Portraying a character well enough to convey the thoughts and feelings to the audience is difficult in any context. An actor must use his body language, mannerisms and facial expressions to get the right message across. This in itself is not as easy as one might think. Now, picture this, you must convey the torment, confusion, emotions and hidden aspects of a character without being able to move your body. Your face is covered by a full beard and mustache, so facial expressions aren't going to help very much. And your character is not very verbally expansive. So in essence, all you are able to use for expression is your eyes. Using only your eyes you must convey love, anger, confusion, pain, rebellion, respect, contempt, ire, loyalty, grief, conflict and understanding. Difficult you say? Yes, that would be an understatement. Impossible? No, it's not.
The kind of talent and skill it takes to do this is impressive. THIS is the kind of talent Eric Etebari displays in his portrayal of Ian Nottingham. The man can express any emotion imaginable through his eyes. He still utilizes vocal expression, minute changes in body language and gesticulation. However, due to the constraints of the character, the majority is done through his eyes.
As the season progresses you can see the growth and changes he brings to the character. The differences in the character, which at first seem minute, but as you watch each episode develop become more apparent, are exceptionally done. Whereas in the first episode, Ian is unquestioningly subservient and loyal to Kenneth Irons, by the season finale, Ian has developed his own opinions and, while bound by his oath of fealty to Irons, has decided that he is unable to serve "two masters" and cannot bring himself to harm Sara Pezzini. He would rather take his own life than betray either of them. When Irons casts him out, you can feel the torment Ian goes through and in the end, he gives his life in protection of Sara Pezzini, going so far as to warn her (albeit cryptically) that this is not the end of the character.
When "Ian" is regenerated (as a more aggressive clone) Etebari is able to bring his full talent into play. The difference between the "good" Ian and the "bad" Ian are as night and day. Gone are the facial hair and the constantly submissive pose. With little more than a change in posture and expression, Etebari conveys the aggressiveness and confidence of the character. Gone is the sensitive, tortured and conflicted Ian of old. Standing before us is a self-confident, barely controlled, essential psychotic, who would as soon snap a person's neck as say hello if he feels it is warranted. Every terrible deed he does from this moment onward is done with a slight smile or look of satisfaction on his face, as if he is enjoying himself immensely. The slight changes in inflection and mannerisms also convey the message that this is not the "good" Ian in any way shape or form.
Watching Etebari bring these characters to life is indeed a joy. Based on his work in this role alone, I do not believe that there is a character he CANNOT portray. I look forward to seeing more of this actor's work in the future. I'm sure no one would be disappointed.