Best ACTING in Ds9? -- Who wins?
- Thread starter Danoz
- Start date
I liked all of the actors on the show, but a lot of them had quirks that annoyed me. I hate the way Rene made his voice all gravelly for his role, Brooks was too hammy and over-the-top sometimes, and although I adore Terry's acting and her character, objectively speaking I can't deny that she often came across a lot more stiff and one-note than the rest of the cast.
As for everyone's favourite Cardassians, I find Alaimo and Robinson too mannered. They always sound like they're delivering lines with theatrical flourishes...they enunciate every word with such emphasis, it's as if they're in a play trying to make sure everybody in the back can hear every word. It's entertaining, but it doesn't strike me as believably inhabiting a character so much as showing off charisma.
I think the one who most impressed me with his acting was Colm Meany, because of the way he was able to so intensely display a wide range of emotional and psychological states through those "O'Brien must suffer" episodes. I have to respect how convincingly Nana Vistor emoted as well, even though I can't stand her character sometimes. After Meany and Visitor, I think Shimmermin seemed most natural and comfortable in his acting. It's especially impressive because I remember him from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I think the fact that he could play that character so well and then one so different from it with such ease really demonstrates how talented he is.
As for everyone's favourite Cardassians, I find Alaimo and Robinson too mannered. They always sound like they're delivering lines with theatrical flourishes...they enunciate every word with such emphasis, it's as if they're in a play trying to make sure everybody in the back can hear every word. It's entertaining, but it doesn't strike me as believably inhabiting a character so much as showing off charisma.
I think the one who most impressed me with his acting was Colm Meany, because of the way he was able to so intensely display a wide range of emotional and psychological states through those "O'Brien must suffer" episodes. I have to respect how convincingly Nana Vistor emoted as well, even though I can't stand her character sometimes. After Meany and Visitor, I think Shimmermin seemed most natural and comfortable in his acting. It's especially impressive because I remember him from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I think the fact that he could play that character so well and then one so different from it with such ease really demonstrates how talented he is.
Nana, by a long way. Even when she's got nothing to do she's still great, and I've recently been tracking down other series/films she's been in just to see her. Never done that with any other actor before.
I've also come to realise that Kira is the main character of the series, not Sisko. DS9 took the squeaky-clean happy cheery Star Trek franchise, slapped it in the face and said "Wake up - it isn't going to be paradise out there." Later that seemed to change to "We can have paradise, but we have to fight for it" - but either way Kira was the embodiment of the series' philosophy.
I know that sounds a bit strange but Avery Brooks just doesn't seem like much of a commanding presence a lot of the time, and I'm not really sure if that's a reflection on his acting or the writing. On other Trek shows (even rubbish like Forager and Enterforaprize) the Captain is the centre of the series, for better or worse, but on DS9, Sisko just seems like another member of the cast who just so happens to be the Captain. He isn't the anchor that the show needs - Nana is - and I thought it was terrific that the series ended with Kira in charge of the station.
The show could have gone on without Sisko - I don't think it could have without Kira or Nana.
And, y'know, ever since meeting her at a con I love her to bits. That's probably got something to do with my choice too...
I've also come to realise that Kira is the main character of the series, not Sisko. DS9 took the squeaky-clean happy cheery Star Trek franchise, slapped it in the face and said "Wake up - it isn't going to be paradise out there." Later that seemed to change to "We can have paradise, but we have to fight for it" - but either way Kira was the embodiment of the series' philosophy.
I know that sounds a bit strange but Avery Brooks just doesn't seem like much of a commanding presence a lot of the time, and I'm not really sure if that's a reflection on his acting or the writing. On other Trek shows (even rubbish like Forager and Enterforaprize) the Captain is the centre of the series, for better or worse, but on DS9, Sisko just seems like another member of the cast who just so happens to be the Captain. He isn't the anchor that the show needs - Nana is - and I thought it was terrific that the series ended with Kira in charge of the station.
The show could have gone on without Sisko - I don't think it could have without Kira or Nana.
And, y'know, ever since meeting her at a con I love her to bits. That's probably got something to do with my choice too...
Jaespol
Captain
I'm not a troll, just don't like it for my actors to sound like they're having an asthma attack half the time. "Far Beyond the Stars" actually did make me puke.
Avery Brooks acting =
People who like his acting don't know what good acting is.
LOL! Great picture; and it dipicts my sentiments perfectly concerning the acting of Brooks. BTW, anyone who thinks you are a troll, must be a troll.
I had to give the award to Marc Alaimo, in the end. Andrew Robinson is also very good--but there's an awareness of self and space in Alaimo's presence (for lack of better words) that in addition to his delivery of his lines, is just amazing. You can even watch his acting silent, no dialogue (like on the music video tributes I've recently posted) and he STILL manages to be commanding.
I'm also going to throw my second vote to Mr Casey Briggs for his brilliant portrayal of Damar. (yes I know that I'm based but with good cause!)
I went with Mark Alaimo...you just can't take your eyes off him when he is on screen, or at least I can't. But my second vote would go to Colm Meaney because his was such a subtle performance, and my third, if I had one, would be a tie: Avery Brooks - he went over the top sometimes, but when he was good, he was great - and Andrew Robinson. There isn't really a lemon on the entire cast, though.
Casey Briggs was fabulous, of course, but he was more of a guest star than a regular. Gosh, he's great, though - from his first appearance to his last.
Casey Briggs was fabulous, of course, but he was more of a guest star than a regular. Gosh, he's great, though - from his first appearance to his last.
Kai Winn was performed well? Her delivery was slow, slightly awkward and fairly monotone, and she couldn't ever portray any enthusiasm.
I voted Odo, though I could've just as well voted Garak or O'Brien, or anyone for that matter, aside from Sisco, Jadzia and Jake.
Oh no, her performance was very subtle and layered; the character did not lend itself to flashy extremes. Just when you thought she was thoroughly evil she would say or do something that made you think she was simply politically opportunistic. Then, when you had the impression that she may truly believe what she was doing was right for Bajor, you were blindsided by some offhand comment that was entirely self-serving.
In lesser hands Winn could have been a two-dimensional cartoon. Fletcher was brilliant. There's a reason she's an Oscar winner.
Maybe it's just me but I thought Winn was evil the second she got accused of that school bombing, and that opinion hasn't remotely changed (just finished S3).
I guess she did a reasonable job portraying a corrupt political leader who uses religion as a means of control. Every time she said something along the line "this is the will of the prophets" or "the prophets are challenging me", I wanted to choke her and could easily relate her to leaders who hypocritically use religion to justify violence. Perhaps her ability to evoke these negative emotions from the audience was the true power in her acting.
I guess she did a reasonable job portraying a corrupt political leader who uses religion as a means of control. Every time she said something along the line "this is the will of the prophets" or "the prophets are challenging me", I wanted to choke her and could easily relate her to leaders who hypocritically use religion to justify violence. Perhaps her ability to evoke these negative emotions from the audience was the true power in her acting.
Oh no, her performance was very subtle and layered; the character did not lend itself to flashy extremes. Just when you thought she was thoroughly evil she would say or do something that made you think she was simply politically opportunistic. Then, when you had the impression that she may truly believe what she was doing was right for Bajor, you were blindsided by some offhand comment that was entirely self-serving.
In lesser hands Winn could have been a two-dimensional cartoon. Fletcher was brilliant. There's a reason she's an Oscar winner.
Oh, I agree - Fletcher was fabulous. It was an amazing performance.
It's a toss up for me between Visitor and Siddig...I thought Bashir's character really grew throughout the series, and while Kira was equally compelling, I thought that Bashir was a better representative of the series as it relates to the Star Trek universe, while Kira is very much a DS9-only representation.
I feel like I took the easy road by voting for Mr. Robinson, but the simple fact is that he is in the majority of my favorite episodes and it's not a coincidence.
Such a difficult poll though. DS9 had the best pool of actors, regular and recurring, of any show I have ever watched. There was not one weak link.
Also felt like I should point out Max Grodenchik. If you wanna see what 'becoming the character' looks like, look to his portrayal of Rom.
Such a difficult poll though. DS9 had the best pool of actors, regular and recurring, of any show I have ever watched. There was not one weak link.
Also felt like I should point out Max Grodenchik. If you wanna see what 'becoming the character' looks like, look to his portrayal of Rom.
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