(S01E12) What an absolutely spectacular show. It's going to be a shame if Michael C. Hall doesn't get the Golden Globe because he certainly deserves it. It's funny because at the beginning of the season I said I was going to have a hard time picturing him as anything other than part of the Six Feet Under ensemble. Now that season one of Dexter has come and gone, I can't imagine how Hall ever played the role of David Fisher for five seasons because this is the show I associate him with. He owns this role.
The finale picked up right where last week left off, as Rudy (or should I say Brian?) took Deb out to sea, only to throw her into a gas-powered raft and head back inland. But Dexter, not one to sit around, was quick to find Rudy's clues and figure out where his sister was being held. From the lyrics of "Born Free" by Andy Williams to the Barbie at Rudy/Brian's apartment wearing a "Home Sweet Home" apron, everything pushed Dexter towards finding out where he came from. Where he was born.
Initially, this led Dex to the ship yard and the precise container where his mother was butchered. In the only flashback that Harry was in, we saw him pull Dexter from the container, covered in blood. Once Dexter snapped out of his little daydream, Doakes was right in front him. He had followed him to the shipyard. Now the sergeant has been on Dexter all season; he's always suspected him of something. Even at the end of the episode, he followed Dexter as he visited Rita. Best guess seems to be that Doakes' suspicion will play a major part in the next season, as he seems convinced that Dexter had something to do with Deb and Rudy/Brian.
Here's a tiny problem I had with the episode. After Angel wisely found Rudy's records at the county psych ward, the team determined that his real name was Brian Moser (give yourself a pat on the back if you were on the "they're brothers" bandwagon). If they could figure that out so easily, then what was stopping LaGuerta, or anyone, from reading his whole file and realizing that he had a murdered mother and a brother? I know Harry sealed the documents of the Laura Moser's murder, but there still had to be something that listed family relations. I just had trouble with no one making the connection between Dexter and his new found brother. Seems like that should be easy to stumble upon. It actually would have made sense for Lt. Pasquale (who apparently isn't going to be a pain in the ass) to make the connection and not realize it because she's unfamiliar with department personnel. That way it would still be waiting to be discovered sometime next season. Although, I suppose it still could be.
Whatever, moving on. The entire set-up of Paul trying to sway Rita all episode was very well done. It's almost as if she refuses to believe that she may be in a bad relationship again. But between Paul's endless insistence that Dexter set him up, to the visit from Paul's NA sponsor vouching for him, to Rita' discovery of Paul's shoe (after he told her about it), the seed of doubt has been planted. This just sets up a confrontation between Rita and Dexter next season. She's stronger now and I don't think she'll hesitate in bringing it up.
Then, of course, there was the family reunion. Dexter's arrival at his childhood home (now owned by Rudy/Brian) was very cool as he recalled a day when he, his brother, and his mother played hide-and-go-seek in the front yard. Anyone else notice Laura's multi-colored fingernails? That's where it all comes from. Even from the very first kill, Dexter's brother was trying to get him to remember his past.
As I and many others speculated, Brudy (I'm merging the names) really had only two options: kill Dexter or convince him to join forces. Looks like Team Moser was what he always had in mind though. As far making Deb their first victim, it made sense. Brudy was just jealous of the life that Dexter got and killing Deb was the symbol of that life dying. Dexter's decision to set Brudy's death up as a suicide made sense, too. Nothing crazy, just logical. It was all really well written. How great was Dexter's set up to catch him though? "Your work is so good, you even fooled yourself."
Some of the revelations that came up with were really well thought out, too. Dex was so torn up about killing his own flesh and blood, so much so that he admits it was the first time he ever wanted to let someone go. I especially liked Brudy's belief that you can either be a killer or a hero. You can't be both. I beg to differ. I'm a big Dexter Morgan fan, I do appreciate his work, and I can't wait to see what's in store for him in season two.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
12-18-2006 @ 9:53AM
Devin said...
wow. great season....I really hope season 2 doesn't dissapoint
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12-18-2006 @ 9:53AM
dtpollitt said...
Fantastic season. The Doaks & Dexter head-butting next season is going to step up a notch, too, I think. I could have sworn I read on Ask Ausillo that Deb was going to die and I couldn't believe it. Good thing that didn't come true!! I wonder if next season is going to be another serial type killer or individual cases. I loved the overarching story this season. Good job Showtime, you hooked me in with Dexter, I've already Netflixed Sleeper Cell.
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12-18-2006 @ 9:54AM
Merry Jo said...
I think I will read both books now...at least the first, while waiting for Season 2. I am hooked! This Drama was intoxicating! I wished I had taped all episodes now. I loved the painted fingernail scene of his Mother. The finale was excellent as it wrapped everything up without your typical 'Cliffhanger'. It makes you want more DEXTER for the sheer entertainment of watching Michael C. Hall. I imagine I will hear 'his' voice when I read Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Bravo to Mr. Hall and Showtime and Thank You Brighthouse for providing us with DVD recording!
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12-18-2006 @ 9:54AM
jwsuro said...
actually ausillo said a sibling would die ... an he did.
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12-18-2006 @ 9:54AM
radwimp said...
Awesome finale. Totally surpassed my expectations! I liked how they played the brother thing out, when the theory first started I wasn't too hot with the idea but in the end it was fantastic. RIP Rudy, possibly the best 'villain' ever.
Loved the scene right at the end, hilarious.
Now I can finally buy the book!
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12-18-2006 @ 9:54AM
Mattias said...
That was a fantastic finale of a fantastic first season of a fantastic show. Showtime has a diamond on their hands with this one. Could be a break for Showtime who has been standing the shadow of HBO for a long time...
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12-18-2006 @ 9:54AM
Allen said...
Anyone know how closely the show followed the book? And isn't there a second book for the second season to follow?
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12-18-2006 @ 9:58AM
Rufus said...
The second book is "Dearly Devoted Dexter". The third book "Dexter in the Dark" will be out August 2007.
I've read both books and I knew there would be changes and know that any show based on a book can be a letdown. In the case of Dexter that isn't true, if anything the series is better than the books as there is more character development as in the case of Rita's husband Paul...he doesn't exist in the book but made for great tension in the series. The finale leaves us with something from the books, Doakes becoming Dexters shadow. Let's call it like attracting like...;)
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12-18-2006 @ 9:58AM
Dottore said...
Did anyone else worry that, while she was lying there, Deb was awake and hearing the discussion between the two of them? I did, but apparently she didn't hear any hint that the two were brothers or that Dexter kills people.
What a relief.
Anyway, next season Doakes may catch on. We'll see.
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12-18-2006 @ 9:58AM
dex said...
incredible show, just amazing and so unpredictable ending
it was unexpected, I thought Dex would kill Deb and unite with Brudy
I wonder what season 2 is going to be about, hope it will be as good as this one
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12-18-2006 @ 9:58AM
ooda said...
God damn, what a fucking great episode. It was harrowing seeing that tear come from Rudy as he realised Dexter was going to kill him, as just like Dexter, he is devoid of emotion, and it killed him knowing that the only person he ever had a connection with was going to take his life.
On a side note, Urbey, in regards to how the post was written, being grammatically correct does not make the resulting text of more worth. I understand being scrupulous if it's related to what was written, but if you're pointing out mistakes in spelling and grammar, then it's a bit pathetic.
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12-18-2006 @ 9:59AM
SJ said...
I can see why Urbey has -2 stars.
Anyway, what a fucking great show. I think it was obvious that it wasn't Deb in Dexter's bed...he's not that sloppy. I let out a slight cheer when Dexter grabbed his neck.
The fact that they were brothers made the most sense, but I always had a bit of hard time believing that since they looked quite different...stupid on my part I guess.
Can't wait for season 2...I'm not sure whether I want to read the 2nd book yet (I'm definitely reading the first one now), since it may spoil the 2nd season a little bit. I can only think of one show which is better than this: The Wire. If the Emmys/Golden Globes ignore this too it would be a travesty.
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12-18-2006 @ 10:13PM
Erick said...
Just a quick comment on the article. He wrote that he had a slight problem with the fact that the police couldn't connect Brian with Dexter. I thought that it was in fact pretty well covered when the lady who handles the records (I forget her name) admittedly destroyed the record at Harry's request in order to protect Dexter.
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12-18-2006 @ 9:59AM
CharlieTown said...
Does anyone know the Name of the Beer Rudy was drinking in front of Dexter.......Green Bottle with a skull....Looked like the last word of the beer's name was "Island" Any clues?
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12-18-2006 @ 9:59AM
az1324 said...
Jekyll Island Lager
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12-18-2006 @ 10:00AM
aribus said...
Although the ending for the Darkly Dreaming Dexter was off a tad, this finale may have been the best of anything on television this season. When the DVD's come out, they are going to sell like hotcakes. I hope that viewers pick up the book to to see the inner workings of Dexter and his "Dark Passenger," and of course the death of another major character that survived in the show.
A+
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12-18-2006 @ 10:00AM
Scott Call said...
Dottore
I think Deb was awake at least during part of it, because although we only saw her eyes open (if I recall) when dexter caught the knife on it's downward plunge, she said something to him afterwards like "You didn't do what he asked"
I think she knows a little more about the situation than she lets on.
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12-18-2006 @ 10:00AM
joedexter said...
Since the book and the show had varying endings of the same story (I won't ruin them here, but certain characters in the book are no longer with us that are still with us in the TV show... and vice versa), i hope that this doesn't confuse viewers / readers going forward as new books are written and the new season comes out. I also hope that Season #2 is not a strict adaptation of Book #2... the Ice Truck Killer storyline made for a great season.... now hopefully the show writers will take the show in a new direction with some new plotlines... after all, with only 3 books existing (and one not even out til summer '07), i'm sure that this show will go more than 3 seasons!
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12-18-2006 @ 10:00AM
Shaft said...
Great Finale!
I'm one of the people who wasn't so sure about Dexter and Rudy being brothers, for a number of reasons.
In Dexter's flashbacks, his mother is saying "Not in front of my baby" giving the appearance that only one child is there. Of course I suppose that could be because it's the way Dexter remembers the event.
I've also said that I didn't think Joe killed Dexter's mother. Going back to what Rudy said: "Maybe he butchered his entire family". Now I wonder, did Joe kill her and get away with it? Is that why Rudy killed Joe?
The scene outside the container was priceless. When Doakes recognized Dexter's skills and realized he wasn't dealing with some ordinary lab geek.
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12-18-2006 @ 10:01AM
Brandon said...
While the finale was great, I do have to say I am a little disappointed. Only because I read the books. I shouldn't be suprised when things like this happen now. Books & film/tv adaptations are like apples & oranges by now. That being said, I do wish they would have done the ending by the book. I didn't mind them developing the characters more for the series, but that's one thing. I am sure anyone who has read it will tell you that the finale of the book had you hanging on the edge of your seat, plus the ending made for a very macarbe & twisted treat. It's very hard not to give it away so I'll stop there & tell you to do yourself a favor & read the book.
Is there anyone else who wishes they had done the end by the book? Just wondering.
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