That shot unfortunately is one of those that look really neat in the episode but doesn't work at all when still, unfortunately.

TvTome has the story about Baccarin being cast the last possible moment (audition Monday, contract Tuesday, start of filming Wednesday), but says that the originally intended actress was Rebecca Gayheart, not Iyari Limon. Not that it matters, Baccarin turned out better than I think either of those two would have.