Fans send their thoughts on Gary as Soval
Gary's portrayal of Ambassador Soval
I think everyone can imagine that it must be quite difficult to play a Vulcan character really genuinely and convincingly. You have to use very subtle and restricted means - and only a truly talented actor can do it really well, not to mention that in my opinion, some kind of special sense and style is also needed to revive a Vulcan memorably.
In the beginning, Ambassador Soval was a little arrogant and contemptous Vulcan diplomat, who was happy to make humans conscious of his superiority but - surprisingly - he managed to do it captivatingly. There's been something what's made him appealing for me from the very first moment - and it was the way that Gary played him. The episode titled Cease Fire was a real milestone, then the Vulcan arc arrived, and Soval - and of course Gary - came, saw and conquered once and for all... Finally - unfortunately it happened a little late - his character has become richer and more complex.
I think the main reason for this move was Gary's unique portrayal of the character. Soval is characterized by qualities like solid dignity, a certain kind of stubborn pride and wonderful sarcastic wit and sense of humour, coupled with the discreet charm of logic" (if I can use this expression) :-), not to mention his hidden but palpable passion behind the Vulcan control... It is Gary's acting that represented these qualities so magnificiently, combined with irresistible natural elegance. He portrayed also the improvement of Soval's character really convincingly, making it genuine, and suggesting his commitment to peace and truth remarkably. In my opinion, the character of Soval has become so loveable and unforgettable thanks to the way Gary portrayed him. He can express so much with his eyes and facial expressions - even with little motions... But I can't really tell what the secret is that makes Gary's portrayal of Soval so great - this is the magic of the art of acting and the personal charm of a really talented actor. What else could I say A fascinating performance from a fascinating actor... Thank you, Gary.
Oh, and one more thing that I haven't mentioned yet: those pointy ears fit Gary very well - and this is also something that cannot be said of everybody... ;o)
Anita
