(S02E03) As if the last two episodes weren't enough to make you realize how great this season's going to play out, Dexter's new foray into "addicts" anonymous is a brilliant storyline. And that it got Doakes off his tail is even better. Could a 12-step program really put a dent into the kind of addiction Dexter suffers from? Perhaps indirectly, it seems.
One thing that's so completely frustrating and, honestly, uninteresting to me is the Lt. Pascal storyline with LaGuerta. Obviously everything can't be about Dexter, and we need to make the other characters human, which is the only purpose I can find for this so far.
Anyway, Dexter is back to his more careful, investigative ways to lock down those deserving of his handywork. What makes this show so unique is how completely despicable Dexter's victims are, making what Dexter does to them seem pale in comparison. Like he said, how many more lives would be gone had it not been for him?
Great scene of the episode was Dexter picking up the SUV (sorry, minivan). Just look at that ample cargo space! Although he's trying to be careful, it was still pretty careless of him to buy that car and appear again later. If that body is somehow found, Dexter's all but completely screwed while this investigation is going on.
As we can see from the investigation of the Bay Harbor Butcher, Deb's better at her job than most give her credit for. She's closing in on who the killer is, which makes me wonder if, in the end, she'll figure out it's Dexter and somehow let him off the hook.
What's the verdict on the mysterious new woman in Dexter's life, Lyla from the meetings? My initial gut reaction is that she herself is a killer or is some sort of masochist. God, or some sort of vampire wannabe. The whole discussion about "the dark passenger" is direct from the books, and I actually knew that's what Dexter was going to utter when she went on with her story of addiction. Oh, and Deb's Rita's reaction upon realizing who Dexter's new sponsor is was perfect.
I'm not sure we were clued in on Dexter's past before as far as his Med school history (top of his class) and that he knows advanced jujitsu. I swear he had a harder time against his brother last season for a person who's skilled in the martial arts.
Dexter said in his speech at the AA meeting that "the mask is slipping." I wonder if part of that really indicates that Dexter wants to stop hiding, that deep down he wants to be caught.
Quote of the episode:
Dexter: "... and I need duct tape. Three or four rolls. Running low on heavy-duty trash bags. When's the last time I sharpened my knives?"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-14-2007 @ 11:47PM
Brian said...
While it is true that everything can't be about Dexter, I always feels that when the show breaks away from his point of view (especially this season with the Lt. subplot), it turns curiously flat. Kind of got this vibe from the 1st season too.
Don't get me wrong. I don't hate this show, far from it. I just feel they need to work in getting out of this hole that turns up in the show every once in a while.
Does anyone else notice this as well?
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10-15-2007 @ 12:29AM
Oreo said...
My problem is if the second season is about Dexter and his killings and someone finding out, what will the later seasons be about?
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10-15-2007 @ 12:57AM
Rick said...
Me and my friend had this theory, that if Doakes was to continuously follow Dexter, soon Dex would find out about that guy Doakes killed in the first season and maybe kill him via the code.
As far as storylines not involving Dexter, I'm okay with it, it doesn't kill the show. I'm actually interested if Pascal gets demoted and if LaGuerta gets her job back. I'm wondering if LaGuerta handles it differently or treats everybody, mainly Deb, like S--t again.
By the way, I'm not sold on Keith Carradine as Agent Lundy. Maybe it's because I still see him as the goofy dad in Complete Savages. I'm sure if I give it a couple more episodes the whole thing wont bother me.
Okay, one last thing...I think you meant Rita instead of Deb when you referred to the reaction to Dexter's sponsor.
Seriously this is the best show on television right now...I'm already dying to see the next episode...
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10-15-2007 @ 1:03AM
Tim said...
I got such a kick out of Doakes showing up at the "AA" meeting and basically letting Dexter slide. I'm curious if Dex and his sponsor will wind up sleeping together? Perhaps a sort of 'I can relate to you' thing that turns physical?
BTW, it was Rita that reacted to Lyla at the end of the episode, not Deb.
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10-15-2007 @ 1:22AM
Blair M said...
I prefer to name the name girl Lilah so as to enforce the reference to Julie Benz' character on Buffy and Angel.
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10-15-2007 @ 1:23AM
Steven Rubio said...
If you're having trouble seeing Keith Carradine in a serious role because of Complete Savages, I recommend the first few episodes of Deadwood. You'll respect Carradine for life after that.
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10-15-2007 @ 3:09AM
Midnight13 said...
Julie Benz's character on "Angel" was Darla. Also this season is rather confusing. The first was all about how the one thing he shares with the killers is that he's got no genuine emotional connections with anyone. Yet this season suggests that he is capable of genuine feelings for Deb and even Rita. That may also mean he has a concious, kind of makes it hard to be a serial killer when you're emotions keep getting in the way.
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10-15-2007 @ 4:14AM
radwimp said...
Ample cargo space, haha.
Lt. Pascal has turned into a really annoying character... at the end of last season she showed promise. I can only hope this entire storyline is for LaGuerta to get her old position back.
I loved the coffee shop scene. Dexter and the new girl speaking of the "Dark Passenger" really gave me chills. I don't think she's another murderer or anything... but there is something about her. Fantastic.
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10-15-2007 @ 6:18AM
Gary said...
It funny about Keith Carradine. I was thinking about his role as long-time serial killer Fundy Funderburke in the mini-series "Chiefs".
I'm a big fan of Keith Carradine - he can do anything...
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10-15-2007 @ 7:58AM
Blair M said...
Oy, I feel completely pwned. Lilah and Darla have a sordid history on Angel but they are not the same. I feel like I should revoke my Angel fan licence or something...
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10-15-2007 @ 10:03AM
BobbyBuz said...
The "changed Rita" is really getting on my nerves. Why is Dexter submitting to her BS demands? He's turning into a real WUSS. How long before he wants no part of her (pun intended)?
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10-15-2007 @ 10:47AM
MacGuffin said...
'Bay Harbor Butcher' seems so insulting to who Dexter is. I'm surprised he hasn't reacted more negatively to that gauche moniker.
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10-15-2007 @ 12:25PM
samodernist said...
I really like this show, but I have a few problems with it. Most of it has to do with the writing and dialouge for the female characters...it is atrocious. Rita and Deb, in particular, have horrible lines written for them in any given show. And Rita's transformation from the whispery, damsel in distress (last season) to the suspicious harpie this season is a bit to abrupt. Also the actress who plays Deb is not very impressive, not to mention that Doakes is becoming a 1 dimesional bully of a cop constantly pestering Dexter - I preferred last season when they had a kind of funny abusive banter with one another. It seems like all the women in this show are truly broken (I know most of the characters are given flaws), but the women really take it on the chin in this show. Maybe the new female character will provide a little strength-hopefully she will have better writing for her as well.
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10-15-2007 @ 2:00PM
Dan said...
This episode was amazing, just like every other one of this show. I thought I was going to miss my 1 hour drama on Sunday nights when the Sopranos ended, but this season of Dexter (and the last one) have eclipsed season 6 of The Sopranos in its ability to keep me on the edge of my seat, to bring up all kinds of philosophical questions and to simply surprise me. I didn't think Doakes would let Dexter off the hook so easily and still feel as if he will continue to pester Dexter throughout the season. My favorite part was the Used-Car salesman being so good at lying and seeing Dexter's astonishment at the ease at which the man would lie. Simply an amazing episode.
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10-15-2007 @ 3:14PM
Doug said...
Dexter didn't pick up an SVU, it was a minivan.
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10-15-2007 @ 6:18PM
Kevinc said...
My first thought about his sponsor is she is going to end up being blamed for the "Bay Harbor Butcher. Don't know why, but as soon as we saw her that popped into my head and it was reinforced with the coffee shop talk.
Rita's transformation makes perfect sense. She is getting support from Dexter (what little he can give) and more importantly he husband is not beating on her any more.
If you've read the books, you know the writers have nothing to base the current LaGuerta storyline upon and it shows. This needs to be resolved sooner rather than later...
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10-15-2007 @ 7:05PM
Joey Geraci said...
While it was an awesome episode, I hope the Doake's suspicion storyline isn't completely over like it looks like it is. Doakes has concrete proof that Dexter has a connection to the Ice Truck killer, and all of the weird aspects of Dexter's life didn't simply go away because he is in NA. As much as this will give Dexter some more freedom, if Doakes simply stops tailing him, I will be disappointed.
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10-15-2007 @ 8:25PM
Joe said...
"My first thought about his sponsor is she is going to end up being blamed for the 'Bay Harbor Butcher'."
That's exactly what I thought, let's hope we were on the money!
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10-16-2007 @ 4:33AM
Ruth said...
I’m enjoying Rita’s transformation into Demanding Harpy this season. Watching Dexter kowtow (clumsily yet endearingly) to her demands somehow balances out how powerful he is stalking and killing “his chosen”. Love the elevator scene when Dexter has to stick his forearm thru the closing elevator doors – nice reference to Season 1 DVD cover.
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10-16-2007 @ 10:11AM
Ari said...
I knew Lundy looked familiar but wow!! i didn't realize that was Wild Bill Hickok- one of the best characters in a truly great show.
A lot of the acting besides Michael C. Hall has never been great, i.e Deb and Doakes have always been poor characters, and once you get used to the realism of HBO shows like Sopranos Deadwood and the Wire it takes time to adjust. However its the story line, a Shotime theme shared with Weeds that truly makes these shows great. The right scene is always in the right place, it shocks you, makes you laugh, really excellent shows.
and finally, Pascal has got to go. Compare her when she first arrived and the reputation it came with, to the current form of her character. It doesnt jive at all. The writers probably didnt know what to do, but need to write her off. Laguerta was better in the role.
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