I was late getting into discovery, but watching the entire show in a go, I was literally begging for any scene with Sarek. James Frain acting is so good. His dialogues are well written and he embodies everything I think Vulcans should be. I think Lethe is the best episode so far in the series
They are 50/50 on Spock's parents. They hit it out of the park with Mia Kirshner as Amanda, Frain just isn't very good. Of course, that is just my opinion. And opinions are like assholes...
I just twigged she was Mandy in 24. *slow slap for finally realising* I quite liked Fraine in Orphan Black, but as Sarek in DIS, he just seems to be lacking. He's certainly no Mark Leonard.
I like Amanda more than I like Sarek on this show. In fact I’m glad they are doing more with Amanda than any other trek show in the 50+ years of the franchise.
Frain is fine, but Sarek's character has been a little boring. I expect more hard-hitting wisdom from the character.
Agreed. Frain sucks. I liked his acting on Gotham, 24 etc. but he's miscast as Sarek. Mark Leonard looked like a stern, disapproving father figure.. which worked so well for the Spock character's development. He projected authority and confidence. I can't get over Frain constantly looking like he's about to burst out laughing. His constant grin as Sarek is super odd. How the character is written is another can of worms altogether.
Maybe it's because I just saw him in another role, but everytime I see Sarek, I'm still seeing him as Ferdinand in Orphan Black. Sarek really isn't standing out all that much.
Yes. Vulcans often (Mark Lenard's Sarek, for example, as did Spock on many occasions) have a self-satisfied -- bordering on self important-looking -- smirk on their faces. Examples: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5qF5jL0T9Q/TskXGr1VQsI/AAAAAAAADdk/pn4og5-nVUU/s1600/Sarek+Babek.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f5/69/70/f56970eb6b373d0677f5d424d0aa71a6.jpg https://geekandsundry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/spockfeature-970x545.jpg http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/watchinggod/files/2015/02/Spock_2293.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a3/6f/dd/a36fdd18323ffb644800a0058853da38.jpg http://www.selek.ca/soval/ENT - The Forge - Soval and Forrest 5.jpg https://66.media.tumblr.com/74c0cb8d403c5450a204e10f3c0260a2/tumblr_npetasKrAe1tmlk8yo3_400.jpg
Ah, my favorite Vulcan. No one can beat Lenard in the role. I think Ben Cross did a pretty good job as Sarek, but I have no issues with Frain. They write him as pig-headed as Sarek should be. For those talking about smiling, I remember a scene in TOS where he had a smile and it made me wince; the scene was so, uh, cloying. Mia as Amanda is definitely hitting it out of the park. Amanda is written so strongly that I can't buy her going along with Sarek and not allowing affection with/to/from Spock.
Frain was also good as a creepy vampire stalker in TRUE BLOOD. Minor nitpick, just for future reference for all concerned, the original Sarek was Mark Lenard, not "Leonard."