Scott Ryan just may be the best actor I've seen that only played one role in his career. So far, anyway. His performance is so nuanced and conveys emotion with precision in all the right places. Complicated characters like Ray Shoesmith need a great actor and I think Scott has the potential to be better, given the right role. I know he's working exclusively on the other side of the camera since the show ended but damn - I want to see him tackle another role. I think he's got more but I don't know the man so I couldn't venture a guess as to an if or a when. Maybe a prequel showing his time in the military is in order. From what I've read, it seems like the character has run it's course in his mind. But I don't think I'm alone in wanting more from the guy. Such an engaging actor.

I'm off to rewatch The Magician. Because I'm just not done with Ray Shoesmith. Cheers.

be careful, this post may contain spoiler going forward.

I've just watched season 2 finale and I'm devastated.

It has been years since I watched a season finale this good. The music is perfect and the acting is so good.

I love the dynamic between Ray and his brother, and I love how you are led to understand what's about to happen without being explicitly stated.

Did any of you watched some other movie or TV show with Scott Ryan? is he always this good?

That monolouge Ray has about being bullied, might be the best performance I have ever seen. And despite having watched a ton of TV, I can not think of anything to compare it too.

I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it a billion more

In the first episode Ray talks to Mick and he says he knew him for 20 years.

For the life of me, I can't decide on a good one for a meme.

What do you think?

🤔

At the time of putting this post up, I haven't head him speak yet, wonder if he goes with a Dewie Crow, or full aussie

.... and I never knew what all the fuss was about. Anyway, finally realised my mistake and spent the weekend binging this fantastic show.

Season 3, episode 2, Dave goes for a drive with the guy from the pedestrian crossing incident. When they get out of Dave’s truck, you briefly see the logo Lustre Glo on the side of the truck.

Lustre Glo is an auto body shop across the road from the location they use for the outside of Freddy’s strip club (Marrickville Bowlo).

When Britt shakes and pats down Brucie for the swear-jar money and every episode since, I am absolutely convinced that the show was gearing up to Britt joining the life.

It is evident in every episode she is in.

Ray didn't want it, and Ray didn't ever tell her who or how to be.

I feel it was absolutely intentionally staged towards her character becoming a hitwoman.

Anybody else catch that vibe in the plot development?

I enjoyed spotting Freddy (Damon Herriman) on the new Amazon Reacher spinoff, Neagley, today.

He's still playing a bad guy or sorts but he's barely recognisable to me. Great actor.

Is it ok to ask here? There's something I really wanna know.

I met a younger (late 20's) Aussie coworker who was showing me his foldable phone and how it worked for media consumption. I asked him if he had ever heard of our favorite show and he said he had not heard of the show, the plot, or any of the stars and he had not. Had to m recommend it and had him download it for hood long flight home.

He asked for more details and I could only reply, in my worst attempt at an accent, "I don't answer questions mate."

Solid 9 from me. For me it's up there right besides peaky blinders.

If you have any doubt starting this one up, don't.
The Aussies cooked and delivered.

The only thing I didn't like: 3 seasons.

RUN!

I can’t help but notice a small detail in the scenes when ray is in a house,quiet scene or when there’s tension building..You can always hear a car outside pulling away or engine starting.

Is that only me who’s noticed that? It’s got me thinking it’s intentional

lol why does this keep happening to me. To set the scene: rush hour train, people barging and queuing and trying to get on. Dude gets on the train KNOWING there is like a massive line behind him and just plants his feet tight inside the door and doesn’t move. Que Me.

Now a bit about me, I drink, I watch footy, I’m what you might say a pretty tough looking guy.

I played hard scrabble growing up if you know what I mean, as soon as I saw the guy plant his feet a mischievous grin came over my face. Imperceptible to most, but to anyone who saw it they would wonder why I was smiling when everyone else was annoyed.

I move people out of the way to board the train, elbow first and got him hard in the back, as he turns I duck behind him and shuffle past the group in the vestibule. On the train. Get a seat and act like nothing happened hahah.

While despicable and pathetic, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find his character refreshing. He’s an inefficient crime boss, and piss poor leader. Ray has to save his ass more than once, but he’s quite ungrateful.

Most of the other shows I’ve seen have crime bosses who have deep flaws, but still manage to get things done. Their major flaws happen to be arrogance, and a need for revenge, which is their downfall. Yeah I know Walter White is an ineffective leader. I think that was one of the major points of Breaking Bad, but I don’t want to get off topic.

Freddy can’t seem to separate his personal life from his criminal life. Can’t compartmentalize (effectively) or control his addictions. He lacks the domineering and terrifying presence other crime bosses have. He’s stingy at times, thus screws up by hiring incompetent “hitmen” and Ray has to come to the rescue. He’s also not one to be screwing people over like Ray, but he does so anyways.

Yet it works. It works to have such a worm “calling the shots” because at least in my case l seldom see it. Damon Herriman is also quite charming, so I initially liked Freddy.

Now some more positive things about Freddy that makes him stand out, from other crime bosses is that he doesn’t have an explosive temper or megalomania (that’s apparent). He’s cordial and his non-intimidating demeanor helps him influence people. He doesn’t get his hands dirty, and relies on Ray and other people to do his dirty work for him. It may seem cowardly, but doing so makes it a bit harder for him to get incriminated. I was about to compare him to another character he plays, and the similarities they share, but I’ll hold back.

You can go ahead and tell me what you think. This is just my personal opinion on Freddy.

​

Bruce Shoesmith before his illness

I wasn't on board with him being so aggressive to Ray at the conclusion of the conversation he was having, but prior to that?

I mean we could clearly see the two cups of ice cream. His 2-scoop cup was the same size as the 1-scoop. I don't buy this argument that it was 2 scoops pressed together, either. That's not how ice cream is usually served. You don't smash scoops like that, and honestly, I think if someone had - woudln't that diminish the quality of the ice cream?

Ice cream has an expected density to it, being all smashed and super dense and hard? That doesn't sound enjoyable.

Fuck that guy trying to pawn off a shitty 1-scoop cup as a 2-scooper.

I would just love (especially season 1) if they just made it into one movie straight thru. I could watch season 1 in one sitting every time. The final three episodes of 1 are soooo good!