Full swing into Emmy season! Jorge looks at drama series first...
ICYMI: the nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Let’s take a look at the six shows that made the cut for Writing in a Drama Series. As in the Directing categories, writing categories highlight individual episodes rather than overall series, which makes it not uncommon for one show to have multiple nominations. However once "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men" were off the air, this category has not had any doubling up! This year every slot once again went to a different show, from newcomers, to established favorites, to people in their last round of eligibility.
Let's see the elevator pitches and the stats (we love a good round of statistics) after the jump...
Game of Thrones
“The Dragon and the Wolf”
Season 7, Episode 7
Written by: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
The elevator pitch: In the season finale of season 7, everyone meets in King’s Landing to discuss the fate of the realm. Sansa confronts Arya in Winterfell. Sam and Bran discover the true lineage of Jon Snow. A dragon rises from its frozen ashes, signaling the Winter is finally here.
Emmy History: Benioff and Weiss have been nominated in this same category five times before: in 2011 for season 1’s “Baelor”, in 2013 for season 3’s “The Rains of Castemere”, in 2014 for season 4’s “The Children”, and winning in the past two years for season 5’s “Mother’s Mercy” in 2015, and for season 6’s “Battle of the Bastards” in 2016.
Killing Eve
“Nice Face”
Season 1, Episode 1
Written by: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The elevator pitch: In the pilot of the series, MI5 security officer Eve Polastri is bored in her job and yearns for a more exciting life. When a Russian politician is murdered, Eve is tasked with protecting the only witness and soon finds herself on a collision course with a violent and extraordinary assassin, Villanelle.
Emmy History: First nomination for Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Stranger Things
“Chapter Nine: The Gate”
Season 2, Episode 9
Written by: The Duffer Brothers
The elevator pitch: Eleven makes plans to finish what she started while the survivors turn up the heat on the monstrous force that's holding Will hostage.
Emmy History: The Duffer Brothers were nominated in this category last year for writing the pilot of the series, "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers."
The Americans
“START”
Season 6, Episode 10
Written by: Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg
The elevator pitch: In the series finale, the Jennings family face a choice that will change their lives forever.
Emmy History: Joel Fields and Joel Weisberg have been nominated in this category twice before, in 2016 for season 4’s “Persona Non Grata” and last year for season 5’s “The Soviet Division.” (In addition to their nominations the show has one other nomination in this category for Joshua Brand's 2015's Season 3 episode "Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep.")
The Crown
“Mystery Man”
Season 2, Episode 10
Written by: Peter Morgan
The elevator pitch: In the season 2 finale, a salacious government scandal hits close to home for Elizabeth and Philip. Elizabeth retreats to Scotland for the rest of a difficult pregnancy.
Emmy History: Peter Morgan was nominated in this category last year for season 1’s “Assassins”, and back in 2010 in Writing for Miniseries, TV Movie or Dramatic Special for “The Special Relationship.”
The Handmaid’s Tale
“June”
Season 2, Episode 1
Written by: Bruce Miller
The elevator pitch: In the season 2 premiere, Offred reckons with the consequences of a dangerous decision while haunted by memories from her past and the violent beginnings of Gilead.
Emmy History: Bruce Miller won in this category last year for the pilot of the series, “Offred.”
Which script are you rooting for come Emmy night?