
SOW: Applause Applause
Rebecca Herbst cut through the histrionics to expose and Elizabeth razed by the loss of not only her son, but her dreams.
Elizabeth may have dispatched Jake's daddy with a near-hysterical "Damn it, Jason, you go find my baby!" but she was calm with Patrick. Herbst spoke in a sedate, controlled voice and crossed her arms defensively; she closed her eyes and sighed while copping to being "involved" with Jason. Liz tried to chuckle as she thanked Patrick for the car toys, then folded a blanket as she lamented making Cameron feel guilty. Herbst's voice shook and she fought back tears as Liz sang her son's praises, then bemoaned the sights he witnessed. She turned her back on Patrick to recite her litany of guilt, arms clinched in shame. "I did this to my children," she moaned.
Herbst waved her hands and sneered as Elizabeth recounted her delusion that she could change Jason. Her voice barely above a whisper, Herbst spoke faster and slower for emphasis, rather than louder. She stared at the floor, rather than meet his eyes. "You always put your children first," she sighed - before leaving Cam with Patrick.
At her studio, Liz confronted paintings that sparked memories of Jason. She threw the artwork and tugged at her hair. When she recalled arguing with Jason, she grabbed a knife and slashed paintings, stabbing them as tears rolled down her cheeks. When Lucky found her crazed and wailing, she surrendered the blade and melted into his arms.
Herbst needed no knife to turn in a pointed performance.