The more I watch, the more I'm flabbergasted by the work Luke has done in this season. I know Nicola is amazing but I really do feel Luke had the more challenging part to play here because we've known about her feelings for years and she's so much more obvious. Whereas Luke had to play a character who is withholding emotion and still get the emotion across. He had to also as an actor make sure not to do too much too soon to allow there to be an emotional build to that carriage scene. He's so conscious of each beat.
I know there are some who've said that Luke's acting weakened the romantic arc of Polin and statements like he's not a leading man, whereas I think the intimacy, vulnerability, even discomfort that keeps drawing us back again and again is entirely created by his work as an actor. Nicola also is just so perfect with his energy.
Obviously how things go in part 2 will add another layer but I'm impressed, honestly, really impressed, and I hope LN gets recognized for his work here.