WOMEN OF THE WEEK

Another week of Fall TV down and another solid week for women in TV. We gathered a few or our favorites for this weeks Women of the Week.

Genuine Emotion
Ming-Na Wen from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
As Agent Melinda May
Nominated by Liz: for her very emotional and heartbroken portrayal. She was raw and real.

Her own Prince Charming
Emily Bett Rickards from Arrow
As Felicity
Nominated by Cay: Not only was she saving the day with her brain, but she also base-jumped into Damien Darhk’s lair to rescue Ray Palmer all the while struggling with her feelings about her relationship with Oliver. I love that she’s not the kind of girl who ends up with the guy of her dreams and then feels her life is complete – instead she worries that she is losing herself in the relationship with Oliver. I feel like so much of media is telling women that we should just look for Prince Charming, thank our lucky stars, and settle down. It’s nice to see a character that was originally introduced as being smart and sassy and independent go back to that way (last season was frustrating for Felicity fans!) and worry that being in a relationship might change that part of her. Obviously the writers deserve a lot of credit, but it’s Rickards that really sells Felicity and makes her so appealing and believable – the kind of woman that you want to be friends with.

Amazingly Against Type
Emily Osmet from Mom
As Jodie
Nominated by Melissa: I’m picking another Emily – Emily Osment. She began her guest appearance as Jodie on ‘Mom’ this week, and turned in a devastating performance. I’m used to seeing Emily in bubbly, comedic roles, but even though she was in a comedy, there was nary a bubble. Playing an addict whose drug dealer boyfriend doesn’t want her to get clean, Emily was sullen, abrasive, defensive, and tentatively hopeful. ‘Mom’ has always been that rare show that balances broad comedy with heartbreaking emotion, and the cast deserves a lot of the credit for bringing that to life so effectively. Emily is clearly up to the challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of her episodes.

Nominated by Lisa: I second Mel’s choice. Emily gave a chilling performance on Mom and I was blown away. She was almost unrecognizable. She really brought out the serious side of being an addict on a show that uses comedy to tell the addicts story. I was so impressed with her and look forward to seeing the rest of her episodes on Mom. Well done Emily!

Quiet Strength
Megan Follows from Reign
As Catherine de Medici
Nominated by Angela: We’ve often seen Catherine as quite dramatic to the point of being comedic, but this week after the death of her beloved son Francis, we saw a quiet strength in Catherine and after expecting her to lash out in a dramatic fashion, it was this quiet strength as she stayed strong for Mary that pulled on my emotions rather than the despair and grief of losing a loved one.