Overall, the Emmys 2014 weren’t boring, but they were not exactly surprising, either. So how do we think the winners fared? Check out our analysis of the night’s awards!
To be frank, not much surprised us about last night’s Emmys. Yes, Modern Family won for a fifth time in a row, yes, Breaking Bad all but swept the drama category. That being said, all of the winners are deserving and the work on television this year has been next-level good. Next year, with shows like Mad Men and Parks and Recreation up for their final time against beloved newcomer True Detective and cable comedies like Veep (respectively) things might be a little bit different.
Allison Janney won for best supporting actress in a comedy for Chuck Lorre’s comedy Mom. A woman who can act in dramatic circles around the best of them, this is her breakout into comedy. She won an Emmy last week for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for Masters of Sex, in case you were doubting her acting chops.
Stephan Moffat won for outstanding writing in a miniseries, movie or dramatic special. Of course we know Moffat as current show runner of Doctor Who and BBC’s Sherlock, and while we sometimes have our gibes with him, it’s important to remember that he (and Mark Gatiss) also writes these incredibly complex stories. 
What is a little more surprising is Martin Freeman’s win for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries for Sherlock, while many thought the statue would go to one of the men in The Normal Heart. Benedict Cumberbatch also won for outstanding lead in the genre, edging out the critically beloved Fargo.
Fargo did take home the award for outstanding miniseries, so at least the show was recognized in some capacity on Monday.
American Horror Story got some love last night, as Kathy Bates won for outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie and Jessica Lange won for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries (bonus: how happy her co-star Sarah Paulson was for her).
Unsurprisingly, The Normal Heart winning for best television movie was a touching moment in the show. Ryan Murphy accepted the award and used the time to ask the young people watching to find a cause to fight and stand for.
The Colbert Report won for outstanding variety series. When Stephen isn’t in character, his sincerity is touching and his gratitude is palpable.
In perhaps the biggest “upset” of the night, Julianna Margulies won for outstanding actress in a drama series for the network television show, The Good Wife. She beat favorites such as Robin Wright (House of Cards on Netflix) and Lizzy Caplan from Masters of Sex on Showtime.
What may have been the most surprising moment of the night is the Netflix-wide shutout. House Of Cards, Orange is the New Black and Derek were all nominated for multiple awards, and yet none of them won last night. It’s important to remember OITNB was submitted as a comedy, and HoC was going up against big hitters like AMC’s Breaking Bad and HBO’s True Detective.
Maybe next year, Crazy Eyes.
Breaking Bad‘s final outing at the Emmy’s proves to be a victorious one. Aaron Paul took home outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, rightfully so. In his speech, he reiterates how he loves the show, Vince Gillian, Bryan Cranston, and wife so much, it’s hard not to feel giddy. Minutes later, Anna Gunn won the state for outstanding supporting actress in a drama. Then Moria Walley-Beckett won for outstanding writing in a drama series (the Breaking Bad episode, “Ozymandias”) for the second year in a row. Of course, Bryan Cranston won outstanding lead actor in a drama, giving a deserving, gratuitous speech, thanking the cast, and dedicating the award to “find that passion, rekindle it all over again.”
Finally, Breaking Bad also took home the biggest award: outstanding drama series. Some will say they won only because it was their final chance, others will argue the artistry and careful orchestration of the series as a whole. Regardless, it was well-deserved.
Some say that the key to winning an Emmy is to have one in years past. With Modern Family possibly growing old with Emmy voters, could they come back for a sixth time next year? Or is it time for another comedy to take home the statue? Maybe Veep, or maybe a new show premiering this fall.
Breakdown by show (not including Creative Arts Emmys)
– Breaking Bad (AMC): 5
– Modern Family (ABC): 3
– Sherlock: His Last Vow (PBS): 3
– American Horror Story: Coven (FX): 2
– Fargo (FX): 2
– Louie (FX): 1
– Mom (CBS): 1
– The 67th Annual Tony Awards (CBS): 1
– The Amazing Race (CBS): 1
– The Big Bang Theory (CBS): 1
– The Colbert Report (Comedy Central): 1
– The Good Wife (CBS): 1
– The Normal Heart (HBO): 1
– True Detective (HBO): 1
– Veep (HBO): 1
Breakdown by show (including Creative Arts Emmys)
– Sherlock: His Last Vow (PBS): 7
– Breaking Bad (AMC): 6
– Saturday Night Live (NBC): 5
– True Detective (HBO): 5
– American Horror Story: Coven (FX): 4
– COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey (Fox): 4
– Game Of Thrones (HBO): 4
– 67th Annual Tony Awards (CBS): 3
– Deadliest Catch (Discovery): 3
– Mickey Mouse (Disney): 3
– Fargo (FX): 3
– Modern Family (ABC): 3
– Orange Is The New Black (Netflix): 3
– The Simpsons (Fox): 3
– The Square (Netflix): 3
– American Masters (PBS): 2
– Black Sails (Starz): 2
– The Big Bang Theory (CBS): 2
– The Colbert Report (Comedy Central): 2
– Dancing With The Stars (ABC): 2
– The Normal Heart (HBO): 2
– So You Think You Can Dance (Fox): 2