Performer of the Week: Gina Rodriguez
THE PERFORMER | Gina Rodriguez
THE EPISODE | “Chapter Eighty-Two” (March 27, 2019)
THE PERFORMANCE | Since we’re entering the fifth season now of Jane the Virgin, we really shouldn’t be surprised when Rodriguez turns in a great performance. (She does it every week, really.) But in this week’s Season 5 premiere, she topped herself with an epic, seven-minute, one-take, breathtaking tightrope walk of a monologue that was hilarious, and heart-wrenching… and maybe her finest work of the series.
We can’t blame Jane for wanting to get some things off her chest: Her beloved husband Michael just came back from the dead, but with no memories of their life together, thanks to amnesia. So Jane unloaded all of her complicated feelings about it to Xo and Alba in a rambling whirlwind of words as she paced around the kitchen, with Rodriguez effortlessly running through about a thousand different emotions. She laughed! She cried! She yelled at a cat! She even ate arepas and kept talking with her mouth full! Rodriguez was almost manic as she gave voice to Jane’s twisting, turning train of thought, with every last ounce of pain and uncertainty coming through loud and clear. Oh, and did we mention that Rodriguez directed this week’s episode as well?
This show does take some crazy narrative turns (it is a telenovela, after all), but Rodriguez’s stunning work here took a well-worn plot twist and grounded it in authentic human emotion, as messy and scattered as that might be. We’re still not happy that Jane is ending soon, but at least we know that it — and Rodriguez — are going out on top.
HONORABLE MENTION | Randall and Beth’s argument on Tuesday’s This Is Us cut deep and left us aching, and that’s because Sterling K. Brown is so ridiculously good at his job. We tried to pick one moment in the hour that best showcased his skill, but we couldn’t: In the flashbacks, Brown was as goofily charming as Overeager Proposer Randall as he was precious as New Groom Randall as he was relatable as Confused New Dad Randall. But we were flat-out riveted to watching Brown at the end of the episode, when he used all of his character’s hurt to harden him into someone we rarely see: Mad As Hell Randall. After Beth’s crack about anxiety attacks, you could see Brown go cold; though he said very little, Randall’s sidelong look at his wife spoke scathing volumes. We may not have loved Randall for a lot of this season, but Brown remains the show’s MVP.
HONORABLE MENTION | Monday’s episode of 9-1-1 — which flashed back to 2005, chronicling Chimney’s earliest days as a firefighter and paramedic — was so compelling, we didn’t even mind not finding out whether the character survived being stabbed in the midseason premiere. With “Chimney Begins,” the unpredictable Fox procedural delivered another powerful origin story, carried almost entirely by Kenneth Choi, who fully rose to the occasion and reinforced why Chimney remains the heart and soul of the 118. Even though we’d never met characters like Kevin or Mr. and Mrs. Lee, their relationships with Chimney felt earned and genuine, which made the episode’s tragic twists all the more devastating. (Oh, and did we mention that Chimney can sing? Choi could have earned this accolade based on his countrified karaoke performance alone.)
HONORABLE MENTION | Chase Dreams’ VMAs performance may have been a disaster on Thursday’s season finale of The Other Two, but it paved the way for some of Heléne Yorke‘s best work yet as Chase’s hysterical, straight-shooting older sister — and now co-manager? — Brooke Dubek. From a stressful pre-show face-off against Streeter (“We’re not doing pig stuff!”) to an angry post-show face-off against Saturday Night Live‘s Michael Ché (“You’re a real piece of s–t!”), Yorke was in rare form as Brooke finally reached her breaking point. In fact, her mostly one-sided scuffle with Ché essentially served as a minute-long sizzle reel of everything we love about Yorke’s portrayal of the character, frantically ping-ponging between emotions until she arrived at her version of a logical conclusion. In this case, that conclusion involved looking Ché in the eye, stealing his drinks and walking away. Very slowly.
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in Comments!
Performer of the week, the open door. When one door is open, get them to knock on the one that isn’t. 😄
Summer Bishil in this week’s episode was amazing.
Of The Magicians. Oops.
I agree so much about The Magicians Summer Bishil. She is always great but this week she was amazing.
Agree 100% about Summer Bishil on The Magicians. Of course, with able support from Hale Appleman.
You may end up having to make an exception to your once a season rule on this. Gina may blow us away again before it’s over!
So true! And may I put in a mention for Justin Baldoni for that brief moment when Rafael allowed himself to break in front of Xo. That got me all choked up!
This!
Loved Randall! And Chimney’s episode was so good and brought tears to my eyes.
The Randall and Beth showdown did not disappoint. Congrats to Susan Kelechi Watson and Sterling K Brown
Camilla Luddington says hi…
Agreed.
Agreed too
Khalilah Joi, who played Abby, also deserves accolades. Am ashamed that TVLine overlooked her and didn’t even give her an honorable mention. I believe guest actors on other shows have won this honor before so there shouldn’t be a distinction between show regulars and guests! To have not even mentioned her was a horrible oversight.
TVLine gave a guest actress on Grey’s Anatomy an honorable mention last season so it’s happened before and should’ve happened again this time.
100%
Khalilah Joi (guest actress who played the sexual assault survivor Abby), completely stole the show. If anyone deserved recognition for this week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, it was her.
I thought they’d put her in or Jo while watching.
100% and Khalilah Joi
Agreed!
Dare I say that might have been the strongest premiere episode of Jane the Virgin ever? Gina was amazing and that scene between Rafael and Xo broke my heart.
Patricia Arquette is having herself a pretty spectacular year!
Couldn’t agree more with The choice of Gina Rodriguez! That monologue alone earned her the top stop in my book. But then she was great in the entire episode!
You love overlooking Camilla. Makes me sad she’s the one who always steps up to give interviews when her cast mates aren’t available.
Camilla got an honorable mention last season so your first sentence isn’t true. There were much better performances by other actors this week (even on Grey’s Anatomy) that were more deserving of recognition. It’s as simple as that. Camilla loves giving interviews and talking about herself and because of that she should get recognition for her acting? lol
She did amazing, she deserved a mention for her acting.
Melissa Benoist in SG was amazing as Red Daughter this week, she transitioned seamlessly from the Russian accent to an American accent. Plus her Russian wasnt half bad and when she screamed over the kid, chills
Yes! Melissa did a great job making Kaznian Kara very different, but also similar to Kara Danvers.
Happy for Sterling K. Brown. He’s such a powerhouse. Susan Kelechi Watson was phenomenal as well.
Very well deserved this week. And the fact that she directed the episode, so she directed herself in this scene? Is there anything she can’t do???
Right?
“This show does take some crazy narrative turns (it is a telenovela, after all), but Rodriguez’s stunning work here took a well-worn plot twist and grounded it in authentic human emotion, as messy and scattered as that might be”
This is why this show works. From the beginning with the improbable accidental insemination to this episode, every crazy turn that could be played for laughs is anchored in genuine emotion by an extremely talented cast. It will be missed.
Another Emmy nod knocking at Sterling K.B ‘s door. Such a powerful scene.
Congratulations to both actors.
I agree with all of your assessments. Three of my favorite shows. I also think Grey’s knocked it out of the park this week.
I think Khalilah Joi (Abby) deserves an honorable mention for her guest role on Grey’s this week.
Is this a joke? No Grey’s anatomy. This week’s episode of Grey’s anatomy was one of the best episodes of the series and that’s saying a lot. how is it possible that Grey’s anatomy didn’t even get an honorable mention. I’m starting to think this whole best performance thing need some updating. like best performance and then you have at least five honorable mentions not just three. Because this is some bull whoever made this list I’m sorry
…..and the Fresh Off The Boat family rap?
Matt Bomer on Doom Patrol. I know you all awarded POTW to Titans performers once or twice, and the absence of Doom Patrol so far has been baffling. The entire cast has done exceptional work, but I think Bomer deserves attention for Larry’s breakthroughs in “Therapy Patrol.” The scene where he finally admits out loud that he’s gay and breaks down the terror he lived in in the sixties was absolutely wrenching.
Two words…..Gina Rocks!
Overlooked:
Melissa Benoist on Supergirl – played Kara, Kaznian/Red Daughter Kara, Linda Lee, RDK as Kara all in one episode.
Camilla Luddington and/or Khalilah Joi on Grey’s Anatomy. They were amazing and made me cry twice while watching the episode.
As soon as I saw this scene I just knew she was gonna be your pick for this week’s performer. It was so impressive!