Death is as much a part of life as living. It’s inevitable. Inescapable. But sometimes it can be tragically premature. It has taken me some time to process the untimely death of actor Lance Reddick. To carefully consider how I could feel so forlorn at the death of someone I wouldn’t consider to be a huge fan of, let alone someone I’ve never met? I’ve certainly enjoyed performances he has committed to movies, television and gaming. His turn as the concierge of the Continental Hotel in John Wick. Offering valuable assistance to Mr Wick during his ever escalating notoriety as the world’s most targeted assassin, even if it was only as a glorified dog sitter. In Horizon, the post apocalyptic open-world where civilisation has reverted back to a primitive, tribal-like like landscape. Where remaining humans live scattered amongst the ruins of our once thriving civilization and giant mechanised dinosaurs. Lance portrayed the mysterious, often treacherous Sylens. A man of dubious repute, whose fascination with mankind’s extinct technological prowess could either aid or hinder humanity.
Lance provided gravitas and complexity to a character that could be considered dull and generic without him. A feat Lance had seemingly refined, as demonstrated by his eminent performance as Phillip Broyles in the scandalously underrated Sci-Fi procedural “Fringe”. This was my introduction to Lance, and the role I most associate with him. Though the series predominantly revolved around a team assembled by the irascible Broyles, concerning a secret subdivision of the F.B.I that investigates strange phenomena, often culminating in pseudohdo science and unresolved. Lance’s superlative presence was always significant. His rigid stoicism and almost seductive growl, that always reverberates with charisma, elevated every scene he was in. Though his appearances were initially restricted, acting as more of an intimidating authority figure, whose motivations remained ambiguous. As the series progressed his mysterious presence became more than a simple antagonistic bureaucrat, there to simply instigate, cajole and admonish his team. Curtailing any kind of dissent that often burgeon from the lack of information being presented to his team.
Sadly it’s been speculated that Lance didn’t entirely enjoy his time on the show, owing it seems to cast discord and the conceited behaviour of an unspecified star. Which does put a dampner on my affection for Fringe. But not on Lance’s performance. What makes his death so sad, besides the tragic prematurity of it, is that in interviews with him and subsequent commerations from friends and family, Lance appeared to be a generous, kind and genuine human being. A man who relished in his good fortune of being able to do a job they loved. Even if it wasn’t for as long as it most certainly should have been.
Game, Complain, Repeat 