Scene Stealers: Fall TV Edition

“Yeah, he’s so hot. Uh, I mean, genetically speaking. Because I’m a geneticist, of course. Oh, my God, do I sound like Felicity?” – Caitlin Snow, The Flash

The Fall TV season is well under way with most series having aired several episodes by now. “Gotham” has been enjoying fantastic ratings, although I’d still rank it behind my favs: “Grimm” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (how is this show still struggling in the ratings department; it’s gotten SO GOOD!).

In reverse order, here are my top five “Scene Stealing” performances of the Fall TV Season (so far).

 

#5 Tom Cavanagh as Dr. Harrison Wells in “The Flash” (CW)

I am really enjoying the new series “The Flash.” Unlike its melodramatic predecessor “Arrow” (which I’m still a loyal fan of), this series is upbeat and it’s lead character, Barry Allen (aka The Flash) is one of the most likable heroes in the DC Universe. However, there’s an underlying ‘mood’ to the show that remains shrouded in mystery thanks to the character of Dr. Harrison Wells. Every time he’s on the screen I find myself wondering what he’s really thinking / plotting while the heroic trio of Flash, Caitlin Snow and Cisco try to protect Central City. Is there a part of Dr. Wells that really cares about Barry…or is he pure villain?

#4 Ming-Na Wen as Agent May in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC)

About three-quarters of the way through Season 1 (after the ratings took a dive), “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” started becoming one of the best shows on television. While the ratings still haven’t recovered in Season 2, the series continues to gain momentum with its dynamic plots and character development. Agent May has long shed her original ‘cardboard’ persona, the show now having enlightened us more to her deep friendship with Agent Coulson and her mentoring Skye. And of course, much credit goes to the very talented and insanely in-shape Ming-Na Wen; she’s over 50 and looks better than most women half her age!

#3 John Noble as Henry Parrish (aka Horseman of War) in “Sleepy Hollow” (FOX)

There isn’t a ‘geek’ out there who isn’t familiar with John Noble’s work (I count myself among those geeks, of course). From his portrayal of Lord Denethor in LOTR, to Dr. Walter Bishop on “Fringe” and now the Horseman of War on “Sleepy Hollow,” this guy knows how to give his fans what they want. He can play brilliant, creepy, kind and manipulative…sometimes all at once! Even in the presence of Tim Mison’s highly entertaining Ichabod Crane, Henry Parrish steals every scene with the slickest of ease. Sometimes I wish that Henry would just overthrow Moloch and become the main antagonist of the show himself!

#2 Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak in “Arrow” (CW)

A few episodes into both “Arrow” and “The Flash,” I started wondering if the writers had lost their love for Felicity’s character… and then it all came back around as she crossed-over on “The Flash” to visit Barry Allen, followed up with an origins story on “Arrow” that featured Felicity in ‘Goth’ mode. Now, it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Felicity Smoak (my first Scene Stealer post was dedicated to her). In fact, if NBC doesn’t hurry up and give Nick back his “Grimm” powers, Felicity might very well become my favorite character on television. Either way, this young lady belongs on this list and would have been #1 if not for…

#1 Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot (aka Penguin) in “Gotham” (FOX)

All I have to say about this character is “WOW”! I still don’t really have any idea who Robert Lord Taylor is, but his portrayal of Penguin has transformed me from occasional watcher to die-hard fan of the new series “Gotham.” I wish the show could develop a strong female character (sorry, not a fan of Jada Pinkett-Smith’s Fish Mooney), but the emergence of Penguin as the true villain of the series has me intrigued. This guy is part homicidal maniac, part genius, and seems to have everyone playing into his hands, including two mafia bosses and even James Gordon.