The TVLine Performer of the Week: Christine Baranski
THE PERFORMER | Christine Baranski
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THE SHOW | The Gilded Age
THE EPISODE | “Close Enough to Touch” (Nov. 26, 2023)
THE PERFORMANCE | As old money institution Agnes van Rhijn, Christine Baranski has turned sipping (and/or spilling) tea into an art form, and we gleefully tune in every week to see which unfortunate character has managed to catch her ire. Unfortunately, the latest target of her sharp-tongued fury was none other than her sister Ada, whose sudden engagement to the new rector was met with the full force of Agnes’ righteous indignation.
But even as Agnes tore into her sister for making such a reckless decision (“You’re a spinster, and you’ve always been a spinster!”), it was clear that other complicated emotions were fighting their way to the surface. Fear? Embarrassment? Jealousy? Even while standing her ground, Baranski infused her words with a subtle vulnerability that reminded us how desperate Agnes is to preserve, above all else, her pride.
Agnes dropped this facade during a follow-up conversation with the rector, pouring out so much of her heart that we actually felt sorry for her, despite how horribly she reacted to Ada’s good news. (Score one more for Baranski!) We must also praise the actress for how much she didn’t say; the look she gave Ada as she left for the church expressed more inner conflict than words could have ever explained.
Then came the moment. Following an unexpected change of heart, Agnes made the entrance of a lifetime, her discomfort and determination echoing throughout the church with each defiant step. It was a powerful image — not only of a sister choosing love over division, but also of a proud woman capable of escorting herself down the aisle, thank you very much. It was another absolutely breathtaking moment for Baranski, masterfully conveyed without a single word spoken.
Scroll down to see who scored Honorable Mention shout-outs this week…
HONORABLE MENTION: Jillian Bell
“What’s Christmas without a little terror?” asks rogue elf Pepper in Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane. The longer the movie goes, the more delightfully unhinged Bell turns the overzealous punisher plotting to make contest-driven Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy) the next naughty soul trapped forever in a tiny glass figurine in her decorative Christmas village. She plays Pepper like the petulant love child of the Wicked Witch of the West and the Riddler, donning a long cape and sharp nails to stalk the refugee villagers Chris hides in his basement and a red onesie and makeup mask to stage her final stand on Chris’s famed lane. When Santa (David Alan Grier) arrives to help save the day, Bell gifts us with a masterclass on comedic tantrum-throwing that we’ll look forward to watching year after year.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tim Matheson
Virgin River’s Doc may not always be comfortable talking about his feelings, but when duty calls, he seems to knows exactly what to say. Case in point: his surprise vow renewal with Hope in the second of two Christmas episodes now streaming on Netflix. His short, simple speech about wanting to look at the love of his life while he still can would be enough to tug on anyone’s heartstrings, but it becomes a true tearjerker when infused with the natural warmth and charisma of a performer like Tim Matheson.
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in the comments!
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