This season of Dexter has the most share of downs than seasons past, so much so that it's actually turned the audience against the strife and struggles of their longest running characters. But whoever thought that one of them would be sweet, lovable Rita? Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker said in his most recent review at his "Watching TV" blog that the three things he wouldn't miss are the Batista/Laguerta relationship, Quinn's touchy relationship with a scoop hungry reporter and Rita, played by Julie Benz.
His issue isn't with Benz's performance, but he said he feels "dubious" about the fixes that have to be made to Dexter and Rita's relationship. All this talk of working out issues could turn an edgy show about a body chopping serial killer into an episode of The View with less screaming and violence.
The critic has spoken. What say you?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-27-2009 @ 11:07AM
Ashley Boyd said...
I understand why people may be annoyed with Rita but at the end of the day she keeps finding out her husband is lying to her, she has a reason to be annoyed/suspicious.
Besides, the whole overarcing tension is supposed to be "will he get caught" and as he has already evaded the FBI there's no higher power than a suspicious wife :p
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10-27-2009 @ 11:15AM
MJL said...
Yes, I am "rid of Rita."
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10-27-2009 @ 10:26PM
slutty_whore said...
Rita rid herself of an abusive husband in the earlier seasons, and for her to find out that Dexter is a murderer and used her as a "beard" of normalcy would be too much for her to take. To me, her inevitable growing suspicion and perhaps finding out would rank as excellent a confrontation as Betty/Don on Mad Men.
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11-03-2009 @ 8:41PM
Jitaroo said...
The difference here is, Don actually cheats on her, and he only got "busted" for his deepest secret, which if you think about it doesn't really affect the marriage, especially when Don did it to protect her. Dexter on the other hand kills people. If Rita found out that he was a SERIAL KILLER that would then put her in the position of either a) Not telling anyone, and living with a serial killer and therefor, maybe even meeting Dexter's "Dark Passenger" and then potentially aiding and abetting a crime, or b) turn him into the cops. The stakes are way higher with Dexter.
10-27-2009 @ 11:37AM
Matt said...
"Are you rid of Rita?"
What? That makes little to no sense...
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10-27-2009 @ 11:57AM
Darnell said...
Get rid of Deb. She's worthless.
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10-28-2009 @ 12:21AM
tingrin87 said...
worthless in what sense? a worthless sister? worthless cop?
IMO, she's a very entertaining character, so not "worthless"
10-27-2009 @ 10:03PM
PJ said...
I was done with Rita last season. Its obvious that the writers dont know what to do with her, so they wrote in an surprise pregnancy and then turned her into a nagging shrew. Also, Rita lost her job and then went full on out spending Dexter's money on a stupid dream wedding? It appears it hasnt changed this season.
I like Julie Bentz the actress. However, I have a feeling I will fast forward her parts though when this current season comes out on DVD.
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10-27-2009 @ 11:59AM
adriii in the states said...
I'd get rid of rita too.
I'm annoyed by her since the beginning and the feeling grows stronger every season.
But i understand that she's needed to create Dexter's parenthood conflict (one that i LOVE)
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10-27-2009 @ 12:00PM
XDXJX said...
Shes either gotta go or have some character development away from naggy bitchy wife. I like the actress and her character was appealing in earlier seasons. Now Id just like her to shut up once in a while.
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10-27-2009 @ 12:11PM
Midnight13 said...
I seriously doubt Dexter's love for Rita is going to make the writers do a 360 and not have "Dexter" the show still be about a serial killer. The reporter seems to suggest that's the case. And people say the same thing about Deb, I wonder if there isn't just a bit of misogony in statments like this. Yes these female characters are flawed and have thier issues. Is that not the point? You're not going to like every character in an ensemble show, just deal.
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10-27-2009 @ 12:16PM
LutherMac said...
I love Rita as a character - but there's little to no growth going with her. How many times is she going to catch Dexter either lying or hiding something, and yet just let bygones be bygones.
** POTENTIAL SPOILER - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!! **
On the other hands, with the reveal from the last episode, I think family will come more and more into the picture when comparing himself and his life to Trinity.
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10-27-2009 @ 12:22PM
Willmore2000 said...
Honestly, I hate every single character on the show except Dexter and Trinity. As far as I'm concerned, Dexter should move away from Miami after he kills Trinity.
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10-27-2009 @ 6:59PM
GL said...
You hit the nail on the head. Lundy was sort of interesting as a potential adversary for Dex. Now, there's nothing.
10-27-2009 @ 12:36PM
Melanie said...
To me, there is nothing likable or interesting about the character though I do see why the writers keep her around. Keeps Dexter more 'human', acts as a time filler, etc. So I don't see them getting rid of her. But one can dream, right? lol
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10-27-2009 @ 2:36PM
izikavazo said...
That poll is a little odd, but I'll ignore it.
I would love to be rid of Rita. She just complicates things in boring ways. And it seems like the writers don't even enjoy writing for her, they give her terrible storylines.
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10-27-2009 @ 2:08PM
anti-believer said...
I've already come to conclusion that she will be killed off by Dexter this season because dexter doesn't want to married.
Plus, it will be great to see him escape from that until he is captured in the next season when it will likely end. My opinion.
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10-27-2009 @ 2:51PM
Dennis said...
Would be interesting to see how Dexter would cope with three kids as a widower. Deb is single again so she could move in... oh that would make no difference then...
A jump in the future where astor would show her dark side and Dex trains her after er... cody and rita die in a terrorist attack...
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10-27-2009 @ 3:02PM
Xploited13 said...
@anti-believer: he'd never kill an innocent person. Also, the show is a big hit for Showtime, they're not going to give it up next season.
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10-27-2009 @ 4:38PM
C C said...
Hmm...I wonder if Ken Tucker knows something. I could see them killing off Rita.
I think we need to wait before judging this season. I believe they're methodically laying the groundwork for some major payoffs down the line. For instance, I don't think Trinity killed Lundy. The real shooter made it appear so, using the article on Lundy's hunt for Trinity as a convenient misdirection. The parts that may seem boring and unneccessary now may come into clearer focus.
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