SDCC Highlight - Dexter: Original Sin AND Dexter: Resurrection Announced

If you couldn't get enough of Dexter Morgan, well, you're about to get Miami's infamous serial killer twice over.

First of all, let's break down the cast of upcoming prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin. Who is playing who exactly?

Dexter Morgan (Patrick Gibson) - Forensic Intern

Sergeant Harry Morgan (Christian Slater) 

Deb Morgan (Molly Brown)

Captain Aaron Spencer (Patrick Dempsey)

CSI Chief Tanya Martin (Sarah Michelle Gellar)

Detective Angel Batista (James Martinez) 

Detective Maria LaGuerta (Christina Millian)

Detective Bobby Watt (Reno Wilson)

Vince Masuka (Alex Shimizu) - Forensic Analyst

The 10 part series will be set during 1991, following the young Dexter Morgan embarking on his double life. Oh and a certain Michael C. Hall not only appeared at SDCC with the cast of Dexter: Original Sin but he'll be doing the voiceover of Dexter's inner voice. Of course that wasn't the only surprise revealed last night.

Not only do we have a prequel series to delve into but how about another sequel show to boot? Yes, I know Michael C. Hall's version of the character was killed off at the end of Dexter: New Blood but death apparently won't keep this bad boy down.

Titled, Dexter: Resurrection, the series will somewhat revive the character for a present day setting with filming slated to begin soon for a summer 2025 release. Aside from being set in the present day, details on the sequel series are a bit vague for now but expect some major casting news to be revealed over the next few months. 

Like a lot of people, I was a big fan of the original Dexter series, even if the last few seasons were lacking. I thought Dexter: New Blood was a near return to form. The news of two new shows, I do have some mixed feelings on. It could be a case of spreading the IP too thin and trying to create a franchise where one wasn't needed but at the same time, both have strong enough hooks that maybe it could work. I mean the original series has managed to be a streaming hit, so there's definitely a new generation who will likely give both shows a go. I'll be watching and reviewing both upcoming shows.

Dexter: Original Sin will premiere on Showtime and Paramount+ from December 2024 while Dexter: Resurrection will premiere in summer 2025.

Money Isn't Everything

Took the month of January off from these sort of blogs but any more, I will try to make them monthly affairs going forwards. Anyways, a look at stuff I've been watching recently.

And Just Like That: It's been an undeniably divisive return for the ladies of New York (minus Samantha) but at least it's been discussion worthy to a point. With Charlotte mostly relegated to comedy mishaps and stuff involving her children, it's been Carrie and Miranda getting the dramatic stuff with mixed results. Carrie's  had hip problems, apartment problems, neighbour problems and finding the right place to scatter Big's ashes. She's also gained a solo podcast and a new love interest. Miranda also gained a new love interest in Che, thus breaking up her marriage to Steve and losing a bit of her former self. I'm all for Miranda discovering herself but Che was the wrong character to do this with. At least Seema proved to be a strong addition to the series. Will it gets seconds? Who knows.

Batwoman: Ah, this season has been surprisingly strong for the most part. What hasn't worked in my opinion has been Ryan's family, especially Marquis, who is a very poor version of this show's attempt of a Joker baddie while Jada still hasn't really clicked as character either. What has clicked was the Poison Ivy arc (short as it was and convenient in exiting Renee Montoya) along with the sisterly bond between Mary and Alice and Luke finally syncing with his Batwing suit. Even the Ryan and Sophie pairing, despite being a tad contrived has worked better than expected. Hopefully these last two episodes can end the season on a good note.

Dexter: New Blood: I think this show has managed to strike a record for coming up with a finale more polarising and controversial than the original one it did. To me, that's crazy because what we got in 2013 was a terrible way to end the show while we got in 2022 while not entirely perfect, at least made more thematic sense. Harrison being the one to kill his own father after Dexter's whole web of lies came crashing down felt oddly right. This limited series didn't fully recapture the heights of the original series glory days but it definitely made up for it's original ending.

Pam And Tommy: Is there anyone not watching this limited series? Last week Hulu/Disney+ dropped the first three episodes and it made for some interesting viewing. Needless to say both Lily James and Sebastian Stan absolutely nail it as Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee and they're ably supported by Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman and Taylor Schilling. These episodes provide quite the education into the title characters turbulent relationship as well as the role that Ran Gauthier played in their sex tape being leaked. Lily James herself has completely disappeared into the role and the 90's soundtrack, I just love. As for Tommy's talking penis in the second episode. Um. 

The Gilded Age: Julian Fellowes is a writer who found his comfort zone a long time ago and has never stepped out of it since. That might sound harsh but can you tell me if it's untrue? Fortunately for Fellowes, his comfort zone continues to be very much appreciated and while this show feels too familiar and comparisons to Downton Abbey are completely justified, the first two episodes were enjoyable. It's beautifully shot, the cast are excellent with Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon being obvious standouts. There's even a closeted gay love story in between fabulous costumes, old versus new money discoveries and a young female protagonist in Marion trying to make her way in an ever changing world. It's also performed well enough to quickly earn itself a second season.

• Nyle DiMarco will play a graduate student in the upcoming reboot of Queer As Folk.
• National Treasure for Disney+ has found it's lead star in Catherine Zeta Jones.
• The CW have ordered pilots for Gotham Knights, The Winchesters, Walker: Independence and a female led Zorro reboot.
• Aubrey Plaza, Michael Imperioli, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hollander, Adam DiMarco and Haley Lu Richardson will make up the main cast of the second season of The White Lotus with Jennifer Coolidge also returning.
• Murray Bartlett will be appearing in both The Last Of Us and the second season of Only Murders In The Building.
• Legends Of Tomorrow has added Donald Faison as a fame hungry mystery character for it's seventh season finale. If the show gets picked up for an eighth season, the character will likely be a regular.
• The L Word: Generation Q has been renewed for a third season by Showtime.
• Euphoria has also been renewed for a third season by HBO. The show is currently having a record ratings boost.
• The second season of Bridgerton will be released on Netflix from March 25th.
• Arielle Kebbel will appear in an upcoming arc of 911 as a character named Lucy. 
• Moon Knight will premiere on Disney+ from March 30th.
• The Lords Of The Rings: The Power Of The Rings will premiere on Amazon from September 2nd.

And Just Like That .... Another TV Jumble Blog

Also my last TV Jumble blog of the year. You know the drill, stuff I've been watching over the last few weeks. Let's get into it.

And Just Like That: It's somewhat odd to think of Sex And The City as a franchise but it is one. It was a popular book, then TV series that ran for six seasons, spawned two theatrical movies, a prequel series that ran for two seasons and now a sequel series, sadly lacking Samantha Jones. Still, the first four episodes have seen Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte navigate their social circles in lieu of their former friend's absence while also dealing with widowhood, getting older and learning more about the world around them. Four episodes in and there's no denying this sequel has lacked the magic of it's original series and some of it's attempts of presenting more diversity has been dicey at best. Hopefully the show will get it's groove for the remainder of the season.

Chucky: For a movie franchise that has spawned six sequels and an unnecessary reboot, taking the most evil doll for a cable series could've been easily been a mixed bag. After watching this eight episode first season, I can definitely say this series was an overwhelming success. Chucky works just as well on the small screen as he did on the big and straight to streaming. Te uses of classic characters such as Tiffany, Andy, Kyle and Nica along with new protagonists such as Jake, Devon, Lexy and the unfortunate Junior worked brilliantly. This show was a joy to watch from start to finosh and I'm really pleased that it will be returning for seconds.

Dexter: New Blood: With only three episodes left, this show definitely feels like it's shaping up to be a mid-tier season/series for me. It's not quite recaptured the heights of the first few seasons but it's also managed to avoid the lows of the last few seasons as well. It was nice having appearances from both Angel and the Trinity in episodes along with Angela becoming more aware of who her boyfriend really was. Less good has been Harrison, who has become somewhat annoying to watch while Kurt definitely could be a more compelling antagonist for Dexter. He's become rather underwhelming, in spite of his efforts to come between Dexter and Harrison.

Hawkeye: It's been a mostly good year for the MCU's debut with Disney+ shows and ending this year was this delightful six part series, focusing on Clint Barton and new protege Kate Bishop. As a pairing the two of them were excellent to watch, Lucky the Pizza Dog was obviously adorable too. The use of the Christmas worked in the show's favour, Maya was set up well for her own Disney+ series and it was nice to see Yelena again. Minor quibbles, would be Eleanor's painfully obvious villainy and perhaps Wilson Fisk being a tiny bit underused. Other than that, I still had a really good time watching this series.

Pennyworth: I wasn't a huge fan of the first season of this Alfred Pennyworth based series but upon learning that it had been renewed for a third one, I decided to give the second season a go. I'm glad I did as I actually found myself enjoying this season a lot more than expected. Like Gotham before it, this show found it's strength by reveling in being utter batshit crazy and became more enjoyable as a result. Whether it was the gang working together against the Stormcloud plot, Thomas and Martha getting to be parents to a girl, Alfred's reunion with his father or even the oddball romance with Bet and Katie, this season definitely hit it's stride. I'm looking to seeing what next year's time jump brings for this show.

The Flash: After the last two seasons being sadly poor, a part of me has felt ready to bail on the show. Fortunately this five part event has managed to breathe some life into things. It's not quite as good as crossover events from series past but both Reverse Flash and Despero certainly gave Barry the ring around. Not to mention some welcome returns from Ray Palmer and Damien Darhk, hints of future events for other characters and of course, other characters about to return. It's a good start and here's hoping the quality can be maintained when the show returns in March.

• Netflix have cancelled Cowboy Bebop after one season.
• David Tennant's Around The World In 80 Days has been renewed for a second series. It will premiere on BBC1 on Boxing Day.
• BBC3 will relaunch as a terrestrial channel again from February.
• American Dad has been renewed for two more seasons.
• Turner & Hooch has been cancelled after one season on Disney+
• A prequel series for Walker is in early development from the CW.
• UK viewers can see The Resident on Disney+ from next month.
• The third season of Atlanta will premiere in March on Starz.

The Dark Passenger Returms

It's been too long since I did one of these but again, here's a look at some of the shows I've been watching over the last few weeks.

American Crime Story: Okay, can't lie about this one. I only watched the first episode and while both Sarah Paulson and Beanie Feldstein are clearly going to receive award love for their portrayals of Linda Tripp and Monica Lewinsky, I haven't felt compelled to watch beyond that one episode. I might try to catch up but I'm not making any guarantees. I still have another Ryan Murphy show from earlier this year that I also should watch before the year is out.

Batwoman: It's jarring to think that we're in a third season for this often divisive show but here we are. The first five episodes of this season, introduced Renee Montoya, laid the groundwork for Poison Ivy to arrive on the scene, played around with some rogue trophies and of course, ship teased Ryan and Sophie while introducing the former's mother and brother into the mix. Alice of course does remain the main reason to watch the show but so far, it's been pretty solid stuff here.

Dexter: New Blood: It's been eight years since the original series ended on the mother of all whimpers and ten years has passed for Dexter Morgan who traded sunny Miami for cold Iron Lake and ended up with Deb as his conscience over Harry. I was initially worried about the show's return but two episodes in and the series has nearly gotten it's groove back. I wouldn't say it's as good as the first five seasons of the original series but it's definitely better than the latter three seasons for now. Dexter's o'd ways are resurfacing, Harrison's all grown up with demons of his own, Angela might be more than she seems and Kurt Caldwell has potential as the main antagonist of the season. It's good to have you back, Dexter Morgan/Jim Lindsey.

Supergirl: The moment was prepared for. It finally came and it managed to deliver in more ways than even I expected it to do. The moment of course was this show hitting it's series finale and I'm delighted that it ended on such a strong note. As a series, this show wasn't always perfect but this final season was largely solid with a good final threat in Nyxly (though Lex did insert himself into her storyline) and a satisfying wrap up of all the main character arcs, including a game changer for Kara herself and her future as Supergirl. Of course the highlight was also the return of Cat Grant and I missed seeing her character so much.

What If: Not gonna, this one has been my least favourite of the MCU Disney+ shows and I'm not sure i even want to bother watching the second season. It just dragged for too long and would've benefited overall from being a one-off animated movie. At least that would've cut out a lot of the needless filler we had to go through before getting the big team up finale. Onto the next MCU show.

• Kathryn Hahn will return as Agatha Harkness for Disney+ in Agatha: House Of Harkness.
• Ms. Marvel will premiere on Disney+ in summer 2022, likely after both She Hulk and Moon Knight.
• Chucky will premiere on SkyMax from December 3rd, starting with a double bill.
• BBC1 have bought the rights to Superman And Lois and will air it from December 4th. The series will also be available on iPlayer.
• And Just Like That will premiere on both HBO Max and Sky Comedy from December 9th.
• HBO have renewed Succession for a fourth season.
• SkyAtlantic have bought the right for House Of The Dragon.
• Derry Girls is currently filming it's third and final season.
• Emily VanCamp has departed The Resident.
• Family Guy's latest season will premiere on Disney+ instead of ITV2 for UK and Irish viewers.

My Review of Dexter's 8x12: "Remember The Monsters?"

Written by Scott Buck And Manny Coto
Directed by Steve Shill

Deb (to Dexter): “Remember the monsters?”

Oh boy – I was hoping for so much more here. I knew the writers weren’t bullshitting when they said the last ever episode was going to polarising for viewers but this was something else altogether. Much as I loathe to admit, I can see why there are a load of annoyed viewers right about now and I’m including myself in the mix of them too.

For a show that has ran for eight seasons and had more than enough time to come up with a satisfying ending, you have to wonder what the writers were thinking here. I could handle Deb dying, just about and I certainly wanted to cry when Dexter took her body out of the hospital to dump in the sea but it also pissed me off too.

Deb didn’t deserve to be dumped at sea like many of Dexter’s victims in the last eight years. She deserved a proper funeral where Dexter could visit a grave and where her friends and colleagues could also see her. I think what Dexter (much as I understand it) was rather cruel in a way. Yes, he was guilty for Deb’s ultimate fate and felt terrible for it but dumping her at sea wasn’t the way to honour one of the few people he genuinely loved. Basically, Deb deserved more here and so did we as viewers.

Then there’s Harrison and Hannah. I think Dexter ruined their lives too in his own way. Letting the world believe he was dead was fine and feeling guilty that he might ruin both his son and girlfriend’s lives if he was a part of it, I could believe but ultimately abandoning them in Argentina was another unsatisfying resolution here. I did like that Hannah was able to outsmart Elway but that wasn’t enough for me either.

As for Dexter’s actual fate – a lumberjack in the arse end of nowhere, really? That was the best thing they could’ve come up with him. I think this finale had the misguided intention of trying to have Dexter get away with his crimes but pay some kind of a price (losing Deb, Hannah, Harrison) but instead of satisfying either side of the audiences (those who wanted Dexter to pay and those who wanted him to get away), it failed to satisfy either, myself included.

Having read former show runner Clyde Philips intended ending for the series, I actually think this show should have manned up and killed Dexter off in death row. It might be the more grim alternative but it would’ve given this show a sense of closure that overall this episode lacks in spades and that would’ve gone down better with the audience I think.

As for Saxon though, he managed to finish Deb off completely in the hospital before learning that the pen really was mightier than the sword. Killing Deb should’ve made Saxon more of a memorable villain but overall his scenes felt more like fodder and the fact that both Angel and Quinn witnessed Dexter murdering him and glossed over it just proved that as a final antagonist, Saxon was a disappointment.

Also in “Remember The Monsters”

We got two flashbacks between the third and fourth seasons where Harrison was shortly born and Deb got Dexter to hold him.

Deb: “I thought I was getting what I deserve.”
Quinn: “What you deserve? Why would you think that?”

I’ve never been Quinn’s biggest fan (has anyone really?) but I really felt bad for him in this episode. I think I could’ve gotten used to him and Deb back together had things ended differently.

Dexter: “Deb.”
Deb: “Next word I wanna hear you say is goodbye. Say it already or I’ll crawl out of this bed and kick your ass.”
Dexter: “Goodbye.”
Deb: “See you soon.”

Dexter: “Stay away from me.”
Elway (re Hannah): “Storm’s coming buddy and it’s gonna be real hard to find a way out. Don’t go down with her, Dexter.”

Are there wild penguins in Argentina? I think it’s the most interesting thing from this episode I learned really.

Dexter: “What you’ve actually done is open my eyes. Forced me to look at myself.”
Saxon: “And what do you see?”
Dexter: “A trail of blood and body parts.”

Hannah: “I am happy right now, Dex.”
Dexter: “Me too.”

It’s a shame we didn’t get past character cameos in this episode, wasn’t it?

Dexter: “I destroy everyone I love. I can’t let this happen to Hannah, to Harrison. I have to protect them from me.”

Chronology: From where “Monkey In A Box” left off.

“Remember The Monsters” will succeed in being a memorable series finale for the show but sadly, it will be for the wrong reasons. Maybe in time, people will be kind to it but I also have a feeling in time even the producers themselves will have wished they had given the show a better send off than this.

Rating: 6 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x11: "Monkey In A Box"

Written by Tim Schlattmann And Wendy West
Directed by Ernest Dickerson

Harry (to Dexter): “I never thought this day would come. You don’t need me anymore.”

It might have taken him nearly four decades of his life but it seems that Dexter Morgan has gone from everyone’s favourite serial killer to a real boy in touch with humanity instead of pretending one existed. I realise that I’m falling into that minority of viewers that has actually enjoyed this season but Dexter’s last scene with Harry felt delightfully cathartic.

Harry and Vogel may have been the ones to have given Dexter his code so he could kill deserving victims and pretend to live a normal life but over the years it’s been Deb, Rita, Cody, Astor, Harrison and even Hannah (polarising as she may be with viewers) who have brought out his humanity.

This was the episode that confirmed what had been become obvious for a while – Dexter’s Dark Passenger is slipping away. It practically fell away with Harry fading out in this episode but perhaps in hindsight, Dexter should’ve just killed Saxon to be safe. It certainly would’ve prevented Deb from being shot by the guy at the very least.

Saxon hasn’t been the best villain this show has ever produced (I don’t think anyone can truly beat either the Ice Truck Killer or Trinity himself) but he did manage to be more effective in this episode. The threat he made on Dexter’s loved ones he lived up to but not just because Dexter made things too hot for him in Miami but because Dexter foolishly spared him.

I suppose this means we’ll get a good confrontation scene with the two of them in the next and last ever episode but Dexter’s personal growth made him reckless with Saxon. If he wasn’t going to kill him, he should’ve at least waited until Deb had back up and the police arrested him. Instead Saxon killed Clayton and left Deb for dead.

This leads me to two other things – will Deb die? Vogel’s death was poignant enough (both Dexter and Deb were affected by it in this episode) but having Deb would certainly be a big thing for Dexter to deal with as well. It could happen in the last episode, it just might not. Maybe, just maybe Dexter will get his happy endings after all.

As for the second bit – Hannah really did leave it until the last minute to get out of dodge, didn’t she? I’m still not sure if both she and Dexter can successfully live a happy life in Argentina or that they even should be allowed to. Both of them could either end up in jail or be killed next week. Either way, at least we won’t have to wait too long to find out now.

Also in “Monkey In A Box”

The second Quinn pulled out that engagement for Deb was the same one where it was obvious that something bad was going to happen to her.

Dexter (re Vogel): “If it weren’t for her -,”
Deb: “- We might have found our way back to each other.”

Further proof of Dexter’s humanity appeared with his genuine upset for Vogel’s death and Angel’s speech at her wake/his leaving do.

Sylvia: “So, why the sudden move?”
Dexter: “Too many memories.”

Deb (re Saxon): “Don’t you want him for yourself?”
Dexter: “I just want him taken care of.”

Sylvia’s appearance was a bit random in this episode but nice enough. I wonder if we’ll see any old faces in the last episode.

Saxon (to Dexter): “You know what it’s like to kill. It can be cathartic and it was. That’s why I’m giving you a choice – go on with yourself or come after me.”

Hannah (re Dexter): “I really love this man.”
Deb: “Me too.”

I loved Dexter and Deb having one last meal together and the two of them teaming up to trap Saxon. The fact that Dexter was willing to let the law take care of him surprised Deb too.

Dexter: “I don’t need to kill you.”
Saxon: “Then don’t. Walk away.”

Chronology: From where “Goodbye Miami” left off.

I know this has been a polarising final season and that in some parts it could’ve been better but as a penultimate episode, “Monkey In A Box” did a great job in hammering home that this really is the end for this show and good or bad, I am going to miss it. This episode however was very good, even if it was reckless in parts too.

Rating: 9 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x10: "Goodbye Miami"

Written by Jace Richdale And Scott Reynolds
Directed by Steve Shill

Dexter (re Vogel): “Don’t touch her.”
Daniel: “Mother chose the wrong son again.”

We’re two episodes away from the series finale and having a major death was a bit overdue. I know for some that Vogel doesn’t count as major and that her presence in Dexter’s life this season has seemingly rewritten basic lore about him but as misguided as she could be, I was actually sorry to see her go.

It was obvious that her attempts to reach out to Daniel were going to end badly, especially given that the episode didn’t waste any time in signposting them all over the place. Daniel might have moaned about his mother choosing the wrong son again but really, hasn’t that been his role this season?

Richard was the normal son who died because of Daniel’s jealousy and Dexter was the ‘wrong’ son that Vogel was able to mould into an acceptable member of society. Daniel was just wrong and his relish for killing and recording his murders only proved that he was beyond saving.

I didn’t blame Evelyn for wanting to save Daniel though. I think she at least had to try one last time but Dexter was right all along and when she realised that, it came too late and she died because of it. Harry’s words about Evelyn’s death haunting Dexter might have some merit to them but in all fairness, Daniel is one of two major problems for Dexter now.

Even though Hannah didn’t seem keen on Dexter going after Daniel, Dexter doesn’t have a choice now. Daniel could easily try and kill Deb even if Dexter leaves for Argentina with Hannah and Harrison and he’s too volatile a threat to be allowed to run around. If Dexter has to kill one last time, it makes sense for it to be Daniel.

Speaking of Daniel, while I agree that he’s not up to the standard of villains we’ve had with the Ice Trucker Killer and good old Trinity, even the most sceptical of critics at least have to admit that he’s a tad more interesting than The Skinner and Travis Marshall ever were, right? As a last season threat, we could’ve had something a little more compelling than the Brain Surgeon but then again, we also could’ve had something much worse as well I suppose.

As for the second problem for Dexter – Hannah. I’m still not sure if he deserves to go to Argentina with Hannah and Harrison but I do like that the writers are at least showing that Hannah can be trusted though, especially when she risked being discovered to take Harrison to the hospital. That was a noble thing for Hannah to do, but also stupid considering that Clayton soon realised she was still in Miami.

I know I’m technically not supposed to be rooting for Clayton but I actually find him to be a likeable enough character. His scenes with Angel and Deb this week when he was trying to track Hannah down were rather good. While I don’t want him to actually succeed in snaring Dexter and Hannah, the fact that he’s being well written does make me root a little for him though.

Also in “Goodbye Miami”

While Deb got her job back at Miami Metro, Jamie seemed to be looking for other work when she wasn’t getting dumped by Quinn this week.

Hannah: “Wow, we’re really gonna do it.”
Dexter: “Yeah, we’re moving to Argentina.”

Why didn’t Hannah think of wearing a wig or dying her hair when she took Harrison to the hospital?

Dexter (re Daniel): “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Vogel: “Because you want to kill him and I don’t want that to happen.”

Daniel (to Vogel): “Trust me if I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t be holding the door.”

Daniel took Vogel to his kill room and Dexter prepared one for him with pictures of Richard, Cassie and Zach.

Daniel: “I want you to help me like you helped Dexter. I want you to show me how to exist free in this world just the way I am.”
Vogel: “As a killer, Daniel? I can’t help you murder innocent people.”

Vogel: “Please don’t let him suffer.”
Dexter: “I won’t.”

Other stuff that happened in this episode: Deb and Quinn kissed, Elway fired Deb, Nikki showed up a crime scene high and Matthews grilled Vogel about Zach.

Harry (re kill room): “It was always very important to you.”
Dexter: “People get what they deserve, at least they should.”

Chronology: From where “Make Your Own Kind Of Music” left off.

With only two episodes left, “Goodbye Miami” did feel a little slow in some parts but overall, it was a strong episode with some character moments. The fact that the show seems to be hinting at a future where Dexter doesn’t need to kill is the most interesting though.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x09: "Make Your Own Kind Of Music"

Written by Karen Campbell
Directed by John Dahl

Vogel: “I think you misunderstand my point. Straddling two worlds as you are, it’s dangerous. Killers cannot have a full, emotional life.”
Dexter: “I think you underestimate me.”

I think the other point that should be raised isn’t whether or not Dexter and Hannah can run off with Harrison to Argentina for a full, emotional life but more it should be whether or not they deserve to have that kind of happiness together.

Yes, they’ve killed some awful people between them but they’ve also killed some innocent people and their actions have had consequences on the ones they’ve loved as well. Do Dexter and Hannah deserve a happy ever after? I’m not actually sure, which is interesting.

One of the things I’ve noticed about this season is that Dexter has killed far less people and when he has killed, the exhilaration he’s usually felt hasn’t been quite their. Could it be that the events of the last few years – Rita’s death, raising Harrison, Deb learning about his identity and what it’s cost her morality, Vogel coming into his life, Zach as a short lived apprentice as well as his bonds with Lumen and mostly Hannah – have actually lessened his desire to kill?

More to the point, could Dexter actually live a life where he doesn’t kill? Hannah made it clear twice that she doesn’t derive pleasure from murder and even Dexter admitted to Vogel that killing the Brain Surgeon would be the last thing he’d do before leaving Miami. Maybe he meant that it would also be his last kill too. It’s a certain possibility at the very least.

Then there’s the Brain Surgeon himself. Having the identity revealed as Daniel Vogel (aka, Oliver Saxon), the song of Dr Vogel was hardly a shock. It was set up early in the season that there would be a connection between Vogel and the Brain Surgeon and the former had been evasive with her own interest in psychopaths as well. Now it all makes sense in the most obvious of storytelling methods.

That’s not actually a criticism because I actually do like the idea of conflict between Vogel, Dexter and Daniel here. How is Vogel going to be able to protect the son she’s failed (Daniel) against the ‘son’ she’s succeeded with (Dexter) and vice versa? With three episodes left, one of them will definitely die if not both of them but who it will be remains the question though.

I liked that this episode delved more into Vogel’s back-story and her past. The timing was right and it’s one of a few plots that are coming together nicely. Elway making it his business to bring down Hannah is another interesting plot too, especially given that Marshall Clayton poses a decent threat to Dexter’s plans of happy life outside Miami too.

I also liked that this episode saw Deb reconsidering becoming a detective again. Angel more or less welcomed her back to the force and she certainly came alive during her interrogation of Oliver with Quinn as well too. Even the totally predictable kiss between the pair of them didn’t seem to deter her either.

Also in “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”

Vogel had two children and we learned pretty fast that Daniel killed his younger brother and faked his death from a fire in the mental home he was sent to.

Dexter: “Actually I was gonna say I love you.”
Hannah: “I love you too.”

Arlene really did turn out to be a good friend for Hannah. She kept $500,000 hidden for her and pretended to be sleeping with Dexter to keep Clayton off the scent. Harrison also lied to Clayton as well.

Dexter: “No-one else knows Zach is dead.”
Deb: “Now I know. I don’t wanna know because I’m gonna have to explain how I know.”

Arlene: “Aren’t you the asshole that turned her in?”
Dexter: “That would be me.”
Hannah: “Long story. Can we come in?”

I really enjoyed the scene with Deb and Hannah eating dinner together. I think there’s a good idea for a spin-off there, Showtime.

Jamie (to Deb, re Oliver): “We should all have someone who worships us like that, right?”

Vogel (re Daniel): “He’s my son.”
Dexter: “There’s nothing you can do for him now.”

Standout music: Mama Cass’s “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”, played several times during the episode and used to expand on Vogel’s backstory with her son.

Deb: “I can’t believe I’m eating food you made.”
Hannah: “It’s not bad though, right?”

Dexter (to himself): “I’ll kill Saxon and then leave Miami forever.”

Chronology: A few days since “Are We There Yet?”

“Make Your Own Kind Of Music” certainly delivered with revealing the Brain Surgeon and overall it was an enjoyable episode. Some of the other subplots (anything involving Angel, Matthews and Jamie) weren’t as exciting but overall, a good one.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x08: "Are We There Yet?"

Written by Wendy West
Directed by Holly Dale

Zach (to Dexter/Hannah): “Are we there yet?”

Oh Zach – I finally got there and found myself enjoying you as a character (which helped when it was revealed that you didn’t kill Cassie) and then this episode had to end up with you losing some of your brain and Vogel getting another package in the mail. I should’ve known the moment I began to warm to Zach that was he was a dead man walking.

I liked so many things about this episode but Zach’s bond with Dexter and his following of Harry’s Code without actually realising it was interesting. I liked that he had done his research on Sean before killing him and that he had a kill room prepared even if he made the odd rookie mistake. More to the point, I liked the more genuine connection that he had with Dexter in this episode.

Dexter realised just in time that Zach was innocent and helped him dispose of Sean’s body. Along with Vogel and Hannah, they also realised that whoever really killed Cassie was trying to frame Zach as well. I think it might be a safe bet that Cassie’s killer was the Brain Surgeon and that leads to another thing.

Vogel has to be connected to the Brain Surgeon. If she’s not aiding them in some capacity then she is undoubtedly responsible for them in some other way. This isn’t even speculation anymore – it has to be a fact. We’ve had too many coincidences surrounding her and the Brain Surgeon for it to be otherwise. Also, now that we’re four episodes away from the big ending, can we please actually learn who the Brain Surgeon is now?

Getting back to Zach for a bit though – he still had some creepy moments (especially his post kill glee) but I did love his reactions to everything, especially the tension between Dexter, Hannah and Deb in this episode. I also really loved the dinner table scene with Dexter, Hannah, Zach and Vogel as well.

Vogel made some interesting points about Dexter and Hannah’s relationship. Both of them are good and bad together and this episode tried to highlight both as it swayed towards the good end of the scale. Deb let go of her anger towards Hannah and almost grudgingly gave Dexter her blessing but by then her snooping had been done and Elway decided to continue where she left off with Hannah being back in Miami.

As for Dexter and Hannah – there’s a load of issues you can raise about two killers getting a happy ever after but the possibility of them actually getting it does seem rather likely. Hannah was persuaded by Dexter to stay in Miami even after he went to the trouble of getting her fake papers to leave the country and more to the point, she took an interest in his methods as a killer and the impact that Vogel has had on him.

As for Deb, it wasn’t her best episode. It felt weird not seeing her at that dinner scene with Dexter and the gang and her decision to walk way from Elway’s business will more than likely backfire on her as well. Elway started off being a reasonable enough guy but it kind of seems like he’s got a nasty side to him as well. I wonder if he might end up being one of Dexter’s final kills before the show ends.

Also in “Are We There Yet?”

Masuka and Nikki dressing alike at Miami Metro was a little weird to watch. I wonder if Nikki will end up being killed off in later episodes.

Dexter: “Miami is not the place for you to be in right now. The sooner we get you out, the better.”
Hannah: “I completely agree.”

Vogel seemed deliberately evasive when Hannah asked her about her interest in psychopaths. Stating the obvious here but that has to mean something.

Dexter (re Cassie): “She’s dead because you talked me out of killing Zach in the first place.”
Vogel: “He showed real potential. You saw that. I thought you were having an impact on him.”

Deb (to Dexter, re Hannah): “Are you on top of it or on top of her?”

I’m surprised Quinn didn’t get suspicious when Dexter told him to back off with Zach. The plotlines with him and Jamie continue to bore though.

Hannah (re Zach): “So, he’s a terrible student?”
Dexter: “I wasn’t exactly a hands on teacher.”

Hannah: “So what brilliant turn of phrase have you come up with to describe me? The evil temptress? The passionate poisoner?”
Dexter: “Fiendish florist.”
Hannah: “No, really when you’re lying in bed at night and I happen to cross your mind, what do you call me?”
Dexter: “Hannah. You’re just Hannah.”

Jamie moved in with Angel in this episode, Hannah was given the passport of a Claire Thompson and was Oliver lying when he told Quinn he didn’t recognise Zach?

Dexter (re Zach): “He was following the code without even knowing it.”

Dexter (to Hannah/Deb): “You’re both still breathing. That’s a good sign.”

Standout music: Mama Cass’s “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”. Guess what the next episode is called folks.

Vogel (to Dexter/Hannah): “The truth is you make a good couple and probably a bad one too.”

Chronology: From where “Dress Code” more or less left off.

“Are We There Yet?” was certainly the best episode we’ve had this season. We’ve had road trip episodes before and this was another delightful one, especially for the family meal and last few minutes.

Rating: 9 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x07: "Dress Code"

Written by Arika Lisanne Mittman
Directed by Alik Sakharov

Dexter: “It’s gonna be okay. I’ll take care of everything.”
Hannah: “I believe you.”

After that nice little cameo in last week’s episode, everyone’s favourite little poison expert is deservedly the main focus of this week’s episode. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Hannah return all season long and now that she’s here, it’s certainly a mixed bag for everyone involved.

First of all – did the writers really need to make Hannah into a victim of an abusive husband? It kind of felt like a tacked on way of generating sympathy for the character but at the same time, her arrangement with Miles was definitely something I didn’t want to see dragged out for several episodes, so thank goodness she bumped off in this episode.

Unlike previous victims, Hannah had some mixed feelings about killing Miles. Initially she wanted Dexter’s help in order to do but changed her mind because she’s still in love with him. I’m glad the writers addressed that one during her scenes with Dexter in this episode but can she be trusted though?

Miles was an abusive man she killed in self defence and while Hannah admitted that she doesn’t get off on killing people, she certainly has no problem with doing it to get rid of obstacles. Deb will certainly be an obstacle for Hannah and both Vogel and Zach have the potential to be ones too. Will Hannah try and kill either of them?

Deb already sussed in this episode that Dexter’s feelings for Hannah were still prominent and she didn’t hold back her disgust when she realised that Harrison had affection for the black widow as well. However, this episode did seem to give an impression that Hannah might be redeemable and Dexter himself certainly made no effort to take her out at all.

He was openly jealous about her marriage to Miles and kept questioning her motives for returning to Miami. More to the point, he also helped Hannah dispose of Miles’s body as well and begged her not to leave town. Needless to say, Dexter really is besotted with Hannah and that’s going to be a problem.

Hannah’s return took over his mentoring of Zach and the little psychopath responded by killing poor Cassie as well. I know Vogel seems annoyingly determined to champion Zach as another Dexter but in reality, he’s just another Brain Surgeon with too much information on her and Dexter. This is one time bomb Dexter might want to defuse sooner rather than later.

Also in “Dress Code”

Hannah was given the new name of Maggie Castner upon marrying Miles and seems to have gotten over her fear of water as well.

Deb (to Dexter, re Hannah): “I don’t want to deal with this. I want her gone.”

Quinn earned some pointers this week with his continued pursuit of Zach. I actually want him to succeed here. Still don’t care about his relationship with Jamie though.

Harry (re Hannah): “You think she wants to be found?”
Dexter: “I think she wants to destroy our lives. Mine and Debra’s.”

Dexter: “What are you doing back in Miami?”
Hannah: “I was about to enjoy a martini.”

Nikki was working as topless waitress while Masuka trying to get her as his lab assistant. I’m not really sure where they’re going with this plot to be honest. Elway’s attitude with Deb was a little annoying in this episode, even if she was snappy with him.

Dexter (re Hannah): “I found her. She’s married.”
Deb: “Well, there’s someone for everyone I guess. I hope he’s sleeping with one eye open.”

Dexter (re Miles): “Why did you marry him?”
Hannah: “Because he was there when you weren’t.”

Hannah became the third person this season to see Dexter’s full ritual. That probably means Zach will see it soon too if he’s not killed off next week.

Deb: “You don’t know who I am.”
Elway: “I just want a chance to find out.”

Deb (to Cassie): “Trust me, Dexter is not a mystery you want to solve.”

Chronology: From where “A Little Reflection” left off.

Definitely a better episode than the previous one. “Dress Code” nicely placed Hannah back into the mix of Dexter’s growing little family but like Zach, it’s too early to tell if she’s going to be a success or a failure for Dexter though.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x06: "A Little Reflection"

Written by Jace Richdale
Directed by John Dahl

Zach: “You should go ahead and kill me.”
Dexter: “Why?”
Zach: “Because if you don’t, I’ll do it again. I don’t wanna be like this but I can’t help it.”

This isn’t the first time that Dexter has been placed in a situation where he could have a killer accomplice/wingman and if history has a habit of repeating itself, then Dexter taking Zach under his wing is going to end up being even more of a disaster area than when it was Prado.

Dexter originally had the right set of ideas in this episode – stalk Zach, befriend him, get the sufficient proof that he killed his father’s mistress and then take him out and had it not been for both Vogel and Zach himself, then things would’ve gone down the usual way for Dexter. Instead he listened to both of them and it’s obvious it’ll come back to haunt him in the next few episodes.

Vogel’s attempts of wanting to emulate what she had set in place in Dexter with Harry should’ve been another alarm bell for Dexter. She clearly learned nothing from her experience with Yates and it seems to me that Vogel thinks she can somehow condition every serial killer into a productive member of society. Dexter might have been the success story but Yates was enough proof that she shouldn’t push her luck on this matter.

Then there’s Zach himself – the creepy sociopathic kid taking pictures of his victims and getting a thrill out of it too. Dexter recognised that under Zach’s protest of wanting to kill his cheating father in order to spare his mother any more shame but it was Zach admitting that he didn’t want to be a monster that spared him.

Maybe it’s possible and Zach is telling the truth but I can’t help thinking that whatever issues he has about killing will go to one side when his bloodlust intensifies. He enjoyed killing Norma, he enjoyed stalking out Sophia Fuentes (the second mistress) and he wasn’t exactly conflicted about attempting to murder his own father either. In other words, Dexter taking Zach will not end well for either of them, character wise.

The other odd thing about this partnership as well was Deb’s seemingly relaxed attitude towards it too. Dexter admitted to her face that he was taking on an intern, knowing full well she’d get what he really meant and Deb barely reacted to it. I’m glad that things with her and Dexter are good again but the fact that Deb didn’t even raise a concern still came across as extremely out of character though.

Of course, not only are Zach and Vogel problems for Dexter and Deb in their own ways but Hannah also came out of hiding and drugged the pair of them. I had been looking forward to Hannah’s return for a while now, so her appearance in the final two minutes was a good cliff hanger moment to end the episode with.

Also in “A Little Reflection”

Vogel was married to Richard Vogel for a long time. I like that Dexter shared his research on Vogel with Deb this week.

Vogel (re Zach): “It seems that we have a conflict of interest.”
Dexter: “I don’t believe this. You’re gonna work with another killer after what happened with Yates.”

Deb and Elway’s undercover subplot this week was actually a lot of fun. I actually want Deb to hook up with the guy now.

Masuka: “Welcome to Splatter land, hope you brought some extra string.”
Dexter: “Never leave home without it.”

Dexter (re Zach): “I remember that feeling – awe, wonder. It only fed the urge.”

In other plots Miller got the sergeant job, Quinn started stalking Zach, Jamie had a birthday party, Harrison broke a remote control and Dexter and Cassie were a no go area.

Deb (to Elway): “You can’t undo the past. Families fuck you up. It’s just the way it is.”

Dexter: “Should I be worried that Harrison’s lying?”
Deb: “He’s four doofus.”

I like that Nikki seems to have no ulterior motive for wanting to get to know Masuka as well as the continuity from Harrison’s bloodied teddy from earlier this season.

Dexter: “I don’t kill innocent people.”
Vogel: “But you might have if it hadn’t been for Harry and me.”

Hannah: “Hello Dexter, remember me?”

Chronology: A couple of days from where “This Little Piggy” left off.

“A Little Reflection” isn’t the best episode we’ve had this season, it’s even a little sluggish in parts with a few less engaging subplots but the final two minutes alone are some of the best that the show has done though. Welcome back, Hannah.

Rating: 7 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x05: "This Little Piggy"

Written by Scott Reynolds
Directed by Romeo Tirone

Vogel: “I’m glad to see the two of you have managed to find your way back to each other.”
Deb: “Well the family that kills together.”

It does almost seem a little too simple that Dexter and Deb have found each other again but maybe that’s a good thing. This episode finally saw Deb come out of her trauma with Maria’s death as her and Dexter had to team together in order rescue Vogel but are things really going to be okay with her and Dexter?

Dexter had been furious with her for trying to kill the both of them in this episode and Vogel herself didn’t seem that sincere when she said she had been glad that they were on speaking terms again. I kind of suspect that Vogel might do something to drive them apart in the remainder of the season. Actually, scratch that – it’s bloody obvious that she will do something to cause another rift with Dexter and Deb.

Just look at her scenes with Yates in this episode. Yes, she was terrified of him and he came close enough to killing her but at the same time, Vogel had also used Yates’s mommy issues against him in order to gain an upper hand. It might have been a minor victory for her of sorts (before Dexter impaled him) but it certainly highlighted her more devious side as well.

And then there’s the fact that she participated in the ritual of disposing of Yates’s corpse along with Dexter and Deb. That was an interesting turning point for all three characters, wasn’t it? Dexter finally got to be his true self to his sister and a woman who has adopted a maternal role with him but it was Deb and Vogel’s reactions that were more interesting.

Vogel looked impressed with the whole scenario while Deb had accepted it. She even accepted watching Dexter kill Yates right in front of her as well. I can’t tell if that’s necessarily a good or a bad thing but it’s certainly a turning point though. Probably one that will have consequences as the rest of the season progresses too.

However the thing I’m wondering is if Yates is dead, does that mean the Brain Surgeon plot is dealt with then? This episode seemed to be stating that it was him but Vogel still seemed a little suspect too. More to the point, it also seems like another serial killer plot is being set up with weird rich kid, Zach Hamilton.

The boy basically admitted to Dexter that he murdered his father’s mistress and he certainly gave off the creepy vibes as well with the few scenes he was in. Add to the fact that Vogel’s something of a serial killer groomer and that Hannah’s return seems rather imminent, the list of problems for Dexter could be growing all the more along with the risk of his own exposure too.

In terms of the rest of the episode, the Masuka plot with his daughter seems to be something that could either way as well. Nikki could easily be trying to fleece him for some cash or she could genuinely be a young girl wanting to know her father. It’s a fun side plot, made more so with Deb’s inclusion but hopefully not one that’s dragged out too long though.

Also in “This Little Piggy”

It seems that Yates’s name is Albert but his dislike of it made him refer to himself as A.J instead though.

Dexter (to Deb): “I’m so fucking happy for you.”

I liked that this episode actually started with Dexter and Deb’s therapy session. The lack of voiceover at the start helped the scene too.

Miller (re Nikki): “This beautiful girl came from you?”
Masuka: “Yes indeed.”

Dexter: “I don’t hate you. Why did you save me? Why didn’t you let me drown?”
Deb: “I saw the car going underwater. I knew you were gonna die. I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Jamie is starting to get on my nerves this season. Personally I think she overstepped the mark with trying to do a double date with herself, Quinn, Dexter and Cassie, though the latter seems nice enough.

Deb (to Masuka, re Nikki): “Gotta be careful. You don’t want to know everything about family.”

Dexter (re Jamie): “”Serial killer bested by one hundred pound nanny.”

Standout music: Vogel was listening to Mama Cass’s “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”. That has to mean something.

Vogel (to Yates): “All you ever do is disappoint me.”

Chronology: A few days from “Scar Tissue”.

“This Little Piggy” was a pretty solid episode, certainly for the turnaround moments in the dynamic of Dexter, Deb and Vogel but some of the subplots did weigh down a bit – Quinn/Matthews butting heads over Zach, the sergeant thing with Quinn/Miller and Jamie in general. Perhaps it’s best to resolve some of these plots a little quicker, eh?

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x04: "Scar Tissue"

Written by Tim Schlattmann
Directed by Stefan Schwartz

Deb (to Dexter, re Harry): “I think I know how he felt when he killed himself but he only got it half right.”

Well, it had to happen, didn’t it? Of course with the way Deb has been spiralling and unable to deal with her guilt over LaGuerta’s death would she do something extreme. The strange thing was that although trying to drown her and Dexter in the car was shocking, it wasn’t surprising.

In fact, what’s probably more surprising was that it took her to watch the wrong DVD from Vogel’s sessions with Harry in order to prompt her into doing such an extreme action. I’m actually glad though the end of the episode resulted in both Deb and Dexter being spared but that rift between them has certainly widened all the more.

Dexter went to lengths in this episode to prove that his caring for Dexter wasn’t just because he needed her to see the good in him and Vogel spent a good portion of the episode trying to tear it down. I don’t like that Vogel seems a little hell bent on separating Dexter and Deb from each other but her scenes with both of them this week were definitely the highlights of the episode.

With Deb, it was nice/bizarre that Vogel took her to the shipping crate twice where Maria was murdered in order to ‘help’ Deb. Deb admitting that she originally dreamed of shooting Dexter was a good foreshadowing moment for the ending of the episode but the second time, Vogel convinced her that she was right to protect her brother after all. It’s just too bad that the combination of the wrong DVD and Elway’s rant about family got in the way of that.

As for Dexter himself – he turned on Vogel here but only after learning that she was keeping notes on him with their recent encounters. Dexter had a right to be annoyed with Vogel for that but why was he shocked though? She’s still kept her recorded sessions with Harry, so if anything Dexter should’ve seen this coming as well.

Also his promise of breaking away from Vogel probably won’t last long either given that Dexter messed up with catching AJ Yates as well. I don’t know what possessed Dexter to show off the way he did at the hospital but aside from the episode making comparisons with Dexter and Yates, I’m still not sure if he’s the Brain Surgeon. The episode seemed to indicate that he might be though.

The other thing episode indicated more vocally though was the fact that Vogel has a thing for grooming/mentoring serial killers into ‘heroes’. Yates seemed to be a failed attempt judging by his reaction to learning about Dexter and the latter is someone that Vogel has only just about managed to keep her under her control but for how much longer though? I think one more false move and Vogel will end up regretting getting on Dexter’s bad side.

Also in “Scar Tissue”

Yates was played by Aaron McCusker, who UK viewers will recognise as Jamie Maguire from the original version of Shameless.

Vogel: “When you shot Dexter, how did that make you feel?”
Deb: “Better. Worse. I don’t fucking know.”

Jamie and Quinn are still having problems in their relationship over Deb. I really care though I did like Quinn defending Deb’s honour and his scene with her this week. However Dexter did seem keen on Jamie’s friend, Cassie in this one.

Dexter: “When I do what I do, I have to know everything.”
Vogel: “Sorry for the oversight.”

Yates (re Dexter): “Vogel, she found herself a hero.”

In this episode alone, Masuka found out that he had a daughter named Nikki. I think we could’ve done without him trying it on with her though.

Deb: “How do I make it right?”
Vogel: “By accepting that you’re a good person who was forced to do a terrible thing and that you made the best of an impossible situation.”

Dexter (to Vogel): “You were experimenting on me with Harry and you still are. I’m nothing but a lab rat, just like Yates.”

Chronology: It’s been a week since the events of the previous episode.

“Scar Tissue” is a pretty solid episode, though I think the ending was more impacting along with any scene involving Dexter, Deb and Vogel. The rest at this point still feels like padding, especially with the tedium of Angel and the sergeant exam but overall, still a great episode.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x03: "What's Eating Dexter Morgan?"

Written by Lauren Gussis
Directed by Ernest Dickerson

Dexter (to Galuzzo): “I consume everything I love.”

However on the plus side – at least Dexter isn’t serving brains in garlic or fingers in a stew. We haven’t had a memorable minor kill for Dexter so far this season and Ron Galuzzo thankfully broke that trend with his kitchen being a kill room. Even Dexter was grossed out by the thing and that was something to see alright.

Of course Galuzzo’s main purpose in this episode was just to be another one of Vogel’s psychotic former patients who wasn’t the Brain Surgeon. Also, if this episode was anything to go by, Vogel herself might not be the brain surgeon either but I still don’t trust her and the fact that Dexter has involved her more won’t end well either.

I’m not surprised that Vogel managed to get some insight into Dexter’s relationship with Deb but once again, why aren’t some alarm bells going off for him? Once again, she seemed to encourage his darker side and was it me or did she seem not to like the bond that he actually had with Deb as well?

However she was there when Dexter needed to get Deb out of the station and made sure that she was the one to help Deb as well by telling Dexter he couldn’t do it. Even Dexter agreed with Vogel that he was unable to help Deb anymore in spire of his attempts of reaching out to her this week.

I thought Dexter had managed to make a breakthrough with Deb when he purposefully showed her the man whose life she saved a few seasons ago had turned out. It was a nice gesture and seemed to reach Deb until both her client and Elway soured things by pointing out the habits of living in denial.

Deb confessing to Quinn that she killed LaGuerta though has to come back to haunt her. Quinn might have bought Vogel’s “survivor’s guilt” spiel for a bit but even he’s going to eventually realise that Deb wasn’t lying about killing her former superior though. Much as I generally dislike Quinn, this was a good episode, namely for his concern about Deb but other plots however detracted a little from things.

It’s three episodes in and I still couldn’t care less about Quinn and Jamie as a couple and her lack of sympathy towards Deb kind of seems out of character for Jamie a bit. It also doesn’t help that Angel seems more interested in Quinn becoming a sergeant than Quinn actually does himself. I think Angel needs to focus his energies on something other than his sister and Quinn at the moment.

Also in “What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?”

The opening sequence with Harrison eating too many lollipops was good but we’ve had better fake out moments than that though and Vogel got more brain pieces delivered to her in his and her boxes.

Masuka: “Ah, suicide. Makes our lives so much easier.”
Miranda: “You should put that on a T-shirt.”

Masuka seems to be developing a similar rapport with Miranda that he used to have with Deb. I like Miranda, even though she’s ridiculously underused.

Vogel (re Deb): “Is alcohol an issue for her?”
Dexter: “I’m an issue for her. She’s acting this way because of me.”

Deb (to her client): “Don’t look at me. I think the truth is overrated.”

I’m pretty sure this is the second episode in a row that Elway has had a hangover cure for Deb. I did find his teasing about Briggs and Quinn amusing enough too.

Dexter: “I would never kill Debra. She’s my sister, I love her.”
Vogel: “What do you love about her?”

Deb (re her client): “Is she fucking kidding? That’s obviously her husband.”
Elway: “She just didn’t wanna see it. People get used to living in denial. It’s just easier you know.”

I really didn’t like Deb getting an injection from Dexter and for a moment, it did look like Quinn might have seen him do it as well. Vogel’s reaction was interesting as well.

Deb: “I don’t want some coffee. I want to confess.”
Quinn: “You want to confess to what?”
Deb: “I killed LaGuerta.”

Dexter: “Vogel was right. I am perfect at one thing.”

Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.

“What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?” – definitely a solid episode, though not an appetising one if we’re going by the contents of Galuzzo’s fridge, that’s for sure. That being said though, I do hope we get the identity of the Brain Surgeon and pretty soon.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x02: "Every Silver Lining"

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by Michael C. Hall

Dexter: “You’re wrong about me. I’m a mistake.”
Vogel: “You’re everything you need to be, Dexter. You’re perfect.”

And with those words, alarm bells really should be ringing in Dexter’s ears about now. With the exception of Lumen and Deb, anyone else who has been privy to Dexter’s bloodlust has not turned out to be good for him and it’s pretty obvious that Vogel is going to be joining that line up as well.

I’m not sure if I entirely buy the idea of Vogel being responsible for Harry giving Dexter his code but the maternal streak she showed Dexter alone in this episode certainly means that her chances of manipulating him for a bit are pretty good. Already in this episode she sent him after someone she assumed was the Brain Surgeon and stalking her.

I liked the reveal about Lyle Sussman being more of a victim of the Brain Surgeon as well, even if he was responsible for a victim’s death in this episode before being killed himself. Is it too much to assume that Evelyn herself is the real surgeon and she’s preying on certain psychopaths to do her bidding? I don’t think so.

Evelyn knows about psychopaths in a pretty detailed manner and she knew exactly what to say to Dexter at various points when it looked like he was going to snub her requests as well. She’s definitely an intellectual threat for Dexter and he really hasn’t had one of those in a long while, has he?

This week certainly wasn’t Dexter’s best one. With Vogel getting under his skin and Deb continuing to distance herself from him, it was a little hard not to feel bad for Dexter a bit in this episode.

Speaking of Deb – I’m disappointed that she killed El Sapo (assuming she did, in spite of her fuzzy memory) but the downward spiral has been nicely played by Jennifer Carpenter nonetheless though. Deb made some valid points again to Dexter but at the same time, it was him who managed to save her bacon from being identified as El Sapo’s killer though.

Of course the scenes at Miami Metro still had their moment of tension though. Deb could barely look at Angel or Tom and she couldn’t even snap back at Masuka like she would do in the old days. Even her questioning with Quinn about El Sapo saw her only being inches away from confessing to murdering the guy.

Also in “Every Silver Lining”

This was the first time Michael C. Hall directed for the show. He previously directed the penultimate episode of Six Feet Under’s final season.

Vogel: “Sooner or later somebody’s going to be holding a piece of my brain in a jar. I want you to find him, Dexter and I want you to do what Harry and I taught you to do.”
Dexter: “I don’t take requests.”

Angel admitted to being aware about Quinn sleeping with Jamie but seemed more fixated on Quinn taking the sergeant’s test.

Dexter: “Miami makes more corpses than sunburns and I’m thankful.”

Dexter: “You never felt guilty about what I was doing.”
Vogel: “No, all I ever felt was pride.”

Elway seems to be harbouring some romantic feelings for Deb and Quinn’s feelings for her have been noticed by Jamie as well.

El Sapo (to Deb): “You’re lucky I don’t kill people unless I’m paid to.”

Deb: “Nobody’s coming after me, Dexter.”
Dexter: “How do you know that?”

Standout music: Mama Cass’s “Make Your Kind Of Music” was played in this episode during a gruesome scene.

Dexter: “What if I weren’t here to cover your ass.”
Deb: “Do you really wanna play the ‘what if’ game?”

Chronology: I assume from where “A Beautiful Day” left off.

Although not quite as good as the opening episode, at least “Every Silver Lining” moved things along nicely. Michael C. Hall did a good job with directing the episode and Vogel is certainly proving to be a whole new kind of problem as well.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Dexter's 8x01: "A Beautiful Day"

Written by Scott Buck
Directed by Keith Gordon

Deb (to Dexter): “I shot the wrong person in that trailer.”

It’s the beginning of the end and there’s a part of me that wants to prolong this season as much as possible. While I’m definitely of the belief that now is the right time for the show to conclude, I am certainly going to miss this series and this opening episode reminded me of why to be honest.

Dexter’s journey has gotten messier and messier over the years with his actions always having consequences and last season, Deb’s protection of his secret compromised her in a big way and has now widened the gap that was growing between her and Dexter. Watching her in this episode alone was quite sad in it’s way.

Deb’s always had a good head on her shoulders but shooting Maria has resulted in her leaving Miami Metro to work for a private detective agency with Elroy (who didn’t really do much in this episode), sleep with the same creep that she was hired to bring down in a sleazy motel and numb the pain through booze and drugs while activating avoiding Dexter like the plague.

Much as I sympathised with Dexter for being rejected at several points by Deb and more so when his attempts of protecting her resulted in her target being killed by him, there’s no denying that this is all his fault. She killed Maria to protect him and now she can barely live with herself. On top that, Deb also managed to get a hit on her head with El Sapo, who was also meant to kill Andrew Briggs.

I’m not sure if Dexter and Deb can repair their relationship or even should be able to either because right about now, I can’t see either of them getting out of the series either alive or scot free from their actions and adding Evelyn Vogel into the mix only seemed to add to my suspicions on that matter.

I liked Vogel from the off – the neuro-physiatrist with a speciality in serial killers. I knew she was going to be trouble for Dexter and I liked that this episode didn’t waste any time in having her reveal to him that she knew about his code and macabre childhood drawings too. If anything she’s clearly being designed to be a part of Dexter’s undoing and he’s got every right to be worried about her.

I have a feeling this season is going to result in more people becoming suspicious about Dexter. Maria’s death got Angel back into Miami Metro and there’s no doubt he’ll want more answers and even Matthews seemed a little too nonchalant about Vogel being a presence in the brain surgeon case as well.

I like the whole thing with the victim of the week having the part of his brain where empathy comes from being removed. It might have been a little obvious along with the needling Vogel gave Dexter but it’s an interesting plotline and an appropriate one too for the show’s final season. However I don’t think I’d be too shocked though if it turns out that Evelyn herself is the brain surgeon considering that she’s just returned to Miami and she certainly seems to have a bit of a Dark Passenger herself, doesn’t she?

Also in “A Beautiful Day”

Aimee Garcia (Jamie) and Geoff Pierson (Tom) are regulars while Charlotte Rampling (Vogel) is a special guest star.

Dexter (to himself): “There’s nothing like a crisis to help define who you are.”

The opening sequence saw Dexter flying kites with Harrison, coaching his soccer team, setting up the bowling club again, sleeping with a blonde woman and Hannah’s flower wilting.

Harry (re Deb): “She asked you to leave her alone.”
Dexter: “For how long? I haven’t talked to her in a month.”

Dexter (to himself): “Is this how I’m gonna find Deb – dead and alone?”

Angel sorting out through Maria’s things was a lovely gesture, though I don’t think he should’ve asked Miranda about taking Maria’s clothes though.

Jamie (re Maria): “That’s who she was, Angel – a cop.”
Angel: “That’s who she was.”

Vogel: “I look forward to working with you, Dexter Morgan.”

Jamie and Quinn are now sleeping together. I really cannot make myself even remotely interested in this storyline.

Deb (to Dexter): “So why don’t you go back to your little life and pretend everything’s fine but I can’t do that because I am not fucking like you.”

Vogel: “You can’t kill me.”
Dexter: “Why?”
Vogel: “Because I don’t fit Harry’s code.”

Chronology: Six months since where the previous finale left off.

“A Beautiful Day” probably was a misleading title for this episode but it was certainly a great opening for a show that definitely seems determined to deliver one hell of a final season. Will anyone get out of this alive?

Rating: 9 out of 10

Dexter - Season 8: How Should It End?

If you can guess from my blog, I don't tend to watch a lot of procedural dramas and usually the exceptions to the rule are that for good reasons - and let's face it, Dexter is most definitely an exception to the rule.

It's amazing that Showtime have managed to get eight seasons out of Jeff Lindsay's book series of a serial killer Dexter Morgan who mainly kills bad guys but with an excellent lead actor in Michael C. Hall, a wonderful supporting cast (namely Jennifer Carpenter as the utterly magnificent Debra Morgan) and a brilliant writing staff, the time has come to say goodbye to this wonderful show and Season Eight is that season. Now the question remains - how should it end?

Away With Murder: Why not? After all - this is a television show and not real life and Dexter's victims have primarily been actual threats to society and bigger monsters than himself. Do we really want the Brian Moser/Lila Tournay/Arthur Mitchell/Travis Marshall to name a few out on the street terrorising and slaughtering innocent victims? In his own twisted, Dexter has done good in that respect even if his motives were anything but altruistic.

He Has To Pay: Then again, Dexter's actions might have resulted in some of the most dangerous people being taken off the street but they haven't come without prices as well. People like Doakes, Maria and Rita have all died as a consequence of the double life that Dexter has led and he has killed at least one or two undeserving victims as well. Worse still, without meaning to, he's actually compromised Deb, who ended up shooting Maria in order to protect his secret and then there's Harrison to consider as well. Perhaps Dexter should pay for his many, many crimes over the years with the options being incarceration or his own demise.

Either of these scenarios will end up the ultimate result as the eighth and final season begins to air next month and it's nice to see that Showtime are ramping up the promotions for it. The concept trailers focusing on Masterpieces, Masks and Killer Or Innocent Victim are a nicely way of highlighting the dark journeys both Dexter and Deb have gone on over the series and the use of Tom Odell's Can't Pretend (funny, the final season of Being Human used the same song) has certainly ramped up my own enthusiasm for the last season. I'm gonna miss this show but it certainly seems like it's going out with a bloody bang.

Season 8: Killer Or Innocent Victim Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osmOCyy3Aak
Season 8: Masterpiece Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGRBmZ4gG0Q
Season 8: Behind A Mask Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXw0LWcp22Y

Dexter's eighth and final season will air Sundays at 9pm on both Showtime and FOX from June 30th and July 7th respectively.