#inganno

Un tempo, ho creduto che un certo gusto per la bellezza avrebbe surrogato per me la virtù, e avrebbe saputo immunizzarmi dalle tentazioni troppo volgari.

M'ingannavo.

5 Shirley Schmidt, Boston Legal

Why: Because who knows where Shirley Schmidt begins and Candice Bergen ends? I don't know! It's like they're the same person. Shirley was so brilliantly written, though. Wonderfully witty, crazily complex, and splendidly sensual! Candice played the part so well, at some point in my teenage life, she made me almost take up law to become an attorney (I would've never survived law school).

4 Carol Peletier, The Walking Dead

Why: One of the most beautiful, well-earned character arcs I've ever seen on TV! Until the spinoff happened (so I'm just going to pretend the spinoff doesn't exist). Melissa McBride is so underrated for this role, I can't believe she never got even an Emmy nomination for this. The curse of sci-fi stories.

3 Gerri Kellman, Succession

Why: Her insane popularity is inversely proportional to her screentime on the show, it's nuts. But seriously, such a realistically written part. Gerri feels like someone I used to work with when I was still in corporate, I almost feel like experiencing PTSD when she's onscreen. And also, J. Smith-Cameron played her so well, you wouldn't think she has never had any corporate working experience!

2 Laura Roslin, Battlestar Galactica

Why: There's always an underdog-kind-of charm about the reluctant leader. And Laura was exactly that. She was thrust into the role by no choice of her own, hesitantly accepting the responsibility of saving the humanity from the brink of extinction. And then she grows into the position, even seeing her darkest side come out because of it. Then there's Mary McDonnell, bringing to life what would be one of the most adored, worshipped, strong female characters in the history of TV.

1 Gabriella de Rosa, Inganno/Deceitful Love

Why: I have an entire essay about this, and I hope my friends here on Tumblr aren't surprised that I do (because yes, I'm kinda obsessed with Monica Guerritore right now). But also, I just had the itching desire to understand why Gabriella de Rosa became such an iconic character for women--and gay men!--of nearly all ages. She's someone in your life today--your mamma, tia, nonna, name it! Maybe she's even you. Then you'll realize how she has become so well-loved. And nobody else--and I mean no one--could've done the character justice than Monica herself.

Tagged by @untapdtreasure, thank you! <3