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RSSWild Bill rides onto 'Dexter'
There was some moderate concern after the Dexter season premiere (from readers, not from me, since I've seen the season's first four episodes) that TV's most loveably prolific serial killer might have lost his touch. Hopefully Sunday's (Oct. 7) episode will allay those fears.
[Spoilers coming.]
When last we left our hero, Dexter had forgotten how to kill. Amidst a sea of sexual inadequacy parallels -- he had "performance anxiety," which rendered him unable to "seal the deal" -- he'd been incapable of offing Little Chino, a man who certainly deserved to be killed just a wee bit. This week's episode was about Dexter learning to think like a killer again, a process that included several of the usual flashbacks with James Remar, but more importantly required the hallucinated return of Christian Camargo's Rudy. Camargo's appearance caused minor pangs, given how important his Ice Truck Killer was to the show's exceptional second half last season.
In addition to the visits from his past, Dexter got a peek at his future, or at least his new adversary, Special Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine), the rock star investigator responsible for solving the Green River Killer and D.C. Sniper cases. [Sorry, I need to digress... Criminal Minds did the same thing this week with a fictional cop who'd worked the Dahmer case. There were actual law enforcement officers responsible for working those famous cases. Should this TV appropriation bother me?] In the face of such a notorious crimefighter, particularly one trying to be a team player ("This will not be a jurisdictional circle jerk," Lundy announced. "This will be a shining example of two agencies working together for the common good.") with all of the show's pre-existing supporting characters, Dexter recognized he needed to get his head in the right place.
As Dexter explained things to Little Chino after overcoming several missteps to get the thug in the proper vulnerable position, "I'm not so much doing this *to* you as I'm doing it *for* me." We all take different paths to self-actualization.
Dexter may have been feeling extra unhinged because his house, his fortress of solitude, has been overrun by his emotionally vulnerable sister Deb. What we have is the most fruitful off-kilter use of the Odd Couple formula since doctors House and Wilson sent a quarter-of-a-season as roommates in the second season of House . She's sloppy, while he's got OCD. She's still getting over the killer she wanted to marry, while he's still getting over the serial killer he wanted to befriend. She solves homicides, while he commits them ("I will not kill my sister... I will not kill my sister..."). And don't worry, their awkward dynamic will get worse in episodes to come.
As I mentioned last week, the women are becoming more interesting and complicated on Dexter this season. In addition to Deb's reaction to trauma, we've seen an evolution of Rita over the past two episodes. Would last year's Rita have been so quick to catch Dexter in his lie about planting the drugs on her deceased hubby? Sure, she jumped to the wrong conclusions about him, but that misjudgment will pay immediate dividends.
I'll keep this short to give you readers the chance to sound off, but some other quick thoughts...
How'd this week's episode work for y'all? Reassured that Dexter is every bit the killer he used to be?
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So far the first two episodes are decent, nothing great so i hope it starts to pick up. on a side note, the Yankees WILL win the world series! thats right its a guarantee
i thought this epidose was perfect---can't see how there is anything better on tv right now.
So far I think the first two episodes have been excellent, right on par with the first season. I enjoy watching Dexter and Deb's "Odd Couple" bickering -- very typical of real-life siblings.
The supporting cast is as good as ever, especially Angel's new-age attitude. Also, I laughed when they introduced Carradine as the FBI's "rock star" agent, because I will always remember him as the single dad on "Complete Savages".
The close-ups on Dexter's face were priceless when Rita was telling him that he was a drug addict and needed to go to a 12-step program. You could read the subtle expressions change on Michael C. Hall's face: first guilt, then fear, then relief that Rita thought he was a druggie (instead of a serial killer). :-)
I love this show but am concerned about 2 things that I hope will explain themselves later - Dexter can hide his serial killer tendencies but in 2 seconds cops to setting up Rita's husband and then tells her it was with drugs from the police department evidence locker - this kind of info now gives Rita the power to get him fired.
PS to my prior post - not only could Dexter get fired from his job after his confessions to Rita but I am sure Sgt. Doakes would LOVE to be the one to arrest him for these offenses he admitted committing to Rita.
How much longer can Dexter keep from getting caught? It would seem that it will really take some creative writing to keep Dexter's story from getting unbelieveable.
Rita is such a hot milf. How much longer can she wait before giving up on Dexter for a really satifying relationship with someone else?
I am interested to see how this plays out. The book takes things in a certain direction, and I can see that happening here.
Personally, i loved these first 2 episodes (sorry I downloaded them way back in June...).
And I dug the end...didn't jump out of my seat, but the point was made.
Love the whole Keith Carradine as the FBI 'rock-star' subplot - it will be great watching Dexter squeaking out of the inevitable tightening noose. It's particularly ironic that Keith Carradine played the most prolific serial killer in history last year on Criminal Minds.
I really didn't like Dexter losing his wits and 'confessing' to Rita when he had several ways of squirming out - he was really off his game there. I suspect the writers will use that as semi-comic relief in upcoming episodes but going to a drug-rehab program seems like it would get him fired, doesn't it, particularly with Doakes shadowing him. I'm interested to see how the writers handle what seems to be a plot faux paux...
Just to clarify, Lundy didnt make the statement about jurisdictional circle jerk. That statement was made by the Miami Police captain, and the look on Lundy's face was great. I think what Dexter was hoping for was Rita to dump him with the revelation of his "addiction", and instead she's willing to help him through it. Oops. So far so good this season, still great TV.
Rita IS going to find someone new, and ? normal, to get it on with- Sgt. Doakes.
Doakes will then avenge her ex's death and teach Rita's kids about living as a visible minority.