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.
BATES MOTEL, "The Convergence of the Twain", February 27, 2017, Actors: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Ryan Hurst, The Scenes: The Bar scene & Final Scene
Darth Locke: Chick discovers Norman and Norma after Norman just struck down Caleb. Chick has grown on me SO MUCH by being this kind of grungy-eclectic character that has little bits and pieces of fabric and textures that relate to the other Bates' characters and White Pine Bay itself, but ultimately he can see into the truths and hearts of those around him, making him a twistedly endearing character. This scene and his reaction was not just so spot on for how the audience probably feels, but also because, he comically just stands there and takes is all in! It was a great scene with fun turn of events!
Marko: The best scene of the series in my opinion! The way Vera and Freddie synced their voices, posture and movement were simply perfect. The way the writers and cast paid attention to all the small details created a scene to be remembered. Also picked by DarkUFO
BIG LITTLE LIES, "Serious Mothering", February 26, 2017, Actors: Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård
The Scene: The fight and rough sex scene (picked by DarkUFO)
BLACK SAILS, "XXXIII.", February 26, 2017, Actors: David Wilmot, Tom Hopper
The Scene: Israel Hands fights Billy Bones (picked by Milo)
BROADCHURCH, "Episode 1", February 27, 2017, Actors: Julie Hesmondhalgh, David Tennant, Olivia Colman and more, The Scene: The opening sequence
Justyna K: From the moment the episode starts the viewer becomes a witness to a heartbreaking and incredibly powerful events of the night when a new character, a woman named Trish Winterman, reports a sexual assault to the police. Detectives Hardy and Miller take her to the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) where we see the meticulous police procedures showing the aftermath of the rape. It's not an easy thing to follow, the grim reality of the situation, so clear with the examinations, swabs and the evidence bags collected by the police, makes the part feel tragically true. The acting in the scene is perfectly done, Julie Hesmondhalgh, David Tennant and Olivia Colman show exactly what the moment means to their characters. And the crew of the show worked with rape crisis services to make sure the reporting of such attach is portrayed with accuracy and significance it deserves. It's the scene made with right intention, for people to understand and remember it. It's unflinching, powerful in nature and done with sensitivity, showing the victim being treated with respect and provided with a safe place under the most horrendus circumstances. The work done by Broadchurch cast and crew is meant to be more than a simple opening of a TV show's season and kudos to everyone involved for what they have achieved during this powerful and memorable sequence.
COLONY, "Good Intentions", March 2, 2017, Actors: Ally Walker, Peter Jacobson, Josh Holloway and more, The Scenes: Helena saves Snyder and Snyder saves Bram & Armed mercenaries storm the Bowman household
Jimmy: A brilliant 4-minute-long one-take scene near the episode’s end. Armed mercenaries storm the Bowman household. Charlie gives his sister an early warning after sensing something was wrong. The mercenaries storm through the front door and kill Gracie’s tutor on the spot. Moments later, Will and Katie arrive home and have to systematically clear their house, killing the mercenaries one by one and finally finding their children safe on the roof. The way this scene was choreographed was fantastic. It wasn’t rushed, and it had more realism than is typical for these sorts of scenes. I love decent one-take scenes, and this is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen. Awesome stuff.
Darth Locke: Helena saves Snyder and Snyder saves Bram. I doubt many viewers believed that the labor camp would go without consequences from the aliens, but to see characters that one might not trust on the surface risk their lives for each other, and in Snyder's case, keep a promise, added a really nice layer of humanity to a couple of characters that have come off less than humane.
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, "A Cricket's Tale", March 1, 2017, Actors: David Hornsby and more, The Scene: The timelines line up (picked by Laura Markus)
LEGION, "Chapter 4", March 1, 2017, Actors: Dan Stevens, Amber Midthunder, Jemaine Clement and more, The Scenes: Kerry takes on Division Three Personnel & The ambush at the lighthouse & The discussion between Oliver and David
Darth Locke: Kerry takes on Division Three Personnel. It was hard to choose between this scene and the one where Oliver has a talk with David, but this scene spoke more to me in the sense that it highlighted a theme juxtaposed in the episode about the self preservation of those in symbiotic relationships. Cary has been carrying Kerry for all of his life, but as Syd reminds us, Kerry is still her own person and to see her do what her character does best by fighting to protect the others and to go back and forth in a montage of Kerry fighting with Cary back at the rooms in Summerland, feeling her every movement leading up to a point of severe pain, maybe even near-death, was an emotionally moving scene.
DarkUFO: The ambush at the lighthouse.
Milo: The discussion between Oliver and David.
SUITS, "Character and Fitness", March 1, 2017, Actors: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams
The Scene: The ending (picked by Laura Markus)
SUPERGIRL, "Homecoming", February 27, 2017, Actors: Chyler Leigh, Dean Cain, Floriana Lima and more, The Scenes: Jeremiah Danvers is reunited with Kara and Alex & Alex confronts her father in the woods & Alex breaks down in Maggie’s arms
Aimee: Acting isn’t always about the words spoken, but what happens in the silence of the moment that is the most impactful. In the case of this scene, Chyler Leigh spoke one word as Alex spoke to Maggie through the closed door. From the moment Maggie entered the apartment on all of Leigh’s acting was reactionary. Alex was extremely distraught over her father’s betrayal as was evident by the fact that she was trying to drown her sorrows by finding the bottom of a bottle of alcohol. When Maggie came in she automatically knew something was wrong with Alex. She’s become so in tune with her that before she even saw Alex’s face she knew something was wrong. When she approached Alex she kept her voice soft and understanding despite not knowing what happened to trigger Alex. What she knew was that the solution to whatever was going on wasn’t at the bottom of that bottle. When Alex went to refill her glass Maggie was quick to react and stop her. She knew the root of the problem was with Alex’s dad, but she didn’t know what had occurred. That didn’t matter, though because as she used her hand to force Alex to look at her she saw everything she needed to see in Alex’s tear-filled eyes. No matter how strong Alex is she’s still human and in this moment she needed to release all that pain that was consuming her. Maggie is one of the few people that Alex will let her guard down with, so in the comfort of her own apartment with the woman she loves she just let go. When Alex became overwhelmed there wasn’t even a half second hesitation before Maggie was on her feet pulling Alex to her chest. She held her and whispered softly to her knowing that in this moment all her girlfriend needed was to be close. Interestingly enough and this was likely a coincidence caused by camera blocking, but Alex settled on the left side of Maggie’s chest just at her heart. That’s significant because it has been proven that the steady sound of the heart can actual be soothing. As the emotions exploded from within, Alex pressed herself into Maggie’s chest and wrapped her arm around her. She clung to Maggie’s shirt as the sobs overtook her. This was such a powerful scene that choosing to give Alex no words was probably best for Chyler Leigh. Instead of having to focus on words she was able to just focus on this intense performance. She was in very safe hands with Lima there to support her through the performance. Lima chose to have Maggie be very gentle with Alex and she did much the same with Leigh. Once Alex broke down it seemed to become less about acting and more about Lima just protecting her friend. Her arm was wrapped around Leigh’s head and her hand was gently rubbing her back. While it worked in character it also seemed to be heavily about helping her friend through a very tough scene. The whole moment played out beautifully and was one of the top moments for these characters in their journey together. This scene graced up with beautiful heart-wrenching acting by Chyler Leigh.
DJRiter: While the scene that affected nearly everyone near the end of the show, the scene I've chosen is what I feel is the one that foreshadowed Alex's eventual breakdown - Alex confronting Jeremiah (her father) in the woods. Chasing her father, Lillian and Cyborg Superman through the woods while Kara rescued the train, Alex catches up to Jeremiah and confronts him about this betrayal. Chyler Leigh and Dean Cain really delivered in a heartbreaking scene. Leigh takes Alex through a gamut of emotions, anger, betrayal, confusion and pain as she pleads with Jeremiah to explain how could he betray the DEO, their family, essentially everything that is the core of Alex Danvers. Cain goes from the alleged turncoat to the father he wants to be when he asks her if she would believe him if he said he was doing it for her. For the record, I do believe he's protecting his family, his girls are Jeremiah's primary motivation. And in telling her she had to shoot him to bring him in it's almost as if he is begging her to do just that. You see the inner battle being waged between Alex the agent and Alex the daughter about to lose her long lost father again. Then with one simple statement he totally destroys her resolve, "You were always the best part of me." You knew then Alex couldn't shoot him (though I pray I'm wrong that she's going to be forced to make this decision again before the story plays out) and Jeremiah flees. Alex falling to her knees in such emotional pain, told us exactly how deeply the situation was affecting her and let us know there was a much bigger breakdown coming, which was brilliantly and masterfully played in that final scene.
Samantha: Maggie comforts Alex. The only good scene in an otherwise poor episode.
Donna: Maggie and Alex scene, your heart broke along with Alex's, this is her father who has betrayed her, Maggie says very little just offers her a hug. Beautiful scene.
Milo: Jeremiah Danvers is reunited with Kara and Alex.
THE 100, "The Tinder Box", March 1, 2017, Actors: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos and more, The Scene: The aftermath of the explosion
Justyna K: Once again, the show takes me completely by surprise and destroys another plan made by the main characters. Considering the poster for the season we should have expected something to happen in Arkadia, but I can't imagine a lot of people thought it would be so soon. It's a uniquely sad and haunting moment. The Ark has been a part of the show since its very beginning so seeing it all burn down and fall apart was a truly moving and shocking scene. Arkadia was at the centre of attention during the entire episode, as the conflict between Sky People and the Azgeda returned after the backup plan is exposed. And as it turns out it was all for nothing. Everything they've been working on since the start of season four (the list, the lottery, the peace agreement, the water generator and more), it's all rendered useless the moment Ilian blows up Arkadia. Everyone's reactions are perfectly done. For most of the main characters the Ark, and then Arkadia, was home. In case everything else fails there was hope that at least someone will get to live and survive there. And now it's gone. It's a brutal meeting with the reality, another hit for the people who lost more than one can imagine and they keep on losing... The effects, the editing, direction, music and the actors all make this scene absolutely memorable. And I haven't even mentioned the character interactions happening during this moment. After a tragic news of Octavia's "death", brother and sister are reunited this week and I'm reminded why I loved these two together before the events of season three. The good shift in Bellamy and Octavia's relationship, as seen in this scene, is the only hopeful and beautiful part of the moment. The two slowly rebuilding their bond makes for quite an impressive contrast to the destruction playing out right in front of them. Such a tragic, incredible, breathtaking and wonderfully done scene! Kudos to cast & crew for their great work in this sequence.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, "We're Planning a June Wedding", March 3, 2017, Actors: Paul Wesley, Candice King and more, The Scene: The wedding ceremony
Justyna K: This was a beautifully done scene. In between the life-or-death fight, the chaos, the massacre, the blood and fire, there's a very quiet and surprisingly uninterrupted lovely moment when two people take a step back from all the painful memories of the past and celebrate love during their wedding ceremony. I have to admit, the couples rarely get a lot of my attention (on any of my shows), but you don't need to be a shipper to still appreciate the heartfelt exchanges like this one, especially so close to the end of the series. The scene opens with Caroline walking down the aisle but I did love Alaric's speech in the background as he pretty much sums up the heart of the show's story. The story about people who all have done many horrible things, unforgiveable acts really and lost more than one can imagine but they still carry on and become family as a result of their shared experiences. They found each other in the darkness, even fell in love along the way. Both the characters and the viewers are expecting Katherine to show up and stop the ceremony, but she doesn't and Stefan and Caroline get a surprising chance to get married, something they've wanted for a while now. There's a tension, sadness and a little humour during the scene, but there's a lot of heart above all. In their vows the bride and groom say exactly the right thing for each other and make the moment truly memorable. "You saved me from despair" and "A hundred years from now, I will remember this moment for the both of us" worked especially great for me. Lovely setting, wonderful dialogue and acting by Paul Wesley and Candice King. Kudos!
Marko: It wasn't June but no June wedding could've topped this one. The vows, Caroline's styling, the whole vibe and the background music (Lights&Motion - Perfect symmetry) made all my Steroline shipper dreams come true. Tears were flowing.
Darth Locke: Chick discovers Norman and Norma after Norman just struck down Caleb. Chick has grown on me SO MUCH by being this kind of grungy-eclectic character that has little bits and pieces of fabric and textures that relate to the other Bates' characters and White Pine Bay itself, but ultimately he can see into the truths and hearts of those around him, making him a twistedly endearing character. This scene and his reaction was not just so spot on for how the audience probably feels, but also because, he comically just stands there and takes is all in! It was a great scene with fun turn of events!
Marko: The best scene of the series in my opinion! The way Vera and Freddie synced their voices, posture and movement were simply perfect. The way the writers and cast paid attention to all the small details created a scene to be remembered. Also picked by DarkUFO
BIG LITTLE LIES, "Serious Mothering", February 26, 2017, Actors: Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgård
The Scene: The fight and rough sex scene (picked by DarkUFO)
BLACK SAILS, "XXXIII.", February 26, 2017, Actors: David Wilmot, Tom Hopper
The Scene: Israel Hands fights Billy Bones (picked by Milo)
Justyna K: From the moment the episode starts the viewer becomes a witness to a heartbreaking and incredibly powerful events of the night when a new character, a woman named Trish Winterman, reports a sexual assault to the police. Detectives Hardy and Miller take her to the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) where we see the meticulous police procedures showing the aftermath of the rape. It's not an easy thing to follow, the grim reality of the situation, so clear with the examinations, swabs and the evidence bags collected by the police, makes the part feel tragically true. The acting in the scene is perfectly done, Julie Hesmondhalgh, David Tennant and Olivia Colman show exactly what the moment means to their characters. And the crew of the show worked with rape crisis services to make sure the reporting of such attach is portrayed with accuracy and significance it deserves. It's the scene made with right intention, for people to understand and remember it. It's unflinching, powerful in nature and done with sensitivity, showing the victim being treated with respect and provided with a safe place under the most horrendus circumstances. The work done by Broadchurch cast and crew is meant to be more than a simple opening of a TV show's season and kudos to everyone involved for what they have achieved during this powerful and memorable sequence.
Jimmy: A brilliant 4-minute-long one-take scene near the episode’s end. Armed mercenaries storm the Bowman household. Charlie gives his sister an early warning after sensing something was wrong. The mercenaries storm through the front door and kill Gracie’s tutor on the spot. Moments later, Will and Katie arrive home and have to systematically clear their house, killing the mercenaries one by one and finally finding their children safe on the roof. The way this scene was choreographed was fantastic. It wasn’t rushed, and it had more realism than is typical for these sorts of scenes. I love decent one-take scenes, and this is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen. Awesome stuff.
Darth Locke: Helena saves Snyder and Snyder saves Bram. I doubt many viewers believed that the labor camp would go without consequences from the aliens, but to see characters that one might not trust on the surface risk their lives for each other, and in Snyder's case, keep a promise, added a really nice layer of humanity to a couple of characters that have come off less than humane.
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, "A Cricket's Tale", March 1, 2017, Actors: David Hornsby and more, The Scene: The timelines line up (picked by Laura Markus)
Darth Locke: Kerry takes on Division Three Personnel. It was hard to choose between this scene and the one where Oliver has a talk with David, but this scene spoke more to me in the sense that it highlighted a theme juxtaposed in the episode about the self preservation of those in symbiotic relationships. Cary has been carrying Kerry for all of his life, but as Syd reminds us, Kerry is still her own person and to see her do what her character does best by fighting to protect the others and to go back and forth in a montage of Kerry fighting with Cary back at the rooms in Summerland, feeling her every movement leading up to a point of severe pain, maybe even near-death, was an emotionally moving scene.
DarkUFO: The ambush at the lighthouse.
Milo: The discussion between Oliver and David.
SUITS, "Character and Fitness", March 1, 2017, Actors: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams
The Scene: The ending (picked by Laura Markus)
Aimee: Acting isn’t always about the words spoken, but what happens in the silence of the moment that is the most impactful. In the case of this scene, Chyler Leigh spoke one word as Alex spoke to Maggie through the closed door. From the moment Maggie entered the apartment on all of Leigh’s acting was reactionary. Alex was extremely distraught over her father’s betrayal as was evident by the fact that she was trying to drown her sorrows by finding the bottom of a bottle of alcohol. When Maggie came in she automatically knew something was wrong with Alex. She’s become so in tune with her that before she even saw Alex’s face she knew something was wrong. When she approached Alex she kept her voice soft and understanding despite not knowing what happened to trigger Alex. What she knew was that the solution to whatever was going on wasn’t at the bottom of that bottle. When Alex went to refill her glass Maggie was quick to react and stop her. She knew the root of the problem was with Alex’s dad, but she didn’t know what had occurred. That didn’t matter, though because as she used her hand to force Alex to look at her she saw everything she needed to see in Alex’s tear-filled eyes. No matter how strong Alex is she’s still human and in this moment she needed to release all that pain that was consuming her. Maggie is one of the few people that Alex will let her guard down with, so in the comfort of her own apartment with the woman she loves she just let go. When Alex became overwhelmed there wasn’t even a half second hesitation before Maggie was on her feet pulling Alex to her chest. She held her and whispered softly to her knowing that in this moment all her girlfriend needed was to be close. Interestingly enough and this was likely a coincidence caused by camera blocking, but Alex settled on the left side of Maggie’s chest just at her heart. That’s significant because it has been proven that the steady sound of the heart can actual be soothing. As the emotions exploded from within, Alex pressed herself into Maggie’s chest and wrapped her arm around her. She clung to Maggie’s shirt as the sobs overtook her. This was such a powerful scene that choosing to give Alex no words was probably best for Chyler Leigh. Instead of having to focus on words she was able to just focus on this intense performance. She was in very safe hands with Lima there to support her through the performance. Lima chose to have Maggie be very gentle with Alex and she did much the same with Leigh. Once Alex broke down it seemed to become less about acting and more about Lima just protecting her friend. Her arm was wrapped around Leigh’s head and her hand was gently rubbing her back. While it worked in character it also seemed to be heavily about helping her friend through a very tough scene. The whole moment played out beautifully and was one of the top moments for these characters in their journey together. This scene graced up with beautiful heart-wrenching acting by Chyler Leigh.
DJRiter: While the scene that affected nearly everyone near the end of the show, the scene I've chosen is what I feel is the one that foreshadowed Alex's eventual breakdown - Alex confronting Jeremiah (her father) in the woods. Chasing her father, Lillian and Cyborg Superman through the woods while Kara rescued the train, Alex catches up to Jeremiah and confronts him about this betrayal. Chyler Leigh and Dean Cain really delivered in a heartbreaking scene. Leigh takes Alex through a gamut of emotions, anger, betrayal, confusion and pain as she pleads with Jeremiah to explain how could he betray the DEO, their family, essentially everything that is the core of Alex Danvers. Cain goes from the alleged turncoat to the father he wants to be when he asks her if she would believe him if he said he was doing it for her. For the record, I do believe he's protecting his family, his girls are Jeremiah's primary motivation. And in telling her she had to shoot him to bring him in it's almost as if he is begging her to do just that. You see the inner battle being waged between Alex the agent and Alex the daughter about to lose her long lost father again. Then with one simple statement he totally destroys her resolve, "You were always the best part of me." You knew then Alex couldn't shoot him (though I pray I'm wrong that she's going to be forced to make this decision again before the story plays out) and Jeremiah flees. Alex falling to her knees in such emotional pain, told us exactly how deeply the situation was affecting her and let us know there was a much bigger breakdown coming, which was brilliantly and masterfully played in that final scene.
Samantha: Maggie comforts Alex. The only good scene in an otherwise poor episode.
Donna: Maggie and Alex scene, your heart broke along with Alex's, this is her father who has betrayed her, Maggie says very little just offers her a hug. Beautiful scene.
Milo: Jeremiah Danvers is reunited with Kara and Alex.
Justyna K: Once again, the show takes me completely by surprise and destroys another plan made by the main characters. Considering the poster for the season we should have expected something to happen in Arkadia, but I can't imagine a lot of people thought it would be so soon. It's a uniquely sad and haunting moment. The Ark has been a part of the show since its very beginning so seeing it all burn down and fall apart was a truly moving and shocking scene. Arkadia was at the centre of attention during the entire episode, as the conflict between Sky People and the Azgeda returned after the backup plan is exposed. And as it turns out it was all for nothing. Everything they've been working on since the start of season four (the list, the lottery, the peace agreement, the water generator and more), it's all rendered useless the moment Ilian blows up Arkadia. Everyone's reactions are perfectly done. For most of the main characters the Ark, and then Arkadia, was home. In case everything else fails there was hope that at least someone will get to live and survive there. And now it's gone. It's a brutal meeting with the reality, another hit for the people who lost more than one can imagine and they keep on losing... The effects, the editing, direction, music and the actors all make this scene absolutely memorable. And I haven't even mentioned the character interactions happening during this moment. After a tragic news of Octavia's "death", brother and sister are reunited this week and I'm reminded why I loved these two together before the events of season three. The good shift in Bellamy and Octavia's relationship, as seen in this scene, is the only hopeful and beautiful part of the moment. The two slowly rebuilding their bond makes for quite an impressive contrast to the destruction playing out right in front of them. Such a tragic, incredible, breathtaking and wonderfully done scene! Kudos to cast & crew for their great work in this sequence.
Justyna K: This was a beautifully done scene. In between the life-or-death fight, the chaos, the massacre, the blood and fire, there's a very quiet and surprisingly uninterrupted lovely moment when two people take a step back from all the painful memories of the past and celebrate love during their wedding ceremony. I have to admit, the couples rarely get a lot of my attention (on any of my shows), but you don't need to be a shipper to still appreciate the heartfelt exchanges like this one, especially so close to the end of the series. The scene opens with Caroline walking down the aisle but I did love Alaric's speech in the background as he pretty much sums up the heart of the show's story. The story about people who all have done many horrible things, unforgiveable acts really and lost more than one can imagine but they still carry on and become family as a result of their shared experiences. They found each other in the darkness, even fell in love along the way. Both the characters and the viewers are expecting Katherine to show up and stop the ceremony, but she doesn't and Stefan and Caroline get a surprising chance to get married, something they've wanted for a while now. There's a tension, sadness and a little humour during the scene, but there's a lot of heart above all. In their vows the bride and groom say exactly the right thing for each other and make the moment truly memorable. "You saved me from despair" and "A hundred years from now, I will remember this moment for the both of us" worked especially great for me. Lovely setting, wonderful dialogue and acting by Paul Wesley and Candice King. Kudos!
Marko: It wasn't June but no June wedding could've topped this one. The vows, Caroline's styling, the whole vibe and the background music (Lights&Motion - Perfect symmetry) made all my Steroline shipper dreams come true. Tears were flowing.
