three episodes and a theory.
EPISODE #1: THOSE KINDS OF THINGS
PIC OF THE NIGHT:
PLOT POINTS:
The season starts off with a jolt of adrenaline as we encounter Dexter in the middle of a devious plan. After luring two paramedics to an empty lot, he proceeds to kill both AT THE SAME TIME. It appears dexter is happy and focused.
Back at the station, Professor Masuka has taken on some underlings around the lab and Batista prepares to take the job as Lieutenant. LaQuerta accepts her new position as Captain Blackmail. Fairly boring shit, so we're moving along. A visit to a catholic pre-school provides the introduction to this theme for the season.
We find out Dexter belives in....nothing.
Best part of the episode... his 20 year Class Reunion. Great fun finding out what Dexter was like in high school and watching him 'dance' to U Can't Touch This. One of my top Dexter moments.
To his surprise, he was popular! So much for blending in like a shadow. It was straight out hilarious to see his various reactions to classmates who wanted to hang out, dance and ya know, show their gratitude.
From this...
...to this
Most important IMO, was the final kill at the end. The Jock. It brought out Crazy Dexter. When his voice gets low and the words get drawn out, you know the mask has slipped off. Animated, easily agitated. Showcasing his penchant for theatrics with props and the mascot costume. But Dexter is most captivating when he engages the jock. He politely asks what his beliefs are, debates WWJD with him and then uses it against him. All the while, on a scoreboard table, about to die. It's like playing with your food.
GOOD:
The whole episode was a return to form and a great way to forget Lumen the events of season 5.
The driving around at night scenes.
BAD:
Introduction to the "big bads" was shockingly inadequate.
Their scenes amounted to a moonlight cruise, watching the sunset and whispering sweet biblical excerpts to each other. WHAT AM I MISSING? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
"Not sure what Hammer time is. Or how it differs from regular time."
"Nice. A sample of my own blood."
MASUKA CREEP FACTOR: LOW
Very low, he picked the student with the highest test score.
EPISODE #2: ONCE UPON A TIME
PIC OF THE NIGHT:
PLOT POINTS:
The episode begins and ends with a ritual...bedtime for Harrison. Dexter realizes that his son is familiar with daddy's trophy box. No more Chino bedtime stories....because the last thing Dexter needs is Harrison asking for a box of syringes and a surgical saw for Christmas.
In the meantime, he is preoccupied with Brother Sam. Convinced people don't change, especially people with 'flocks', Dexter is on the prowl. Mos Def plays Sam in a way you cannot tell if he is going to be good, bad or cray cray. Love their interactions together, as they sense something dark from each other.
Quinn learns the hard way that Deb will not be bribed into life altering situations with PANCAKES. He is BAFFLED so he proposes AGAIN, as if she didn't hear the first time. Disastah.
GOOD:
Deb rather adorably accepts the position of Luitenent.
The interesting dynamic he has with Brother Sam.
Will Sam show it's possible for people facing dexecution would be able to change and atone for their wrongs? Will this bring any adjustments to Harry's Code?
BAD:
La Querta.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
"You don't fight like no lab geek."
MASUKA CREEP FACTOR: MID LEVEL
" Please don't sue..."
leering at work? I thought he was smarter than that.
EPISODE #3: SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT
PIC OF THE NIGHT:
PLOT POINTS:
As a child, Dexter was inspired to scrabbook (!) by his hero, the Tooth Fairy. Turns out he has retired and moved to Florida. After a sloppy crime scene, he seeks out his octagarian idol. The first time I ever see Dexter genuinely frightened, it's riding shotgun with the tooth fairy! ha! Pretty comical but I can see why this story line was reduced to an episode. Turns out the geezer had a few tricks up his sleeve. To gain the upper hand, Dexter pulls out the bigger psycho card and crashes his car.
And how awesome has MCH become as Dexter? It's the little things he brings to a disturbed man that makes the character remarkable. This episode alone had such great dex moments because of the wacky ass tooth fairy. The true horror that Dexter has around the 'toxic cloud' ranges from complete disappointment (he ACCIDENTLY left the body on the sherrifs lawn because he was too drunk!) to silent disgust and shock....And the agony when he falls to the floor with his broken slides. AWESOME..
He is paralyzed at the possiblity of turning out like Walter Kenny. Minus the porn.
Quinn gets his own paragraph of hate.
He's officially on the wrong show. He belongs on the Jersey Shore with his skeezy outfits, orange tint and tendency to pout when he doesn't get his way. Not to mention a complete lack of sexual prowess. Die already.
GOOD:
MCH acting in this episode was extra superb. Nobody else could play this character.
The horse parade at the end. At first I thought it was Quinn's head, but it was
just wishful thinking. Just the joggers head bouncing around.
The references to Burt Reynolds and Smokey and the Bandit.
BAD:
Tooth Fairy Answers the door in underwear.
Not enough Brother Sam interaction.
The Doakes look-a-like from chicago. If he gets suspicious of Dexter, there will be blood.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: "I GOGGLED YOUR NAME!"
MASUKA CREEP FACTOR: off the charts
Masuka's whole situation gives me a rash.
THEORY:
I think the professor is just a product of Travis' mind.
He's crazier than a loon.
Seriously, he creeps around and plays with manniquinnes, which comes in at Norman Bates on my richter scale.
After 3 eps of Bert and Ernie creepin around dark holy places, talking all philosophical, we have nothing. What is the purpose?! WTF did the jogger do? Why did he need to repent??
We have no histroy or background on the big bad(s).... So I may be just super bored with this storyline and decieded to make shit up in my head.
Reasons I think the above:
Psychopaths usually work alone.
He does all the kidnapping and probably the sewing.
The point of view we see belongs to Travis.
It's the antithesis to Harry good.
The Professor only gives out direction, holy sentences and guilt trips.
What do you think about the first three episodes? Direction of the season? Any theories?
Thanks to the lovely ladymanson for the screen caps!