In an episode packed with chases and gunfights, the standout moment was actually a quiet scene between Reyka and Nandi. With tour de force performances from Kim Engelbrecht and Thando Thabethe, the scene cannot have failed to bring tears to the hardest of hearts. In celebration of their amazing performances, we’re breaking down this moment so you can appreciate the poignancy of the writing and every detail of their performances.
Watch the scene below:
The scene is brief and confined to one setting, yet so much happens. It gives us time to consider who the serial killer (or killers?) could be before seamlessly segueing into a conversation about Reyka’s past that adds depth to both characters and brings them closer.
A working relationship has already been established between Reyka and Nandi, but there is a personal note as evidenced in earlier episodes when Nandi asks after Thuli. But as is typical for colleagues, their talk mostly revolves around talking shop, which is what they’re doing at the start of the scene.
The segue happens with Nandi bringing up Speelman. Since this is a difficult topic there is clearly hesitation and tension from Reyka, but at all times Nandi is gentle and sensitive yet always honest. She is sympathetic but not indulgent, evidenced by Nandi questioning why Reyka stills visits Speelman. However, her question is never meant in judgement, which is clear from her approach as well as the actual words: “I won’t judge”.
When we’re nervous we often laugh, sometimes to cover up what we’re feeling. Here we see Reyka do something similar. She wants to laugh because the conversation is making her nervous, but also feeling that laughter may not be appropriate it comes out as a tense pulling of the lips.
Nandi’s sympathy is evident in the slight tilt of her head, and you can see how the conversation is affecting her too by the nervous swallow in her throat. We’re all familiar with that lump in the throat when we’re about to cry, but Nandi wants to stay strong for Reyka and swallows the lump to ward off tears.
Reyka is trying to do much the same through nervous laughter and shrugs, which also point to her battle to find the words to express what is so difficult to say out loud. While Nandi has a lump in her throat, Reyka has tear-rimmed eyes: those inadvertent tears you don’t even realise are forming.
Once Reyka says the difficult, almost-taboo words that Speelman was her first love Nandi nods, affirming that, like she said moments before, she’s not judging. Reyka nods too as if confirming that maybe this is the first time she’s ever admitted it out loud.
And then she changes the subject with a word that is basically another way of saying “moving right along”: anyway. Nandi accepts this and does not push the matter further, highlighting that she’s not asking for juicy gossip, she’s asking so that Reyka knows she has a friend.
The scene invests us in the characters even further and in their relationship with one another. Considering how much and how closely Reyka and Nandi work together, and that their work can be dangerous, it ups the stakes even more any time they head out into the field.
Make sure not to miss the next episode of Reyka on Sunday 15 August at 20:00 on M-Net channel 101.