Portrait of a Character – Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan plays the guitar.
Origins
The character is canon, although he did not have a first name. I’m not even so sure this was a speaking part. I named the character, as yet another reference to actor Steven Culp, after the Desperate Housewives character he played, Rex Van de Camp. Rex is not named after the coach of the New York Jets.
Portrayal
Jason Collins as R. Ryan (Rex Ryan) (image is for educational purposes)
As in canon, Rex is played by actor Jason Collins. I do not know too much about the actor. It appears that he has gotten some work since the show went off the air. Good for him.
Personality
Shy and reserved, Rex is not the kind of guy who will ever be a leader or really promoted, although I can see him as getting commendations. I don’t send him on the failed missions, either.
Relationships
Meredith Porter
As The Three of Us opens, Rex is one of the men who, it seems, is going to be left out of the gene pool. But he gets an idea, and hauls out his guitar, once he learns that Meredith can sing. She is older than him, but that doesn’t matter. They also marry during Everybody Knows This is Nowhere.
Do they get together outside of the kicks back in time? It is certainly possible, as they look at each other during the reception at the end of Everybody Knows. I like to think that, just as with Frank and Dave, the strange experience gives them the kind of mental permission they need to go ahead.
Theme Music
Rex’s first number with Meredith is Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land.
Mirror Universe
While the character does not appear in the canon Mirror Universe episodes, there is no reason why he can’t exist there.
Jason Collins as Mirror (sort of) Rex (image is for educational purposes)
There is even the possibility that he could get together with Meredith. After all, Empress Hoshi doesn’t like competition from the female members of her crew, but she might be all right with the older engineer, and might not see Porter as a threat.
Quote
“Look, I’m gonna bring my guitar to the Observation Lounge every day this week. And you can listen or sing along or just give me the stink eye, whatever you want. Or you can get up and leave the room. And except for you up and leaving, I figure, it’ll be a positive sign. I’ll play, and you’ll do whatever you’re gonna do. And, well, please don’t go.”
Upshot
I like the idea of a shy, reserved tough guy who gets the girl in the end. I think Meredith and Rex will both be back at some point.
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