 | |
| Sydney | |
|---|---|
| Personal Information | |
| Gender | {{{gender}}} |
| Occupation | Psychiatrist |
| Character Status |
{{{status}}} |
| Acting Information | |
| Actor | Patrick Bauchau |
| First Appearance | Pilot |
Overview
Sydney is the psychiatrist who is Jarod’s mentor from the very beginning. He is the one responsible for the development of Jarod into the person that he is, with his heroic qualities and instinctive wisdom. Sydney is somewhat guilt-ridden for having been the unwitting captor of Jarod especially when it is discovered that Jarod’s simulations were being misused in the cruel manner that they were. He is the one who knows Jarod best. In the words of Miss Parker:
Sydney disappears. So does Jarod.
Sydney is a man with a tortured mission, as he has to reconcile his job of retrieving Jarod with his own desire to see Jarod truly happy and fulfilled in his life. His decision to remain with the Centre becomes one that is made more for the benefits of searching out the Centre’s secrets than for the “cover” mission of retrieving Jarod, although he has to hide it well, or risk the dangers of exposure.
Background
Sydney has a troubled past and unfinished business of his own to deal with throughout and yet he does not betray emotion or yield to the weaknesses other mere mortals would, his inner strength is almost super-heroic. He was tortured as a child together with his twin brother Jacob. His work at The Centre cost him his relationship with his only son, Nicholas.
Relationships
Jarod yearned for a father-son affiliation to Sydney but Sydney was ever the professional psychiatrist, gently but firmly maintaining his distance (on the record) but off the record we see that he did keep the Father’s Day card that Jarod had made for him.
Sydney is a father-figure to Miss Parker as well, although she will not readily admit his influence or listen to his advice as an adult. He was the one to hold her hand when her mother (supposedly) died. She taunts him for not choosing between being Jarod’s “mommy” or a scientist but she has utmost respect for his relationship with Jarod and his influence on the Pretender.
When Sydney discovers his son Nicholas, with Jarod's help, he begins to form a bond with Nicholas, to make up for lost time, and also to renew his relationship with Michelle, Nicholas' mother.
Quotes
Jarod doesn't masquerade, he's a Pretender. These ... entanglements are not without their emotional repercussions. Easy Parker. One step at a time. The information you're talking about could get us all killed.
Fan mail
Sydney is the most calming character in the series. He is the voice of reason and the vocal conscience. He engages the viewer with his silent authority and beguiles them with his innate, yet understated charm. Before you know it, you are drawn to him mysteriously he has become the object of great fascination.