The Academy v. Wexler
On July 28, 2020, the Television Academy released the nominees for the 72nd Emmy Awards. The worthiness of each nominee is beyond reproach. Every individual on the list is a master of their craft and fully deserving.
In the introduction to the announcement, Frank Scherma, Chairman and CEO of Television Academy, acknowledged the power and responsibility of television to act as a tool for social change.
While Mr. Scherma’s words are eloquent and “on-message” for the social climate of 2020, I argue the Television Academy has missed the mark when “amplifying the voices that must be heard.”
If you have not guessed by now, based on the title of this post, I am referring to the Academy’s failure to yet again recognize the amazing work of Rhea Seehorn on Better Call Saul.
Full disclosure, I am new to the Gilliverse. As many of you, during the coronavirus lockdown of 2020, I found myself with a lot more free time. For years, I was dead set against watching Breaking Bad and would roll my eyes at every promo for Better Call Saul. With nothing else to do and at the urging of friends, I finally broke down and watched. I am here to say I was wrong about both shows. To be clear, I didn’t think they were bad shows, I just was not buying the hype.
Long story short, I finished Breaking Bad and dove head first into Better Call Saul. I really enjoyed Better Call Saul – even more than it’s predecessor. Most of that is due to this character that Rhea Seehorn and the writers of Better Call Saul have so skillfully crafted.
Starting in Season 1, Seehorn began evolving Kim Wexler beyond the female love interest of Jimmy McGill. Then in Season 2, she stepped into the light.
Kim takes control of her circumstances and with one line becomes the embodiment of independent women everywhere – kicking against the bricks in a male dominated world. Relentlessly independent, Kim became the heartbeat of the show through her shear grit and determination to be her own person.
As the seasons have gone by, Seehorn has given life to one of the most fascinating characters in recent television history. The tragedy is through all of this, Seehorn herself has not received a single Emmy nomination for the role. The lack of a single nomination is inexplicable. Better Call Saul has amassed numerous nominations and wins. If ever there were a time to nominate Seehorn, Season 5 was it.
This is where I think the Academy missed an opportunity to “amplify the voices that must be heard.” Kim Wexler is every woman trying to carve out her place in history all while protecting what is hers. Faced with blatant sexism around every corner, she is undeterred and continues to succeed. She literally stands up to walking machismo in Tony Dalton’s portrayal of Lalo Salamanca. In the words of Kim Wexler, the Television Academy needs to get their house in order. Rhea Seehorn has put in the work and deserves recognition.
It wasn’t all a wash, Seehorn’s Ethics Training with Kim Wexler received a nomination for Outstanding Short Form – Comedy or Drama Series.
While Seehorn herself will not receive an award should this win, at least it’s something.
With confirmed delays from the coronavirus pandemic, who knows when we will get to see the final season of Better Call Saul. Whenever that may be do yourself a favor and tune in to see the strongest character on television – Kim Wexler.
You can catch Better Call Saul on Netflix and at AMC.com. Once it returns for Season 6 you can catch it on AMC every Monday at 9pm ET.
I leave you with another clip from Seehorn’s breakout episode from Season 5.
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