Harry's Law's Annie Bilson/Wonder Woman

[Natalie Emms]

Talk about Erica's guest spot in Harry's Law as Annie Bilson/WW .

[Natalie Emms]

[Natalie Emms]

Now that the episode has aired, you guys can talk about Annie/WW in here .

[tiffany]

My review of Erica in HL:

Last night, the talent Erica Durance graced our screens yet again. I must say, NBC, this lady needs to be permanent on your network as she is just a brilliant performer. The show in question was Harry’s Law and episode ‘Gorilla in My Dreams’, which really when you have Erica Freakin Durance on your show, then who cares about an ape? Erica once again, as with Charlie’s Angels, stole the show from the moment she was shown on camera. She just is an amazing talent and damn good actress. All the good ones have a way of pulling you in and making you forget you are just watching TV or films; Harry star Kathy Bates has this skill, and so does Erica Durance. Last night, I forgot for a moment it was just a television show, Erica really made you feel for and believe Annie.

Harry’s Law delivered on the story idea - the battered woman who escapes and adopts the Wonder Woman persona to defend other women that are in the same situation she was. As a woman, this did hit close to home as we all know this is a crime under reported and under dealt with. It was done tastefully and you could follow the logic behind Annie’s choices. Erica then brings us in with an awesome performance. She just delivers at every point. She also had to show a large range of emotions, and if not done carefully, one can look ridiculous; however, with Erica, no need to fear - she’s amazing.

A great actress isn’t defined by how she delivers her dialogue, but by how she reacts to the story around her and other actors. Erica delivers in spades. The story begins with a man sharing how Annie attacked him for beating up his wife. We get a flashback scene of Annie, as Wonder Woman, attacking this man, and with no dialogue Erica does a great job of expressing the intense rage and hurt her character was feeling. In the court room when they flash to Annie, Erica’s expression is stoic and through Erica’s performance you feel as if Annie feels perfectly justified in what she has done to the man. It is also true when another witness is brought to the stand to tell how she met Annie. Erica was spot on once more, showing us the pride Annie felt in being able to help these women. When a therapist takes the stand to talk about her disorder, Erica again hits the right range of emotions to show that she doesn’t believe she’s mentally ill. During the closing arguments, Erica again does an amazing job by simply reacting to what the other actors are saying about her character, especially Adam. As Adam is expressing to the jury to spare Annie so she can get help, Annie is touched by Adam’s deep feelings and you can see the beginning of her healing process.

Annie takes the stand and my goodness, does Erica shine! Annie has researched her subject and Erica puts the right amount of emphasis on delivering statistics. Never easy as one can sound like a lousy campaign ad, Erica delivered with the right amount of emotion to make you feel the passion for what Annie does. By far, the best bit of acting from Durance I’ve ever seen came when Annie was asked why she did what she did. The total body transformation was amazing. Watching Erica go from confident and passionate to angry, hurt, vengeful, and yes shamed in seconds, blew me away. Erica’s entire body shook when her character admitted to being raped by her husband repeatedly. That is just great acting and Erica nailed it. Thank goodness the show went into commercial as I was rendered completely motionless, just sitting on the couch with my mouth agape, amazed with what I had just seen. Just sheer brilliance.

When we return from commercial, Erica does an excellent job of giving a glance into Annie’s psyche. Annie vehemently defends herself saying she is not ill and didn’t like her defense bringing up her past. Erica again delivered to perfection, showing the underlying rage within her character. As she is prosecuted, she again does an amazing job of pushing Annie’s rage forward as well as her passion for what she does. I think Erica started a new catch phrase, “I’m talking!” She does brilliant, especially when she realizes she had played into the prosecutions hand of showing her violent instability and shrinks back.

The final court room scenes show why Erica is simply great. She reacted perfectly to what her therapist, then both defense and prosecutions lawyers said about her character. Her reaction to her own abuse pictures was sheer genius. Perfect and flawless execution is what we have all come to expect from ‘The Durance.’ The final two scenes, Erica did a fantastic job of bringing Annie’s vulnerability forward, her fear of giving up Wonder Woman and truly facing what had happened to her as she accepts a deal to send her to a mental hospital. Annie is still clinging to the belief she is not sick, and finally admits to herself she needs help. Again, Erica just perfectly hits every emotional note she needed to make you truly feel for Annie’s situation. Her final scene was a refreshing break from the intensity in emotion that was needed in the first three acts. Annie finally seeking help and facing reality and Erica was perfect. It was such a sweet scene as Annie made light of where she was. I liked the nice little bit at the end where Annie told Adam she was interested in him; you hope someone like Annie finds safe and true love. You just got the feeling as Adam stood hugging Annie, with her head on atop his shoulder and her eyes closed, that Annie was truly beginning to heal. Yes, I could totally ship those two, once Annie is well.

Overall, nothing but perfection from Erica, which let’s face it, what we’ve known every time she hits the screen. She is simply brilliant and I’m convinced there isn’t anything she can’t do. She looked fabulous in the WW costume, I’m sure Kelley is wishing he’d chosen Erica for his pilot. Props go to Erica for being a great sport about it too. As one who just left the DC world of Lois Lane, one can imagine that Erica would want to distance herself from that world. However, our Erica just does what she always does - puts on her big girl pants, tightens the boot straps and just dives right in. She’s fearless as a performer and has the ability to bring you in and make you forget she is acting. She makes it look so easy and effortless; at times it’s as if she isn’t trying at all. However, we all know what a dedicated actress she is and one of the most hardworking ladies in the business. So here is to NBC making it truly official and announcing Saving Hope, so this amazing and brilliant performer is on display weekly for the entire world to see.

On a side note! Erica’s hair needs its own trailer. I’m having serious hair envy right now. She has got to tell us her secret.

[fazida]

Great Job Tiffany!

[renaraa]

Great review Tiffany.

The scene when Annie started to cry got me teared up. Erica Durance made an amazing job.
I hope that we get to see more of Erica in Harry's Law since they made an alternative that she could come back after she had been locked up for 3 years.
And I'm really glad that the episode hit so many views!

[Natalie Emms]

Wow, really?
I'd love to see Erica in Harry's Law again - they have a talented cast and good scripts .

But question is, would the show last on NBC for long?

[renaraa]

Yeah, that's the question. They have many views but anything can happen. Let just hope that they will keep have many viewers and that they will bring Erica back for some episodes.