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.
CHESAPEAKE SHORES, "Home to Roost, Part Two", August 28, 2016, Actors: Emilie Ullerup, Meghan Ory, The Scene: Bree breaks her writer’s block
Aimee Hicks: As per usual with Chesapeake Shores, the episode was filled to the brim with beautiful and poignant moments. This particular scene stood out because of how raw Emilie Ullerup acted it. For this moment to work to portray Bree’s release from her writer’s block Ullerup had to be completely open in her performance. Once Bree’s message to Mitch was over, no more words were spoken and the scene became entirely visually driven. The ambient sounds of water, birds, and the cracking of knuckles helped to build up the emotional aspect of the scene. A tension filled the screen as Bree brought her hands to the keys and hesitated for a split second. Then, her fingers hit the keys, and it was like a light bulb turned on for Bree. Being home was giving her the freedom to be whom she wanted to be. She felt happy and safe and was able to reconnect with her love for writing. As the emotions of the moment built inside of Bree, Ullerup delivered small smiles that perfectly captured the moment for Bree. She was once again free to write what she desired to write and be the novelist she wants to become. When the tears started to fall it was evident that for the first time, in possibly a very long time, Bree was genuinely happy. The scene came to a heartfelt end as the scene faded away from Bree, but that the sound of the typewriter remained as the scene transitioned to Abby. The moment Abby heard the typewriter going steady she knew that her sister had found what she was looking for and she couldn’t have been any happier for her. She was a very proud big sister in that moment. This wasn’t a major scene, but it was powerful and impactful on Bree, so for that reason, this has to be my favorite scene from this episode.
DARK MATTER, "Take the Shot", September 2, 2016, Actors: Melissa O'Neil, Zoie Palmer and more, The Scene: Two orders the Android to reestablish her neural link
Aimee Hicks: Two spent most of the episode struggling to figure out what to do about the Android. For the first time in the history of the show, Two couldn’t make a definitive decision. The Android is her friend, but she also had to take into account all the other souls on the ship. Giving the final order that would have destroyed the Android was something Two struggled with. After she survived what should have been a fatal execution, Two had a whole new perspective on everything. She had come face to face with both the Android and the Red Android and seen the differences in them. Red Android is what the Android could have become without Portia’s interference. No matter the glitch, or any mistakes the Android has made or will make, Two knows they are better off with the Android doing her part to protect the ship. This scene also served to heal some of the tension between Two and Five. After spending the entire episode trying to convince Two of the error in her decisions, Five finally felt pride for her friend. They still have some issues to work through, but Two is someone that Five adores and looks up to. By reinstating the Android, Two established acceptance that the Android is perfect just the way she is. An appropriate choice given that Two’s former alter ego, Portia Lin, likely created the Android’s glitch in the first place. This scene also provided a great moment of crew unity as no one spoke up against Two’s choice when she gave them an opportunity to object. While Two may have accepted the Android’s imperfections, it’s obvious that the Android is still a little nervous about them. She loves her crew and doesn’t ever want to be responsible for getting them into trouble. Two and the crew showing their support for her was exactly what she needed for a bit of a confidence boost. This entire scene was perfectly acted by Melissa O’Neil, Jodelle Ferland, and Zoie Palmer and all of their co-stars. It was a moment of unity and acceptance that this episode needed after all the tension.
KILLJOYS, "How to Kill Friends and Influence People", September 2, 2016, Actors: Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, Rob Stewart and more, The Scenes: Khlyen's death & John gets his revenge on Delle
Justyna K: First of all, I'm so happy to know the show got a third season! Congratulations to cast & crew and all the fans! It's been a great season and a powerful, really well done finale with many memorable scenes I'd be glad to include in the article. If you're reading SOTW quite regularly, then you probably know by now how much I absolutely love the relationship between Johnny and Dutch. They're the heart of the show for me and both their scenes in the finale, when they're there for each other, were some of my favorites. As was the part where Lucy is letting John go. It was surprisingly emotional goodbye and a departure I didn't expect (or was happy about) and Aaron Ashmore did an impressive work in the hour! But in the end, I couldn't help but choose the death of Khlyen as my SOTW. There were always so many conflicted feelings surrounding Dutch and Khlyen. He raised her but also made her into a killer. He was the team's enemy but also an ally against the Company. He sent people after Dutch and the brothers but also sacrificed his life to give them a fighting chance. It's hard to understand his actions half of the time but when he's bleeding out in Dutch's arms, it becomes clear how much she meant to him and even more importantly, how much he meant to her. She always wanted to be free of his influence but in the end didn't know how to let him go. And in the words of an old story he used to tell her, she called him her father. Their story is certainly a complicated one. But like John said later in the hour: "You don't have to forgive someone to miss them. And you don't need anyone's permission to love someone that you hate." Kudos to the amazing Hannah John-Kamen and Rob Stewart who did a wonderful work in the scene. I'm gonna miss the dynamics of these two. It's a part of big change for Dutch and the show and I'm very much excited to see what happens next.
Kollin Lore: This was the emotional high point of a kickass season 3 finale. John shoots Delle in coldblood telling her that he does not care about the people she killed or the millions she will enslave, he's just a man that was in love (and she took that away from him). Ashmore's acting in this scene was very convincing. Though I didn't care much for his relationship with Pawter, it was nevertheless, hard not to feel his personal torment and the extremes he was willing to go in the name of Pawter. A more ruthless side of John Jaqobis we never saw until this scene.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, "The DArkest Knight", August 30, 2016, Actors: Tammin Sursok and more, The Scene: Jenna goes after the girls with a gun
Gavin Hetherington: In the summer finale, the girls are in an abandoned mansion that acted as a school for the blind. They get separated, and are then menaced by the blind Jenna toting a gun. The scene is tense due to her not being able to see the girls, so they have to be extremely quiet so she does not notice and shoot them.
ROADIES, "The Load Out", August 28, 2016, Actors: Luke Wilson, Carla Gugino, The Scene: Bill and Shelli decide to be together
Klutzy girl: Bill and Shelli finally decide that they want to be together. They quickly become one of my favorite parts of the show and are everything to me so this was pretty exciting. And I adore that Bill loves her so much he was willing to let her go just so she'd be happy.
SUITS, "Borrowed Time", August 31, 2016, Actors: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams and more, The Scene: Harvey and Mike convince Jill to take the deal
Laura Markus: Harvey and Mike convince Jill to take the deal and inform on her father (Sutter). This episode was really a mixed bag for me, but this scene was certainly the standout. Harvey and Mike teaming up once again with a client? In prison? Mike acting like a lawyer again despite this chaotic situation? Harvey being sneaky and planting a tape recorder in his conversation with Sutter, revealing just how slimy he really is? Jill agree to roll over on him? Priceless. It's getting closer and closer to the mid-season finale and honestly, I don't feel confident I'm going to enjoy it. But as long as we have scenes like these along the way, I'll be okay.
THE STRAIN, "New York Strong", August 28, 2016, Actors: Corey Stoll, Natalie Brown
The Scene: Kelly confronts Eph
Geo N: Eph is confronted by Kelly as she asks him to bring her the Occido Lumen. This scene is important because it most likely sets the stage for the first act of this anticipated third season of The Strain.
VICTORIA, "Doll 123", August 28, 2016, Actors: Jenna Coleman, Catherine Flemming, The Scene: Victoria confronts her mother about Conroy
Justyna K: A new series started this past week, about the beginning of Victorian era and so far, it's making a pretty good impression on me. Big part of that has to be Jenna Coleman's wonderful performance as she portrays all the strengths and weaknesses of the young Queen with just the right set of emotions. Queen Victoria spent her entire life away from the public and is doing her best to adjust to the new place and power. Her mother and her closest advisor, sir Conroy, are not making the transition any easier for her and after their conflict leads to a painful choice and mistake on Victoria's part, she feels like she's had enough and confronts her mother. When the Duchess accuses her daughter of insulting and disgracing her lady-in-waiting, Lady Flora and hurting Sir Conroy's reputation, Victoria admits to her mother what she truly thinks about him. All the years of feeling insecure and humiliated by both Conroy and the Duchess, who always took his side, even against her own daughter, come to light in the Queen's angry and moving monologue. The Queen remains strong though, and ends the conversation requesting her mother to leave the room. Great, powerful moment and performance! I'm very much looking forward to the next episodes of the show. Kudos!
YOU'RE THE WORST, "Try Real Hard", August 31, 2016, Actors: Aya Cash, Chris Geere
The Scene: Gretchen helps Jimmy realize what "I love you" means
Luana Arturi: Gretchen makes Jimmy realize "I love you" doesn't have to be a death sentence.
ZOO, "The Contingency", August 30, 2016, Actors: Alyssa Diaz, Nonso Anozie
The Scene: Dariela and Abe decide to keep their baby
Klutzy girl: Despite the animal apocalypse going on around them, Dariela and Abe deciding to keep their baby was a sweet moment. They definitely seem like they're going to be great parents.
Aimee Hicks: As per usual with Chesapeake Shores, the episode was filled to the brim with beautiful and poignant moments. This particular scene stood out because of how raw Emilie Ullerup acted it. For this moment to work to portray Bree’s release from her writer’s block Ullerup had to be completely open in her performance. Once Bree’s message to Mitch was over, no more words were spoken and the scene became entirely visually driven. The ambient sounds of water, birds, and the cracking of knuckles helped to build up the emotional aspect of the scene. A tension filled the screen as Bree brought her hands to the keys and hesitated for a split second. Then, her fingers hit the keys, and it was like a light bulb turned on for Bree. Being home was giving her the freedom to be whom she wanted to be. She felt happy and safe and was able to reconnect with her love for writing. As the emotions of the moment built inside of Bree, Ullerup delivered small smiles that perfectly captured the moment for Bree. She was once again free to write what she desired to write and be the novelist she wants to become. When the tears started to fall it was evident that for the first time, in possibly a very long time, Bree was genuinely happy. The scene came to a heartfelt end as the scene faded away from Bree, but that the sound of the typewriter remained as the scene transitioned to Abby. The moment Abby heard the typewriter going steady she knew that her sister had found what she was looking for and she couldn’t have been any happier for her. She was a very proud big sister in that moment. This wasn’t a major scene, but it was powerful and impactful on Bree, so for that reason, this has to be my favorite scene from this episode.
Aimee Hicks: Two spent most of the episode struggling to figure out what to do about the Android. For the first time in the history of the show, Two couldn’t make a definitive decision. The Android is her friend, but she also had to take into account all the other souls on the ship. Giving the final order that would have destroyed the Android was something Two struggled with. After she survived what should have been a fatal execution, Two had a whole new perspective on everything. She had come face to face with both the Android and the Red Android and seen the differences in them. Red Android is what the Android could have become without Portia’s interference. No matter the glitch, or any mistakes the Android has made or will make, Two knows they are better off with the Android doing her part to protect the ship. This scene also served to heal some of the tension between Two and Five. After spending the entire episode trying to convince Two of the error in her decisions, Five finally felt pride for her friend. They still have some issues to work through, but Two is someone that Five adores and looks up to. By reinstating the Android, Two established acceptance that the Android is perfect just the way she is. An appropriate choice given that Two’s former alter ego, Portia Lin, likely created the Android’s glitch in the first place. This scene also provided a great moment of crew unity as no one spoke up against Two’s choice when she gave them an opportunity to object. While Two may have accepted the Android’s imperfections, it’s obvious that the Android is still a little nervous about them. She loves her crew and doesn’t ever want to be responsible for getting them into trouble. Two and the crew showing their support for her was exactly what she needed for a bit of a confidence boost. This entire scene was perfectly acted by Melissa O’Neil, Jodelle Ferland, and Zoie Palmer and all of their co-stars. It was a moment of unity and acceptance that this episode needed after all the tension.
Justyna K: First of all, I'm so happy to know the show got a third season! Congratulations to cast & crew and all the fans! It's been a great season and a powerful, really well done finale with many memorable scenes I'd be glad to include in the article. If you're reading SOTW quite regularly, then you probably know by now how much I absolutely love the relationship between Johnny and Dutch. They're the heart of the show for me and both their scenes in the finale, when they're there for each other, were some of my favorites. As was the part where Lucy is letting John go. It was surprisingly emotional goodbye and a departure I didn't expect (or was happy about) and Aaron Ashmore did an impressive work in the hour! But in the end, I couldn't help but choose the death of Khlyen as my SOTW. There were always so many conflicted feelings surrounding Dutch and Khlyen. He raised her but also made her into a killer. He was the team's enemy but also an ally against the Company. He sent people after Dutch and the brothers but also sacrificed his life to give them a fighting chance. It's hard to understand his actions half of the time but when he's bleeding out in Dutch's arms, it becomes clear how much she meant to him and even more importantly, how much he meant to her. She always wanted to be free of his influence but in the end didn't know how to let him go. And in the words of an old story he used to tell her, she called him her father. Their story is certainly a complicated one. But like John said later in the hour: "You don't have to forgive someone to miss them. And you don't need anyone's permission to love someone that you hate." Kudos to the amazing Hannah John-Kamen and Rob Stewart who did a wonderful work in the scene. I'm gonna miss the dynamics of these two. It's a part of big change for Dutch and the show and I'm very much excited to see what happens next.
Kollin Lore: This was the emotional high point of a kickass season 3 finale. John shoots Delle in coldblood telling her that he does not care about the people she killed or the millions she will enslave, he's just a man that was in love (and she took that away from him). Ashmore's acting in this scene was very convincing. Though I didn't care much for his relationship with Pawter, it was nevertheless, hard not to feel his personal torment and the extremes he was willing to go in the name of Pawter. A more ruthless side of John Jaqobis we never saw until this scene.
Gavin Hetherington: In the summer finale, the girls are in an abandoned mansion that acted as a school for the blind. They get separated, and are then menaced by the blind Jenna toting a gun. The scene is tense due to her not being able to see the girls, so they have to be extremely quiet so she does not notice and shoot them.
Klutzy girl: Bill and Shelli finally decide that they want to be together. They quickly become one of my favorite parts of the show and are everything to me so this was pretty exciting. And I adore that Bill loves her so much he was willing to let her go just so she'd be happy.
Laura Markus: Harvey and Mike convince Jill to take the deal and inform on her father (Sutter). This episode was really a mixed bag for me, but this scene was certainly the standout. Harvey and Mike teaming up once again with a client? In prison? Mike acting like a lawyer again despite this chaotic situation? Harvey being sneaky and planting a tape recorder in his conversation with Sutter, revealing just how slimy he really is? Jill agree to roll over on him? Priceless. It's getting closer and closer to the mid-season finale and honestly, I don't feel confident I'm going to enjoy it. But as long as we have scenes like these along the way, I'll be okay.
THE STRAIN, "New York Strong", August 28, 2016, Actors: Corey Stoll, Natalie Brown
The Scene: Kelly confronts Eph
Geo N: Eph is confronted by Kelly as she asks him to bring her the Occido Lumen. This scene is important because it most likely sets the stage for the first act of this anticipated third season of The Strain.
Justyna K: A new series started this past week, about the beginning of Victorian era and so far, it's making a pretty good impression on me. Big part of that has to be Jenna Coleman's wonderful performance as she portrays all the strengths and weaknesses of the young Queen with just the right set of emotions. Queen Victoria spent her entire life away from the public and is doing her best to adjust to the new place and power. Her mother and her closest advisor, sir Conroy, are not making the transition any easier for her and after their conflict leads to a painful choice and mistake on Victoria's part, she feels like she's had enough and confronts her mother. When the Duchess accuses her daughter of insulting and disgracing her lady-in-waiting, Lady Flora and hurting Sir Conroy's reputation, Victoria admits to her mother what she truly thinks about him. All the years of feeling insecure and humiliated by both Conroy and the Duchess, who always took his side, even against her own daughter, come to light in the Queen's angry and moving monologue. The Queen remains strong though, and ends the conversation requesting her mother to leave the room. Great, powerful moment and performance! I'm very much looking forward to the next episodes of the show. Kudos!
YOU'RE THE WORST, "Try Real Hard", August 31, 2016, Actors: Aya Cash, Chris Geere
The Scene: Gretchen helps Jimmy realize what "I love you" means
Luana Arturi: Gretchen makes Jimmy realize "I love you" doesn't have to be a death sentence.
ZOO, "The Contingency", August 30, 2016, Actors: Alyssa Diaz, Nonso Anozie
The Scene: Dariela and Abe decide to keep their baby
Klutzy girl: Despite the animal apocalypse going on around them, Dariela and Abe deciding to keep their baby was a sweet moment. They definitely seem like they're going to be great parents.
