Dexter Season 6 Finale recap by Richard Rys, nymag.com: Say what you will about Season 6 — and the consensus seems to be that this has been the most inconsistent and possibly the worst Dexter chapter of all — the final moments of last night’s finale felt like redemption. Sure, there were still plenty of the obvious plot holes that have plagued the show recently and almost no attention was paid to anyone other than Travis, Debra, and Dexter (this episode could have also been titled “Getting Travis Marshall”). But though it was inevitable that Deb would one day meet Dexter’s dark side, the questions of when and how have been looming large. As Season 4 will be remembered as the John Lithgow season, a.k.a. When Rita Was Killed, Season 6 of Dexter has become When Debra Learned Her Brother Was a Killer, a.k.a. When Debra Also Realized She Wants to Make Sex With Her Brother. As spectacular as some of those tableaus were, DDK now feels like a footnote. Read more after the jump...
As for the subplots, everything else pales in comparison to that closing scene, and in recognition of this, the show spent as little time with the supporting cast as possible. Everyone who hoped Quinn had half-assedly worked his last day at Miami Metro — including Batista — was disappointed to learn he’s blocking his transfer out of the department by sobering up (though if he’s not a self-destructive jerk anymore, why have him around at all?). LaGuerta picks an odd time to give Deb some support, considering she’s been nothing but a cold Machiavellian jerk all season long. Perhaps there’s still some self-interested scheme behind this truce she seems to have struck with Deb, but her newfound empathy just seemed like an excuse for LaGuerta to tell her to “take control” of her life — which led her back to the shrink and prompted her revelation about Dexter. Then there’s Louis, who’s coming back as a forensics consultant and possibly the Big Bad for next season. The impact of the Ice Truck Killer hand he mailed to Dexter won’t be felt until next season.
The rest of the episode can be summed up thusly: Dexter simultaneously survives being left for dead in the ocean and sticks up for illegal immigrants; Debra tells Dex she loves him and he thinks she just means “loves him” but she really means “loves him loves him” and he’s shirtless while this happens; Travis steals Harrison and comforts him by singing some adorable Armageddon lullabies; Deb tells her shrink about her love love and the shrink does a great job of not pulling a Liz Lemon and saying “Adoy! Of course you do!”; and Dexter doesn’t let being a good dad interfere with the tranquilized serial killer in his trunk that he’s preparing to ritually execute.
It all leads up to the most satisfying kill scene of the season (though the bar is low, considering Dexter’s offensively slight body count as of late). Inside the church, Travis’s kill table is positioned at the foot of the altar, with a Bible propping up his head and a well-placed holy light shining on his midsection so we don’t see his psychojunk. Michael C. Hall is never as fun to watch as he is in these moments — poking Travis in the forehead as if to physically drill his words into DDK’s skull, full of righteous fury, barely able to contain the rage that’s been building through weeks of stalking his prey. Dexter doesn’t come to some grand spiritual conclusion about God; instead, he returns to the old idea that he’s an agent of balance, bringing both light and darkness to this world. Nothing new there. Yet as Dexter casts the killing blow, Travis’s death is, ahem, eclipsed by a most unfortunately timed visit from Deb, who sees her brother murder the nut job she’s been hunting for weeks. Dexter might try to spin this as an isolated event, but when the guy you just stabbed is naked and bound to a table with plastic sheeting, claiming self-defense isn’t an option. Considering last night’s references to how lucky Dexter is — the woman on the Milagro (“Miracle”) and Jamie when he returns from the sea — and all of his increasingly implausible escapes, it’s as if the writers have finally conceded that Dexter’s good fortune has run out.
It’s no coincidence that this was, next to Rita’s murder, Dexter’s best cliffhanger. Although Showtime hasn’t committed to a clear end date for the series, it’s been renewed for two more seasons, which according to network president David Nevins will “likely” be its last. As with Lost, Smallville, and so many other shows that suffered in the middle of their runs thanks a lack of a clear endgame, Dexter has drifted into that territory. Last season ended with Deb nearly catching her brother dispensing with Jordan Chase. She failed, of course, because that moment would be a universe-shaking game-changer that would hurl the series to its conclusion. These past two seasons have felt stretched, as if the writers are treading water, waiting for the green light to send this story where we all know it eventually is going — Deb meets the Dark Passenger, and Dexter answers for his sins. Just as Deb isn’t destined for a house in the suburbs and marital bliss, Dexter isn’t riding off into the sunset with Harrison and a new box of slides. Here’s hoping the show and the network stick to this two-season plan and deliver what could be a tightly plotted, thoroughly satisfying conclusion to a series that deserves to go out on a high note. That’s the way Dexter’s world should end.
As for the subplots, everything else pales in comparison to that closing scene, and in recognition of this, the show spent as little time with the supporting cast as possible. Everyone who hoped Quinn had half-assedly worked his last day at Miami Metro — including Batista — was disappointed to learn he’s blocking his transfer out of the department by sobering up (though if he’s not a self-destructive jerk anymore, why have him around at all?). LaGuerta picks an odd time to give Deb some support, considering she’s been nothing but a cold Machiavellian jerk all season long. Perhaps there’s still some self-interested scheme behind this truce she seems to have struck with Deb, but her newfound empathy just seemed like an excuse for LaGuerta to tell her to “take control” of her life — which led her back to the shrink and prompted her revelation about Dexter. Then there’s Louis, who’s coming back as a forensics consultant and possibly the Big Bad for next season. The impact of the Ice Truck Killer hand he mailed to Dexter won’t be felt until next season.
The rest of the episode can be summed up thusly: Dexter simultaneously survives being left for dead in the ocean and sticks up for illegal immigrants; Debra tells Dex she loves him and he thinks she just means “loves him” but she really means “loves him loves him” and he’s shirtless while this happens; Travis steals Harrison and comforts him by singing some adorable Armageddon lullabies; Deb tells her shrink about her love love and the shrink does a great job of not pulling a Liz Lemon and saying “Adoy! Of course you do!”; and Dexter doesn’t let being a good dad interfere with the tranquilized serial killer in his trunk that he’s preparing to ritually execute.
It all leads up to the most satisfying kill scene of the season (though the bar is low, considering Dexter’s offensively slight body count as of late). Inside the church, Travis’s kill table is positioned at the foot of the altar, with a Bible propping up his head and a well-placed holy light shining on his midsection so we don’t see his psychojunk. Michael C. Hall is never as fun to watch as he is in these moments — poking Travis in the forehead as if to physically drill his words into DDK’s skull, full of righteous fury, barely able to contain the rage that’s been building through weeks of stalking his prey. Dexter doesn’t come to some grand spiritual conclusion about God; instead, he returns to the old idea that he’s an agent of balance, bringing both light and darkness to this world. Nothing new there. Yet as Dexter casts the killing blow, Travis’s death is, ahem, eclipsed by a most unfortunately timed visit from Deb, who sees her brother murder the nut job she’s been hunting for weeks. Dexter might try to spin this as an isolated event, but when the guy you just stabbed is naked and bound to a table with plastic sheeting, claiming self-defense isn’t an option. Considering last night’s references to how lucky Dexter is — the woman on the Milagro (“Miracle”) and Jamie when he returns from the sea — and all of his increasingly implausible escapes, it’s as if the writers have finally conceded that Dexter’s good fortune has run out.
It’s no coincidence that this was, next to Rita’s murder, Dexter’s best cliffhanger. Although Showtime hasn’t committed to a clear end date for the series, it’s been renewed for two more seasons, which according to network president David Nevins will “likely” be its last. As with Lost, Smallville, and so many other shows that suffered in the middle of their runs thanks a lack of a clear endgame, Dexter has drifted into that territory. Last season ended with Deb nearly catching her brother dispensing with Jordan Chase. She failed, of course, because that moment would be a universe-shaking game-changer that would hurl the series to its conclusion. These past two seasons have felt stretched, as if the writers are treading water, waiting for the green light to send this story where we all know it eventually is going — Deb meets the Dark Passenger, and Dexter answers for his sins. Just as Deb isn’t destined for a house in the suburbs and marital bliss, Dexter isn’t riding off into the sunset with Harrison and a new box of slides. Here’s hoping the show and the network stick to this two-season plan and deliver what could be a tightly plotted, thoroughly satisfying conclusion to a series that deserves to go out on a high note. That’s the way Dexter’s world should end.
Perhaps she's known for a while now and isn't really that shocked by it. She may have come to terms with it but never had solid proof, just a gut feeling. As a detective, she trusts her gut. Actually seeing it came as a shock but not a real suprise, kind of like when Harry walked in on Dexter as a teenager in his kill-room. I can see that Debra would be upset to witness the kill but tell Dexter that she's suspected it for a while. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this season worked out after all. Don't get me wrong, it's by far the worst season yet. But Dexter's bad seasons are far superior to other shows good ones. There were just too many holes and plot devices used that made no sense. I've stated a lot of them previously but just a couple from THIS episode are 1)why would Travis wait until the play to kidnap Harrison when he's already at the apartment? 2)why wouldn't the school call the police after Harrison is kidnapped? 3)the police find Dexters boat washed up on shore the day after the lake of fire is photographed out at sea? no questions asked? 4)no security at the high-rise such as security guards or cameras? Any way to see Dexter and Harrison there? 5)how did Dexter get Travis down from the rooftop while Travis was unconcious, middle of the day, with Harrison in tow, carrying a sword, all before the police (Deb) was a few minutes behind them? 6)Dexter kills the guy on the boat while everyone watches, throws him in the ocean and everyone is okay with that? 7)Dexter is allowed to go into Travis' murder house first? and alone? Long enough for him to discover the painting and destroy it? When have they waited for Dexter to go in first EVER before? Just happens when there's a huge painting of him on the wall?
If there are any fanboys that can answer any of these questions rationally, go ahead. These are issues from this episode alone. There are just as many from every other episode this season. Suspension of disbelief only goes so far.
Jason i Have often wondered why there is not security camera's at any of these crime scenes.. But oh well... And i would have loved for them to explain how Dexter got Harrison and Travis in the car...
ReplyDelete1 - because he would have to kill the nanny? 2 - because they thought it was Dexter as he had the mask on. 3 - they thought he had gone overboard so would expect it to be washed up 4 - maybe a maintenance life that isn`t covered that well? 5 - people watching the eclipse? 6 - if they are illegals they prob wouldn`t ask any questions just want off the boat 7 - yeah pretty weak. i hear what youre saying, i guess if youre not prepared to overlook a few things then its not gonna be too much fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the response to this will be something along the lines of well why don't you stop watching the show, like you could do any better, and you're not a real fan, BUT I think the series as a whole has fallen into the second tier of great TV.
ReplyDeleteI would put seasons 1 and 2 and 4 against ANYTHING. Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos. But when you weight in 3, 5, and 6 I think it brings down the series considerably. It's still better than 99% of what's on TV, but Dexter started out playing for one of best ever status so it's fall off feels more striking.
As for what was wrong with the series...
ReplyDelete1) There was no urgency in the big bads. Dexter even ignored them for the first half of the series to deal with Brother Sam's killer and Jonah. When Dexter's willing to let Travis go, stalk him for a little bit, and then blow the whole thing off it's hard for the audience to not follow along and feel like they are not a pressing concern.
2) They made the Gellar thing way too obvious. It could have been a big reveal and that's clearly what they were going for, but there were too many signs that he might not be real. It was very telegraphed.
3) Dexter's emotional arch was very shallow this season. One of the things that makes each season so moving and heart-breaking is that it centers around a deep yearning in Dexter. 1-To find out his past and source of his dark passenger. 2-To see if he can control his dark passenger and choose his own path. 3-Can he truly have a friend who knows him and accepts him? 4-Can he be a good father and husband while still being a serial killer? 5-Is real love possible with someone who sees him for who he is?
What's so heart-breaking is very often the answers to those emotional journeys are No. But what was the yearning in season six? Ostensibly it's what does Dexter pass on to Harrison and a spiritual questioning, but there's never a moment when you think that Dexter is really searching for God or taking spiritual questions seriously. There's nothing at stake for him so there's no real emotional arch to the season. The best I could say is that by the end he's learned that religion isn't suppose to be used for evil, parochial education can be beneficial, and maybe you should call the cops when there's going to be a massive chemical attack because you're after all only one person.
In the past there was a hint of sadness at the end of each episode after some yearning Dexter has is thwarted. He kills his brother, loses the hope for a friend, for true love, for the strength to change, and worst of all while trying to find a way to be a good family man and a serial killer the fact that he's a serial killer gets Rita killed. There's no hint of tragedy or sadness at the end of this season. Just "oh shit" Deb knows now.
I'll just had that these yearnings for something more are what makes a, on the face of it, despicable person so relatable. We connect to Dexter because he wants so much more for himself and his life and keeps being undone by forces beyond his control or by his own limitations. It's a very deep need that makes him so complex and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that Dexter really "needed" anything this season. The only nice thing you could say about him this season is that he loves his son a lot.
I'll also pig-back on the plot problems point made earlier. I think this season more than any others you could point out holes that you have to suspend disbelief to get over. How you carry a passed out body, an ancient sword, and a toddler down an elevator and out of a skyscraper and not wind up on a half a dozen different security cameras is beyond me. At the very least Miami Metro would have pulled the tapes for evidence and seen Dexter coming up and down. There's a lot of stuff like that this season that writers didn't work through and it made for a sloppy season
Finally, a thread where there is actually criticism and not complaining! Ppl there is a difference. Wow, some other threads on this site ppl have gone off the hinges. Dexter is a form of ENTERTAINMENT, it shouldn't be taken so seriously. Calling Scott a "moron", should be fired, the writers this and that, and something about "nipple" sucking. Wow, really? If ppl are so frustrated, then go exercise, eat some great food, or read a good book. But let ppl have their fun and excitement of this season!
ReplyDelete@Jason: I saw that you posted the same comment twice, so I don't know if you really want "fanboys" to answer your "problems" or you're just trying to prove how "bad" this season is.
Anony 333pm:
3) Dexter's emotional arch was very shallow this season.
I have to disagree with you. Dexs "deep yearning" (obviously, my perspective) for this season was: what legacy will he leave for his son? Will Harrison also become a "monster" like his dad? Can Dex get 'rid' (like you wrote he tried to "control" it before) of his Dark Passenger for the sake of his son? We saw how much he loves Harrison, especially in the finale. Dex conclusion is if he passes anything it will be his love (I can't remember the exact line that he tells Harrison), it's all that matters, and he is not going to be like Harry. He has become more "human" thank ever. Dexter can now give love (he didn't really love Rita and with Lumen it was "is real love possible with someone who sees him for who he is"). Remeber he finally tells Deb that he loves her. This is huge.
The whole spiritual journey for Dex was huge too. He now realizes that he does not need to be redeemed. There is no monster anymore, he is an "agent". Dex learned that light can't exist without Darkness. I don't think he is going to struggle with his Dark Passenger anymore. That's why he said I'm "a father, a son, and a serial killer". In essence he is saying I don't need God, I've finally accepted who I am. It's very interesting why we didn't see much of Harry in the finale. Will he need him anymore?
I really enjoyed this seasons story arcs!
@neatmonster
ReplyDeleteAll good points. Particularly about Harry. I do wonder whether he's transcended him at this point.
I suppose why I thought it was shallow was that his relationship with Sam didn't require anything of him. I at least never got the sense that he was really going to be swayed by him toward a different life.
Lila, Lumen, Trinity, Brian, Rita, and Miguel all held out the possibility of real change. In concrete terms by offering him separate life paths. We can imagine alternate realities where he joins up with Brian or Lila or Lumen or Miguel and have a partner in his crimes. Someone to kill with or at the very least understand his need to kill. The end of those realities have profound impacts on him. Those impacts were what made the emotional arches of previous seasons so intense.
Sam in season six is the embodiment of a set of different ideas or an alternate reality. In this case learning that seeking personal vengeance is wrong. That forgiveness and understanding are higher order principles. Fascinating ideas for the series to take on, but how seriously did Dexter take them?
He immediately defies Sam in killing his killer. He has a moment when he lets Jonah go, but he never seriously considers letting his dark passenger go and not playing the role of "god" himself. In essence Sam has no impact on how Dexter views himself or the world. He's always imagined himself as serving the function of balancing out wrong with his dark passenger. In the end you could say that he has "accept" that he's a serial killer but that doesn't count as an emotional arch. He didn't stop seeing himself that way throughout season six.
I'd just argue that Dexter's emotional journey would graph out as more of flatline with a slight bump rather than the real emotional roller coaster he tends to go through in the previous seasons where some powerful hopes and yearnings are often dashed.
It might have been more interesting if Dexter had seriously entertained the idea that there was something like God and that his moral compass had been wrong all this time. If Sam had had such a profound impact that he thought of changing and then came to the realization that there truly was no God and the only sense of justice he'd ever be able to get is the kind he doled out himself. That would have been more in keeping with the tone of the other seasons where Dexter really invests himself in something only to have to come to terms with some disappointment.
In a way Sam is more akin to Doakes in that both made an argument that, if taken seriously by Dexter, would require him to stop himself from killing.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is that Doakes got in his head and made him actual think about changing is life whereas Sam never did.
I'd argue Sam had no real lasting impact on how Dexter behaved or thought about his life.
@neatmonster. I'd have to say I disagree with most of what you said and agree a great deal more with the two most recent anonymous'.
ReplyDeleteHarrison was NOT the focus of this season. If anything, they just swept Harrison under the rug this season as if the new showrunner never wanted Harrison in the first place but wasn't there in season3/4 to make sure he didn't "happen". ALL of the scenes with Harrison look like they were forced (not on Michael Hall's acting, but on the shows writing) and you NEVER got the sense he was in danger with Travis. Dexter's family used to be a big focus of the show, it used to restrain him from doing things and it wasn't glossed over by the writers. Rita, Astor, Cody... they used to matter, a lot. Im not saying I want Astor and Cody back, nor am I regretting Ritas death - that role in Dex's life is HARRISONS now. But the writers haven't made him very important at all.
The focus was, of course, religion. And boy did it amount to little. Did anyone ever think he was taking religion as seriously as he did say.... his relationship with Lila? His rivalry with Doakes? His friendship with Miguel? Affair w/ Lumen? Obsession with Trinity? No. Those things, as some previous commenters have stated, forced Dexter to look at the world through a lense he had previously blocked out. But religion? Did ANYONE ever feel like it was amounting to something? Can anyone say that Sam left a real impression on him? Can anyone say that Dexter gave Travis' religious convictions more than a passing thought? I really dont think so.
@1:53 I couldn't say that better myself or add to it. I agree with that post and the posts before it. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say it was the worst season, but the season does stand out for being the most shallow. It was definitely lacking the emotional stakes that existed in previous seasons.
ReplyDeleteI imagine next season will have to be better in that regard. Unless Deb is just cool with it right away (god I hope that doesn't happen!) she'll have to figure out what to do about it and I assume her knowing will force Dexter to think about what that means for his life and how he can go forward. That should bring Dexter back to the kind of self-reflection and emotional struggle that's made the show so powerful in the past.
Anony 12/20
ReplyDelete"Lila, Lumen, Trinity, Brian, Rita, and Miguel all held out the possibility of real change. In concrete terms by offering him separate life paths."
Definitely! It would be very interesting to see Dex leave with Lila or even working with Miguel. Trinity didn't know Dex was a killer until he was on the table. I wonder if he found out earlier would he of asked Dex to go on a getaway too? Now, with Lumen I saw her character differently than just "a partner in his crimes. Someone to kill with or at the very least understand his need to kill." I agree with her understanding his need to satisfy his dark passenger but for me Lumen was a contrast of Rita, both were abused and raped. Only Lumen found out about Dexs urge to kill and accepted him as a monster. She became redemption for him, helping Dex with his guilt and grief.
"Sam in season six is the embodiment of a set of different ideas or an alternate reality... Fascinating ideas for the series to take on, but how seriously did Dexter take them?"
When Dex meets Sam he begins to question can ppl really change. He doesn't believe Sam is the real deal, a diff man now, but he is. B/c Sam has changed (I honestly thought he was fooling Dex, hahaha) thats why I believe he did impact Dex. For me there were 3 more "Fascinating ideas" that Sam shared with Dex. 1. Ppl can change, they can be redeemed. 2. Dex has light in him NOT just darkness (which I think is the biggest one). And 3. It's ok to surrender to something "higher" or bigger than you. These ideas chanllenged Dex maybe not in the way "on how Dexter behaved or thought about his life." The chanllenge is more of an inner change, on his thoughts of the ppl he kills and his dark passenger. 'Just Let Go' really shows how Dex is taking in what Sam has presented to him. You're right he difies Sams ideas when he kills Nick, Dex says there is no light in him. Then, Bam! Dex's Dark Passenger manifest as Brian (thats what I understood, yea i know its just my perspective) in the forefront of his conscience. It challenges Dex to leave everything/everyone, to forget about the "code" and kill Jonah. But in the moment of he sees that Johah has a consience and can change. He tells Brian (Dark Passenger) I am stronger than you and runs him over. Then he goes and picks up Harry. Youre right Dex didn't get rid of his Darkness but its what Sam told him 'light keeps the darkness at bay' (I'm paraphrasing, sorry). Dex then also lets Travis go and claims to Harry that he can "save" him that Travis has hope. He can help Travis get rid of his Dark Passenger (of course he doesn't realize that Gellar is dead yet). When Dex does find out about Gellar, he is pissed and says I should of never listened to Sam or his ideas. Then, in 'Ricochet Rabbit' Dex surrenders to something bigger than himself and calls Metro. He didnt want to, he fought with the idea. Lets face it if Dex doesnt take in what Sam has shared with him, Dex kills Jonah and Travis (Travis is still guilty of crimes). Batista dies and so does Deb b/c of wormwood.
So I do think Sam impacted Dex. Maybe not in the way other villians and characters have in the past (like you wrote) but there was a challenge. In the finale Dex says he has found a balance with his light and darkness. Dex would of never considered having any light in him before this season. It was very interesting how at the end 'Talk To The Hand' he says something like: with my Dark Passenger in the front seat he thought he was in control but why does he feel so lost. I wonder if Dex isn't going to kill anymore b/c he has that "urge" to kill. My theory is maybe this will all play out how he will help Deb (of course after Deb gets over the shock of finding out hahaha) and Metro catch bad guys in the last two seasons.
Anony 153: "Harrison was NOT the focus of this season. If anything, they just swept Harrison under the rug this season as if the new showrunner never wanted Harrison in the first place but wasn't there in season3/4 to make sure he didn't "happen"."
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't read that about Scott Buck. I read somewhere (Im really parapharsing here so sorry) how it felt like Buck was brought in to clean up the mess. No he didn't directly say that it just came across that way. So I get what you mean, maybe thats why Cody and Astor were just mentioned this season! hahaha.
"that role in Dex's life is HARRISONS now. But the writers haven't made him very important at all."
You might be right, maybe the writers could of been stronger and put more enphasis on the Father and son relationship. But I saw alot of it. I think Dex made alot of decision b/c of Harrison and b/c he is his father. The first two episodes shows us how Dex loves spending time and being with Harrison. Sure, Dex doesn't say 'I love this' but its there. Dex actually considered Religion and God for Harrison. An Atheist decides to take a journey in exploring what is Faith and who is God for his son! The finale opens up with Dex in the ocean and all he could think about is Harrison. You could almost argue that Dex didnt drown b/c he wanted to get back to his son. Ok, maybe thats a stretch but he just wants to be with Harrison. So the season opens up with Dex and Harrison (of course after he kills the EMTs haha) them doing there routine, tucking him in bed, reading to him. Then the season ends with Dex telling Harrison that all he needs to pass on to him is letting him know that he will always love him no matter what. Its interesting how Dex says whether you become a lion or a lamb he will love him. Does that mean if Harrison does become a like daddy he will loving keep him? That he would accept him if he becomes a serial killer? Yup, I think so.
@neatmonster Good stuff. Definitely a lot there I didn't notice or think about previously.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he let Travis go because of an emotional change brought on by Sam. Travis just said he didn't do any of the killings and therefore didn't fit the code. Jonah was definitely the one moment in the season when we saw an impact on Dexter and that was tied up with Sam's influence. I was a little unmoved by the "calling Miami Metro" just because it seemed so pragmatic at that point to do it. It was certainly Dexter admitting that he couldn't dole out justice all on his own, but it didn't have any spiritual ramifications or basis.
The main point about Travis though is very well taken. It might have been more impactful if Travis had violated the code and Dexter thought he could still be redeemed, but nevertheless he did see his mission as "saving" Travis. Maybe pre-Sam he would have just kept stalking him looking for Gellar instead of appealing to him, so that's part of an emotional arch even if I still think it's slighter than it has been in previous seasons.
It also fits into the disappointment, tragedy theme that has played itself out before. Sam tries to save people spiritually and gets murdered. Dexter tries to save Travis and winds up allowing him to continue murdering. He flirts with forgiveness and redemption and it leads to tragedy and Dexter has to fall back on himself and his dark passenger again.
I didn't like this season at all. In my opinion there where too many loose ends and missed opportunities. I am not a native English speaker or writer, so please forgive me my errors.
ReplyDelete1. I loved the return of Bryan Moser, but after it's blasting introduction this turned into an annoying character within minutes of the following episode. It would have made more sense to me if Bryan reappeared alongside Harry feeding Dexters confusion and chaos towards the end of the season. Now he's killed of for good without turning the series into a plot or side-plot.
2. Same goes for the return of Trinity. I really loved the concept of another "Trinity", Jonah. I think it would have been very interesting too see how Dexter would handle 'knowing' of Jonah's deed (or deeds) but unable to really prove to himself that Jonah fit's Harry's code. This could have easily be combined with the clutter of Bryan Moser, appearing at inconvenient times. In my opinion this could have been built into a roller coaster plot near the end of the season. Now both of these side-plots were introduced, developed and killed-off in a little over one episode.
3. I really loved the grief for Rita in season 5. I would have loved if this also cluttered Dexter's vision and focus a long-side the mentioned above. A grief/desire for Rita/Lumen would have worked for me. This extends the love factor from previous seasons, which was clearly totally missing in this season.
4. I missed Rita's kids. They played such a large part in Dexters life the first season's. And don't the kids miss Dexter? Or Harrison? I would have enjoyed the appearance of Cody and Astor for a couple of episodes increasing Dexters increased responsibility for Harrison, who is entitled to a relation with half-sister/brother.
5. I also loved the Dr. Gellar character. I think until his freezing revelation, there was a very powerful tension between Travis and his superior. I thought Travis did everything, while Gellar had the control. This intrigued me very much. I found the plot-twist interesting at first, but after Travis' idiotic rampage for a part of an episode the whole character was dropped. There was no more confusion within Travis about his 'Harry'.
6. A also fell in love with Ryan. Her sexy appearance combined with a naughty, edgy, mysterious mind intrigued. I would have loved seeing her character develop a darker side. Maybe not into a killer, but the fact that she was obsessed by the Ice Truck Killer fascinated me. However, I think there remains a plausible plot to get her back into the picture/plot. Her successor is also obsessed and fascinated by the Ice Truck Killer. Is this a coincidence? In this...I must say that I found the Louis Greene the most intriguing character by far. Introduced very lightly, like Bryan Moser, and built and developed slow and careful. Again I think the Bryan Moser sidekick and Trinity plot-lines should have been dealt with accordingly.
7. I didn't buy/like/embrace the DDK/Brother Sam combination. DDK on it's self was powerful enough. It didn't another religious plot-line. Either one could have worked very well, but in my opinion the whole Brother Sam plot drowned in the DDK line.
8. I really think the "Beast" tableau was laughable. It didn't make any sense to me at all. Every stage and tableau was carefully prepared and staged graphically to announce the end of the world was nearing. Would the final end to the beginning of the end of the world be an explosion at sea of 1 character with a simple ring of fire, after such careful preparation? It's a bit of a anticlimax. It would have been plausible to me if Travis questioned himself: Is this it? Raging through the last episode not knowing if he'd done what God expected from him.
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ReplyDelete9. Finally, I did not like the whole sibling love twist. Although they're not related it didn't convince me this was realistic and even necessary. It would have made more sense to me that she became more stable during the season, due to her increased responsibility as LT, which the finding out of Dexters true nature, ripping and shaking the ground beneath her feet. This could have easily made Deb tumble down the rabbit hole. I however thought the closure of the season, even if predictable, was very nice. Finally...she knows. Brilliant. I do not believe she will turn him in, but I also don't believe her filling a Lumen kind of role. I think that would be a cheap solution for a very intriguing problem.
Al in all, this could have been much better. After epic seasons 1,2 and 4, season 5 laid the foundation for some a new turn for Dexter. In my opinion ideas/plot lines with great potential where lost in what feels like production pressure/lack of inspiration. It felt a bit like late in the second season of Twin Peaks, where crazy plots and turns became more prominent as the suspense and characters. This eventually killed the series. I hope the writers will built the coming two seasons as part of a whole: The Series Ending, which in my opinion can only end in one epic way.
In the end of season six, Debra saw Dexter was killing doomsday killer. What is the reaction of Debra in season 7? Here is the leak.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUu_UjzVJU