Performers of the Week: Abby Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis

HONORABLE MENTION: A.J. Cook

Sure, it was fun to see Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s JJ realize that “hungover” Emily was in fact high as a kite (and then get mellow herself after accidentally noshing on edibles). But what really mattered about the BFFs’ episode-long back-and-forth — and where A.J. Cook shined — was JJ asserting that she could handle the truth about BAUGate, and then urging Emily to not resign from the FBI. “The ones that came before us — Gideon, Hotch — what did they have in common? They left,” JJ reminded, whereas, “The two of us, we were kicked out.” And now, years later, “They’re gone; we’re still here.” With that and the words to come, Cook so effectively evoked the ladies’ rich history. “We are stronger than anyone gives us credit for,” JJ said. “I didn’t quit on you in Paris. You didn’t quit on me after my miscarriage… This job takes, a lot, but it gives me you.” And for that, we’re so glad. — Matt Webb Mitovich

HONORABLE MENTION: Jacob Anderson

Episode 8 of Interview With the Vampire‘s second season will go down as one of the most satisfying finales we’ve seen in a while, with much of the credit belonging to Jacob Anderson, who turned in a devastating performance in his character’s most vulnerable hour. From the unbridled fury Louis unleashed on the coven who imprisoned him, to the unimaginable heartbreak he experienced upon learning the truth about his lover’s betrayal, Anderson left us speechless, navigating the complex emotional landscape with passion and purpose. And just when we thought we couldn’t find ourselves more in awe of his presence, along came Louis’ reunion with Lestat, a sequence so powerful that it left us emotionally drained, resulting in the kind of immersive experience you simply can’t find anywhere else on television. — Andy Swift

HONORABLE MENTION: Cleopatra Coleman

With her bejeweled phone case and endless thirst for attention, it’s easy to dismiss Clipped’s V. Stiviano as a caricature of Kardashian-era superficiality. But Cleopatra Coleman has been finding surprising depths inside V. all season long, and the actress hit new heights in the finale as V. sank to new lows, getting her dream home ripped away from her by a vengeful Shelly Sterling. V.’s buoyant confidence crumbled when she saw her self-described “best friend” Donald Sterling take his wife’s side over hers in court, and Coleman tapped into a haunting melancholy as V. took her final walk through her empty duplex before moving out. Even sadder, V. had to resort to working for Donald again to pay her bills, and while she remained a punchline to many, Coleman excelled at uncovering the humanity behind the headlines. — D.N.

Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in the comments!