Facial Expressions

[Kasman]

mlm828 said:

Since we have come across two writers independently writing about the phenomenon of "losing" facial expressions after the loss of sight, it's certainly something RE could have read about in his research and preparation for the role. However, on many occasions when we don't see a reaction in "Jim Dunbar's" facial expression, I think it's because he's in a situation where he doesn't want his expression to show his reaction.

Could even be a bit of both. Certainly, as a detective, he doesn't want to give away what he's thinking by his expression, so it could be he had schooled himself to not show anything on his face when interviewing a suspect.

[shmeep]

ashatan said:

Just came across one of my favorite Dunbar expressions. The smile he does when a suspect lands confirmation of his guilt/lies in Dunbar's lap and he knows he is on the right track.

I always thought that laugh was just after Eric started hassling Jim, telling him he was still trying to be a bad-ass cop like he used to be. It seemed like the kind of smile used as a defense mechanism. I always thought it was a very well-acted moment because there was a little bit of hurt in that smile for a second and then he was trying to play it cool to show Eric he wasn't affected by such comments--which was obviously untrue.

[mlm828]

admin said:

I always thought that laugh was just after Eric started hassling Jim, telling him he was still trying to be a bad-ass cop like he used to be. It seemed like the kind of smile used as a defense mechanism. I always thought it was a very well-acted moment because there was a little bit of hurt in that smile for a second and then he was trying to play it cool to show Eric he wasn't affected by such comments--which was obviously untrue.

You are absolutely right. Eric's "bad-ass cop" comment definitely hit a nerve in Jim. And RE played Jim's reaction perfectly: trying -- unsuccessfully -- to act as if Eric's comment hadn't hit the mark.