blake The 100 CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

“You are Wonkru or you are the enemy of Wonkru. Choose…”

Well, it’s not much of a choice when the alternative is death, but Blodreina transformed into a ruthless leader, but there were still glimmers of humanity within her. We later discovered that Octavia took on all of the burden so that no one else had to. As much as you wanted to hate her for her actions, you couldn’t.

Bellamy has always been able to bring Octavia back, but after their huge fallout, Octavia seemed truly alone. Her friendship with Diyoza allowed her to head down a path toward redemption as she stumbled across the mysterious anomaly.

After watching season 7, episode 2, Marie Avgeropoulos had me in tears once again. Her letter to Bellamy was so heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. Octavia has finally learned what it means to love again, bonding with Diyoza and her daughter, Hope. Even though she has a new family, she still holds Bellamy close to her heart and wants him to know that she now understands.

Octavia and Bellamy The 100 CW — Images courtesy of The CW

This was such a huge moment for Octavia as a character. Through it all, she finally is able to recognize her mistakes and redeem herself to become someone others can always count on.

What’s next for Octavia? This is the final season of the series so it will be interesting to see if Octavia’s journey toward self-discovery is almost done. I’d love to see a reunion between her and Bellamy, but I also have a feeling that she may sacrifice everything to save him and her friends, which would make her an eternal hero. I’d also love to see another flashback or memory with Lincoln because it truly was the ultimate love story of the series.

Octavia The 100 CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Either way, I am so beyond impressed with Marie Avgeropoulos as an actress. She channels so much strength into her character and has shown us so many sides of Octavia. Some of them have been good and some of them have been on the other side of the spectrum, but everything she pours into her character is compelling and disturbingly real.

I can’t wait to see how it all ends and I will be an Octavia Blake fan for life!

May we meet again.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

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My performance of the week ending 5/9/20 on TV goes to…

Kerr Smith as Mr. Honey on The CW’s Riverdale.

You may remember Kerr Smith best from Final Destination, Dawson’s Creek, and Charmed, but the captivating Kerr Smith has certainly made some waves in the town of Riverdale. Kerr Smith is no stranger to playing a character everyone loves to hate and he does so with charisma and charm as Holden Honey.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on season 4.

Don’t be fooled by his sugary sweet name. When Holden Honey arrives as the new principal, he is far from sweet. He is not intimidated by any of the students even though we know that Miss Cheryl Bombshell does not let anyone off that easy.

Mr Honey Riverdale CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

He challenges Cheryl’s leadership of the Vixens, trashes Reggie’s car, attempts to ruin the variety show, and even has the nerve to try and cancel prom, which makes him seem like a “heinous villain.”

It also initially seemed like Mr. Honey could have been the creepy threat behind the video tapes, but after watching season 4 episode 19, it looks like we all may have been wrong about Mr. Honey’s intentions.

Sometimes you need to be harsh and strict in order to get results and that’s what Mr. Honey did. He tried to help the students of Riverdale and the school secretary even explains that college acceptance rates have been higher than ever. Not to mention that he didn’t lose a single student under his watch in murder friendly Riverdale.

Jughead is beyond shocked when he discovers that Mr. Honey even wrote a recommendation letter on his behalf to Iowa, supporting him, which proves that he has seen the potential in each and every one of his students. His methods may have been extreme and out there, but he has been trying to prepare them all for a life outside of Riverdale.

Mr Honey Riverdale CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Mr. Honey may have had the best of intentions, but we also can’t ignore the fact that he is accepting a new job at Stonewall Prep. He may not be completely innocent here and he plays the part of the guy we love to hate all too well. It looks like Mr. Honey may be exiting the show for a while but I’d love to see him return. I have a feeling that whatever villain is truly lurking in the shadows would be scared by Mr. Honey.

What’s next for Mr. Honey? Well, we know he’s off to Stonewall Prep, but I have a feeling that he may be checking in on Riverdale from time to time. He certainly has access to a lot of confidential information and it wouldn’t surprise me if Betty needs to look him up once or twice for some intel.

Mr Honey Riverdale CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

Either way, I have to say that Kerr Smith has been phenomenal on the show. We have had some really great villains over the seasons, but Mr. Honey really made an impact and wedged his way into every inner circle, proving that he should not be underestimated.

Now about those tapes…

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 5/2/20 on TV goes to…

The cast of Dispatches From Elsewhere on AMC:

Jason Segel, Eve Lindley, Sally Field, and André Benjamin.

I’ve witnessed many shows with brilliant casts, but there was just something truly special and unique about this particular one. We fell in love with their characters in such a short amount of time. They made us laugh. They made us cry. They broke our hearts into a million pieces and then put them back together.

Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

There have been characters over the years that I have really connected with, but Dispatches From Elsewhere took things one step further. We were asked to imagine each of these characters as “you” or “us,” but when it comes down to it, there’s really only one “you.”

These characters couldn’t be more different and yet they were all brought together by a mysterious game. However, once the game played out, we were left with connections, memories, and moments that reminded us what life is really all about. It’s about the people we choose to share them with, proving that every moment counts…even the small ones.

Dispatches AMC 1 — Images courtesy of AMC

When the show began, the narrator asked us to think of each character as us. We were presented with a snapshot of each character’s life and routine. Some stories hit pretty close to home while others were inspiring on another level. While you may have been initially skeptical about how you could relate to each character, those walls and barriers quickly broke down as you found yourself along for the ride.

The show is really more of a journey than anything else, but it’s a journey that we went on as well as the audience. It had moments of pure brilliance and magic, translating past the page and screen. While the show may seem weird and complex, it’s so much more than that. Sometimes we need to look at the simplest version of things in order to get the most out of them.

As the show goes on, Peter, Simone, Janice, and Fredwynn find themselves questioning more than just the game. However, through it all, they also discover this important connection in their group. Their friendships and relationships are beautiful and touching. In a world filled with pain and loneliness, they are able to take a leap of faith in order to find one another, which is no easy task.

Dispatches AMC 2 — Images courtesy of AMC

What’s next for our group? Well, the show is over for now, but the season finale was probably one of the most thought-provoking episodes I have ever witnessed on television. It was bold, different, and slightly all over the map, but by the time it was done, I had tears in my eyes and a new respect for the entire cast and crew of this show.

The show is meant to be a limited anthology series. If it is picked up for any additional episodes, we will most likely follow a new group of characters and plot, but I think that the journey and performances we witnessed will forever stay with us.

Dispatches AMC 3 — Images courtesy of AMC

I highly recommend this show to anyone who is looking for something slightly outside of the box. I can confirm that this show is like nothing else I have ever watched. I am truly grateful that I took a chance on it and these actors took my breath away with their incredible portrayals and performances.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 4/25/20 on TV goes to…

Jodie Comer as Villanelle on BBC America’s Killing Eve.

Villanelle is back and better than ever!

I don’t know about you, but I have been counting the days until Villanelle’s return. Jodie Comer is perfection and I was so excited to see her channel that dark Villanelle humor in season 3, episode 2. Send in the clowns!

Please note some spoilers are ahead.

From her killer fashion to her eccentric characters, Jodie Comer pours her heart and soul into this role and Villanelle is the most unique and interesting character on television. It’s no surprise that Comer won the Emmy award last year and she should just get this award automatically because she brings such a fresh and unique take to the role.

Killing Eve BBC America 3 2 3 — Images courtesy of BBC America

It’s not easy playing a female assassin and somehow Jodie Comer makes you actually root for Villanelle. Sure, she is committing some pretty violent and brutal crimes along the way, but she’s also trying to find her own path and identity, which gives her character so many layers.

Previously, we have seen glimmers of Villanelle’s humanity shining through, but her love/obsession with Eve took up most of her time. Villanelle is finally trying to branch out and discover something that makes her happy, even exploring management, which is no easy task.

Killing Eve BBC America 3 2 — Images courtesy of BBC America

However, now that she has discovered that Eve is alive, that obsession may return, but I’m confident that Villanelle will continue to surprise and shock us. The dynamic between these two is always fantastic, but Villanelle has grown into such a fantastic character on her own and I’m really hoping that we can finally devote some more time to her actual development.

Killing Eve BBC America 3 2 2 — Images courtesy of BBC America

What happened in her childhood? How did she first become an assassin?

I have endless questions and I’m really hoping that we can explore some more layers behind Villanelle while enjoying some outrageous and hilarious moments with her.

What’s next for Villanelle? Well, she now has to deal with Eve being alive while trying out her new role for The Twelve. A life/work balance can be difficult to manage, but when you throw killing in there as well, all bets are off. I’m looking forward to more hilarious moments from Villanelle and the teaser for the stuffed animal scene looks like it can be a lot of fun.

As Villanelle reminded Felix, she’s kind of a big deal in this business, but anybody can fight…“it takes a special kind of person to kill.” Villanelle is definitely a special kind of person, but let’s hope that we can find out what really makes her tick and allow her to shine even more for us.

Either way, I am so beyond excited that Jomie Comer is back in this role and I can’t wait to see what she does next! You can never really guess with her…

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek comes out April 28th!

Dash and Seek is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 4/18/20 on TV goes to…

Kerry Washington as Mia Warren on Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere.

There are a lot of emotions to tap into during this show, but Kerry manages to display every single one to perfection. Her performance as Mia Warren is real and honest and she brings me to tears.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead, but major ones have been left out for your convenience.**

It’s no secret that Kerry Washington is a fantastic actress, but she is exploring a whole new character in Little Fires Everywhere and I absolutely love every single second of it. Mia Warren clashes drastically with Reese Witherspoon’s Elena Richardson and the dynamic between these two is fantastic.

Even though both are talented actresses, Kerry has been stealing the show. Mia is broken and jaded in a lot of ways, but she also tells the blunt truth, which is not always received well in a small town where appearances matter.

Mia is a fantastic artist and photographer and she loves to take pictures of how people really are, capturing them in emotionally raw moments that reflect the parts of them they don’t always want others to see.

Mia Warren Hulu 1 — Images courtesy of Hulu

And that’s what makes her work so unique, revealing the many layers of her own character as well. After learning more about Mia’s past, a lot of the jumbled pieces started to form into coherent images, but Mia is far from being perfect herself. She has made many mistakes in her life and she clings to her relationship with her daughter, Pearl, but quickly learns that perhaps her stance on honesty should also apply to her own family.

Mia’s connections with other characters are truly interesting because she really seems like more of a loner and yet she is able to make such an epic impact on all of their lives. Elena starts out wanting to gain Mia’s approval, but eventually changes her tune, determined to expose her for her own faults.

Mia Warren Hulu 2 — Images courtesy of Hulu

There is this constant divide between these two and yet they both value motherhood above all else. Elena is all about perfection even though she has her own skeletons in the closet, but Mia recognizes the beauty in imperfection. It’s interesting how Mia’s daughter bonds with Elena and Izzy feels more comfortable with Mia, revealing that perhaps these two broad ends of the spectrum are not that different.

Mia has tried so hard to prepare her daughter, Pearl, for the harsh realities of the world while Elena refuses to let Izzy just be herself, which creates another interesting dynamic. Through it all, Mia’s love for Pearl is apparent and she will do anything to protect her child, but now that Elena is threatening that relationship, things may get ugly.

Mia Warren Hulu 3 — Images courtesy of Hulu

What’s next for Mia? Well, we’ll have to wait and see, but Elena has crossed a serious line and Mia is not one to stay quiet. We also need to see how this impacts Mia’s relationship with her own daughter and how this plays out. The fires are igniting everywhere between these families and it’s only a matter of time before someone or something is destroyed.

I can’t wait to see how it all ends and I am so invested and grateful for Kerry Washington’s performances week after week. She is truly brilliant in this role and deserves some recognition for sure.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek comes out April 28th!

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

My performance of the week ending 4/11/20 on TV goes to…

Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew on The CW’s Nancy Drew.

It’s not easy playing an iconic character like Nancy Drew, especially when so many other actresses have taken a whirl at it. However, Kennedy McMann is starting to make some waves with her portrayal and in a very good way!

**Please note some spoilers are ahead, but major ones have been left out for your convenience.**

When I first heard that we would be getting a new Nancy Drew series, I was beyond excited. The show originally premiered right after Riverdale and I thought it was going to quickly become my new favorite show. However, I had some reservations about it initially and I wasn’t really sure how I felt about the new Nancy.

Nancy Drew The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Sure, there is a maturity to this Nancy and a teenage drama angst that we often find on shows on The CW, but I was really hoping for a spark that would lure me in and I didn’t initially find it. However, I am so happy that I stuck around because the series got better and better as it went on.

The mysteries are so intriguing and they really keep you on the edge of your seat and Nancy has really grown and developed as a character, impressing me so much. Kennedy McMann has been channeling all the right emotions while keeping her sleuth skills up to par.

In the most recent episodes, we got quite a shock about Nancy’s identity and her connection to Lucy Sable, which still has my head spinning. The reveal was quite rewarding and now I am more invested than ever. Part of that is because Kennedy McMann has been beyond fantastic and I can’t stop watching her.

Nancy Drew The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

While I initially thought she was moody and self deprecating, she is now using her inner turmoil to become a force of nature herself. It’s going to take Nancy some time to adjust to everything going on, but the supernatural presence in town is not about to let her off that easy.

I’m also much more interested in Nancy’s new relationships, although things may get even more complicated after that major cliffhanger at the end of episode 17. While I originally felt like Nancy’s relationship was forced upon us with Nick, she has been making her own choices now, allowing her to truly discover her sense of self worth.

What’s next for Nancy? Well, she has to deal with the new supernatural threat before it claims her and her friends, but I know that our girl Nancy will not stop until she finds a way to defeat it.

Nancy Drew The CW 8 — Images courtesy of The CW

Now that we know Nancy’s true identity, she also has to come to terms with who she is and what kind of relationship she wants with her family and friends.

I’m looking forward to more adventures with Nancy Drew and I am so happy that I decided to stick around and give this show a chance after initially having some doubts.

Sometimes it takes a show a little while to find its identity, especially when it has many predecessors. However, with each new episode, Nancy Drew is finally giving off that spark I was looking for and Kennedy McMann is at the very center of it.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

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My performance of the week ending 4/4/20 on TV goes to…

Tom Pelphrey as Ben Davis on Netflix’s Ozark season 3.

Ozark season 3 may be my favorite season yet and part of that is because of the beyond brilliant performance by Tom Pelphrey, who gave his heart and soul to his portrayal of Wendy’s brother, Ben Davis.

**Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.**

It’s not easy being the new character on a show, especially when the characters are already so fantastic. However, Ben Davis certainly makes his presence known when he shows up to stay with the Byrde family.

What I really enjoyed about Ben was the way he was able to elevate other characters on the show. His connections with Ruth and his sister, Wendy, really developed their own character transformations, which I thought was so clever and thought-provoking.

Ben from Ozark Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

We learn that Ben suffers from bipolar disorder and begins to make some drastic decisions when he starts developing romantic feelings for our girl, Ruth, which worries Wendy. Wendy has seen Ben at his worst before and doesn’t want to go down this dark path again, especially since the entire family is walking on eggshells while working for the drug cartel.

I’ve never really liked Wendy that much before, but her interactions with Ben made me change my mind. We finally got to witness some truly believable and emotional moments with Wendy and I’m not sure that we would have seen them without Ben on the show.

Ben from Ozark Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Ben has some fantastic and chilling moments on his own as well and isn’t afraid to shatter the lies and secrets being told in town. While his measures and actions may be beyond extreme at times, you can tell that he really has a big heart and cares about both Ruth and his family. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he also believes in loyalty and integrity. He is honestly one of the most interesting characters I have seen on a show in a long time.

It’s not always easy to portray someone with a mental illness, but Tom Pelphrey really does a great job. He doesn’t overdo things or overact. He just simple embraces the role to the point where you really think that he is Ben Davis, which deserves a lot of recognition. I honestly think that he deserves an Emmy nomination for this role. He’s that good.

Season 3, episode 9 will tug at all of your emotions. I mentioned how powerful this episode was during my spoiler-free review of season 3, but Pelphrey’s performance is so real and heart-wrenching. I was crying my eyes out during this episode and I am still thinking about it even now. That’s how epic it was.

Family can sometimes be more complicated than anything else in the world and yet we still want to do everything we can to help the ones we love.

Bravo, Tom Pelphrey! Thank you for elevating an already fantastic show into something even greater.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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My performance of the week ending 3/28/20 on TV goes to…

Danai Gurira as Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead season 10.

After that epic and revealing episode (season 10 episode 12), we switched gears to catch up with Michonne in episode 13. Her episode was extremely moving and I thought that Danai Gurira was beyond fantastic. She was heart-wrenching perfection.

**Please note MAJOR spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

I talked a lot about Michonne’s character growth and transformation across the seasons in my post on The Walking Dead (season 10 episode 13), but Michonne deserves a post of her very own, celebrating her as an extraordinary character on the series. Even though this episode is considered a farewell for her, her story will continue in a lot of ways and I thought it was the perfect tribute to her.

I thought that season 10 episode 13 was so well done. The alternate path/reality portion really gave us a chance to remember Michonne’s decisions and interactions with characters, reminding us just how important she really is. The decision to save someone in a selfless act is not easy in a post-apocalyptic world, but Michonne learns that she did ultimately make the right decision and was introduced to her family and the love of her life by doing so.

We glimpsed into a world where Michonne made one very different decision, choosing not to save Andrea, which could have led her down a dark and dangerous path.

Becoming a hero is not always clear cut. There are so many different factors that are at play and we often see villains who think that they are doing what is necessary to survive.

Michonne has gone through so much in her life and we could have easily witnessed her stumble along the way and yet she has become even stronger because of her decisions. I think that her connections with other characters helped her tremendously. When we first met Michonne, she was pretty much on her own, but once she started connecting with those around her, she opened the guard around her heart and became a true leader and warrior.

What’s next for Michonne? Well, we know that this was Danai Gurira’s last episode, but her story will certainly not end. After discovering some clues that Rick may be alive, Michonne decides to try and find him with the blessing and encouragement from Judith.

Michonne is a mother and we know that this was not an easy decision for her, but she is going to do everything in her power to find Rick and I’m hoping that we get to see a happy ending for them at some point within TWD universe.

I thought the last scene with Michonne was so fitting and perfect for her character. Michonne finds a man and woman who are in need of assistance and remembers when Rick and Carl took a chance on her, which ultimately changed her life forever. Michonne is on a mission to find Rick, but takes the time to offer her hand to those in need, truly embracing her role as a hero.

I will really miss Michonne’s presence on the show, but I thought this was the perfect tribute and farewell episode for her. The story is never really over and I feel honored to have witnessed so many incredible performances by Danai Gurira over the seasons.

We’ll miss you, Michonne!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 3/21/20 on TV goes to…

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan on AMC’s The Walking Dead season 10.

Season 10 has been quite the ride, but I may have just watched one of the most epic episodes I have ever seen (Season 10 episode 12) and part of that is because of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s beyond brilliant performance as our antihero, Negan.

**Please note MAJOR spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

Jeffrey Dean Morgan knows how to play a villain well. He’s ruthless at times, but he also has so much charisma and humor, really making him someone you love to hate and eventually transforming into more of an antihero rather than a villain. While I can’t forgive some of Negan’s actions that shattered TWD, I have been a fan of his for a while and I have enjoyed witnessing his character growth. Negan played the villain well, but he absolutely flourishes as an antihero.

Negan has many layers and he is no stranger to performing some unspeakable acts, but sometimes you need a villain to take down another villain and so our long con was created. Alpha is another villain who has been beyond ruthless, but Negan recognizes a lot of himself in her. Alpha talks about her decisions in terms of survival and destiny, but Negan also recognizes a vulnerability within her that Carol is determined to use to bring her down once and for all.

While many of the other characters on the show keep their moral compass steady, Carol has really lost her way after what happened to Henry and is completely driven by revenge. Carol recognizes that doing things the right way doesn’t always pay off and does what she has to do in order to bring down her enemy.

In season 10 episode 12, everything is revealed, as Negan approaches Alpha and explains that he has Lydia held up in a shack nearby. It has been obvious for quite a while now that Lydia would be Alpha’s ultimate downfall, even though she has been so obsessed with getting rid of her daughter in order to stifle this weakness within her.

Alpha clearly became somewhat intrigued by Negan and their tryst in the woods still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I think in a lot of ways, Negan truly did sympathize with Alpha and probably did connect with her on some level. However, Negan has always had a strict code about not harming children and we have witnessed his interactions with Lydia and Judith, suggesting that he would never let anything actually happen to them.

Negan’s long con works to perfection as he leads Alpha to an empty shack, immediately slicing her throat to put her down quickly before bringing her reanimated head back to Carol. Even though Negan did what was necessary, he tries to do so with compassion, holding Alpha gently while her life pours out of her, proving that Negan is not the same man anymore.

I thought that Negan’s discussion with Alpha about his own wife and how he shut down after her death was so important for his character growth. We have been witnessing the changes in Negan, but I think this may be the first time he actually sees it for himself and expresses it out loud. Negan certainly still has a long way to go until redemption, but I think taking down Alpha was a huge step in the right direction.

What’s next for Negan? It will be interesting to see how the rest of the group receives him now that he has taken down the other big bad wolf. Will they accept that Carol released him from his cell or will they still be cautious around him? I’m not sure, but I think it’s safe to say that we are done putting Negan behind bars.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the team-up between him and Carol and hope to see this dynamic duo get some more screen time together to take down the rest of their enemies. You have to admit, they make a pretty unstoppable team!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 3/14/20 on TV goes to…

Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler on AMC’s Better Call Saul season 5.

The entire cast of Better Call Saul is extremely talented and it’s difficult to outshine the infamous scene stealer himself, Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, but somehow Rhea Seehorn’s performance each week continues to move me. Kim Wexler is the heart of the show and she is always so brilliant and believable.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

While Saul (formerly known as Jimmy) is known to cut through some red tape to make things happen, Kim always tries to do things by the book. Sure, she certainly has had some fantastic cons with Jimmy, but you truly empathize with her internal struggle to be taken seriously as a lawyer.

Better Call Saul AMC 1 — Images courtesy of AMC

I honestly don’t know anyone who works harder and sometimes it takes a toll on her, but she is so driven to fight for things in the right way. However, Kim recognizes that following the book doesn’t always pay off even when she has gone through every possible scenario and detail. I actually get so annoyed with the team from Mesa Verde and how they treat Kim.

They take advantage of her and don’t see how valuable she truly is. In season 5, episodes 3 and 4, Kim tries to reason with a man who refuses to leave his home, which is on land owned by Mesa Verde. Kim stands her ground, but also gets a wake-up call when the man asks her about her own morals.

Kim does everything in her power to try and find another way, but when her ideas are dismissed, she starts to realize that perhaps she does need Jimmy/Saul to get some real justice.

Kim’s moral compass is what makes her such a likable character. We accept and know that Jimmy/Saul is going to entertain us with his schemes, but Kim wavers back and forth between what is actually right and wrong. Out of all the characters on the show, Kim is the one I relate to the most. She is so real and convincing and my heart goes out to her whenever something bad happens to her because she doesn’t deserve it.

What’s next for Kim Wexler? We’ll have to see how her team-up with Saul pans out, but I’m hoping that Kim can find her way and earn the respect and recognition that she deserves. I’m also wondering what’s next for Kim and Saul. I think that they are such an adorable couple and almost remind me of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde in the attorney world, but we also know that Kim is not mentioned or seen in the Breaking Bad series.

Better Call Saul AMC 2 — Images courtesy of AMC

Was it a bad breakup or do they part on good terms? I’m not sure, but it’s clear that Saul needs Kim in his life. They both are conflicted in different ways and somehow bring out the best in one another. I’m hoping that with the series wrapping up next year, we will get some kind of concrete answers and closure for them.

Since we do flash forward to the future quite a bit, there is still hope for Saul to make things right with Kim, but I am also nervous about what actually split them up in the first place because it honestly breaks my heart even though I don’t know what actually happened.

Through it all, this series continues to be one of the best on television and Rhea Seehorn shines every single week with her incredible performances. Kim Wexler is one of the strongest female characters on television right now and she is an inspiration to women everywhere. Let’s just hope that she doesn’t get caught in the middle of another mess because she deserves the world and then some.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!