Frank Pembleton Award - Lead in Action

The Frank Pembleton Award for the Best Lead Character in an Action
2009: James 'Sawyer' Ford (Lost)
2010: Jack Shephard (Lost)
2011: Raylan Givens (Justified)
2012: Raylan Givens (Justified)
2013: Walter White (Breaking Bad)
2014: Walter White (Breaking Bad)

2015 Results

10. Ragnar Lothbrok (Vikings) 4 points
2nd by Mags

9. Oliver Queen (Arrow) 4 points
4th by Loose, Larry

8. Phillip Jennings (The Americans) 6 points
3rd by Jaydon, Cecil

7. Matt Murdock (Daredevil) 6 points
2nd by Lenny

6. Lucas Hood (Banshee) 6 points
3rd by Loose, T-time

5. Ray Donovan (Ray Donovan) 8 points
1st by Bonz, Tippy

4. Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead) 8 points
1st by Jack

3. Jack Bauer (24) 11 points
2nd by Tippy

2. Boyd Crowder (Justified) 32 points
1st by Jaydon, Lenny

and the Poolie goes to...

1. Raylan Givens (Justified) 40 points
1st by Loose, T-time, Larry, Mags, Tyson, Cecil, Rizzo, Brady

This marks Raylan's third win in the category, the most ever for lead in action.  The previous two seasons he came in third and second, respectively.  Justified has now earned eight wins overall at the Poolies.

Winner's Breakdown
1st: Loose, T-time, Larry, Mags, Tyson, Cecil, Rizzo, Brady
2nd: Jaydon
3rd: Jack, Lenny
No Vote: Bonz, Tippy, Marsh

Frank Pembleton Award - Lead in Action

Named For: Frank Pembleton (Homicide)
Awarded To: The best lead character in an action series
2009: James 'Sawyer' Ford (Lost)
2010: Jack Shephard (Lost)
2011: Raylan Givens (Justified)
2012: Raylan Givens (Justified)
2013: Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Here are this year's honorees...

10th - Lucas Hood (Banshee) 0 points

9th - Oliver Queen (Arrow) 2 points
5th by Jack; 5th by me

8th - Marco Ruiz (The Bridge) 3 points
3rd by T-time

7th - Joe Carroll (The Following) 5 points
2nd by Jack

6th - Phillip Jennings (The Americans) 7 points
2nd by Jaydon, Marsh

5th - John Watson (Sherlock) 8 points
4th by Braids; 4th by me

4th - Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) 18 points
2nd by Lar; 3rd by me

3rd - Raylan Givens (Justified) 22 points
1st by Mags

2nd - Rust Cohle (True Detective) 44 points
1st by Jaydon, Ty, Cecil, Bonz, Braids; 1st by me

and the Poolie goes to...

1st - Walter White (Breaking Bad) 48 points
1st by T-time, Jack, Lar, Rizzo, Lenny, Marsh; 2nd by me

This is Walter White's second straight win at the Poolies.  He is now tied with Raylan Givens for most victories in the category.

Frank Pembleton Award - Lead in Action

Named For: Frank Pembleton (Homicide)
Awarded To: The best lead character in an action series
2009 Winner: James 'Sawyer' Ford (Lost)
2010 Winner: Jack Shephard (Lost)
2011 Winner: Raylan Givens (Justified)
2012 Winner: Raylan Givens (Justified)

And here are this year's honorees...



10th. Oliver Queen (Arrow) 0 points

9th. Peter Bishop (Fringe) 3 points
5th by T-time, Jack, Jaydon

8th. Ragnar Lothbrok (Vikings) 3 points
4th by T-time; 5th by me

7th. Joe Carroll (The Following) 8 points
4th by Jack, Tyson, 2nd by me

6th. Dexter Morgan (Dexter) 11 points
2nd by Rizzo, Lenny

5th. Nick Brody (Homeland) 12 points
2nd by Bonz, Matt

4th. Walter Bishop (Fringe) 12 points
2nd by Jack; 4th by me

3rd. Jackson Teller (Sons of Anarchy) 16 points
1st by Tyson

2nd. Raylan Givens (Justified) 40 points
1st by Larry, Jaydon, Matt; 3rd by me

and the Poolie goes to...

1st. Walter White (Breaking Bad) 45 points
1st by T-time, Jack, Mags, Cecil, Rizzo, Bonz, Braids, Lenny; 1st by me

The Frank Pembleton Award- Lead in Action

Named For: Frank Pembleton (Homicide)
Awarded To: The best lead character in an action series
2009 Winner: James 'Sawyer' Ford (Lost)
2010 Winner: Jack Shephard (Lost)
2011 Winner: Raylan Givens (Justified)

10. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) 1 point
5th by Matt

9. Clay Morrow (Sons of Anarchy) 5 points
2nd by Rizzo

8. Chuck Bartowski (Chuck) 5 points
3rd by Jack, 5th by Me

7. Jimmy Darmody (Boardwalk Empire) 7 points
2nd by Cecil

6. Peter Bishop (Fringe) 8 points
3rd by T-time, 3rd by Me

5. Nick Brody (Homeland) 11 points
2nd by Bonz

4. Walter Bishop (Fringe) 14 points
1st by T-time, 2nd by Me

3. Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones) 30 points
1st by Cecil, 4th by Me

2. Walter White (Breaking Bad) 31 points
1st by Jaydon, Rizzo, Larry, Matt, and Bonz

and the Poolie goes to...

1. Raylan Givens (Justified) 32 points
1st by Tyson, Mags, and Jack, 1st by Me

This is Raylan Givens's third nomination and second straight win for best lead character in an action series.  Coinciding with Larry David's win of the Cory Matthews Award, Poolie voter Mags is here to talk about the two honorees.

_____________________________

As the suave, handsome, southern gentleman on FX’s Justified, Raylan Givens is known for his quick trigger and smooth demeanor.  Playing himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David is infamous for his hilarious tendency to argue inane points to no end, as well as his complete lack of swagger. I would find it difficult to find two other characters which display such stark contrast.

Raylan is the preeminent modern man with a mix of traditional confederate values. He is able to talk his way through or around any situation and does it with an unmatched level of charm and swagger. That a man can wear skinny jeans, plaid shirts and cowboy boots/hat in 2012 and not look like a complete ass says enough about him. Add to that the fact that every woman south of the Mason-Dixon Line wants to sleep with him, and you know the guy is verified.

Juxtapose Raylan with Larry David. The short, bald, bespectacled goon dresses poorly and has a penchant for annoying those around him. Larry will debate any point with anyone at any time, and also harbors extreme prejudice to anyone not just like him. Despite this, he is responsible for what may be the funniest show on television.

Congratulations to Raylan on his winning The Frank Pembleton Award For Best Lead Character in an Action Series. The same goes to Larry for The Cory Matthews Award For Best Lead Character in a Comedy Series. Despite their differences, both are certainly deserving of their respective Poolies.

by Kyle Magnus

The Frank Pembleton Award- Lead in Action

Named For: Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life on the Street)
Awarded To: The best lead character in an action series
2009 Winner: James "Sawyer" Ford (Lost)
2010 Winner: Jack Sheppard (Lost)

Place. Nominee (Series) Points (My Vote)

10. Nucky Thompson (Boardwalk Empire) 4 points

9. Jarek Wysocki (The Chicago Code) 5 points

8. Hank Dolworth (Terriers) 5 points

7. Chuck Bartowski (Chuck) 5 points (3rd)

6. Steve McGarrett (Hawaii Five-0) 7 points (5th)

5. Britt Pollack (Terriers) 8 points (4th)

4. Dexter Morgan (Dexter) 13 points

3. Jackson Teller (Sons of Anarchy) 14 points (2nd)

2. Ned Stark (Game of Thrones) 18 points

and the Poolie goes to...

1. Raylan Givens (Justified) 31 points (1st)

This is Raylan Givens' second Poolie nomination, and first ever win for best lead character in an action series.

We here at the Quiet Pool Perspective are proud to welcome Poolie voter Mags, who has some nice things to say about Raylan Givens, Timothy Olyphant, and the people of Justified.

                                                                                                                                                                  

The Lead Character in an Action Series category is stacked this year. Jax Teller, Dexter Morgan, Ned Stark (RIP), Nucky Thompson and my boy Jarek Wysocki are all viable candidates on good shows. The problem is, these dudes just don’t begin to stack up against our winner. Timothy Olyphant brings an undeniable swagger to his role as Raylan Givens on FX’s Justified.

As a general rule, most of the guys from the south are clowns. They all have the same haircut and walk around acting like fools wearing polos and khakis. Raylan is a rare breed. Guy is witty, good looking, well dressed, and has never lost a standoff in his life. Now I know what you’re thinking “What are you one of those idiots from the south? Nobody gets in standoffs anymore.” Well you’ve obviously never been to Harlan, Kentucky before because it happens all the time there. Also, his ex-wife and side chick are both really cute. But you knew that.

Congrats to Raylen Givens, winner of the Frank Pembleton Award For Best Lead Character in an Action Series.

~ Written by Kyle Magnus

Spring Poolies Watch- Action

With only two months left in the Poolies season, it's time to take another look at how things are shaking out before the final ballots are released on June 1st. Here's your chance to agree or disagree with the chairman in order to give whatever show or character tickled your fancy this year a shot at glory. Next up are the action awards, let's take a look around the pool...

The Sopranos Award For Best Action Series

Definites
Justified, Chuck, Dexter, Terriers, Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, and Boardwalk Empire. As we get closer to the end of the judging period, less spots will be available. These guys all are going to have a spot, so that puts three more up for grabs.

In For Now
Hawaii Five-0, The Mentalist, and Spartacus. What the first two shows lack in serialization, they make up for in good characters and in the case of Hawaii Five-0…fantastic scenery. Spartacus was only six episodes long this time around, but it improved greatly in quality from its first run. With some new show beginning in April, none of these guys are safe.

Outside Looking In
True Blood, Human Target, The Event, Sherlock, Nikita, Persons Unknown, The Chicago Code, V, and No Ordinary Family. Oh how the mighty has fallen. Just last year, True Blood finished in sixth place and received a fifth place vote from yours truly. Now the only reason I still have it on the list is in case other voters find that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was this past summer.

The Frank Pembleton Award For Best Lead Character in an Action Series

Definites
Raylan Givens (Justified), Jackson Teller (Sons of Anarchy), Morgan Grimes (Chuck), Chuck Bartowski (Chuck), and Britt Pollack (Terriers). We are not as top heavy in this category, as I worried to even label Chuck and Britt as definitely in. Although Sons was off its game this past season, that is no slight to Jackson, who I have grown even more fond of after watching a whole bunch of Undeclared as of late.

In For Now
Patrick Jane (The Mentalist), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock), Hank Dolworth (Terriers), Steve McGarrett (Hawaii Five-0), and Dexter Morgan (Dexter). For all of the rave reviews Scott Caan received early in Hawaii Five-0’s run, it really has been Alex O’Loughlin’s Steve McGarrett that has made that show so watchable in its first season. Sherlock didn’t have much screen time, but what it did was showcase the creativity of Sherlock, which puts him in mix here.

Outside Looking In
Nucky Thompson (Boardwalk Empire), Danny Williams (Hawaii Five-0), Eric Northman (True Blood), Christopher Chance (Human Target), Rick Grimes (Walking Dead), and Jimmy Darmody (Boardwalk Empire). The Boardwalk cast was too large, and Buscemi too dull at times to warrant any of them a nomination at this point. Similarly, six episodes and not much characterization makes it a slim chance of Rick Grimes getting a nod.

The Desmond Hume Award For Best Supporting Character in an Action Series

Definites
Boyd Crowder (Justified), John Casey (Chuck), Opie Winston (Sons of Anarchy), Dickie Bennett (Justified), Gannicus (Spartacus). Those first three do not even need to be talked about. Dickie Bennett, on the other hand, has been a joyful addition to the Justified crew. Although his voice sometimes reminds me of Daniel Faraday, he act so extremely different that it’s been fantastic so far. And one of the main problems with the first season of Spartacus, other than bad acting and writing of course, was that there weren’t any likable characters. Gannicus changed that this year.

In For Now
Auggie Anderson (Covert Affairs), Kimbal Cho (The Mentalist), Joey Quinn (Dexter), Jimmy O’Phelan (Sons of Anarchy), and Devon Woodcomb (Chuck). Slim pickings down at the end of this category. If anyone shows much promise to start the season in some of the new shows, look for them to easily slide ride in.

Outside Looking In
Guerero (Human Target), Billy Blackham (Persons Unknown), Art Mullen (Justified), Al Capone (Boardwalk Empire), Jeff Barnes (Chuck), Crixus (Spartacus), and Alexei Volkoff (Chuck). A couple of these guys, most notably Jeff Barnes and Art Mullen, suffer from the fact that I’d rather not nominate three characters from a single show. Then there is the case of Al Capone, who I may have loved mostly because he was AL CAPONE. I did enjoy him, but again he was the product of lack of screen time.

The Samantha Marquez Award For Best Female Character in an Action Series

Definites
Sarah Walker (Chuck), Deb Morgan (Dexter), Katie Nichols (Terriers), Teresa Lisbon (The Mentalist), and Ames (Human Target). Is there really a chance that Sarah doesn’t win this award for the third straight year? Not much competition by the looks of it.

In For Now
Ava Crowder (Justified), Annie Walker (Covert Affairs), Tara Knowles (Sons of Anarchy), Jessica Hamby (True Blood), and Lumen Pierce (Dexter). Only half way through this season of Justified, I’m hesitant to put any of the ladies in the mix. Ava has been absent for most of the season, while Winona has been more prominent, but kind of the worst. The rest of these girls are nothing to write home about.

Outside Looking In
Mags Bennett (Justified), Ellie Bartowski (Chuck), Alex (Nikita), Winona Hawkins (Justified), and Kona Kalkua (Hawaii Five-0). I’m still torn on what to think of Margo Martindale’s Mags Bennett. I either really like her, or I think she’s a great character but I don’t like her. The latter being the way I feel about Gemma Teller of Sons of Anarchy.

The Teri Bauer Award For the Character You Love to Hate in an Action Series

Definites
Tara Thornton (True Blood), Erika Taylor (Persons Unknown), Tyler Evans (V), Nelson Van Alden (Boardwalk Empire), Ilsa Pucci (Human Target), and Moira (Persons Unknown). What’s funny is that I’ve only watched like two out of the ten episodes of V that have aired, but I know I am going to hate Tyler as much as ever, so he is definitely in. Erika and Moira from Persons Unknown made up one of my most hated combos of all time, so they are safe. And there were so many awful characters on True Blood this season, but Tara took the cake.

In For Now
Franklin Mott (True Blood), Angel Batista (Dexter), Liam O’Neill (Sons of Anarchy), and Miles Fiedler (Rubicon). Before he was the weird bad guy on The Cape, and after he was Audrey Raines’s husband on 24, he was a crazy terrible vampire on True Blood. The worst. I really don’t think Rubicon deserves any nominations, but they had so many detestable characters, that one of them should receive a nod.

Outside Looking In
Jesus Velasquez (True Blood), Maria Laguerta (Dexter), Lucy Danziger (Boardwalk Empire), Lucretia (Spartacus), Kale Ingram (Rubicon), and Oenomaus (Spartacus). Wow do I hate Lucy Lawless as Lucretia on Spartacus. How is she still on the outside? That may or may not change by the time June rolls around. The rest of these guys should be safe from a nom as we head down the final stretch.

The “Through the Looking Glass” Award For Best Action Episode of the Year

In For Now
Breaking Bad 313 – “Full Measure”
The Walking Dead 101 – “Days Gone By”
Justified 113 – “Bulletville”
Sherlock 101 – “A Study in Pink”
Terriers 113 – “Hail Mary”

Outside Looking In
Boardwalk Empire 112 – “A Return to Normalcy”
Chuck 413 – “Chuck Versus the Push Mix”
Sons of Anarchy 313 – “NS”
Dexter 508 – “Take It!”
Persons Unknown 112 – “And Then There Was One”
Spartacus 006 – “The Bitter End”

So many great Justified eps have occurred this season, that I’m having trouble picking one over last year’s finale at this point. As for the Walking Dead, I also have the finale “TS-19” in the mix. Plenty of more finales to go at this point.

Holiday Poolies Watch- Action

I'm a little late on my first of the month timeline for these now bi-monthly Poolies Watch posts, but as the saying goes "better late than clever." That's not it? Well either way, the 2011 Poolies Ballots are six months away, which means the season is six months over. Here we'll take a look at how the awards are stacking up so far, with who's in, who's out, and who's awful. Next up are the action awards. As always, if you think a show or character deserves more credit, or any at all, feel free to leave a comment. You don't want to end up like Mags last year, trying to illegally write in Tom Haverford for the Arthur Spooner Award. Also spit any performances you've liked at me on Twitter via @quietpool.

The Sopranos Award

Seriously, is there anyone still into The Event? New Yorkers? Because I feel like this thing has fallen off quickly. I mean I’m still watching it, and enjoying it to some extent, but the boredom is killing me. I hesitate to replace it (or True Blood) with Hawaii Five-0 because the latter is a run-of-the-mill procedural, but I definitely look forward to Hawaii Five-0 more than The Event at this point. I really loved the three episodes of Sherlock’s first season (the first and third especially), but I don’t think that short of a run is going to be enough to get it in.

Definites
Chuck
Sons of Anarchy
Dexter

In For Now
Justified
Boardwalk Empire
Terriers
The Walking Dead
The Mentalist
The Event
True Blood

Outside Looking In
Hawaii Five-0
Sherlock
Human Target
Persons Unknown
No Ordinary Family
Covert Affairs
Nikita
Rubicon

The Frank Pembleton Award

Alex O'Loughlin on Hawaii Five-0

This is a category that is up for grabs my friends. With the two Losties that won the previous years for this Poolie relaxing somewhere on a tropical island, it’s time for somebody to take over as the top lead character in an action series. Morgan has been unsurprisingly hilarious this season of Chuck, but my other two definite have just as much of a shot at my number one vote. If Raylan Givens, and Justified overall, is anywhere as good as last season, I’m giving him the edge. Well so much for Scott Caan earning a nomination for two separate shows this year. He has not proven to be as good on Hawaii Five-0 as he was on Entourage, or even as good as his own partner on the new show. Alex O’Loughlin has been studding it up in the tropics thus far.

Definites
Jackson Teller- Sons of Anarchy
Raylan Givens- Justified
Morgan Grimes- Chuck

In For Now
Chuck Bartowski- Chuck
Patrick Jane- The Mentalist
Sherlock Holmes- Sherlock
Hank Dolworth- Terriers
Dexter Morgan- Dexter
Steve McGarrett- Hawaii Five-0
Britt Pollack- Terriers

Outside Looking In
Danny Williams- Hawaii Five-0
Eric Northman- True Blood
Jimmy Darmody- Boardwalk Empire
Rick Grimes- The Walking Dead
Christopher Chance- Human Target
Nucky Thompson- Boardwalk Empire

The Desmond Hume Award

Wayne Rigsby and Kimbal Cho

How did this category lose all of its luster? Most of these action shows have such gigantic ensemble casts, that no one gets enough screen time. That’s how. Although Opie, like the rest of his SAMCRO supporting cast, didn’t get that much time to strut his stuff, he is such an absolute stud that I’ve moved him into the definites. I would also have Boyd Crowder in that sub-section, except only the final two eps of season one of Justified count for this year’s Poolies. Once season two kicks off in February, he’ll be right up there with the big guns. I wanted to love Al Capone on Boardwalk Empire, and he might impress as the final episodes come in, but he has yet to do enough to earn a spot.

Definites
John Casey- Chuck
Opie Winston- Sons of Anarchy

In For Now
Boyd Crowder- Justified
Auggie Anderson- Covert Affairs
Kimbal Cho- The Mentalist
Joey Quinn- Dexter
Jimmy O’Phelan- Sons of Anarchy
Lester Patel- Chuck
Billy Blackham- Persons Unknown
Devon Woodcomb- Chuck

Outside Looking In
Bobby Munson- Sons of Anarchy
Al Capone- Boardwalk Empire
Russell Edgington- True Blood
Chibs Telford- Sons of Anarchy
Wayne Rigsby- The Mentalist
Vince Masuka- Dexter
Jeffrey Barnes- Chuck

The Samantha Marquez Award

Leila Buchanan and Sean Walker

What a weak group of ladies. Really? Leila from The Event and Katie from Terriers would be nominated if the season ended right now? What a joke. There isn't a single female character in Boardwalk Empire or The Walking Dead that I enjoy. If Sarah Walker doesn't go three for three come this June, I will be shocked.

Definites
Sarah Walker- Chuck
Deb Morgan- Dexter

In For Now
Ava Crowder- Justified
Annie Walker- Covert Affairs
Teresa Lisbon- The Mentalist
Luman Pierce- Dexter
Jessica Hamby- True Blood
Tara Knowles- Sons of Anarchy
Leila Buchanan- The Event
Katie Nichols- Terriers

Outside Looking In
Ellie Bartowski- Chuck
Winona Hawkins- Justified
Grace Van Pelt- The Mentalist
Kona Kalkua- Hawaii Five-0
Gemma Teller- Sons of Anarchy

The Teri Bauer Award

The Van Aldens

This list is riddled with True Blooders. What a terrible season you must have had, when neither Bill or Sookie were awful enough to be as bad as the four currently in the hunt for nominations. If I were to vote right now though, my number one slot would probably go to Van Alden from Boardwalk. This guys is the absolute worst, right? If I thought Rubicon deserved more than one nomination I'd put up the whole squad. Just garbage.

Definites
Tara Thornton- True Blood
Erika Taylor- Persons Unknown
Nelson Van Alden- Boardwalk Empire

In For Now
Moira- Persons Unknown
Franklin Mott- True Blood
Angel Batista- Dexter
Lucy Danziger- Boardwalk Empire
Liam O'Neill- Sons of Anarchy
Maria Laguerta- Dexter
Miles Fiedler- Rubicon

Outside Looking In
Talbot- True Blood
Liam Ulrich- Persons Unknown
Jesus Velasquez- True Blood
Margareet Schroeder- Boardwalk Empire
Kale Ingram- Rubicon

The “Through the Looking Glass” Award
Only half way through the season and we're already leaving great episodes off the table here. Honestly, because it will get left out of the series award, I'm pretty sure Sherlock's premiere is a definite here. No, “Chuck vs. the First Fight”, no Dexter, no Boardwalk, no Terriers. Can I lengthen this to 10 nominees, but leave drama and comedy at five? No, but I should.

In For Now
Breaking Bad- “Full Measure” - 313
Justified- “Bulletville” - 113
The Walking Dead- “Days Gone By” - 101
Sherlock- “A Study In Pink” - 101
Sons of Anarchy- “NS” - 313

Fall Poolies Watch- Action

I have grown accustomed to reviewing television here at the Quiet Pool Perspective as of late, but my first love in regards to tv has always been ranking, voting and listing. So as we get closer to the Third Annual Quiet Pool Television Awards, we will continue to take a look at how things are shaping up. With some of our favorites gone, and plenty of new competition, the 2010 Poolies should once again be quite the event. As always, I'm looking for input from both Poolie voters and non-voters in order to make the nomination process of a more democratic nature. Sound off in the comments, email me at d4cella@gmail.com or hit me on twitter @quietpool.

Now to the action. We begin with The Sopranos Award for Best Action Series.

The Definites

Chuck
Sons of Anarchy

In For Now
Justified
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
The Mentalist
True Blood
Terriers
The Event
Persons Unknown

Outside Looking In
No Ordinary Family
Undercovers
Hawaii Five-0
Covert Affairs
Nikita
Rubicon
The Good Guys

Here are your character awards. The Frank Pembleton Award for Best Lead Character in an Action Series.

The Definites

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens

Jackson Teller- Sons of Anarchy
Raylan Givens- Justified
Morgan Grimes- Chuck

In For Now
Chuck Bartowski- Chuck
Patrick Jane- The Mentalist
Eric Northman- True Blood
Danny Williams- Hawaii Five-0
Hank Dolworth- Terriers
Nucky Thompson- Boardwalk Empire
Dexter Morgan- Dexter

Outside Looking In
Joe Tucker- Persons Unknown
Dan Stark- The Good Guys
Jim Powell- No Ordinary Family
Steven Bloom- Undercovers
Britt Pollack- Terriers
Sean Walker- The Event
Will Travers- Rubicon
Steve McGarrett- Hawaii Five-0

And your supporting players. The Desmond Hume Award for Best Supporting Character in an Action Series.

The Definites

Adam Baldwin as John Casey

John Casey- Chuck

In For Now
Boyd Crowder- Justified
Auggie Anderson- Covert Affairs
Devon Woodcomb- Chuck
Opie Winston- Sons of Anarchy
Kimbal Cho- The Mentalist
Billy Blackham- Persons Unknown
Joey Quinn- Dexter
Russell Edgington- True Blood
Bobby Munson- Sons of Anarchy

Outside Looking In
Andy Bellefleur- True Blood
George St. Cloud- No Ordinary Family
Chin Ho Kelly- Hawaii Five-0
Al Capone- Boardwalk Empire
Bill Hoyt- Undercovers
Wayne Rigsby- The Mentalist
Chibs Telford- Sons of Anarchy
Vince Masuka- Dexter

Oh the ladies. The Samantha Marquez Award for Best Female Character in an Action Series.

The Definites

Yvonne Strahovski as Sarah Walker

Sarah Walker- Chuck

In For Now
Ava Crowder- Justified
Deb Morgan- Dexter
Annie Walker- Covert Affairs
Tara Knowles- Sons of Anarchy
Teresa Lisbon- The Mentalist
Winona Hawkins- Justified
Jessica Hamby- True Blood
Ellie Bartowski- Chuck
Sookie Stackhouse- True Blood

Outside Looking In
Leila Buchanan- The Event
Gemma Teller- Sons of Anarchy
Samantha Bloom- The Undercovers
Kona Kalkua- Hawaii Five-0
Grace Van Pelt- The Mentalist
Stephanie Powell- No Ordinary Family
Alex- Nikita

Hate 'em. The Teri Bauer Award for the Character You Love to Hate in an Action Series.

The Definites

Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton

Tara Thornton- True Blood
Moira- Persons Unknown

In For Now
Franklin Mott- True Blood
Jesus Velasquez- True Blood
Angel Batista- Dexter
Miles Fiedler- Rubicon
Liam Ulrich- Persons Unknown
Clay Morrow- Sons of Anarchy
Talbot- True Blood
Jack Bailey- The Good Guys

Outside Looking In
Bill Compton- True Blood
Maria Laguerta- Dexter
Kale Ingram- Rubicon
Jai Wilcox- Covert Affairs
Hoyt Fortenberry- True Blood
Grant Test- Rubicon

Which episodes have you enjoyed thus far? The "Through the Looking Glass" Award for best episode in an Action Series.

Breaking Bad- "Full Measure" - 313
Justified- "Bulletville" - 113
Sons of Anarchy- "So" - 301
Persons Unknown- "And Then There Was One" - 112
The Event- "Pilot" - 101

What and who do you like fellow Poolies?

The Frank Pembleton Award- Lead Character Action

Named For: Frank Pembleton played by Andre Braugher in
Homicide: Life on the Street
Awarded To: The best lead character in an action series from
June 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010
Last Year's Winner: James 'Sawyer' Ford- Lost

Place. Character (Show) Points (My Vote)

10. Patrick Jane (The Mentalist) 2 points

9. Jack Bauer (24) 7 points

8. John Casey (Chuck) 8 points

7. Walter White (Breaking Bad) 12 points

6. Chuck Bartowski (Chuck) 14 points

5. Jackson Teller (Sons of Anarchy) 18 points (3rd)

4. Hugo Reyes (Lost) 18 points (2nd)

3. Raylan Givens (Justified) 19 points (5th)

Runner-Up
2. James 'Sawyer' Ford (Lost) 21 points (4th)

and the Poolie goes to...
1. Jack Shephard (Lost)
32 points (1st)

My relationship with Jack Shephard has been a tumultuous one over the past five years. I was a Sawyer guy from the jump, so it was hard to be on board with Jack at the beginning. When I started watching the series with Lar and Mags, the latter was on the Sayid train and the former was the Jack guy. I wasn't really about either of them.

As the seasons went along, whether it was just hate building on indifference or the fact that he actually did get more and more annoying, my hatred for Jack Shephard grew fierce throughout seasons two to five. Now I know I wasn't alone on this because even though I placed him on last year's ballot for the Teri Bauer Award for the Character You Love to Hate in an Action Series, I was not responsible for any of his three total points.

Then came this final season of Lost. While Sawyer was the absolute stud of season five, he took a back seat to Jack as the season came to a close. Jack started the series as a guy who helped everyone survive out of necessity and although he seemed to grow more and more whiny and arrogant as the series went along, season six changed things.

He still wanted to help in any way he could, but at this point he didn't really know what to do. He who once was the man of science, had taken over for the late John Locke as the man of faith. He had faith that he had come back to the Island for a bigger purpose and he spent most of season six trying to figure out what that was.

This willingness to let others lead, and figure things out along the way, was what made him so easy to love in this final season. The character I previously was all about (Sawyer) clammered on about leaving the Island and really had no idea what was going on; therefore I lost a bit of respect for him. Jack, on the other hand, was ready willing and able to take on the challenge that was in front of him.

Don't get me wrong, he didn't lose any of the 'man of action' in him that made many love him in season one. Come 'The End' he started to figure out what he needed to do and took care of business as he pummeled the Man In Black on the cliffs, got the stopper back into the Glowing Cave, and wobbled through the jungle to find a nice place to die.

At the end of it all, seeing him smile once awakened in the Sideways Purgatory was one of the best moments of the show. I've watch it back three or four times now, and although there will always be a special place in my heart for Sawyer/Juliet, Jack reliving life in his mind might be my favorite part of the show. He did so much for all of the people in his life and in the end he saved one of the most magical places in the world from crumbling into oblivian.

I find it so awesome that this character not only goes out on top in the series, but also in the Poolies. As a once hater, I am now a Jack Shephard lover and wouldn't have it any other way. His place in history is set as he leaves the television airways as the holder of the Frank Pembleton Award at the 2010 Poolies. See ya in another life, yeah?

Poolies Watch- Frank Pembleton Award

This is a tough category to judge at this point...best lead character in an action series. The big guns, Lost, Chuck and 24, won't start until mid-season. My vote is always gonna be for Sawyer in this category, but with the transfer of House to action, there is a solid Big Four of characters behind him that are the focal point of their respective shows.

Main Men
Chuck Bartowski- Chuck
Greg House- House
Jack Bauer- 24
James 'Sawyer' Ford- Lost
Patrick Jane- The Mentalist

So far in this season of Heroes, Sylar has taken a bit of a back seat, so I moved him to the supporting category for now. The next five spots are really open for the taking. I see both of the Chuck characters, Casey and Morgan, holding spots. Also whoever takes a main role in Lost's final season will probably get a nod (Hurley, Linus, Locke, etc.)

In for Now
Hugo Reyes- Lost
John Casey- Chuck
John Locke- Lost
Morgan Grimes- Chuck
Noah Bennett- Heroes

Who will challenge for the final spots? Which characters from Flash Forward have been good so far? Who do the Fringe Boys like these days? Peter? That bald headed dude? Any other Losties gonna make a run? We shall see...

Outside Looking In
Demetri Noh- Flash Forward
Hiro Nakamura- Heroes
Jason Stackhouse- True Blood
Mark Benford- Flash Forward
Sayid Jarrah- Lost

Who else is out there?