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THE PERFORMER | Joseph Quinn
THE EPISODE | “The Hellfire Club” (May 27, 2022)
THE PERFORMANCE | In a way, Hawkins High cheerleader Chrissy spoke for all of us when, in the Netflix hit’s Season 4 premiere, she told dope-dealing classmate Eddie, “You’re not what I thought you’d be like.” Our introduction to the character found his portrayer cranking up the charisma to 11 as the outrageous outsider held court with the Hellfire Club, relishing the spotlight in the cafeteria as he alternated between entertaining and intimidating his fellow students. So we thought at first exactly what Eddie wanted us to think: that he was a scary freak.
When the most senior of seniors was alone with Chrissy, however, Quinn scaled back the larger-than-life aspects of his alter ego, revealing that beneath his no-f—ks-to-give persona and heavy-metal hairdo lurked a bonafide softy who was equal parts funny and charming. In fact, so disarming was the sincere sweetness that Quinn brought forth that we started shipping Eddie and Chrissy. Yes, right there, on the spot — he was that cute with her.
Yet the actor had still more to show us in his first Stranger Things appearance. After Eddie presided over the climax of his Dungeons & Dragons campaign with the flashy showmanship of a circus ringleader, Quinn — in a scene we won’t describe here, lest we spoil it for pokey binge-watchers — took the teenager in short order from curious to concerned, then from panicked to so utterly horrified that he let out the kind of shriek that other shrieks hear and go, “Whoa.” All in all, Quinn’s debut was as auspicious as they come.
HONORABLE MENTION | Throughout the second episode of The Time Traveler’s Wife, star Theo James carried his character’s deep and lingering grief as Henry dealt with the loss of his mother at a young age. Because time travel draws him back to the tragic memory over and over, adult Henry never truly moved on, and the pain of that never-heeled wound was evident on James’ face through countless moments. The actor was especially moving in the final scene, when Henry and Clare listened to an audio recording of his mother answering a question from Clare that his future self delivered in the past. With ragged breaths and tears, James finally let the last of Henry’s walls down and showed us both the beauty and the pain of time travel.
HONORABLE MENTION | For six seasons of Better Call Saul, we’ve loved to hate Howard Hamlin, the slick lawyer played by Patrick Fabian. But now we can see that Fabian was quietly crafting a complex character underneath those immaculate suits. He was terrific in this week’s midseason finale, first getting comically flustered by Jimmy and Kim’s long con that made Howard look like a ranting and raving drug addict. (Fabian has underrated comedy chops, it should be noted.) But he really shined when Howard later confronted Jimmy and Kim about their little scheme, with Fabian letting the pain enter Howard’s voice as he wondered why they were so determined to ruin his life. The episode turned out to be Howard Hamlin’s swan song, unfortunately — but Fabian made sure he went out on a high note.
HONORABLE MENTION | Now here’s a first for us: recognizing a performance that was given years ago, yet not unveiled until this week. But we’re Ron Cephas Jones’ big scene in This Is Us’ series finale was included, because it turned out to be one of the most memorable moments in the highly emotional hour. As a flashback harkened back to Season 1, Jones effortlessly conveyed wistful regret as William mused about the beautiful strangeness of being a grandparent: someone who loves a child so unconditionally, yet is only in that child’s life for a short while. Jones was infallibly great throughout the series’ run, but we were especially taken with how he was able to blend wonder, sadness and an abiding joy into just a few lines, captured seasons ago. The look on Jones’ face as William stared at his granddaughters? That’s something we’ll remember for years to come.
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in Comments!
I’m only halfway through the season so I don’t know what happens, but I’d watch a whole dnd spin off with Eddie as DM. Great character. He pulled it off.
Didn’t love him at first but now he is part of my ST gang!
Ron Cephas Jones always breaks my heart in this show. The time and space he occupied on This Is Us was so beautifully woven into the Pearson story that when you step back, and look at the whole, you would see where the holes would be with the out him.
William’s story may not have been as profound and directly impactful as Jack’s, but where Jack wasn’t, William was.
The girls never had a grandfather in their lives until William and afterwards, they had Miguel. These older men helped hold up the Pearson Clan and that’s why every moment with William is a treasure.
Seven months? I thought it was a lifetime. But because Randall cannot let go, it was. Everyone was so present for him, even after they were gone from everyone else’s life.
The one thing this show never touched in was the magical reality of memory, but the show did transport us through their time lines, as opposed to having the character travel.
Episode one. Finale. Time is fleeting, memories are fleeting, but the feeling never goes away.
Stream of consciousness complete.
Pretty impactful stream of consciousness – kind of like you’re in my head.
“The girls never had a grandfather in their lives until William…”
Poor Miguel.
Only watched the first ep so far, but geez, did they at least try to cast younger looking people for the high school crowd? I know there are rules for underage actors. Did covid tie their hands?
Reminds me of Joey on Friends trying to pass for a 19 year old. That’s wack!!
Which characters specifically are you referring to? They did actually cast different actors to play the same characters at different ages. The episode spanned different times and so some of that characters were portrayed by multiple actors in different times.
Ok, nevermind. I just realized your comment was not about This is Us like the comment above it was. :) I was super confused, but your comment makes more sense now that I see it was probably about Stranger Things.
Yes, Stranger Things :)
I think part of it is the pandemic delayed everything and made everyone a few years older than they planned. At least in Eddie’s case he’s been held back 2-3 years from graduating, so he is older.
The pandemic did play a part in it. Some of the new cast has been cast over 2 years ago and then everything shut down right as they were filming. I don’t mind it though as that’s normal for any high school set thing for those rules you just mentioned, especially with stunts. Plus, it fits the 80s theme that started with 20 somethings playing teens. Eddie was fantastic though and didn’t realize I knew the actor form PBS’ “Les Mis” as he looked so different there as Enjolras.
Agree… my grandson (17) got me i to Stranger Things at the start. Just finished episode 3/Season 4..😲I must say
VECNA is quite creepy!!!
Thank you for the Patrick Fabian acknowledgement!!! He’s always been an underrated actor IMO. Plus, he’s really nice to look at! 😁
I agree about Quinn. Unexpected, amazing performance.
LOVE Patrick Fabian being acknowledged here!
A complete journeyman performer of the “hey it’s that guy from that thing” variety.
Always very watchable in every role!
Personally I would have given a nod to Ellen Pompeo, her work in the 400th episode was great and she’s one of the big factors why the show is still on the air; 400 episodes later. Even with her paycheck, she still doesn’t get the recognision she deserves imo (anywhere online, not talking about TVLine).
I know she phoned it in the last couple of seasons
But Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s finale was fanatic. Especially in that end scene
Patrick Fabian was amazing on Saul. That was quite and end for him.
Anyone else getting big young Robert Downey Jr vibes from Joseph Quinn? And yes that’s a complement.
Hell yes! Absolutely could’ve been RDJ! Mirror image in looks AND style! Loved this character! Can’t wait for more of him!
Yes. He looks like his son.
Glad I’m not alone. Can’t stop thinking of how similar some facial expressions and mannerisms are.
Made me think if we’d ever need to see a new (young) Tony Stark, wouldn’t mind seeing him in the role.
He is kinda cute for a rebel/weirdo/geek/freak/outcast.. lol
It was great to see RCJ back. Very emotional ending!
Good to see Theo’s acting getting some recognition. Some people can’t see past his good looks.
I beg and pray that you give a top spot to Sadie Sink next week (or however you size up seasons that drop all at once nowadays) for her work on ST4, episode 4. Her performance in “Dear Billy” and especially the last 10 minutes are going to live rent free in my mind for a good while.
Yes, it does seem like they sometimes split these binges into two weeks, so I hope they do the same thing. She hid much from her friends but not from viewers as we saw her eyes shift multiple times – always letting us know exactly what the character was truly thinking and feeling, even when she put on a brave face for others.
Stranger things-Being an 80s kid I’d say most characters/actors did a very good job, but Quin coming in episode 1, 4th season- I can honestly say nailed it. I can think of a few different people from high school he perfectly embodied from the 80s. Excellent job!
I’m sorry, no. I think the actor is a great addition and did a good job especially making an entrance, but like with argyle he seemed stuck in gear.
Sadie Sink on the other hand delivered multiple tearful performances like I imagine very few actresses her age could and was thoroughly impressed as well as moved each time.
I guess you wan to be the MTV movie awards of television performance graders Eddie makes sense otherwise this is just silly.
*I guess if you want to be…
Though I did like this actor/performer, Sadie Sink is absolutely the performance that blew me away this week. I can’t believe TVLine failed to recognize her. The way she easily shifted from emotion to emotion in scene after scene, often with just her eyes as we saw her private grief and fear swept away for a braver public face, was a masterclass in acting through expression.
This character was a douche. Seems all the new characters were just annoying at first. NO ONE ever acted like that in the 80s… Didn’t happen. As the story went along it got better but the first two episodes were corny garbage.
So true, I am on episode 7 right now, but he had me liking his character since episode 1. Just proves to never judge a book by the cover!!!
The young lady playing Leia on Obi-Wan should get some positive attention. Talk about scene-stealers!
I don’t envy the Performer judges when the “Dear Billy” episode of Stranger Things becomes eligible. Having to choose between Sadie Sink and Robert Englund is going to be tough.
I was hesitant about Theo James as Henry but I am very pleased with his performance. It’s not an easy role to play and I think he’s doing a great job.
Two episodes in and I’m still iffy on Rose Leslie as Clare.
Not a fan of Ron Gephardt Jones…do not think he deserved the Honorable Mention here. His scene wasn’t the the most poignant of the episode at all; I much preferred seeing Jack and Rebecca together again. Each was so wistful in their scenes as they spoke about trying to have time stand still and how it becomes more difficult to remember small, single memories of any given occasion…even before we knew what happening to Rebecca. I still marvel at Mandy Moore’s performances as young, middle-aged, older and dying Rebecca. Give that woman an Emmy!