Dexter“Our Father”
Original Air Date: Sept 28, 2008
Valeria – TwoCents Reviewer
valeria@twocentscorps.com
Life is good for our beloved hero (or serial killer, really, take your pick). Last we left off Dexter Morgan, he had almost framed a man for his crimes, found out that his father committed suicide because of him, and killed a woman who proved to him that he could go onto bigger and better things. We are now prepared to enter, perhaps into the first stages of Dexter Morgan – the adult. He’s taken The Code of Harry, and made it his own, sure he’s still killing people, but this time around he’s in control of his own emotions, and actually his own life.
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Dexter
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Original Air Date: Sept 28, 2008
Valeria – TwoCents Reviewer
valeria@twocentscorps.com
Life is good for our beloved hero (or serial killer, really, take your pick). Last we left off Dexter Morgan, he had almost framed a man for his crimes, found out that his father committed suicide because of him, and killed a woman who proved to him that he could go onto bigger and better things. We are now prepared to enter, perhaps into the first stages of Dexter Morgan – the adult. He’s taken The Code of Harry, and made it his own, sure he’s still killing people, but this time around he’s in control of his own emotions, and actually his own life.
As an avid fan of Dexter, I’m obviously waiting for the day that he gets a soul. It appears that I might finally get my wish. Dexter and Rita are having obnoxious amounts of amazing sex, and the most surprising thing of all, is that it seems like Dexter is actually enjoying this life that he’s created for himself. I mean, even he admits “Rita is the scaffolding that holds it all together.” Which, for Dexter, is probably one of the most romantic phrases to come out of his mouth. But with lots of sex, come lots of emotional baggage, not the least being that Dexter is playing the role of full-time Daddy to Rita’s two children – Cody and Astor. Cody even asks Dexter to come to his school for Daddy Day (this event results in many cringe-worthy moments, as Dex is clueless to how boring his job is to children, but Rita is completely endeared by it, and thus, so am I). So, on the front of the personal life – it really seems like Dexter will finally be redeemed. Now, I don’t know about you, but this might be one of the most exciting developments for me on the show.
Dexter’s newest target is Freebo, a drug dealer, and apparent murderer as well. After feigning to be a heroine addict to finger the guy and find out where he lives, Dexter shows up one night, ready to attack. Only to be encountered by someone he wasn’t expecting at all, and in a moment of raging spontaneity, Dexter accidentally kills an innocent man. But there’s no time to mull over what just happened because Rita calls him up for a booty call (did I mention they’re having a lot of sex?). It’s not until the next morning, when Dexter arrives at the scene of the crime, that we find out whom he killed. Oscar Prado was the baby brother of the top prosecutor in Florida, Assistant District Attorney, Miguel Prado – played by the effing awesome Jimmy Smits. The encounters throughout the episode between the two of them definitely hint that they’re going to be important influences in each others life, after all, Dexter is the one that killed his brother. In one particularly awkward and nail biting scene, Miguel calls Dexter and asks to meet him at the crime scene. It’s there that Dexter explains, using his blood spatter knowledge, how little brother died. But Miguel pushes him further, asking Dexter why a blood spatter analyst would spend time looking up the victim on the police database – why is Dexter so interested in Oscar Prado? But the moment is fleeting, and later the two of them delve into each other’s mind by describing what they think happens to a person after they die.
It should be noted, that even though Michael C. Hall steals the show on every single level, the supporting cast is top-notch as well. I have a love-hate relationship with sister Debra Morgan. This relationship is not improved by her disastrous new haircut (although I’m curious to know what you think about it). But even though now she’s career oriented and has given up booze, men, and smokes for 28 days, she still hasn’t lost her potty mouth. So for now, I still love her. Angel Batista has been promoted from Detective, to Sergeant Detective – meaning that now, not only is he Debs boss, but there’s a chance for her to finally get her shield. Which she would probably be a shoo-in for if it wasn’t for her tendency to let her mouth run. Deb follows a lead suggested by her new partner Quinn in order to find out more about Freebo – the main suspect in the Oscar Prado case. It turns out that Oscar wasn’t the saint that everyone painted him out to be; the man was a junkie, searching for his latest fix. Deb announces this juicy bit of gossip just as Miguel Prado walks in. Angel is forced to remove her from the case, letting Deb know that the only thing standing between her and that Detective Shield is herself.
But there might be a way for Deb to still get her promotion. Lately she’s been followed around by an officer with Internal Affairs, who is hounding her to give up some information on her new partner. But Deb, having the big heart that she does, can’t distinguish between people that are her co-workers, and people that are her friend. So for now, she’s not going to be a snitch. Although, cooperation with IA could give her some push within the ranks to get that badge she wants so badly.
As the episode winds down to a close, Dexter finally comments on his sisters’ new hair (he thinks it’s beautiful), and the two of them are put on a new case. A Jane Doe found murdered next to the ocean, with the epidermis on her left shoulder cleanly sliced off in a square. Dexter knows this girl, it’s Freebo’s junkie girlfriend. There’s still hope to kill his target after all.
This episode was amazing to say the least, there are so many great things going on, not the least of which is Dexter maturing into the adulthood phase of his sociopathic tendencies. My only qualm is that it seems like everyone is having no problem moving on from Doakes’ death at the end of last season. I mean, yes, he did die, with everyone thinking that he was The Bay Harbor Butcher, but he was a part of the force.
Oh, one more thing – you know all that sex that I mentioned? And all the emotional baggage that comes with it? Yeah . . . Rita is pregnant.
I love, love, loved your review of the season premiere. Michael C. Hall gives the best acting on television right now & I really hope the show gets enough viewers so that he nabs an Emmy for it.
ReplyDeleteI was so thrilled last season when Dexter almost "got better" & then it went in a totally different direction. I love that the show totally pulls your conscience in two different directions...I was so glad that Doakes was killed & secretly was excited that Dexter was found out but then afterwords felt guilty that Doakes died with a really horrible label being put on him.
Dexter is one of the best shows on TV right now. I had forgotten how great it was. I couldn't afford Showtime for a while, but I kept seeing the posters all over town for the new season (brilliant ad campaign, btw, with the mock magazine covers) and could resist no more. I watched all of season 2 for the last 2 nights. It is so addictive. Then tonight I watched "Our Father." Wow. Some people might call me a little serial killer obsessed. I love reading about them. They fascinate me. Usually don't like TV shows or movies about serial killers because they rarely get it right. Dexter not only passes my test, but he comes up with solutions I could have never dreamed of. I really feel like I'm watching someone like Ted Bundy at work. The writers are unbelievable. I'm so happy to have a new serial killer with new patterns to follow this season! I love seeing how Dexter always manages to squirm out of the most compromising of situations!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I also dislike Deb's new haircut. She is my least favorite character on the show.
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