Yahoo News Performer of the Week: Hannah Einbinder
THE PERFORMER | Hannah Einbinder
THE SHOW | Hacks
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THE EPISODE | “Bulletproof” (May 30, 2024)
THE PERFORMANCE | Acting opposite a TV icon like Jean Smart must be a daunting task, but in the Max dramedy’s Season 3 finale, Einbinder brought her A-game, strapping us in for a rollercoaster of emotions we were not prepared for.
After Deborah lied to Ava about why she couldn’t be the late night show’s head writer, the young scribe was understandably disappointed. But after she learned about Deborah’s straight-up deception, Einbinder absolutely unleashed. In the season’s most riveting scene, Ava confronted Deborah about the lie, giving the actress the platform to deliver all of the rage she could muster. Her tone of voice and aggressive demeanor had us on the edge of our seats, as we anxiously awaited Deborah’s response, and like every other argument these women have had, boy, did it escalate.
Einbinder worked herself into a tizzy as Ava’s anger melted into tears. The actress beautifully segued from furious to hurt, as we saw just how much pain Deborah had caused. The pitch of Einbinder’s voice raised higher and higher as she continued to break down. Her pregnant pauses were spot-on, too, before Ava absolutely slayed her boss by telling her she’d die alone.
If her ascent stopped there, we would’ve been pleased as punch, but she had one more moment to shine in the final scene when Ava blackmailed her way into the position she had been promised. The actress’ body language took a complete 180, as Ava stood strong and stoic. Not the woman we first met. Not one to be toyed with. Einbinder used her eyes and coy smile as weapons to eviscerate Deborah, forcibly taking what she believed was rightfully hers. Like the series itself, Einbinder has gotten better and better with each episode, and here, she made us feel the hurt in her character’s soul and the smug satisfaction of tearing down her boss who had so heartlessly wronged her. Bring on Season 4!
Scroll down to see who scored Honorable Mention shout-outs this week…
HONORABLE MENTION: Angela Bassett
From now on, “the thing” that Angela Bassett did was Thursday’s 9-1-1 finale, which showcased the actress’ full range as Athena Grant hunted down the man she believed was responsible for putting her husband in the hospital. She began the hour in a palpable spiral of guilt and grief, blaming herself for letting a supposed arsonist into their home, before converting those emotions into fuel for revenge. Her speech to Amir about hiding in plain sight after losing a loved one was devastating, every word weighted with a gravity befitting the situation. And when she introduced herself to the cartel as “Mrs. Bobby Nash,” we got instant goosebumps. The fact that the episode then gave Bassett a little Waiting to Exhale moment was merely the icing on the cake. That woman really knows how to work a flame. — Andy Swift
HONORABLE MENTION: Archie Panjabi
Hulu’s Under the Bridge brought its central true-crime case to an emotional close in Wednesday’s finale, and no scene was more affecting than Archie Panjabi’s Suman confronting Warren Glowatski, one of the teens responsible for murdering Suman’s daughter. Panjabi wore her character’s grief like a tangible weight around her shoulders throughout the conversation, communicating bitter sadness with every facial expression and pained line reading. But it was when Suman offered Warren her forgiveness that Panjabi did her most devastating work, her sobs revealing how crushing it was to show Warren mercy, even when her faith dictated she must. “It’s the only way out of all of this,” Suman cried, and Panjabi implored us to feel every ounce of heartbreak that accompanied her words. — Rebecca Iannucci
HONORABLE MENTION: Bailee Madison
Bloody Rose better watch her back, because Imogen Adams is done playing around — and she isn’t afraid to get creative with a knife! In addition to the usual spooks and surprises, Thursday’s episode of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School included one particularly delicious scene in which Bailee Madison’s character noticed that her father’s fiancée was wearing her late mother’s engagement ring, triggering an explosive performance from Madison that dropped our jaws and broke our hearts at the same time. The pain in her voice as she unwittingly relived the loss of her mother, followed by the unbridled rage of a daughter scorned, made for a one-two punch that’s sure to leave a mark. — A.S.
HONORABLE MENTION: Barrett Doss
As if we weren’t going to miss Station 19 enough! In Thursday’s finale, Doss brought Vic Hughes’ story to an end with one last bravura performance. The actress reminded us of the ease with which she plays light fare as the firefighter dissed Ben’s chili in favor of breakfast sushi. Doss quickened our pulse along with her character’s when her fire shelter was compromised (to the point that we actually feared Vic’s goose was cooked!). We watched, awestruck, as the MVP’s expression changed to one of pure love when “Hughey” was reunited with late buddy Dean. And heaven knows our hearts broke and then swelled as Doss played the heightened emotions of Vic’s fears that bestie Travis wouldn’t follow her to DC. We hate to say goodbye, to the show and Hughes, but man, what a way to go! — Charlie Mason
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in the comments!
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