The Emmy Chatter series ends today with a look at the hyper-competative race for Best Drama Series.
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad
For: Reigning winner, “BEST TV SHOW EVER” reviews, uber respected across the board
Against: True Detective, it’s been eons since the show ended (nearly a year)
Downton Abbey
For: They clearly love this show, the tech nominations, bounce back from season 3
Against: who thought this would make it?, Never really a threat to win the big prize aka nomination is the reward
Game Of Thrones
For: Biggest show amongst the nominees, new acting nominee proves voters watched season, HBO
Against: Alex Graves’ comments, uneven season, biggest moments came early on
House Of Cards
For: Pop culture behemoth, amazing acting, more intense season, The Push and the Meacharound
Against: less highly reviewed than season 1, more buzzy titles in the mix
Mad Men
For: Emmy darling, most watched season, still impeccable in the techs
Against: Emmy love has cooled off considerably, still no acting wins, “next year is the year”
True Detective
For: the buzzy title of the group, movie stars in the cast, impeccable technical aspects
Against: Nic Pizzolato’s comments, season 2 rumors, Breaking Bad
The Chatter
Perhaps the most competitive lineup at the Emmys in a while, there is certainly a case to be made that each of these shows could win the top prize. Among the “lower tier” contenders are Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Game of Thrones. Downton is perennially nominated but I can’t recall a year where it was higher than #3 in the race to take the prize, Mad Men‘s Emmy luster has worn off considerably (that show went 0-17 two years ago), and Game of Thrones feels like a Lost situation, the show will have it’s time at the end. That leaves House of Cards, True Detective and Breaking Bad to really fight for the crown. House of Cards season 2 had some buzzy moments, and I really dug the season, but it was not universally loved and in this tight a race, you want everyone to be on your side. Also, there’s the issue of it’s best chance at winning, Robin Wright, submitting a terrible episode for her category. True Detective, ALTHOUGH IT IS COMPETING IN THE COMPLETELY WRONG CATEGORY AS BEFITTING IT’S LIMITED NATURE AND ANTHOLOGY STRUCTURE, is a huge threat to win. HBO gambled and it paid off, and the show already has 5 Creative Arts Emmy wins. There isn’t a show in the running that has gotten the kind of ink that True Detective has, however, not all of that has been positive and the luster has quickly worn off. Which leaves Breaking Bad, riding high on it’s final season, the word that it’s one of the best TV shows of all time and last year’s Emmy win. However, it has been a long time since the show ended and all of the shows above have taken up much of the air time. Will voters remember this show?