Mr Inbetween: A Deep Dive Into Ray Shoesmith’s Code of Ethics

Most TV anti-heroes are exhausting. They spend six seasons whining to therapists, making excuses for their body counts, or monologuing like they’re auditioning for theater class. Walter White claimed he did it for his family. Tony Soprano blamed his mother.

Ray Shoesmith doesn’t have time for the psychological gymnastics. And he’s definitely not looking for your sympathy.

When Mr Inbetween dropped on FX, it blew everything else out of the water because it didn't try to fake anything. Ray is just a blue-collar guy whose day job happens to involve a shovel, a body bag and zero hesitation. But he isn't a monster. He’s a protective dad, a loyal friend and a guy carrying the heavy weight of taking care of his family without crying about it. He operates on a strict, simple code of respect. You treat people right, you’re fine. You act like a jackass, block the sidewalk, or threaten someone he loves? Ray fixes the problem. Quickly.

He doesn’t apologize, he doesn’t look back  and he definitely doesn’t answer questions.

He’s the best-written character on TV because he is completely comfortable in his own skin. Ray says and does the exact things the rest of us wish we could say and do when we're dealing with the absolute worst parts of society. He is the ultimate, unfiltered reality check.