I know what you’re thinking. It’s the beginning of April, the TV season doesn’t end for another couple of months, and Emmy nominations don’t come out until July, so it’s a little premature to even be asking things like this or potentially crowning a winner when the most hard hitting/emotional material for current shows has yet to be seen.
But if Margo Martindale didn’t win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama on Wednesday night’s episode of Justified, she at least put herself firmly in the conversation for frontrunner. Martindale has been portraying Mags Bennett on the popular FX drama, a manipulative, cold blooded crime family matriarch who can sing you a song, give you a slice of warm apple pie, and send shivers up your spine within the span of one scene. The character itself is fantastic to watch, but Martindale has been a powerhouse this season, easily slithering in and out of Mags’ various personas with such ease to make for an intimidating performance.
I mean, just look at the final scene of “Brothers’ Keeper” and watch Martindale’s quivery plea for one last word with the little girl she considered to be a daughter transform into a simmering pool of anger when she realizes she can’t charm her way out of this one. It was such a small moment, but it capped off a tremendous performance where Martindale got to be creepy, maternal, sarcastic, sorrowful, and cutthroat, among the scores of emotions Martindale has conjured up in Mags this season. She’s been the face of her people, the reason for the destruction of her lackey kids, and the thorn in the side of Raylan Givens.
Do I think Margo Martindale won the Emmy on Wednesday? I’m not sure. I do know that she’s easily given one of the six best performances by a supporting actress in a drama this season (that I’ve seen, of course) and with the events at the end of this week’s episode, there’s a chance she can continue topping herself for the final few episodes of the season. Mags Bennett may be ruthless, conniving, and ultimately dangerous, but she may need to dust off her best dress because something golden may be coming her way this fall.
FX could also run her in the Guest Actress category. She will have appeared in less episodes than Lithgow did when he won the same category for "Dexter" as Guest Actor.
Anyone who is a fan of Elmore Leonard's novels knows that seemingly transparent female characters are not just props for the males to use, either for their criminal enterprises or their sexual exercise. Instead Leonard gives us forces of nature. So it is with Mags Bennett, and how wonderful for Margo Martindale to be able to show us this character.
Just how many shows feature a frumpy, overweight, middle-aged female as a major character, much less a political and criminal force? Margo Martindale has the acting chops for this role, and wow, does she deliver. Before the most recent episode, Brothers' Keeper, the speech she gave at the community meeting where Carol Johnson, all city manners and fake sincerity, was totally shut down, was her most masterful scene. Second her punishment of the dim-witted Coover. Her maternal care and guidance of Loretta is absolutely chilling, since we know why she is acting as Loretta's protective foster mom. Chilling with a small side of sad, because there is enough depth to Mags that we know her disappointment in how her own children turned out (and her own life). And enough depth that we know her surface actions are never what they seem to be. This is a woman who thinks ahead many moves and has the spine to face formidable adversaries. In Brothers' Keeper she revealed the keen thinking and cold eyed ruthlessness with which she finally defeated Black Pike and Carol Johnson. No simple country woman with ne'er do well sons.
By reading other pieces about this show, I am aware that the actors in this series have been allowed to bring their interpretations of their roles to life. I suspect the same is true for Ms. Martindale. She must be very glad to have this opportunity to show her craft through this brilliant writing. She is certainly up to the task and deserves some recognition for it.
Gawd, I love this show, and I love to hate Mags Bennett. Emmy nomination: YES!
Its over. Give Margo the award. Her performance is unbelievable. If she doesn't win, then something is way WRONG…
I have been looking for a place to rave about Margo Martindale…Although I have seen her in other roles the role as Mags Bennett leaves me almost speachless(nothing I have ever been accused of),to use the today vernacular,SHE ROCKS!
As an old broad with too much weight,I am thrilled to see that not all actors of the female persuasion are size 2's with fake boobs and perfect hair…She,Ms.Martindale shines beyond most in her industry and makes me almost cry with joy watching her….Keep it up "mags"
The emmy should be yours…..a grateful fan…
I am thinking she'd be more likely nominated in the Guest Actress category. Since it was only a season long arc, I guess they could go for either Guest or Supporting.
Either way, she deserves to surely be nominated. Based on what I've seen so far, she should also win. She is perfection as Mags – so many angles to that character and she captured them wonderfully.
Well, if she didn't win it back in "Brother's Keeper", she surely won it on the finale last night. She was an absolutely Shakespearean villain.
well, heck,if Margo don't win then I will give up on wreslen and Coors gold. Mama says they never give it to the one that deserves it. just the one that didn't ………..well I really don't remember Momma say
'n anything about no emmy winner either…..We are just a but of Margo fans and yall well we ain't sure what yall are down here, but if you come to out emmy party you will have a good time