Boy Swallows Universe is a Netflix series based on the novel by Trent Dalton that follows the life of Eli Bell, a young boy growing up in 1980s Brisbane, Australia. Eli faces many challenges and dangers as he tries to protect his family from the drug lord Tytus Broz, who is responsible for the disappearance of his stepfather, Lyle Orlik. But is Lyle really dead, or is there a chance that he is still alive somewhere? This article will explore the mystery of Lyle’s fate, his character, and the actor who played him.
Lyle’s Disappearance in Boy Swallows Universe Explained
Lyle Orlik is a former drug addict who becomes the boyfriend of Eli’s mother, Frankie, and a father figure to Eli and his brother, Gus. He is kind, generous, and loyal to his family, but he also has a dark side: he works as a heroin dealer for Tytus Broz, along with his best friend, Teddy. Lyle hopes to quit the drug business soon and start a new life with his family, but his plans are shattered when Tytus Broz and his henchman, Iwan Krol, show up at his house one night and kidnap him. They accuse him of stealing drugs from them and selling them on his own. Before they take him away, Lyle writes something in the air to Gus, who is selectively mute and communicates by writing words in the air. Eli, who is also present, does not see what Lyle writes, but he later learns from Gus that it was “QSLG”, which stands for “Queensland State Library Garden”. Eli believes that this is a clue to Lyle’s whereabouts, and he vows to find him and bring him back.
Character analysis
Lyle is a complex and conflicted character who struggles to balance his love for his family and his involvement in the drug trade. He is a good man who made some bad choices, and he tries to redeem himself by getting clean and providing for his family. He is also a brave and protective man who risks his life to save Eli from Iwan Krol, who cuts off Eli’s finger when he refuses to reveal what Lyle wrote in the air. Lyle is a source of inspiration and admiration for Eli, who sees him as a father and a hero. Lyle also has a sense of humor and a playful side, as he often jokes with Eli and Gus and teaches them how to drive.
Connection to Eli and Frankie
Lyle has a strong and loving relationship with Eli and Frankie, despite the fact that he is not their biological father. He treats them as his own family and cares for them deeply. He supports Frankie’s recovery from drug addiction and encourages her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. He also bonds with Eli over their shared interest in journalism and writing, and he gives him a typewriter as a gift. He respects Eli’s intelligence and curiosity, and he trusts him to help him with his drug deliveries. He also loves Gus and tries to understand his silence and his visions. Lyle is the glue that holds the family together, and his disappearance leaves a huge void in their lives.
Eli’s search for Lyle
Eli is determined to find Lyle and rescue him from Tytus Broz, even if it means putting himself in danger. He follows the clue of “QSLG” and goes to the Queensland State Library Garden, where he finds a red phone booth that connects him to Tytus Broz. He pretends to be Lyle and asks for his location, but Tytus Broz does not fall for his trick and hangs up on him. Eli then decides to infiltrate Tytus Broz’s mansion by posing as a journalist and interviewing him for a newspaper. He hopes to find Lyle there, or at least get some information from Tytus Broz. However, he discovers something much more horrifying: Tytus Broz is a serial killer who collects the body parts of his victims and preserves them in his underground bunker. Among the gruesome trophies, Eli finds Lyle’s severed head, confirming his worst fear: Lyle is dead.
Lyle’s Fate in Boy Swallows Universe
Lyle’s death is a tragic and shocking twist in the story, and it has a profound impact on the characters and the plot. It also raises some questions and themes that are explored in the series.
Evidence of his death
The main evidence of Lyle’s death is his preserved head, which Eli finds in Tytus Broz’s bunker. Eli recognizes Lyle’s face, his hair, and his tattoo, and he is overcome with grief and anger. He also finds a note from Tytus Broz that says “Lyle Orlik, 1986, heroin thief”. This confirms that Tytus Broz killed Lyle for stealing drugs from him and selling them on his own. Eli also learns from Teddy that Lyle had hidden some of the stolen drugs in a secret room in his house, and that he had planned to use the money to buy a house for his family. This shows that Lyle had a motive and a means to betray Tytus Broz, but it also reveals his love and sacrifice for his family.
Impact on characters
Lyle’s death affects the characters in different ways, depending on their relationship with him. For Eli, Lyle’s death is a devastating loss that motivates him to seek justice and revenge. He decides to expose Tytus Broz’s crimes to the public and to make him pay for what he did to Lyle and to his family. He also tries to honor Lyle’s memory by following his advice and pursuing his passion for writing. He writes a book about his life and his quest to find Lyle, which becomes a bestseller and a source of inspiration for many people. For Frankie, Lyle’s death is a heartbreaking blow that shatters her hopes and dreams. She falls into a depression and a relapse, and she blames herself for Lyle’s fate. She feels guilty for getting him into drugs and for not being able to save him. She also feels lonely and abandoned, and she seeks comfort in Teddy, who has always loved her and who was Lyle’s best friend. For Gus, Lyle’s death is a mystery that he tries to solve with his visions. He believes that Lyle is still alive somewhere, and that he can communicate with him through the red phone. He also thinks that Lyle has a message for him, and that he can help him in some way. He is reluctant to accept the truth, and he clings to his hope and faith.
Martyrdom in Eli’s mind
Lyle’s death also creates a martyrdom in Eli’s mind, as he idealizes Lyle and his role in his life. He sees Lyle as a hero, a father, and a legend, and he tries to emulate him and to live up to his expectations. He also feels a connection with Lyle that transcends death, and he believes that Lyle is watching over him and guiding him. He uses Lyle’s head as a symbol of his courage and his justice, and he carries it with him as a reminder of his mission and his love. He also writes a book about Lyle, which immortalizes him and his story, and which makes him a part of history and culture.
The Actor Behind Lyle’s Character
Lyle’s character is played by Travis Fimmel, an Australian actor and former model. He is best known for his role as Ragnar Lothbrok in the History Channel television series Vikings, and as Anduin Lothar in the live-action adaptation of Warcraft. He also starred in the HBO Max science fiction series Raised by Wolves.
Travis Fimmel’s portrayal of Lyle
Travis Fimmel delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Lyle, capturing his complexity and his charisma. He portrays Lyle as a man who is torn between his love and his loyalty, his goodness and his darkness, his dreams and his reality. He also shows Lyle’s humor and his warmth, his bravery and his vulnerability, his wisdom and his flaws. He makes Lyle a relatable and sympathetic character, who wins the audience’s affection and admiration. He also creates a strong chemistry with the other actors, especially with Ed Oxenbould, who plays Eli, and with Emma Booth, who plays Frankie. He makes Lyle a vital and memorable part of the story, and he makes his death a shocking and emotional moment.
Other projects and appearances
Travis Fimmel has been active in the film and television industry since 2002, when he appeared in the music videos for Janet Jackson’s song “Someone to Call My Lover” and Jennifer Lopez’s song “I’m Real”. He then studied acting with Ivana Chubbuck, and he landed his first role in the TV series Tarzan, where he played the title character. He also appeared in other TV shows, such as Rocky Point, Southern Comfort, The Beast, Chase, and The Killing. He made his film debut in 2008, in the thriller Restraint, where he co-starred with Stephen Moyer. He then appeared in other films, such as Ivory, Surfer, Dude, Needle, The Experiment, The Baytown Outlaws, Harodim, Maggie’s Plan, Lean on Pete, Finding Steve McQueen, and Dreamland. He is currently working on several upcoming projects, such as Die in a Gunfight, El Tonto, Zone 414, and Cocaine Bear.
Conclusion
While Lyle’s death comes as a brutal blow, it serves as a pivotal point in the narrative. It propels Eli on his journey of self-discovery and exposes the darkness lurking beneath the seemingly idyllic facade of their town. In his absence, Lyle’s memory continues to shape the characters’ lives, reminding them of the complexities of love, loss, and the pursuit of truth.
