[krisoft]

> When my brain goes to a synonym it tells me that I understand the scene, but not the character.

That of course assumes that the script writer is infallible. Maybe you do understand the scene and the character deeply, and the writer screwed up by choosing the wrong synonym.

[eszed]

I'd push back on that. If you're performing a script, then your job is to interpret those words. You've got to be humble enough to presume that the words on the page are as the author intended, and then do them the best justice you can. Judging something at the same time you're performing it is the best possible way to make it bad.

That's not to say there isn't bad writing, and bad shows. (God knows I've done a lot of both!) It's just that actors, at least for scripted material, are secondary creators. Our judgement, too, is not infallible - and we're in the worst position of all to judge.