Performer of the Week: Black Mirror's Bryce Dallas Howard 

THE PERFORMANCE | As a chilling anthology of futuristic high-tech nightmares, each episode of Netflix’s

is like a meticulously crafted short story, giving its actors a chance to bring a brand-new character to life. And Howard, of

fame, did that in marvelous fashion in Season 3’s “Nosedive.”

Howard played Lacie, a bubbly young woman who’s obsessed with her social-media status. In the world of “Nosedive,” people rate each other on a five-star scale after every interaction — and a low rating can have dire consequences. Lacie was desperate to be “liked,” constantly plastering on a smile in an effort to get more stars, and Howard masterfully walked the fine line between sympathetic and pathetic. (That fake laugh Lacie practiced in the mirror was positively haunting.)

Then, when things went wrong at a friend’s wedding, Howard unleashed the beast within Lacie with an epic rant that revealed the dark truth hiding behind her cheerful facade. It’s a riotously funny and strangely moving performance, and a stark reminder of what we lose when we prioritize our digital lives over our flesh-and-blood existence.

will fall into next year — Limited Series or Movie, maybe? — but however it shakes out, they’d better save a slot for Howard in the Outstanding Lead Actress category. A five-star performance, without a doubt.

HONORABLE MENTION | Despite Tom Hanks‘ eight previous gigs as

host, we went into the Oct. 22 episode feeling skeptical, given the hit-or-miss nature of Season 42 thus far. By the time the credits rolled, though, we were left marveling at Hanks’ ability to turn even the oddest sketches into watercooler moments. Sure, his portrayal of David S. Pumpkins — the enigmatic, skeleton-flanked centerpiece of a theme park ride called 100 Floors of Frights — was the most memorable moment of the night. But Hanks brought that same energy and commitment to every sketch, regardless of how funny the material was. He gamely embraced the title of “America’s Dad” for the monologue; he was willing to reprise his titular Sully role, despite the film being almost two months old; and, perhaps most impressively, he managed to infuse Doug, the Trump-supporting Black Jeopardy contestant, with a self-deprecating softness that gave way to

‘s best political commentary of the year. There’s no doubt that Hanks’ invitation to the Ten-Timers Club is already in the mail.

, the NBC series answered a big question — to what, exactly, does the drama’s title refer? — and wrapped it in a touching, episode-ending monologue thoughtfully delivered by Justin Hartley‘s Kevin. “It’s kind of beautiful, right, if you think about it?” he said, showing his nieces a painting he’d made and likening its layered colors to life in general. “The fact that just because someone dies, just because you can’t see them or talk to them anymore, it doesn’t mean they’re not still in the painting… there’s no you or me or them, it’s just us.” In just a handful of episodes, Hartley has excelled at showing us Kevin’s say-too-much, think-too-little side; listening to him patiently, lovingly explain that we’re really all one gave him a chance to play Kev as a quietly reassuring presence who’s not as dim as he’d have people believe. Not bad for the self-described “dopey Laborador” in a Pixar movie, eh?

HONORABLE MENTION | Penguin loves the Riddler! As such, this week’s

found Robin Lord Taylor charting new waters, as the crime lord-turned-mayor reached that epiphany. “What good is love if it’s one-sided?” he wondered aloud, resolving to profess his feelings to Ed. Plus, as Mother always told him, “If you find love, run to it.” Throughout the hour, in every moment between Oswald and Ed, Taylor brought a joyful twinkle to his alter ego’s eyes. But he most moved us during what would be a bittersweet monologue, as Oswald rehearsed his declaration — “I choose courage. And what I’m trying to say is, ‘I love you’” — across the dinner table from an empty chair, anxiously awaiting an Edward who was busy igniting his own spark, with Miss Kringle’s lookalike.

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I definitely agree about Justin Hartley and Robin Lord Taylor but Caterina Scorsone absolutely deserves to be on this list. She knocked it out of the park this week on Grey’s Anatomy.

I haven’t seen Justin Hartley is anything before This is Us he has been so great on the show truly the dopey Labrador

This has been the first episode of SNL that I laughed at most of the skectches David S. Pumpkins was silly but I still laughed the whole time

Was a great Oliver Queen on Smallville and decent on Revenge

Happy Justin and Robin got honorable mention. They both did great in new episodes of their shows this week.

Caterina Scorsone should have been included ! She gave a fantastic performance on Grey’s

Bryce was great. The part itself was amazing. I wonder if a bunch of actors were fighting over the part.

Really??? The cast of TWD doesn’t even get an honorable mention??

I wondered too. You may hate what Negan did, feel the scenes went too far, but JDM is astounding.

For me, I saw nothing from TWD that I haven’t seen before. The acting wasn’t really anything to brag about. It was okay. Also, it wasn’t really an exceptional episode. Dragged on way too long. This episode was basically what should have happened in the season 6 finale.

I agree with abz. Acting was fine, but it was all just an elongated rehash of the finale. Lauren Cohan had some great moments as Maggie in the episode, though.

I would like to put in an honorable mention for Susan Blommaert (aka Kate “Mr. Kaplan”) “though she be but little, she is fierce!” and Leon Rippy (aka The Hunter) in Blacklist for the past few eps! The intense perfectly done scenes between them (albeit fairly short asides) since he saved/captured her have been more compelling to me than anything going on w/the Post Office gang and Red. Although this weeks ep seems to have been blown my theory out of the water. I thought for sure Rippy was #1 – some person Red had similarly vanquished to the that place who had somehow survived and he was out for revenge of some sort or #2 a mole for Kirk. He didn’t seem to say anything or recognize Red from his “surveillance” (cleverly done) footage. So how did he get there and what is this hunters deal.

Let’s also give an honorable mention to Amir Arison for handling poor Aram’s highs, lows, and inner strength this week. This could be his Emmy episode.

(And is it just me, or is this yet another case of a show’s B and C plots out-writing, out-acting and just plain outdoing what is set up to be the A plot?)

Tom Hanks was so hilarious as SNL host last week and I hope he comes back for a historical 10th time.

Jensen Ackles’s face as his mom left him, again, on Supernatural deserves mention! He said a thousand words without uttering a single word

Agreed. The journey of his expressions across that entire scene was incredible (especially that switch from confused to heartbroken), but when Mary finally admitted that she was leaving, he conveyed so much emotion without a single line of dialogue. Really made us feel his pain there.

There were exceptional performances from Black Mirror, but you picked one from the worst (most predictable) episode. Watch the 3rd, 4th, and 6th, and then let’s talk.

i don’t always agree with their picks but there’s a way not to be an ass about it. Love the Justin Hartley shout out tho!!

The episode may have been predictable, but she was fantastic on it, playing someone who was trying to be likable, but who was still pathetic, yet who you still wanted to like. She was fantastic in a part that required a strange balancing act.

She was so great in that episode, so pathetic, but she made the character one you still wanted to watch. And it was such a great payoff, when you see her really come alive at a low moment.

You Nailed It With Justin Hartley. Actually Each Week That Entire Cast Knock It Out Of The Park.

Aden Young in Rectify this week gave an Emmy worthy performance and on for the acting classes, shocked that you overlooked this!

Justin Hartley brought tears to my eyes, something that happens to me during every episode of This Is Us, a show I love. Have you been watching Queen Sugar? Excellent performances and a riveting show. Off to watch Black Mirror. Thanks!

Glad to see Robin Lord Taylor getting a shout out, but surprised to see no love given to Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln or Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Completely agree with RLT, but no Kathy Bates in AHS?

She really shone this week on AHS. Her descent into madness switching from The Butcher to Agnes and back and forth was both hilarious and thrilling to watch.

Also, TVLine can we please get this exchange into the Quotes of the Week:

Audrey: “I’m not an American, I’m not used to all this carnage”

I seriously could not stop laughing at this. Sarah Paulson’s accent has been ridiculous, yet I’m still enjoying it and she nailed that line.

Hanks was not the most memorable thing about that episode.

I would have given it to Gugu Mbatha-Raw but Howard was great

Kathy Bates was fantastic on AHS, Paulson brought the comedy to the carnage. Great committed performances from all.

Black Mirror had so many great performances. Bryce Dallas Howard was great, as were Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kelly McDonald, Mackenzie Davis, Alex Lawther etc

Well, since out of all of those I only saw Gotham I’m going to have to say that watching Oswald practice that speech to an empty chair brought a little lump to my throat. We’ve all had that someone who we wanted to give our hearts to and for whatever reason it didn’t get to happen and Robin Lord Taylor just nailed the fear and anticipation that can make a rejection so hard.

Thank you for giving an HM to Justin Hartley! He rightfully deserves this and so much more recognition!

Where’s the Caterina Scorsone love? She was absolutely brilliant this week. She deserved to be on the list.

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