‘Ever Been to Ghorman?’ is one of my favourite episodes and one of the reasons is the absolute delight of (re)watching Syril infiltrate the Ghorman Front so smoothly while appearing 100% at home in Palmo. 

Yes, the GF are naive. Yes, they are in a hurry and overly trusting. These are all things that Cassian will call them out for in the next episode and that comes to tragic reality with the heist that goes wrong and also, of course, with the massacre itself a year later. Nonetheless, Syril’s performance as a triple agent is magnificent – especially in this early scene where he is having his weekly Space!Facetime with his mother, knowing full well that the Ghorman Front are listening in. The suggestion that he is sympathetic to the Ghor is really subtly done via what he says in the excellent Beau Willimon script, but his in-universe performance is also immaculate. His excellent acting continues into the scenes in the Palmo Town Hall where he is introduced to what he knows to be the GF leadership. 

Was anyone else taken in on the first viewing, thinking that Syril might have changed allegiance? I knew it was too good to be true, and of course soon enough we have the confirmation that he is working closely with Dedra. But his performance is enough to whet the interest of the overly trusting Ghorman Front leadership. 

The main thing that strikes me about the performance is how relaxed it seems. Syril is at his happiest in this block of episodes: appearing to be successful and invaluable to the Empire while apparently convincing himself that this is all ultimately going to be a Good Thing for Ghorman. But much more importantly to him: he is proving himself, proud of himself, feeling very much at home. Interestingly, he is away from Eedy and Dedra and his awkwardness returns when he is back with either of them. But on his own on his mission – he really is extremely good at this. At least as good, in terms of the acting, as Cassian is as Varian Skye. 

I feel we don’t hear enough praise of Kyle Soller’s performance as Syril: I thought he was absolutely superb throughout the series. The contrast between Karn in these episodes and the awkward, uptight, angry and emotionally stunted individual of early in s1 is really stunningly well performed. 

Syril and Kyle Soller: double layered great acting in 2.04