Michelle Gomez’s Performance in Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 5

THE PERFORMER | Michelle Gomez

THE SHOW | Doom Patrol

THE EPISODE | “Youth Patrol” (Dec. 29, 2022)

THE PERFORMANCE | Michelle Gomez doesn’t simply play a shapeshifter on TV. The style darling is an out-and-out chameleon, and her versatility was notably evident throughout Thursday’s Doom Patrol, the penultimate episode earlier than its dreaded midseason hiatus.

“Youth Patrol” discovered the present’s titular heroes reconnecting with their youthful selves via the magic of an experimental de-aging spell, but it was sarcastically via Madam Rouge’s resistance to this spell that viewers acquired to get pleasure from Gomez’s full vary of skills. Sure, she handled us to the entire side-splitting one-liners to which we’ve grown accustomed (“Oh, f–k me senseless and call me Martha!”), however because the dramatic occasions of the episode unfolded, so too did Rouge.

The emotional journey culminated in a refreshingly uncooked second of honesty for Gomez’s character, throughout which she confronted not solely her personal painful teenage years but additionally her immeasurable remorse over betraying Malcolm and the Sisterhood of Dada. As her face collapsed in her fingers, Rouge’s beforehand impenetrable facade melted away to disclose the misplaced little lady she might by no means bear to face.

Rouge might not really feel worthy of an oz. of forgiveness, however Gomez absolutely deserves countless ounces of reward.

HONORABLE MENTION | We know we simply met 1923’s Alexandra, who was launched in Sunday’s episode, however we already adore her. Chalk that affection as much as Julia Schlaepfer’s effervescent tackle the daring socialite. At the beginning of the episode, the viewers was made to imagine that Alex was simply one other bored British wealthy lady getting her kicks in Africa. But Schlaepfer rapidly and handily conveyed the character’s cheekiness (her refusal to be intimidated by a curt Spencer on the bar) in addition to her battle (her despair at being compelled into a wedding that was nothing greater than “a real estate transaction”), exhibiting us there was way more there than we’d realized. Schlaepfer notably stood out in her one-on-one scenes with Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer, skillfully turning their banter from amused to essentially, actually sizzling with little greater than the arching of an eyebrow. Can’t wait to see what she’ll do that Sunday!

HONORABLE MENTION | We know higher than to speak about Bruno. But we do want to debate Stephanie Beatriz‘s spellbinding performance in Disney+’s Encanto on the Hollywood Bowl live performance particular, which dropped on the streamer Wednesday. Sure, Beatriz was dressed in protagonist Mirabel’s signature ensemble and glasses — however the actress introduced her animated character to much more vivid life along with her earnest facial expressions and palpable portrayal of Mirabel’s curiosity and innocence. Whether she was watching, wide-eyed, as Diane Guerrero’s Isabela conjured lovely flora, or effortlessly navigating Encanto‘s lightning-fast lyrics, Beatriz proved she’s acquired a present worthy of the household Madrigal.

HONORABLE MENTION | Wendell Pierce is so constantly glorious on Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, we nearly surprise if he has some “agency” work redacted from his resume. His James Greer is so cool a cucumber, effortlessly presenting himself as a person who is aware of all the things (even when frantically foraging for intel). In Season 3’s fifth episode, Greer’s cellphone name with Petr Kovac, ostensibly to trace Alena’s father, proved unexpectedly shifting. Greer gave a rote recap of the Popov assassination plot earlier than telling Petr, “But what doesn’t make sense — what has never made sense — is you.” Greer efficiently coaxed Petr to attach some dots, after which the shared an anecdote about observing the precision of an Old Arbat baker who had additionally been Red Army. Pierce had us rapt, whereas Greer did that factor he does so effectively: discover issues out.