Performer of the Week: Nicole Kidman 

, Kidman’s character Celeste has projected the perfect façade: perfect marriage, perfect kids, perfect life. But in this week’s “Once Bitten,” that façade finally developed a few tiny cracks in it — allowing Kidman to deliver an astonishingly vulnerable performance.

Celeste’s marriage to Perry is volatile, and often violent, and Kidman has brought a fascinating complexity to that, with Celeste defending her husband’s abusive outbursts, and even admitting to being turned on by them. This week, though, Kidman let us see the psychological toll that this takes on Celeste in little moments, like when she nearly jumped out of her skin when a barista touched her shoulder in the coffeeshop.

It all came to a head in a mesmerizing one-on-one scene between Celeste and her marriage therapist: At first, Celeste put on a defiantly cheerful front, insisting that she and Perry are both at fault for the anger in their relationship, and Kidman made Celeste’s denial painful to watch. But as the therapist pushed her (“He hurts you”), Kidman’s porcelain face trembled and then dissolved into tears as Celeste admitted she has feared for her life. Still, Celeste fought for her marriage, and Kidman made us feel Celeste’s aching internal conflict along with her.

HONORABLE MENTION | The moment occurred just as Cookie was finished taking a baseball bat to Lucious’ beloved piano. The fury and rage that had turned her into a one woman wrecking ball started giving way to a deep and aching sadness as she began to grieve the irreparable damage that had been inflicted on her relationship to the man she, against her better judgement, still madly loves. And Taraji P. Henson navigated that emotional transition with all the subtlety and nuance of an actress at the top of her game. “Trying to erase me Lucious?” she whimpered to her ex, her voice cracking. “After all I’ve done for you. I did

[in prison] for this family.” Cookie may be the queen of shade and caustic one-liners, but as Henson reminded us this week, beneath all the bravado and swagger lies a woman with a broken heart.

HONORABLE MENTION | Restrained from running and jumping and

‘s Stephen Amell this week seized the opportunity to make the most of Oliver’s shackled situation, by delivering one of his most fierce performances to date. As Oliver struggled to get a bead on Adrian Chase’s agenda, to decipher his captor’s call for a “secret” to be shared, Amell registered his alter ego’s frustration. Then, when Chase appeared to snap Evelyn’s neck as punishment for Oliver’s silence, Amell let loose with a bellow we can almost still hear. And while some have scoffed at the “obvious” confession that eventually came forth, Amell sold us on Oliver’s despair in uttering the damning words. Oliver may have looked strong, his musculature and scars laid bare throughout, but Amell made clear the hero had never felt so weak.

‘s Grant Gustin immersed himself in lightness and love as Barry and super friend Kara (a buoyant Melissa Benoist) sang and danced their way through a musical mirage erected by the Music Meister. Above and beyond Gustin’s performance as a singer, the

Glee grad’s acting was peppered with tiny touches — Barry barely holding back his inner fanboy as “Joe” sang a duet with “Stein,” or cluing in Kara to his new time travel restrictions — that were the very best Easter eggs to find and collect. But yes, it was Gustin’s closing serenade to scene partner Candice Patton, the look of deep love pouring out of his peepers throughout, that brought us to our feet clapping, cheering for an encore.

If you like TVLine, you\'ll LOVE our weekly newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Taraji definitely killed it. Grey’s Anatomy also had some amazing performances this week, particularly Kelly McCreary and Caterina Scorsone. But I suspect next week’s episode will be a big week for Maggie, so TVLine is probably waiting until then.

Big Little Lies is killing it. I love these characters and the show’s style is so defined and well-executed. Reese and Kidman are just enchanting to watch every week.

Yes, they are very good, but it kind of annoys me how little screen time they are giving Zoe Kravitz because her character must somehow be important to the finale?

I agree. Her screen time is kind of an interesting choice. I think it reflects Madeline’s attitude toward her. She’s there, but Madeline would rather not think about her so she only really pops up when she’s forced into Madeline’s consciousness.

I am loving Big Little Lies. I wasn’t expecting to like it this much, but the performances are so good and it’s so much more than a murder mystery.

I have to give honorable mention to both Frankie Adams (Bobbie Draper) and the always amazing Shohreh Aghdashloo (Chrisjen Avasarala) on the Expanse. Sure, intense questioning scenes have become stock fair. But the way this was done – electric. Adams was subtle yet incredibly powerful as the marine giving (partly false? for lack of better way to explain it) testimony to the UN council. Her complex anger and heartbreak palpable, written all over her face, conflicting with her dedication to her duty and orders. Then Chrisjen seeing (as she does!) through all the BS – I think genuinely fond of Draper – getting to the “you can’t handle the truth” moment. (I kinda love that she does so cursing like a sailor for all her grace, dignity and beauty). If you aren’t watching The Expanse, I genuinely feel sorry for you. One of the best science fiction shows I have ever experienced. Too bad and curious that it seems to get so little love from TV Line.

The Expanse is as good now as Battlestar Galactica in its prime. And Shohreh Aghdashloo is magnificent every week. I agree that she gets more mileage out of each bleeped curse word than most characters can get with an entire monologue (and somehow, it’s still surprising every time.)

NIcole Kidman was mesmerizing! Every little look and movement. The therapy scene was so suspenseful and nuanced. After the first episode I though Reese would be the highlight of the series but Nicole’s performance is so layered and incredible! It stuck with me after watching.

That proposal scene between Barry and Iris was so beautiful. Grant and Candice are just golden to watch on screen. They have the best chemistry.

I could not agree more with your pick for performer of the week. Nicole Kidman is simply incredible as Celeste and was at her best during last week’s episode.

Reese is also phenomenal in that series. Their performances have been the highlights of 2017 for me. I thoroughly enjoy Big Little Lies.

RuPaul\'s Drag Race Season 9: Did You Go Gaga For Those Premiere Twists?

Grimm\'s David Giuntoli Dishes Two (!) Big Deaths, Series Finale Time Jumps

2017 Renewal Scorecard: What\'s Coming Back? What\'s Getting Cancelled? What\'s on the Bubble?

Scandal Recap: OPA\'s Mole Revealed! Plus, Is [Spoiler] Really Dead?

1CBS Renews 16 Series, Including Bull, Hawaii Five-0, Scorpion, Blue…264

2Scandal Recap: OPA\'s Mole Revealed! Plus, Is [Spoiler] Really Dead?244

3David Boreanaz In, Jim Caviezel Out as Star of CBS\' Navy SEAL Drama107

5Supergirl Promotes Katie McGrath (aka Lena Luthor) to Series Regular83