Fred Baumann

I strive to give objective, unbiased reports of TV and movies, but not this time. I've been an unrepentant fan of Mr In-Between since I first saw it a year ago on FX. I have twice watched the first two seasons, first as they arrived (in no particular order); the second time as they were originally broadcast (which made far sense and added considerable impact). The subject is the midlife odyssey of Australian army veteran turned mid-level criminal goon Ray Shoesmith (brilliantly played and written by Scott Ryan), as he tries with considerable difficulty to walk the line between family man and hit man, often in adjacent minutes in the show. Believable, interesting characters fill both worlds; each show can touch your heart and toss you off a 30-foot parapet. Whatever expectations my meager thumbnail suggests, prepare to have them far exceeded --- or blown all to hell --- in every 30-minute episode. In truth, most recent US movies and about all 1-hour shows (including the few I like) deliver less story, drama and character than this one from Down Under. If the third season that just premiered on May 25 is the first you've seen of Mr Inbetween, do yourself a favor by recording but not watching the eight 2011 episodes until you have recorded the first two seasons (which I believe are still appearing now on FX or FX on Hulu or both). However good they are, the 4-1/2 hours of shows this season (the final season according to Ryan, who must have many profitable projects to go on to now) will mean much more if you know the 8-1/2 hours that preceded them. BTW, unless you grew up speaking Australian, you might want to turn on the closed captions for clarity, to keep you from falling in the dunny while you're eating your dimmies. Enjoy the show!