Abby's red dress [spoilers]

In my opinion I think Tom wanted Neil to see that Neil has a wife who looks like that and he still was foolish enough to have affair behind her back. In other words, why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home.

That's the way I took it.


Vonnie

Tom's strategy depends heavily on keeping his victims totally off balance: not knowing WHAT he's going to do next... Not knowing WHY he's doing what he's doing. That requires Neil and Abby to EACH be victimised. If Abby isn't targetted by Tom, then there's a greater chance that Neil will discover that Abby's Tom's willing collaborator rather than a fellow "victim". Conjurors call this practice "Misdirection": drawing your attention to one thing so that you're NOT looking at something else.

And dont forget the whole sexual thing when puting on the dress, a taste of another man touching your wife.

Also the discussion is important where Tom Ryan claims it has been a long time ago that she felt so alive, so exited. This off course because she had been the stay-at-home wife.