THE PERFORMER | Betty Gilpin
THE SHOW | Peacock’s Mrs. Davis
THE EPISODE | “The Final Intercut: So I’m Your Horse” (May 18, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | Simone’s absurd yet profound quest in the Peacock series has been entertaining to say the least, and that’s due in large part to Gilpin’s divine performance as the wry nun Simone. And while the actress impressed from the very beginning, she was truly transcendent in this week’s surprisingly grounded finale.
After following a bizarre, song-filled clue to the titular algorithm’s creator, the journeying nun was hit with a baffling truth: her trek to destroy the Holy Grail wasn’t a noble request but rather Mrs. Davis misinterpreting copy for Buffalo Wild Wings — the popular restaurant chain it was developed for. Gilpin seamlessly shifted from disbelief to exasperation, her contorted face capturing her character’s growing discontentment with perfect clarity as Simone processed the infuriating news.
Later in the hour, Simone found herself at the precipice of life and death as she prepared to drink from the Holy Grail, the final step in her grand mission that could either kill her or leave her unscathed. In a touching farewell, Gilpin infused her character’s parting words to Mother Superior with beautiful serenity, putting up a brave face before leaping into the unknown.
Taking that fateful sip also meant releasing her paramour Jay, who served as a literal interpretation of her faith in Jesus. We were moved by their heartbreaking goodbye, with Gilpin’s shaky voice and tear-stained face driving home the emotional weight of that bittersweet parting.
In the next moment, Gilpin’s dramatic and comedic chops were on full display as the Holy Grail exploded, the actress wailing, laughing, and crying in stunning succession.
We’ve always been firm believers in Gilpin’s incredible talent, but her exceptional work in the wacky series has converted us into lifetime devotees. Praise be.
Scroll down to see who scored Honorable Mention shout-outs this week…
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HONORABLE MENTION: Rick Cosnett
Image Credit: The CW screenshot Grant Gustin told us that Cosnett did “interesting and fun” work during his return to The Flash, and that became evident in the series’ penultimate hour. Goaded by a possessed Nora and with the Negative Speed Force already in his head, Eddie Thawne questioned Barry’s bad-mouthing of that which had given him a second chance. “The crystal wants to help me get my life back — a life I was a fool to give up!,” Eddie argued, Cosnett’s eyes both seeking sympathy and hinting at brewing cray-cray. But the more Bar tried to calm his friend, the louder the NSF got. “Sometimes I can’t tell if its the crystal’s voice… or my own,” Eddie said, giving us chills. “And I’m starting to wonder, what’s the difference?” When Eddie then spoke of having “the girl, and family, I deserve,” Bar made clear that Iris and Nora were not Eddie’s. “They were supposed to be!” roared Cosnett. “And they still can be!” And we fear what comes next.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Cierra Ramirez
Image Credit: Hulu screenshot It’s been an incredibly challenging season for Good Trouble‘s Mariana, and in Thursday’s spring finale, star Cierra Ramirez brought her character to a devastating breaking point. After much denial and compartmentalization, Mariana was finally confronted with all of the feelings that she has been bottling up ever since she experienced the trauma of watching her ex Evan get shot. During the overwhelming onslaught of emotion, the actress’ breathing turned labored and her movements became frantic with panic. As Mariana continued to spiral, shakily walking home while failing to keep her tears at bay, Ramirez was so believable in the moment of crisis that we felt our own anxiety skyrocket while watching her.
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HONORABLE MENTION: Christina Ricci
We’re still not sure how we felt about Misty’s Twin Peaks-esque sensory-deprivation-tank dream in last week’s Yellowjackets (that ish was weird, even for this show) but we’re 100 percent sure that we loved the performance Christina Ricci gave when Misty called Walter immediately afterward. The scene was very brief and totally one-sided, but Ricci filled it completely. As Misty left her fellow citizen detective a peppy voicemail, the character’s joy from her recent epiphany was infectious. Ricci delivered her lines at 100 mph, zesting them with the excitement of new attraction, the glee of discovery and the dorky accoutrements (that snort-laugh! that “you hang up, no you hang up” riff!) that always make her character such a freaky joy to behold.
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in Comments!
