Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of spoilers for listed episodes.
Andre Braugher as Owen Thoreau Jr., Men of a Certain Age (Powerless)
Braugher has an uncanny ability to get nominated for pretty much anything he does, including a one-season medical show back in 2000 and now TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age.” His show has no other nominations and he’s sort of a choice out of left field. His episode submission, on the other hand, is very impressive, since it gives him the chance to make an extremely motivational and effective speech. I can’t seem him winning, but he does have two Emmys already, for his lead drama acting on “Homicide: Life on the Street” and for his work in the excellent FX miniseries “Thief.”
Michael Emerson as Benjamin Linus, Lost (Dr. Linus)
Emerson is last year’s winner, earning his fourth nomination for the final season of ABC’s cult drama. While he didn’t have as prominent a role this year as in years past, his chosen episode gives him a whole lot to do in both universes, standing up for justice in the flash-sideways world and trying to save his own life on the island. His toughest competition will be returning nominee and costar O’Quinn, who beat him last time he was nominated.
Terry O'Quinn as John Locke/The Man in Black, Lost (The Substitute)
This is O’Quinn’s third nomination after being nominated for his show’s first season and winning for the third. This year, more than any other actor on his show, he really played two roles, and I think voters will reward him for that. In this episode, he gets to answer some questions about the island and try and move on with his life in the flash-sideways universe. He’s won before, sure, but I think that helps rather than hurts him, and I’m not sure anyone can take him down.
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad (Half Measures)
Last year, as his show really started to get good, Paul got enormous buzz for his performance in the episode “Peakaboo.” This year he didn’t have quite the same material but his show was better than ever, and he may be able to piggyback on the earlier enthusiasm for him and current enthusiasm for his show. His episode deals with Jesse’s need for retribution, and it’s a pretty good hour, but not as strong as some of his competitors.
Martin Short as Leonard Winstone, Damages (You Haven't Replaced Me)
The last time the lawyer of someone Patty Hewes was prosecuting was nominated, he won. Short, usually a comedian in a fat suit, got super serious for his role as the Tobin family’s duplicitous attorney in the show’s third season. It was one of the most fascinating performances of the year, and I can only hope Emmy voters recognize it. His episode provides some insight into his history, and it may just be enough to beat out some of the “Lost” contenders in this category.
John Slattery as Roger Sterling, Mad Men (The Gypsy & the Hobo)
Slattery continues to be the only supporting male from his show to get nominated, as previously snubbed actresses January Jones and Christina Hendricks finally earned their first nods this year. Slattery never has that much to do on the show, but his submitted episode does give him an ex-lover to spurn and one hell of a compelling subplot. I think that the wave of accolades in which Slattery could have gotten swept up has passed by now, and he’ll have to settle for his nomination.
Who should win (based on entire season): Short
Who should win (based on individual episodes) : O’Quinn
Who will win: It’s competitive, but I’ll go with O’Quinn.
Next up: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
1 comment:
I'm actually rooting for Michael Emerson, but I know Terry O'Quinn will probably take it. The thing is, even though he didn't do that much to do, this season cemented Benjamin Linus as my favorite character, particularly in the finale. I loved that scene with him and Hurley where he takes the job as his #2, because it shows how much Ben has changed in the years since we've known him. He has let go of his jealousy and accepted that he may not be as special as he thought he was, but he still is loyal to the Island. With O'Quinn, the only thing that irks me is that he wasn't playing John Locke, but an alternate version and a second character who stopped being interesting once he was revealed as pure evil. Not that O'Quinn wasn't fantastic, but something didn't do it for me there.
Also, John Slattery would be a great win since he also had a pretty fantastic season. Yes, not much to do, but what he did do was fantastic. That's how I judge it. Not by how much an actor had to do but with what he did with it. Still, I think this is the year to give one last Emmy to someone from Lost (I haven't seen Damages yet though, I started once but never got past episode #2, maybe someday).
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