Best actor on ENT?

[Mach5]

As a Enterprise-induced Bakula fan, I have to admit, that lack of control also bothered me in his performance. Instead of being really angry, but only showing a smidge of it with the feeling he was really angry, I thought he overdid anger. I imagine it's hard as an actor to strike the right balance.

What troubled ME about Bakula was that he couldn't find ANY balance at all, no matter what emotion he had to convey. He really appeared as if he wasn't completely in it at times. He often overacted, almost as if he forgot that he wasn't on stage but on a tv show set.

I just caught "Exile" the other day (S3 is just airing on Croatian HRT), a Hoshi-centered episode in which Archer isn't a very prominent character (compared to other episodes), and Bakula still managed to suck royally. I mean, SB is a good, accomplished actor, but at times, his heart and mind just weren't in it.

As for Connor being over appreciated, well, I can certainly understand how the majority of female ENT fans love him for his looks and charm so much that they don't even care about his performance, but I (a straight dude) really think he's an excellent actor, having seen him play a racist's attorney engaged to a black woman in "Close to home" where he really nailed it.

 

[Middleman]

...As for Connor being over appreciated, well, I can certainly understand how the majority of female ENT fans love him for his looks and charm so much that they don't even care about his performance, but I (a straight dude) really think he's an excellent actor.....

When you meet Connor in person, you understand immediately why he was the fan favorite. He has an outwardly warm and approachable personality that he brought into Trip's character which both male and female fans were drawn to. Acting ability (which was good IMO) and looks aside, he created one of Star Treks most memorable characters, if not the best. He nailed Tucker.

 

[star]

As a Enterprise-induced Bakula fan, I have to admit, that lack of control also bothered me in his performance. Instead of being really angry, but only showing a smidge of it with the feeling he was really angry, I thought he overdid anger. I imagine it's hard as an actor to strike the right balance.

What troubled ME about Bakula was that he couldn't find ANY balance at all, no matter what emotion he had to convey. He really appeared as if he wasn't completely in it at times. He often overacted, almost as if he forgot that he wasn't on stage but on a tv show set.

I just caught "Exile" the other day (S3 is just airing on Croatian HRT), a Hoshi-centered episode in which Archer isn't a very prominent character (compared to other episodes), and Bakula still managed to suck royally. I mean, SB is a good, accomplished actor, but at times, his heart and mind just weren't in it.

As for Connor being over appreciated, well, I can certainly understand how the majority of female ENT fans love him for his looks and charm so much that they don't even care about his performance, but I (a straight dude) really think he's an excellent actor, having seen him play a racist's attorney engaged to a black woman in "Close to home" where he really nailed it.

I am an SB fan, in fact I was THRILLED to learn that he was to play the captain in the newest Star Trek show. I had seen his other work and loved him.

I stopped watching a couple episodes in because I was so utterly disappointed. Yes, the writing itself was less than stellar... but in truth there are moments even in the 4th season where I felt just like the above. (And yes, I've seen every episode of the show since.)

Personally, I think SB did best when he played Dark Archer during season 3. He had many other great moments on the show... but for me, he wasn't consistent.

Connor Trinneer, I personally believe, definitely nailed Trip. He made gave him a depth. And as far as emotional connection... he did an amazing job in "The Forgotten". He was consistently good.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

As a Enterprise-induced Bakula fan, I have to admit, that lack of control also bothered me in his performance. Instead of being really angry, but only showing a smidge of it with the feeling he was really angry, I thought he overdid anger. I imagine it's hard as an actor to strike the right balance.

What troubled ME about Bakula was that he couldn't find ANY balance at all, no matter what emotion he had to convey.

"ANY balance at all"? None? Zero? In over 90 hours?

"Observer Effect," "Similitude," "Azati Prime," "Damage," "Singularity," Vulcan trilogy... just off the top of my head, he blew me away in those. I think the writing for Archer was wildly inconsistent, and Bakula did what he could with what he was given. I know he's a fine actor, but crap writing can torpedo even the best talent (witness some of the stuff Brando and Olivier did in their later years).

As for Trinneer, I would offer "The Forgotten" as a beautifully nuanced performance, and "Similitude" as well. I think he is a talented and versatile actor, and he just got better as the series progressed and he was given meatier storylines.

I thought all the principal cast and recurring actors had a lot of talent, and moments where they shined. Montgomery with "Horizon," Park with "IaMD," Keating with "Shuttlepod One" and "Affliction/Divergence," Billingsley in everything . Blalock's performance was particularly strong in Season 3. Jeff Combs was consistently outstanding, and Graham had some great stuff in Season 4 as his character developed.

 

[tomalak301]

If we're including actresses now, I want to say Linda Park was pretty good as Hoshi. Just going through the series, I'm noticing how much more development she got than I thought before and any performance that features Hoshi has been pretty strong, even if the writing hasn't been (Sleeping Dogs for example).

 

[Middleman]

As a Enterprise-induced Bakula fan, I have to admit, that lack of control also bothered me in his performance. Instead of being really angry, but only showing a smidge of it with the feeling he was really angry, I thought he overdid anger. I imagine it's hard as an actor to strike the right balance.

What troubled ME about Bakula was that he couldn't find ANY balance at all, no matter what emotion he had to convey.

"ANY balance at all"? None? Zero? In over 90 hours?

"Observer Effect," "Similitude," "Azati Prime," "Damage," "Singularity," Vulcan trilogy... just off the top of my head, he blew me away in those. I think the writing for Archer was wildly inconsistent, and Bakula did what he could with what he was given. I know he's a fine actor, but crap writing can torpedo even the best talent (witness some of the stuff Brando and Olivier did in their later years).

If Scott had any flaw in his portrayal of Archer I would say it was his acting style in general. He seems to be more of a theater actor than a movie / TV actor and he had a tendency to "over act"; similar to Shatner as Kirk or David Caruso in CSI. Still, Bakula is my favorite Trek Captain.

 

[Mach5]

"ANY balance at all"? None? Zero? In over 90 hours?

"Observer Effect," "Similitude," "Azati Prime," "Damage," "Singularity," Vulcan trilogy...

He wasn't that great in any of these, really... It's in the grimaces... He overdoes them... Makes him look constipated.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

If Scott had any flaw in his portrayal of Archer I would say it was his acting style in general. He seems to be more of a theater actor than a movie / TV actor...

Have you ever seen Quantum Leap? Or "The Informer"?

"ANY balance at all"? None? Zero? In over 90 hours?

"Observer Effect," "Similitude," "Azati Prime," "Damage," "Singularity," Vulcan trilogy...

He wasn't that great in any of these, really...

He wasn't that great in any of these, in your opinion. "Really" in this context would mean "actually," or "in point of fact," which is inaccurate when referring to personal, subjective opinion.

 

[commodore64]

As for Trinneer, I would offer "The Forgotten" as a beautifully nuanced performance, and "Similitude" as well. I think he is a talented and versatile actor, and he just got better as the series progressed and he was given meatier storylines.

I have to agree about Similitude, I liked his portrayal in that episode. I'm not sure I'd call it nuanced ... but I'm not exactly sure what I'd call it.

However, on Forgotten, I didn't see Trinneer's portrayal in Forgotten as nuanced at all. Him weeping to T'Pol, "She was my baby sister" didn't really affect me. I didn't feel sad for him. I wanted to, too. Nuanced would've been, in my opinion, after an episode (or several actually) filled with him wrestling with his sister's death, for his break down to be less weepy. It could very well be the teleplay. It's got to be hard to have utter defeat while saying, "She was my baby sister."

Star, agreed - I think Dark Archer is something Bakula did incredibly well. Dark Archer is why Archer is my favorite character. I think up until season 3, I may've liked T'Pol more.

As to Mach5's comments on Bakula -- meh. His career is going gangbusters, especially for a dude over 50; he's been been in major motion pictures as well as recurring popular television (Chuck, etc.) I think that seems to reinforce he's a pretty darned good actor. One more thing: it's unfortunate you don't like Archer more, it seems to be detracting from your love of Enterprise. It might help to cut him some slack. I think he deserves it.

 

[ALF]

Trinneer, Billingsly & Combs.

 

[Mach5]

He wasn't that great in any of these, in your opinion. "Really" in this context would mean "actually," or "in point of fact," which is inaccurate when referring to personal, subjective opinion.

Call me arrogant, but... I'm disagreeing with the "subjective" part here... I honestly believe that the only way to not see how wooden and unnatural SB constantly was is to have a really crappy pair of fanboy (fangirl) goggles and not have the ability to take them off once in a while.

All this didn't really ruin the Enterprise experience for me, though... I mean, like, at all.

Back to the good stuff... I saw Billingsley on Stargate SG-1 the other day, playing a wacky scientist called Coombs. He was unbelievably hilarious!

 

[planetDan]

Linda Park, all the way!

 

[Middleman]

Have you ever seen Quantum Leap? Or "The Informer"?

Yes, I've seen both, although it's been years since I've seen an episode of QL. I still think Bak has a tendency to "over act", not unlike the other two stars I mentioned. Apparently, based on posts I've seen here in this thread and elsewhere, I'm not alone in that opinion. I presume it's a result of his training.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

He wasn't that great in any of these, in your opinion. "Really" in this context would mean "actually," or "in point of fact," which is inaccurate when referring to personal, subjective opinion.

Call me arrogant, but... I'm disagreeing with the "subjective" part here...

I am puzzled as to why you continue to resist acknowledging the existence of opinions that differ from your own. A variety of opinions is the very essence of a fandom, and a discussion board. Any personal opinion is valid and valuable to the person who holds it -- whether it be you or anyone else. For you to insist that your personal viewpoint is somehow "objective," i.e., uninfluenced by emotion or personal prejudice, is inexplicable, and inconsiderate.

I honestly believe that the only way to not see how wooden and unnatural SB constantly was is to have a really crappy pair of fanboy (fangirl) goggles and not have the ability to take them off once in a while.

Denigrating members who disagree with you is more than inconsiderate. Such an attitude is, in the colorful words of our fearless leader T'Bonz, just retarded. I urge you, for the good of all the members here, to cultivate a more civil attitude in future.

 

[Middleman]

Such an attitude is, in the colorful words of our fearless leader T'Bonz, just retarded. I urge you, for the good of all the members here, to cultivate a more civil attitude in future.

Wait a minute ... you mean to tell us that she's allowed to say things like that, but no one else is? Sounds pretty degrading, inconsiderate and politically incorrect to me [not to mention a huge freaking double standard]. Where does "colorful" end and rude begin?

 

[Middleman]

While we're talking about Bak, did anyone see this?

'Quantum Leap' Movie Could Be In Works
Former series star Scott Bakula says there's one on the drawing board

"Former "Quantum Leap" star Scott Bakula told attendees at last weekend's San Diego Comic-Con that his 1990s show could see a rebirth as a film. "Quantum Leap" aired from 1989 to 1993, and has been rerun in syndication from time to time ever since."

http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/7656/quantum-leap-movie-could-be-in-works.html

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

Such an attitude is, in the colorful words of our fearless leader T'Bonz, just retarded. I urge you, for the good of all the members here, to cultivate a more civil attitude in future.

Wait a minute ... you mean to tell us that she's allowed to say things like that, but no one else is? Sounds pretty degrading, inconsiderate and politically incorrect to me [not to mention a huge freaking double standard].

It you mean using the term when referring to someone with a disability, I agree that it is inappropriate, and has been for decades.

In the above context, and the quoted post, it refers to trolling, and to arguing senselessly over differences of opinion.

But you're absolutely right -- no matter how long it's been, and no matter how much colloquial usage has altered the meaning of a word, if it has an unsavory double meaning, it can still be misinterpreted in the worst way. I apologize.

'Quantum Leap' Movie Could Be In Works
Former series star Scott Bakula says there's one on the drawing board

"Former "Quantum Leap" star Scott Bakula told attendees at last weekend's San Diego Comic-Con that his 1990s show could see a rebirth as a film. "Quantum Leap" aired from 1989 to 1993, and has been rerun in syndication from time to time ever since."

There have been rumors of a QL film for years. It would be cool if there is really one in the works.

 

[gblews]

"Best actor on Ent"? If the emphasis is , "on Ent", then I would agree with the OP that that honor goes to Connor Trinneer. John Billingley, through his work before and after Ent has, I believe, proven to be a formidable talent, but just didn't get the opportunities on Ent that the big 3 characters received.

Throughout Ent's run, Connor was able to handle everything thrown his way, the dramatic parts (the anger, sadness, angst, etc), as well as the action and comedic stuff with equal dexterity. Billingley did too, he just didn't get enough opportunities.

In rewatching the series over these last few years it appears to me that Dominick Keating might fit into the same category as Billingley in that he just didn't get the time in the episodes.

I think Linda Park may have been the most underrated actor on the show. She didn't get much, but what she got, she turned into gold. Remember what she did while sitting in the big chair in Demons/TP, Hoshi's sudden regal disdain as Empress Sato in IaMD, her dramatically heroic scenes in Countdown? Remember how funny she was in Singularity? She seemed to have chemistry with every actor she worked with. She even managed to be the only woman Scott worked with who actually brought out some passion in the guy. Very Underrated.

The rest of the cast I'd throw into the same category - had some good moments, had some bad ones. The staff's continually giving Scott stuff he couldn't handle, coupled with a lack of charisma and presence really hurt his Archer. Jolene - love her to death - but was in way over her head. I would have loved to have seen what Linda Park might have done with that great addiction storyline which Jolene didn't seem to understand.

Anthony Montgomery just did not show himself to be a strong actor. I used to tell my daughter that he was cast only because of his looks. Her response; who cares!

 

[Roberta Lincoln]

I liked Scott Bakula and John Billingsley but I also thought all the main characters worked well with each other.

 

[commodore64]

I liked Scott Bakula and John Billingsley but I also thought all the main characters worked well with each other.

Agreed. Welcome to the forum.