If you have followed the Michael Files this far you will have read over 36,000 words dedicated to Roy’s portrayal of Michael - a drop in the ocean compared with everything that has been written on this fascinating subject. You may not always have agreed with our opinions, but they are, after all, only our opinions. Like Operations, we set the highest of standards for Michael, judging him against these, rather than what we might expect from ordinary performers. On 13 occasions, we awarded Roy only 2 golden bullets, defined as an ‘average’ TV performance. Over four years of exhaustive effort, not to mention variable material, this is quite a feat. Compare this with the no fewer than 29 occasions when he achieved the exceptional 5. Although half of these 5’s were earned under the direction of either Jon Cassar or René Bonniere, Roy’s performances seemed more related to opportunities provided by the script than to the director’s influence. He rose to Michael Loceff’s material above all and, though Robert Cochran had fewer scripts, his were equally inspirational. Season opening arcs were consistently top rate, as were the finales.

From the 91 episodes in which Michael appeared we have a staggering 26.9 hours of screen time. Whether we continue to enjoy these as fuzzy, failing video tapes, or whether the enormous efforts to influence the production of DVDs succeed in offering us a sharper, permanent alternative, we shall always have this massive legacy to revive our memories. And to be sure, Roy’s Michael exists not just in those 27 hours of screen time, but for as long as we want in our imaginations. That’s what made Michael so much more than simply a good-looking action hero in a relatively obscure TV series. In these times, maybe we shouldn’t be idolising the guy with the gun, whatever the cause, but Michael’s uniqueness places him far above politics.

For many of us, Michael has taken us to places that TV has never taken us before. Into a whole new world of debate, camaraderie, inspiration and aspirations. Through Michael we have also found Roy, who in turn has enhanced our experiences of another culture, another language, another view of the world. We may still have to put up with the raised eyebrows of friends and family, but we know we are the better for it. As an actor, Roy, through Michael, has served us well. We may move on, but we will always be grateful for the experience..