And the Winner Is... (The Oscars of 1963)

I read about this episode years ago and, was looking forward to this episode. Overall, it covered the high points but, like most of this mini-series, suffers from miscasting and Murphy's tendency towards overall cheesiness. I will say that the ending (spoiler) where a wounded Davis is surrounded by consoling friends while Crawford goes home to an empty house, was poignant. I think Sarandon, Tucci and Molina have been stellar throughout the series. I still have problems seeing Lange as Crawford, and Sarah Paulson (a favorite of mine) and Serinda Swan are all wrong as Geraldine Page and Anne Bancroft. What they did get right - Crawford gently scolding a young Patty Duke for her breach of propriety, her Oscar prep and traveling party, and Rubeistein's appearance as George Cukor. Overall, a decent series that should have been great.

Feud: Bette and Joan (2017)

Episode 5: And the Winner Is...

The fifth episode starts up as Crawford (Jessica Lange) decides if she can't get nominated for an Oscar she can at least try to prevent Davis (Susan Sarandon) from making history and winning her third.

Well, there's no question that this here was another very entertaining episode that managed to build up some real tension even if you already know how the events played out. I'm guessing most film buffs already know who won the Oscar that year but the episode was perfectly directed by Ryan Murphy and he had no problems at building up the suspense and making the viewer's stomach turn right up until the winner was read.

Crawford's character is given the main focus here and if all of this stuff is true you can't help but wonder a lot of things. I guess the point of a feud is to hate one another and do bad things to one another but this also proves that the Oscars have always been a political game. Lange is once again excellent in the role and especially now that some of the darker sides of Crawford are coming through. Sarandon is excellent as well and especially when she's showing the passion that Davis had for winning.

Episode: A-