Your last sentence reminds me of hearing DK remark at one con I attended that for the first four episodes he spent most of his time on set wondering about hanging curtains in the Situation Room.1I agree Kaelef! .Even in season 2 I remember cringing at how his character was written in 'Minefield' for example I'd say the relationship with Trip made him a bit more 'Natural'...Also the war arc in season 3 helped! And I think Manny Coto made more of an effort with the character - not sure how ii feel about the big reveal in season 4 but at least it tried to explain some of his more reserved characteristics! Always amused us Brits seeing Keating in the part as he was only known in UK really from his role in a cult comedy called 'Desmonds! I have to say I thought Keating as an actor did quite a bit with not much in the early days!