A weekly feature in which we're trying to find the most compelling, best acted, written, directed and just generally great, memorable scenes that we've seen in past seven days on TV.
ARROW, "Blood Debts", January 20, 2016, Actors: Stephen Amell, Emily Bett Rickards, The Scene: Oliver visits Felicity in the hospital
Justyna K: In between the action scenes, with the team looking for both revenge and justice for their friend, it's the quiet moments like this one that worked the most for me. After spending so much time looking for Darkh, Oliver finally goes to visit Felicity, shortly after she finds out she's never going to walk again. First of all, amazing work by Emily Bett Rickards and Stephen Amell. I think it might be one of their best on the series, there's just so much heartbreak and pain between the two characters, but they're doing all they can to hold on and stay strong for each other. They haven't really had a chance to process what Felicity's injury means for them but still their first instinct is to keep fighting. Such an impossible thing to imagine. Beautiful dialogue, quiet and powerful emotions, significant impact and the actors are what makes this scene one of my choices for scene of the week. Kudos!
BLACK SAILS, "XIX.", January 23, 2016, Actors: Clara Paget, Jessica Parker Kennedy, The Scene: Max and Anne discuss the future
Aimee Hicks: Max and Anne discuss the future and what has to happen to secure the island. It was a brilliant choice on the part of the show to shift Max’s story from being so Eleanor based to having her branch out with Anne and have her take on a big part in controlling the island. Max is such a complicated character as is Anne and it is wonderful to see these uniquely flawed women find this bond with one another. They each are using the other for something yet at the base of everything is a connection neither can deny no matter how hard they try and Anne tried very hard to deny it in Season 2. While Max is certainly the more manipulative of the two Anne is not to be messed with and that is what makes this thing they have so fun to watch. They are two strong women in positions of power with a ton of emotional baggage who found a very real connection where they least expected it. I don’t know that it can be said they are in a relationship just yet because I don’t think either woman is ready to make that leap but it is certainly nearing that status especially given Anne’s need to seek validation that what they have going on is “real”. The scene was brilliantly staged with Anne’s back to Max to create an element of distance for most of the scene then when she turns around to confront Max the bond between the two is electric which expertly illustrated the push and pull between them. Anne owes a debt to Jack and is fiercely loyal because of it but the longer she is with Max the more you can see whom she would likely choose if forced to and I believe having to betray Jack would break her. Jack is a very important person in Anne’s life but Max is growing very near to being the owner of one more thing…Anne’s heart. This scene setup some interesting stuff in this weirdly complicated and intriguing dynamic between Max, Anne, and Jack.
COLONY, "A Brave New World", January 21, 2016, Actors: Jacob Vargas and more,The Scene: Carlos experiences something resembling WWII's Holocaust
Darth Locke: Carlos experiences something resembling WWII's Holocaust, what exactly it is, is still unclear. Although I think the Pilot for the series was fine, I am glad to see such great improvements in it's second episode. The world already feels more rich with the introduction of many new characters, a much deeper sense of inanimate danger and heightened fear is present, mythology is seeping more in, and Josh Holloway is definitely playing up what might be considered the better parts of his former LOST character, James "Sawyer" Ford.
HEROES REBORN, "Project Reborn", January 21, 2016, Actors: Henry Zebrowski, Aislinn Paul, The Scene: Quentin mercy kills Phoebe
Laura Markus: In the mess that was the Reborn finale, I chose the one scene I found reason and thought behind. After a confrontation that nearly killed Malina, whom Luke instructed to Quentin to keep safe (in a scene that should've been great, but was horrible), Quentin has no choice but to shoot his sister, and making her fall out of the window. It was a sad scene for sure, and Phoebe was horribly brainwashed by Erica Kravid. And the symmetry of Phoebe and Malina falling down at the same time was chilling. Great acting from everyone here, too.
LIMITLESS, "Stop Me Before I Hug Again", January 19, 2016, Actors: Jake McDorman and more, The Scenes: Brian's final talk with Josh the Dinosaur & Mike and Ike do their secret handshake & Brian in the elevator
Darth Locke: Brian's final talk with Josh the Dinosaur. Although I think there was something about the episode that felt a little off and less fun, I can't help to think that might be the point. There was so much going on from false-arrest, both on going and new cover-ups, childhood thoughts to help ease real-world truths and/or reflect hidden trauma, mentionings of memory-altering blue light, and things familiar to Dexter and Fringe, that I can't say the episode wasn't still highly creative and full of thought provoking things.
Kollin Lore: More Briantics. The elevator scene when Brian, covered in dog hair, stands beside the suspect who is allergic. When the guy points it out, Brian's response, "Oh my God! Look at that," before brushing it off into his face was freaking hilarious. I died. Every week Brian's antics just make my day.
Laura Markus: In an episode most people happened to find annoying, there were still plenty of amazing scenes we know and love about Limitless. The ending scene with Rebecca realizing that the button chip did not match the original was close to being my choice, as was Brian's final talk with Josh-a-saurus-Josh about how he wanted to get caught. But the scene where Brian mentions how this FBI profiler turned everyone into a fangirl was too adorable to pass up. Mike and Ike have had so many adorable moments so far, and seeing them get excited about having this legendary profiler ask for help was everything I needed from this episode.
SAVING HOPE, "You Can't Always Get What You Want", January 21, 2016, Actors: Wendy Crewson, Kim Shaw, The Scene: Cassie says goodbye to Dana
Aimee Hicks: “It has been an honor working with you…” scene. Since the season began they have setup a beautiful mentorship between Cassie and Dana which came to a fitting end in this episode. If Alex couldn’t be with Dana in this moment I’m glad it was Cassie who came to pay her respect and offer to help her. Kim Shaw has done a great job building her character this season and she did some amazing work opposite the very talented Wendy Crewson. I don’t know where the show is going with Dana’s storyline but I hope to see her more throughout the season. If and when cancer ever overcomes Dana the loss of this character would have wide reaching implications for many characters given how many lives she has touched. This storyline has given Wendy some extraordinary acting opportunities and she has never missed a beat in the tedious and draining journey Dana is on. Brilliantly written scene acted with great emotional resonance and a ton of heart.
SHADES OF BLUE, "False Face, False Heart", January 21, 2016, Actors: Jennifer Lopez, Ray Liotta, The Scene: Wozniak confronts Harlee about possibly being the mole
Laura Markus: As much as I wanted to put the scene where we see details about Wozniack's personal life, via a kiss with Donnie, this other scene took the cake. Woz and Harlee have great chemistry together, and their friendship has really been special these past three episodes. However, after learning about Harlee's tell, Woz confronts her and threatens to shoot her for being the mole. Harlee reassures him, and strips to show him that she's not wearing a wire. Little did he know, she was wearing one, just on her back. A haunting scene with wonderful acting from JLo and Ray Liotta.
SUPERGIRL, "Childish Things", January 18, 2016, Actors: Melissa Benoist, Peter Facinelli and more, The Scene: Kara and Alex bond while Max spies on them
Aimee Hicks: Despite claims Peter Facinelli has made to indicate Maxwell Lord isn’t a bad guy, Max’s actions of late indicate something much different. In his head he is probably doing all these things for the right reasons but the bottom line is no good will come from what he is doing. What made this scene really stand out is how unexpected it was. Of all characters to get played and manipulated Alex was at the very bottom of my list. Ultimately that is what happened as Max planted a bug and is now in on the secret of Alex’s relation to Supergirl. Given how much he knows about Superman that puts Kara in an immense amount of peril especially since they don’t know that Max knows. If this revelation leads to harm befalling Kara I imagine it will have an immense emotional impact on Alex due to the part she played in it. This scene set up multiple possible scenarios and the potential fallout from this one scene could alter many aspects of the show. As usual the sisterly stuff between Kara and Alex was spot on and Melissa and Chyler continue to bring an amazing energy and dynamic to the bond of these two sisters. Peter also delivered in a big way as he managed to deliver a sinister moment in the most honest and calculated way possible. I am truly intrigued to see what the fallout is of this revelation.
SUPERNATURAL, "The Devil in the Details", January 20, 2016, Actors: Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Ruth Connell, The Scene: Lucifer is back
Kollin Lore: What a delight to see Lucifer back and Misha Collins did a wonderful job in the role; I love his range he has in his acting. This season has been the best post season 5, and this pivotal scene heightened the awesomeness even more.
TEEN WOLF, "Codominance", January 19, 2016, Actors: Tyler Posey, Dylan O'Brien, The Scene: Stiles and Scott talk about Donovan
Justyna K: Now they're back. Finally. Honestly, I was a little worried we wouldn't get to see the moment when Stiles tells Scott what really happened that night. There never truly was a follow up to my favorite storyline of the show (Nogitsune in season 3b) so after last week's episode I started to think we might be going towards the "let's forget it ever happened" territory. Thankfully, we didn't. It was the strangest place at the strangest time but it's so good that Scott finally knows the whole truth and understands what happened to his best friend. They're so much stronger when they're together and it actually looks like they're alright now. I really could watch the whole hour of just these two talking and interacting with each other. Dylan and Tyler are brilliant in both hilarious and emotional moments like this one. It's such a significant part of the story, that regardless of the fact that I enjoyed seeing Malia and Kira fight their battles and Lydia learning about her powers, I couldn't have picked a different scene. Even if it should have been a longer one and those effects... Most importantly, we're getting Scott and Stiles back. Kudos!
THE FLASH, "Potential Energy", January 19, 2016, Actors: Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, The Scene: Wells tells Cisco about Zoom's name origin
Justyna K: These two are officially stealing the show for me. All their scenes are brilliant. And this one was such a standout in the episode that I can't imagine choosing differently. The thing about those names, they can be a fun and clever way to deal with all the bad things the team keeps fighting with, but sometimes they can also be out of place or even hurtful if you think about it. Harry's story about Zoom, his horrifying introduction and the reason behind the name was such a quiet, yet powerful moment. Tom Cavanagh's performance in that scene was spot-on. In the last few episodes especially Wells truly looks like a broken, desperate man, who would do anything to save his daughter. Most of the time the others don't seem to notice it, but in this one moment Cisco finally did and his offer to use his ability, which is still new and scary for him, to make sure she's still alive and well, is another reason why the scene works so well. As always, hope we get more moments with these two. Such a great duo. Kudos!
THE GOOD WIFE, "Tracks", January 17, 2016, Actors: Julianna Margulies, Sarah Steele
The Scene: Marissa asks for Alicia's forgiveness of Eli's actions
THE MIDDLE, "Floating 50", January 20, 2016, Actors: Patricia Heaton and more
The Scene: Frankie's surprise party via Skype
Klutzy girl: Due to a series of unfortunate events, it looks like Frankie's going to miss her surprise party but she gets to be involved after all via Skype. It was so sweet how her family surprised her for once and went (mostly) all out, even though Frankie couldn't physically be there.
Justyna K: In between the action scenes, with the team looking for both revenge and justice for their friend, it's the quiet moments like this one that worked the most for me. After spending so much time looking for Darkh, Oliver finally goes to visit Felicity, shortly after she finds out she's never going to walk again. First of all, amazing work by Emily Bett Rickards and Stephen Amell. I think it might be one of their best on the series, there's just so much heartbreak and pain between the two characters, but they're doing all they can to hold on and stay strong for each other. They haven't really had a chance to process what Felicity's injury means for them but still their first instinct is to keep fighting. Such an impossible thing to imagine. Beautiful dialogue, quiet and powerful emotions, significant impact and the actors are what makes this scene one of my choices for scene of the week. Kudos!
Aimee Hicks: Max and Anne discuss the future and what has to happen to secure the island. It was a brilliant choice on the part of the show to shift Max’s story from being so Eleanor based to having her branch out with Anne and have her take on a big part in controlling the island. Max is such a complicated character as is Anne and it is wonderful to see these uniquely flawed women find this bond with one another. They each are using the other for something yet at the base of everything is a connection neither can deny no matter how hard they try and Anne tried very hard to deny it in Season 2. While Max is certainly the more manipulative of the two Anne is not to be messed with and that is what makes this thing they have so fun to watch. They are two strong women in positions of power with a ton of emotional baggage who found a very real connection where they least expected it. I don’t know that it can be said they are in a relationship just yet because I don’t think either woman is ready to make that leap but it is certainly nearing that status especially given Anne’s need to seek validation that what they have going on is “real”. The scene was brilliantly staged with Anne’s back to Max to create an element of distance for most of the scene then when she turns around to confront Max the bond between the two is electric which expertly illustrated the push and pull between them. Anne owes a debt to Jack and is fiercely loyal because of it but the longer she is with Max the more you can see whom she would likely choose if forced to and I believe having to betray Jack would break her. Jack is a very important person in Anne’s life but Max is growing very near to being the owner of one more thing…Anne’s heart. This scene setup some interesting stuff in this weirdly complicated and intriguing dynamic between Max, Anne, and Jack.
Darth Locke: Carlos experiences something resembling WWII's Holocaust, what exactly it is, is still unclear. Although I think the Pilot for the series was fine, I am glad to see such great improvements in it's second episode. The world already feels more rich with the introduction of many new characters, a much deeper sense of inanimate danger and heightened fear is present, mythology is seeping more in, and Josh Holloway is definitely playing up what might be considered the better parts of his former LOST character, James "Sawyer" Ford.
Laura Markus: In the mess that was the Reborn finale, I chose the one scene I found reason and thought behind. After a confrontation that nearly killed Malina, whom Luke instructed to Quentin to keep safe (in a scene that should've been great, but was horrible), Quentin has no choice but to shoot his sister, and making her fall out of the window. It was a sad scene for sure, and Phoebe was horribly brainwashed by Erica Kravid. And the symmetry of Phoebe and Malina falling down at the same time was chilling. Great acting from everyone here, too.
Darth Locke: Brian's final talk with Josh the Dinosaur. Although I think there was something about the episode that felt a little off and less fun, I can't help to think that might be the point. There was so much going on from false-arrest, both on going and new cover-ups, childhood thoughts to help ease real-world truths and/or reflect hidden trauma, mentionings of memory-altering blue light, and things familiar to Dexter and Fringe, that I can't say the episode wasn't still highly creative and full of thought provoking things.
Kollin Lore: More Briantics. The elevator scene when Brian, covered in dog hair, stands beside the suspect who is allergic. When the guy points it out, Brian's response, "Oh my God! Look at that," before brushing it off into his face was freaking hilarious. I died. Every week Brian's antics just make my day.
Laura Markus: In an episode most people happened to find annoying, there were still plenty of amazing scenes we know and love about Limitless. The ending scene with Rebecca realizing that the button chip did not match the original was close to being my choice, as was Brian's final talk with Josh-a-saurus-Josh about how he wanted to get caught. But the scene where Brian mentions how this FBI profiler turned everyone into a fangirl was too adorable to pass up. Mike and Ike have had so many adorable moments so far, and seeing them get excited about having this legendary profiler ask for help was everything I needed from this episode.
Aimee Hicks: “It has been an honor working with you…” scene. Since the season began they have setup a beautiful mentorship between Cassie and Dana which came to a fitting end in this episode. If Alex couldn’t be with Dana in this moment I’m glad it was Cassie who came to pay her respect and offer to help her. Kim Shaw has done a great job building her character this season and she did some amazing work opposite the very talented Wendy Crewson. I don’t know where the show is going with Dana’s storyline but I hope to see her more throughout the season. If and when cancer ever overcomes Dana the loss of this character would have wide reaching implications for many characters given how many lives she has touched. This storyline has given Wendy some extraordinary acting opportunities and she has never missed a beat in the tedious and draining journey Dana is on. Brilliantly written scene acted with great emotional resonance and a ton of heart.
Laura Markus: As much as I wanted to put the scene where we see details about Wozniack's personal life, via a kiss with Donnie, this other scene took the cake. Woz and Harlee have great chemistry together, and their friendship has really been special these past three episodes. However, after learning about Harlee's tell, Woz confronts her and threatens to shoot her for being the mole. Harlee reassures him, and strips to show him that she's not wearing a wire. Little did he know, she was wearing one, just on her back. A haunting scene with wonderful acting from JLo and Ray Liotta.
Aimee Hicks: Despite claims Peter Facinelli has made to indicate Maxwell Lord isn’t a bad guy, Max’s actions of late indicate something much different. In his head he is probably doing all these things for the right reasons but the bottom line is no good will come from what he is doing. What made this scene really stand out is how unexpected it was. Of all characters to get played and manipulated Alex was at the very bottom of my list. Ultimately that is what happened as Max planted a bug and is now in on the secret of Alex’s relation to Supergirl. Given how much he knows about Superman that puts Kara in an immense amount of peril especially since they don’t know that Max knows. If this revelation leads to harm befalling Kara I imagine it will have an immense emotional impact on Alex due to the part she played in it. This scene set up multiple possible scenarios and the potential fallout from this one scene could alter many aspects of the show. As usual the sisterly stuff between Kara and Alex was spot on and Melissa and Chyler continue to bring an amazing energy and dynamic to the bond of these two sisters. Peter also delivered in a big way as he managed to deliver a sinister moment in the most honest and calculated way possible. I am truly intrigued to see what the fallout is of this revelation.
Kollin Lore: What a delight to see Lucifer back and Misha Collins did a wonderful job in the role; I love his range he has in his acting. This season has been the best post season 5, and this pivotal scene heightened the awesomeness even more.
Justyna K: Now they're back. Finally. Honestly, I was a little worried we wouldn't get to see the moment when Stiles tells Scott what really happened that night. There never truly was a follow up to my favorite storyline of the show (Nogitsune in season 3b) so after last week's episode I started to think we might be going towards the "let's forget it ever happened" territory. Thankfully, we didn't. It was the strangest place at the strangest time but it's so good that Scott finally knows the whole truth and understands what happened to his best friend. They're so much stronger when they're together and it actually looks like they're alright now. I really could watch the whole hour of just these two talking and interacting with each other. Dylan and Tyler are brilliant in both hilarious and emotional moments like this one. It's such a significant part of the story, that regardless of the fact that I enjoyed seeing Malia and Kira fight their battles and Lydia learning about her powers, I couldn't have picked a different scene. Even if it should have been a longer one and those effects... Most importantly, we're getting Scott and Stiles back. Kudos!
Justyna K: These two are officially stealing the show for me. All their scenes are brilliant. And this one was such a standout in the episode that I can't imagine choosing differently. The thing about those names, they can be a fun and clever way to deal with all the bad things the team keeps fighting with, but sometimes they can also be out of place or even hurtful if you think about it. Harry's story about Zoom, his horrifying introduction and the reason behind the name was such a quiet, yet powerful moment. Tom Cavanagh's performance in that scene was spot-on. In the last few episodes especially Wells truly looks like a broken, desperate man, who would do anything to save his daughter. Most of the time the others don't seem to notice it, but in this one moment Cisco finally did and his offer to use his ability, which is still new and scary for him, to make sure she's still alive and well, is another reason why the scene works so well. As always, hope we get more moments with these two. Such a great duo. Kudos!
THE GOOD WIFE, "Tracks", January 17, 2016, Actors: Julianna Margulies, Sarah Steele
The Scene: Marissa asks for Alicia's forgiveness of Eli's actions
THE MIDDLE, "Floating 50", January 20, 2016, Actors: Patricia Heaton and more
The Scene: Frankie's surprise party via Skype
Klutzy girl: Due to a series of unfortunate events, it looks like Frankie's going to miss her surprise party but she gets to be involved after all via Skype. It was so sweet how her family surprised her for once and went (mostly) all out, even though Frankie couldn't physically be there.
