Convention report by Javert Rovinski (first posted on Slipstream BBS)

I went to San Francisco ..... and I was set on my mission to prove to the world that Sorbo was a fundamentally clueless man who would drive the show into a sandbar if he had his way. I was there to persuade everybody else of what I knew as a fact.

The day arrives. Lil (Dylanite) has the first question. I'm in the queue for the second. The meat of the question? "I read your interview in Starlog, and I was wondering precisely what you meant by your comments about the Dylan/Tyr dynamic. What was something you didn't like, and how would you do it differently?" I tried to anticipate what Kevin would say. I anticipated him saying that it wasn't enough fun, or that there wasn't enough action in it, or that they shouldn't fight. Something along those lines. Instead... "Both Keith and I agree that Tyr wasn't used enough. There are also some believability problems; while it's important for both of them to maintain their separate agendas, they also have to share some common goals. If they don't, their continued association is implausible at best." Hrm. Even I had to admit he scored a point there. Still, that was with Lil. I would surely do a better job at breaking through his facade. Right?

My hour came 'round at last. My quarry was in my sights. My question - specifically written to close off any loopholes Sorbo may wish to exploit. The rules of the game were set. The battlefield was chosen. The lines were drawn... and he didn't even know it. He almost proved me right before I said a word. I had a notepad in my hands, which he immediately began joking about. "A notepad? Please, try not to get too technically, or my eyes will glaze over like when I talk to my accountant..." A ha! I have him! He can't handle a serious fan! Lil's situation was a fluke.
I fired the first shot. "Mr. Sorbo... Dylan has been compelled by circumstance to commit morally dubious acts, such as allying with the Jaguars while simultaneously attempting to build a noble society. How does Dylan handle this conflict, and how will this manifest in season three?". Sorbo feinted left! (Let me affirm: This is not an editing error. This is actually what he said.) "At the end of season two, the restored Commonwealth will be a reality. Once that point comes, those kinds of decisions will be in the hands of..." I got him! He gave me the run around instead of answering my question. I'm ashamed to admit I felt some sort of perverse satisfaction from that.

Then... a funny thing happened. It was as if Sorbo wanted to mention the Commonwealth information, because he felt it was important... but then he realized that my question wasn't directly related to that. Realizing his error, and genuinely apologetic, "I'm not really answering your question, am I?", he asked. I was suspicious, but... Una Salus Victus. "I'm afraid not, Sir..." <And yes, I said 'sir' with the S capitalized. Don't ask how I got that across verbally. You had to be there.> Kevin took a moment to regroup, and I could see in his face that he genuinely appreciated a thoughtful question. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, and then he stunned me. "He's not dealing. On one level, a part of him wants to set a good example. On another, he has the biggest, baddest warship in the known worlds, and he knows it. He's going to do what he wants... and he's not always the best at dealing with the moral ramifications."

Was that not what Lil and I (mostly Lil) have been saying for months? [Both Rovinski and Lil/Dylanite are very active debaters on the Slipstream BBS]. Mr. Sorbo had only seconds to consider that answer, but it was well-reasoned, articulate, insightful, and a good sign of things to come. Kevin understands that Dylan is a flawed character. That's very different than the black and white action fetishist some would portray him to be. All of this, and more, raced through my mind in a matter of seconds. I can't quite describe the feeling. Everything changed. Mr. Sorbo isn't really the simpleton my mind had made him out to be. I still had concerns... but I immediately felt much better.

I returned to my seat to observe. Mr. Sorbo had managed to promote himself from the devil to an unknown. Then... a funny thing happened. While dealing with questions, he demonstrated a number of characteristics I can only describe as admirable. He has tremendous respect and fondness for all the cast and crew... especially Gordon and Keith. As unlikely as the triad may seem, they're very good friends. Could someone with such good taste in buddies be that bad? Mr. Sorbo said simple, but immortal words. A cerebrally challenged individual asked if his wife would be coming onto the show as Dylan's wife. (Despite the fact that Sara is confirmed dead for over two and a half centuries. Despite the fact that she said her goodbyes in 'Home Fires'. Despite... arg, never mind. The question was insipid.). In a very offhand manner, he said: "No, that's just not the case. It's a bit of a cliche, but don't believe everything you read. In the past eight or nine years, I've been distorted in every interview I've given."

When asked about why he chose Andromeda, Kevin gave an answer that I shall never forget: "After nearly six years of Hercules, I wanted a ensemble show. I loved Hercules, but I wanted a show with a bunch of strong characters, not two." On screentime: "Spread the wealth. Let all the characters shine." Mr. Sorbo recognizes that while he has input, he won't win all the creative battles - nor should he expect to. On notes - "There are at least ten people who send notes back to the writers. I sometimes get the feeling they take one look, and say 'to hell with 'em'... and rightly so." Can I tell you how much I loved that statement?

Tyr and Dylan will be fighting - physically - in the season 3 premiere. We don't have any more details than that... Brent Stait will return in a guest role, in little to no prosthetics. Also, we saw a special screening of "The Knight, Death, and the Devil". It's everything Andromeda should be. Trust me. Kevin had further thoughts about Gene's vision. "This future is a dark place... but there is hope. No matter how bad things look, there's always hope". Simple words, yes... but he understands them. That's critical. "Dylan isn't always right. He makes mistakes. He's a flawed man. Everybody on that ship has their own quirks and flaws... which is what makes the show so much fun". "The Andromeda budget should be higher... unfortunately, it's show-business, not show-show."

You know what? I've been hard on Kevin Sorbo in the past. I'm pigheaded, stubborn, and opinionated. I went in that room with that question, looking for evidence to justify my pre-conceived conclusion... and I found an insightful man, who wanted to discuss the art of which he played a part. He answered every question asked of him in a forthright and intelligent manner. He held the line against bastards like me. My full nickname always has been - and always will be - Javert Rovinski. To summarize, Javert is a tragic character whose own inflexibility forced him into a dichotomy with no escape... and that inflexibility destroyed him, ultimately driving him to suicide. Javert has always been a reminder to me to challenge my preconceptions, to keep an open mind, and to hold the line against ignorance. And yet... it took seeing Mr. Sorbo in person for me to even consider alternate possibilities. Sigh. And there you have it. The tale of Sorbo's session from the perspective of a cynic. I failed in my original goal to have Sorbo damn himself with his own words. But overall... I triumphed.