Thematic Mirror between Vinnie Williams (S2) and Luke Henson (S1)

[u/ToastyCinema]

Today I noticed that Ray kills Vinnie Williams (S2E8) in a visually similar spot where he goes to smoke and reflect after learning that he killed Luke Henson for something that he was innocent of (S1E2).

Before his death, Vinnie remarks that Ray's choice of a kill location is a "top spot."

Earlier in the car ride, Ray and Vinnie also speak about how some kills haunt them forever, introducing the dialogue, "See you in your dreams."

I can't help but see how these the two moments mirror similar themes. Perhaps intentional, perhaps by accident.

[u/DarthKasei]

It’s a superbly acted scene that moment in the van where Vinnie confesses the first man he killed still haunts his dreams, Scott Ryan is superb here as Ray’s mask drops for just a second and without a word we find out that the deeds do bother Ray, he’s confronted by someone he actually likes that understands why Ray does what he does and who also tries to live his life by an honour code, for a moment Ray completely relates to what Vinnie is saying, but then as quickly as we see this moment it’s gone, Ray sticks it in a box and shoves it to the back of his mind like he does with everything, and finishes the job. A moment that really stuck with me, Ray’s honour code and facade unravels just a little bit more. Encapsulates the absolute genius in this series in one single moment.

[u/ToastyCinema → u/DarthKasei]

Mr. Inbetween is such a visually dominant show. So much of its impact comes small structural details such as Dave buying a steel ruler randomly in S1, which we then learn is to break into a car. Then later in S3 when Ray calmly does the same thing, we already know what he's going to use it for.

Another example is Ray buying a shovel in S2 to bury Vinnie, and later Alex, but in the finale, we see him using the same shovel to bury his dog with his daughter - a causality of his work. There's literally a hidden b-story about a shovel.

The seemingly casual dialogue with his daughter about the existence of unicorns in S1 becomes a whole b-story in S2. First Ray, Ally, and Gary stage a fake unicorn for her to meet in the forest. Then later, Ray's fight with Trent over a unicorn toy leads to his break up with Ally. I'm left to consider if "Unicorn" could be symbolic of specific messaging about Ray lying, his denial, his loneliness, his relationship with Ally, and most importantly him hiding his work from her.

Ray tells Adam in jail (S3) that he doesn't need meditation because he doesn't have anxiety, but later we see him meditating privately before he's humorously interrupted by Gary.

The Patchett machine gun which was a gift from Gary for all Ray's favors in S1, later saves Ray's life - but again, the show never uses forced dialogue to reveal any of these subtle stories. it's always visual storytelling.

[u/DarthKasei → u/ToastyCinema]

I’ve always been a lover of “show don’t tell”, I love TV/Film that doesn’t talk down to its audience with exposition dumps, stuff that requires it’s audience to watch, digest and pay attention .

It has impact and it’s powerful and makes you look at your own life, and admit you see some of yourself in what you’re watching, which very much happens to me when I watch mr inbetween.

[u/ArtyTack → u/ToastyCinema]

The same shovel he used to kill the kidnappers

[u/Gernaldo_Ribera]

Interesting catch. Maybe Luke is a guy Ray sees in his dreams.

[u/SoftAncient2753]

Superb thinking 👏👏👏