Emmys 2012: Our Dream Nominees, from Community to Walking Dead

Drama Series

The Good Wife

Procedural dramas have become so predictable and so boring – One case-of-the-week after the other without any bigger theme. But The Good Wife is different. It gets us involved with the weekly cases and yet builds an arc for every character around those cases. It’s compelling in a way that makes you think about the episode, long after it’s finished. The characters are all flawed and they all have problems, and you let yourself get involved enough to make choices for them. And even though it’s filled with legal jargon and lawyer talk, it never fails to be sexy.

Homeland

Come on, you guys! Has there been a more perfect series on television this season? Every episode was absolutely perfect. And for a show that dealt with the intricacies and complexities of national security and terrorism, never once did it condescend the audience or make them feel inadequate. Coupled with great writing and fantastic performances, Homeland is truly the breakout series of the year.

Mad Men

The show has won this category for the last four years, and I believe it’s (and want it to be!) a strong competitor this year. With Mathew Weiner, nothing is what it seems. You just can’t watch the show, you have to WATCH the show. You have to read beyond their facial expressions and their wardrobe – everything is a symbol for something else. He may not be subtle about it, but it has become his signature of the years and it’s why we all watch this show with such passion and enthusiasm.

Revenge

What may have started as everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure quickly became the best new broadcast network series on television. That’s because Revenge is just good. It’s that simple. Great writing, great acting, fantastic twists — and never once spiraling into the deep end. Let’s face it, Revenge is appointment TV, and it should get rewarded with an Emmy.

Scandal

Another ABC latecomer, but still a deserving series. Once again, anyone that has to speak that quickly on television should automatically get nominated (just like Veep). While some of the scenes on Scandal can come off as comedic in the wrong way, Shonda Rhimes created a fast-paced universe where the audience just cannot anticipate where it’s headed next. Throw in some fine acting by both of the series leads, convincing us of the tenderness in extramarital affairs, a few good cases of the week, and a thrilling season arc — and you’ve got one of the better dramas this season.

The Walking Dead

Many shunned away the reduced amount of zombies and gore during the series’ second outing (plus the exit of the showrunner didn’t help), but The Walking Dead became quite an intense hour of television this season. No other show can get so much mileage from mere silence like this one can, and no other show is as brave to kill off one of its major characters either. On The Walking Dead, no one is safe. But we’re hoping it’s a safe bet for a nod.

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