Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

The people behind the scenes, putting the words to paper, or their computers, then those who bring the action to life through their vision of the script.  Over this past television series writing and directing within dramatic television series have become even more sophisticated.  Men who, and I stress men because I have not seen any high profile women within this arena, have started to transition from their work in film to the smaller screen more, as writers and directors.

Over the past few years men like Spielberg, and Scorsese have brought things to life on the small screen from mini-series like Band of Brothers, to dramatic series like Boardwalk Empire.  This year there was a one two punch from Beau Willimon (Ides of March) and David Fincher (Seven, The Social Network, Fight Club) with the Netflix original series House of Cards.  Cards, not only put Netflix on the map, but the show upped the ante making the political arena one of the most interesting.  Willimon's creation of Franic Underwood feels as though you are in the intimate reality of DC, and Fincher's direction takes direction of a television series to a whole new level, making this intimate series feel much more large scale, an impressive feat for both men.

Some writing was a bit more controversial, namely television producer/writer Aaron Sorkin who has also made a name for himself in film writing both The Social Network and Moneyball, Network scored him a win, and Moneyball a nomination.  Aaron Sorkin was praised for his television series The West Wing, but his newest creation The Newsroom received mixed reviews.  Newsroom was seen by some as misogynistic, and manipulatively liberal.  While watching this series I could see the critiques having merit, but this show was just too compelling, and Sorkin's writing style is too brilliant to ignore.  Sorkin creates an accurate representation of the real life news world. Even seasoned news anchors like Dan Rather praised the show, for being realistic, that's an impressive affirmation.

Sorkin is not alone in the world of transitioning from television to film seamlessly; he is joined by writer/director Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick).  Johnson made his first foray into television in 2010 directing episodes of Breaking Bad, and Terriers.  Johnson has returned this year to Breaking Bad directing the season finale entitled Fifty-One.  In Fifty-One Johnson creates a sequence mirroring the genius story transition of the film Goodfellas.  Johnson shows his mastery of the show through elegant, but gritty direction, which highlights the show perfectly.  The episode takes television to a higher level raising the the bar for style and substance like no show, proving once again television has become an elevated art form.

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Breaking Bad- Fifty-One-Sam Catlin

The Good Wife-Red Team/Blue Team-Robert King and Michelle King

Homeland-Q&A-Harry Bromell

House of Cards-Chapter One-Beau Willimon

Justified-Decoy-Graham Yost & Chris Provenzana

The Newsroom-5/1-Aaron Sorkin

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Breaking Bad-Fifty-One-Rian Johnson

Dexter-Are You….? -John Dahl

Game of Thrones-The Rains of Castamere-David Nutter

The Good Wife-What’s in the Box? -Robert King

House of Cards-Chapter One-David Fincher

Homeland-Q & A- Leslie Linka Glatter 

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

 I decided to separate these categories from the writing and directing this year.  All I can say is that The Good Wife could fill all twelve spots on these lists.  The Good Wife's use of their recurring/guest stars is handled better than any other television series on the air.  Wife seamlessly blends together the guest with their main characters.  Whether you are watching Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) a lawyer who often work with Lockhart Gardener, or is sometimes represented by them, or Clarke Hayden as Lockhart Gardener's trustee.  These are just two of the many memorable guest performances from this past television season.

What makes a memorable guest performance?  Hard to say, but these twelve people do a great job, and represent some of the best I have ever seen in these categories.  William Daniels is a person on few people's radar, but as Dr. Craig Thomas a mentor to Christina Yang he made your heart melt as someone Christina finally believed in without sleeping with him.  Game of Thrones has so many moving parts, but Diana Rigg who played Lady Olenna Tyrell stood out as a larger than life character in the few scenes she has had.  While Daniels was on Grey's Anatomy for several episodes, and Rigg has had only a few scenes their impact on the season has been important, and they have made an impressive showing.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama

Jim Beaver-Justified

William Daniels-Grey’s Anatomy

Rupert Friend-Homeland

Nathan Lane-The Good Wife

Ray Romano-Parenthood

Ray Stevenson-Dexter

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama

Alison Brie-Mad Men

Jane Fonda-The Newsroom

Margo Martindale-The Americans

Martha Plimpton-The Good Wife

Carrie Preston-The Good Wife

Diana Rigg-Game of Thrones 

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

This is the best line-up I have seen in this category in a long time, and everyone of the 6 actors could be named a winner.  These six men come from a variety of worlds, some as royalty in King's Landing, others attempting to be kings of DC.  There are of course those who restraint tries to help keep calm within their world whether they be killers helping sell meth, or protectors of the news.  This year is filled with some incredibly complex men who may be the support, but within their shows, but they were some of my favorite performances of the year.

Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad

In previous seasons Mike was merely the hired gun, but once Gus went goodbye, and Walt started to run the show we got a deeper look into Mike.  Banks quiet desperation as he tried to be a grandfather while avoiding being hauled into jail was incredibly well played.  Yet in this very season this love able grandfather was terrorizing Laura Fraser's character, threatening her life and attempting to take her away from her daughter.  Gilligan knew how to add layers to Mike, but it was Banks performance which sealed the deal.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

Tyrion aka Peter Dinklage always gets most of the credit for the acting chops in this show, and he he was close  to making this list, but Nikolaj has knocked it out of the park as Jaime this season.  Jaime went from being this monster who pushed a child out a window to someone giving a beautiful soliloquy while held captive, to Brienne.  This shows Jaime's vulnerability more than ever.  Jaime's connection with Brienne has not only brought the best in Jaime, but with Nikolaj's acting; he is cocky, but has shed that one note level creating a depth to his character that will jump into a bear pit.  Nikolaj has had a great season.

Walton Goggins as Boyd Cowder in Justified

Boyd and Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) have one of the best dynamics on television, you want to route for the them both, but you just can't, the same way you can't route for Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas in Sweet Home Alabama.  Boyd's battle to get Drew Thompson lead him and Ava down the rabbit hole and forced him to lose something so valuable to him.  Watching boyd beaten down at the end of the season to the point of no return, the way he was as a child was some of the best acting.  Goggins is a pro, and one hell of a scene stealer; he is one of the most under appreciated actors working in television.

Corey Stoll as Representative Peter Russo in House of Cards

One of the most complex roles of the 2012-2013 television season, while make talk about Francis Underwood, watching Corey Stoll tackle Peter Russo's decline is one of the most brilliant supporting performances ever.  Peter is just a like able guy trying to right by his family, his constituents, while doing blow and succumbing to DC's political games.  Watching the yo-yo effect of Petter Russo was brilliant, and thanks to Corey Stoll handled with great aplomb.  Stoll hits the high and low notes with little effort; he makes you want Peter to succeed, you route for him because of Stoll's performance, and yet in the end you can't help but realize you knew outcome.

Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson in Homeland

How can you not love Saul; he is the rock of this show.  Saul is there for Carrie when he needs her most, a surrogate father at work always look after her.  Saul is an incredible character, and while some may miss the great acting, it's because Mandy Patinkin is that good.  Patinkin's effortless style helps you to get lose in triumph of the creation of this character.  Saul is a truly supporting character; he watches as things happen, but often is the one who provides that insightful wisdom.  Watching Saul try bargain with the woman who was going to attempt a terrorist attack, was such a gut wrenching moment, realizing he was never going to succeed, and seeing the sorrow within his face, was all the proof Patinkin is the most under rated character in this show.

Sam Waterston as Charlie Skinner in The Newsroom

Charlie Skinner is the heart of this new Sorkin show, and was always my favorite part week after week.  Charlie is a tough talking, whiskey drinking, old school television guy.  Charlie believes the news has meaning, and he fights for Will (Jeff Daniels) and his team to put together the news the way it should be done, as actual news.  Charlie reminds of me of the Leo McGarry type character, the wise friend to the central character.  While he may be reminiscent of an old Sorkin archtype Charlie is brilliantly formed by Waterston's give em hell performance.  Watching him fight Fiona (head of the network), or dealing with the change in the news cycle this man has been around for years, and Waterston plays him pitch perfect.

Runner Ups: Noah Emmerich-The Americans, Kevin Rahm-Mad Men, and Peter Dinklage-Game of Thrones 

Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

I was looking at my list of nominees and the Television Critics Awards nominees and I realized something pretty interesting, my lead nominees are the same as theirs.  Now before you skeptics say I just picked the same nominees, look at my supporting dream ballots,they are different.  I also picked my nominees before these nominations were announced, guess I should should be part of this group, I will be sending my application posthaste.

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad-This may be one of my favorite categories this year.  Like all of the other men within this category Walter White is an incredibly complex character.  Cranston has continued to make this one of the best characters to ever exist, and as the year passed by not only did he reach darker places, but there is this incredible balance where Walter still tries to be a good husband/father even through the muck.  This year was no different, and unlike most Cranston has taken on this role without flinching.

Kelsey Grammer as Mayor Tom Kane in Boss-Grammer played this incredible comedic roles on television the last 20 years from Cheers to Frasier to Back to You.  Grammer shatters each of these images as Mayor Tom Kane.  Tom Kane is a brilliant heavy man who not only works to crush his opponents, politically, but he also does this while hiding a debilitating neurological disorder. While Boss is a clunker in the ratings, Grammer carries this show, and makes it one of the most realistic portrayals of the complex political structure.

John Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men-I never thought I would see the day when Don Draper was speechless, but the moment Peggy walked away from him, the look on Hamm's face was priceless. Cut to a week later when he found Lane Price hanging in his office.  Don Draper went through a bit of a change this year, an almost evolutionary change.  While still misogynistic (by nature) his new wife made him a better husband, along with being faithful.  I liked seeing the softer sides of this man, especially his night out with Joan.

Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller in Sons of Anarchy-Hunnam has always been an incredible force within this show, but this category always seemed to hold too many strong contenders which prevented him from making my list.  This year Hunnam took his performance to the next level as he challenged his Machiavellian stepfather, and finally took their relationship to a crossroads.  Like with Homeland Hunnam often gets lost in the shuffle to Katey Sagal (Lewis to Danes).  Hunnam is a lesser known actor, but his talent should no longer be hidden.

Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody in Homeland- Where do this man's loyalties lie? Brody is a master manipulator; he is the soldier long thought dead while fighting in Iraq, but surprise he has been alive, and now be a sleeper agent sent to wreak havoc on the government using his hero status.  This is one of the most brilliant cat and mouse narratives ever to play out on television, and while most give the credit to Danes (she is brilliant) many forget the sheer complexity to Lewis's role, and the way he makes love and hate him without knowing him, brilliant work!

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens in Justified-U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is one kick-ass guy, and Timothy Olyphant exudes this raw magnetism when he walks on the screen.  Olyphant brings on the southern charm while being a complete bad ass in the next breath.In an article I read about Olyphant and his portrayal as Raylan Givens the writer said "he is the kind of man who "buys you a drink before he puts a bullet in you."  I love watching this man on the screen; he is a terrific actor, and does a great job with this role.