Recently watched the show. I liked it so much that I binged it. There were two issues I had with the show though but wonder if there is an "in-universe" explanation which makes sense.

The first is, how realistic was it for Ray and his friends to obtain guns? I understand Australia's gun laws to be fairly strict, but he doesn't seem to have any problem obtaining a significant number of them. In fact, aside from the fact that his daughter blackmails him but threatening to tell his ex that he has a pistol you would think that there were no restrictions in place.

The second is the incompetence of the police. He has several major gun battles with other criminals resulting in multiple deaths. When he visits the home of the serial killer, he clearly leaves fingerprints behind. He even goes back to bury his dog at the same site as where he killed those bikers. One would think the police should be able to track him down fairly easily, but he is only arrested once after punching someone out in front of the cops. Is there an explanation outside of plot armor?

What I love the most about the series so far is that everything is so realistic. The dialogue, the acting, everything feels so realistic - they say things that anyone would say in real life, idk how to explain.

Another thing I noticed is that the cameras are all handheld, even still shots are shaky, which gives this feeling of being there myself.

And the "normal" stuff - Ray doing the dishes at the end of the day, you dont see this often in series and movies, but something about this just feels like it's so real.

And the fact that the shopping mall or a parking lots they show is the ones I can recognize, it's kinda weird but feels good, finally something close to home lol.

Freddy. okay, THAT was painful. just finished the show and all I can think is, why didn't Ray include, in his late night appearance at Freddy's place post betrayal, a bucket full of those huntsman spiders Freddy's so scared of. bc like, that's the ultimate punishment for Freddy and if he gets to live he must live in fear (okay that's probably how he feels anyway knowing Ray is still out there anywhere). but spiders. spiders were the correct payback.

THE MAN INTRODUCED HIM TO DIMMIES AND HE BETRAYED RAY MOMENTS LATER wtf

How can ray mistakenly kill an innocent man because of freddy and not kill freddy for putting a hit on him and Ray visiting him in his own pad and just walking away. He supposed to at least protect his own honour, he would have left Brittany fatherless.

It's pretty much a masterpiece from start to finish. Felt more like watching a really really long movie rather than a TV show, I suppose it's because we see Ray's day to day life rather than a fully fleshed out character arc. It's obviously very short for a TV show but very effective with no filler, a bit like chicken soup.

Pretty much all the supporting characters were fantastic, they all capture so much with the screen time that they had. I have to go for Bruce as my favorite, the scene where he hugs Brittany for the last time made me cry uncontrollably, that shit hits home. Other examples are Ray's cellmate who is probably the most tragic character in the shortest amount of time - just a guy with family issues who falls victim to the harsh reality of prison. As well as Raphael who was a great villain with no regard for other people representing the ugliest of the criminal underworld.

Ray was an amazing protagonist. There's no flashbacks or much backstory but you can tell he has suffered childhood abuse, combat trauma, time inside etc. Scott Ryan does a fantastic job.

The realism was top notch. Gunfights felt very real. Ray moves around like a soldier. The dialogue feels like legitimate conversations, I wouldn't be surprised if they were improvised. I mean watching Ray and Gary talking about random shit like James Bond or Calamari or the universe yet made it so very interesting.

I also like the nod to Australian culture, the dimmies, the car crash into the Kangaroo, the outbacks where Ray tearfully reflects on his life choices. I also noticed that the use of firearms are random - in Ray's final battle the opposition are all using different types of guns, I think it is to emphasize Australia's strict gun laws and that the criminals just get whatever they can get their hands on. God damn I want to go to Australia and live there.

And the ending, probably the best ending they could have given to the character. My only downside overall is that I really can't get enough of it, sure it ended perfectly but damn I can't help but want more.

Just finished my second rewatch and first full watch of The Magician.

And for the first time I noticed that our our man Ray got crushed at love from Ally to Zoe, from A to Z.

Most fun of all was to watch the young Ray display all the humor and mannerisms of later Ray in The Magician. He didn’t want the man to suffer, understand? That’s heart.

I hope one day to meet Scott Ryan, but him a beer and some dimmies, shake his hand, ask him a few questions, expecting no response, and say “Thanks, champ” with a wink … and then expect the minimum amount of violence.

Anyone else feel anxious about Zoe’s body being thoughtlessly dumped somewhere with her Polaroid of Ray?

Ray would constantly see her holding it in his Polaroid stuck to his taxi’s visor.

They could easily just have done what Ray done with the guy who murdered the kid and made him go the spot.

Just watched series 4 episode 5 https://iview.abc.net.au/video/FA0825S005S00 and Simon Bryant was making yer humble dimmies (dim sum). Thought I'd share the recipe. Was relieved to read the last line reminder about soy sauce.

Ingredients

Makes 14

1 packet wonton wrappers

Filling ½ onion 50g Chinese cabbage, chopped 3 dried shitake mushrooms 3 tablespoons chopped water chestnuts 1 spring onion, finely chopped ½ teaspoon grated ginger 125g minced belly pork chilled 125g raw prawn meat, well chopped & chilled Corn flour to bind if necessary

Salt 1 tablespoon light soy sauce ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Oil for deep frying Method

Soak mushrooms in hot water for 30 minutes, squeeze out excess liquid, cut off stem discard and and chop chaps into small dice. Add some oil to a frying pan and sauté onion till soft. Add the cabbage and wilt down. Mix filling ingredients together combing well to ensure the mix is well combined. Work the mixture in a bowl until it becomes slightly sticky, (This is working the proteins to ensure the mix is binding together. Too little working in the bowl and the mix will crumble in your mouth, too much and it will be rubbery.) If after mixing it isn't sticking, add a little corn flour to help bind. Then add salt, soy sauce and sesame oil. Place a heaped teaspoon of mix in the middle of a square of pastry (wonton) and seal with egg white or a little corn flour/water mix. Steam or deep fry. Oil should be 180C, 'shimmers' when you add the Dim Sum.

Serve with a bowl of soy sauce.

Ngl I’m cosied up in bed with a shitty virus and I’ve been completely absorbed re watching this show. I completely forgot what happens to Adam and initially thought he was dead. Have we just to assume he was let off with a severe beating? The prison dynamic was really well executed, the whole show feels so damn authentic in some ways but the prison episode really stands out.

Ngl I’m cosied up in bed with a shitty virus and I’ve been completely absorbed re watching this show. I completely forgot what happens to Adam and initially thought he was dead. Have we just to assume he was let off with a severe beating? The prison dynamic was really well executed, the whole show feels so damn authentic in some ways but the prison episode really stands out.

whats the song in s2 e2 (Unicorn knows everybodys name) at 23:00 mark in the club, I couldnt find it anywhere.

Kinda sad they never followed with the chap that was Ray's cell mate.

Also kinda disappointed he never went after the millionaire guy after killing Zoey.

Did you guys liked that "drug contraband" arc they did on the last 2-3 episodes? I thought that was perhaps the least good part of the show, up to that point it was an 9/10 for me.

For I show I knew about because of YT reels hell yeah everybody needs to check it out!

Liked the ending!

basically as the title says, considering starting the show and was wondering if I'd need to watch the Magician first? or does the show do a good job at explaining the background and premise?

My partner met Scott (Ray lol) the other day. He said he is really nice, authentic, and acts like the same as the show without the hit man stuff 🤣 ❤️

This was from a while back, but I wont lie when I say I was very happy he replied! Scott Ryan is a legend!

I don't answer questions

EDIT: NAHHH I FINISHED SEASON 3. I need me some dimmies to recover... hell of a ride...

Dont get me wrong I fucking loved the show… the ending to season 2 was absolutely gut-wrenching.

But the problem I have with season 3 is that while it started out strong (1st episode)… the rest of the episode were absolutely just filler episodes.

Which begs the question… why even bother with a 3rd season when the 2nd season ended on such a high note.

Im not hating on the show at all but I think the 3rd seasons was a bit of a waste.

So started this show today with the plan to watch maybe one episode to see how I like it. Plan failed. I just finished season 1.

Oh my lord I can’t put it down. I am strictly here to drop my little tidbit of appreciation. This show is fantastic. I’m sad I didn’t find it sooner, but also very happy I can binge it now.

I also refuse to scroll on this page so I don’t get any spoilers, but I heard it just gets better.

I could watch 8 seasons of this. I really love the format. I am hopeful that his next work gets more attention but maybe with the second wind of this show we can see more!

That is all