"Jesus Christ!" These days it's more of a curse than a call for redemption, but it was a strangely appropriate reaction when Dexter approached the insane crime scene at the start of Sunday's episode, "Horse of a Different Color." In a murder tableau inspired by the Book of Revelations, a human corpse had been divided into pieces, attached to four live horses, and loosed in the streets of Miami to signify the harbingers of the apocalypse. (So a typical Tuesday, basically!) The nightmarish scene promised a thrilling new hunt for Dexter (who grinned like it was his birthday), but the larger theological implications were what really helped make this episode the best hour of the season so far.
This episode of Dexter actually had a few things working in its favor, the main one being that it finally unified all the major plot elements for the season: the Doomsday Killer, Miami Metro's investigation, Dexter's friendship with Brother Sam and their resulting conversations about faith. Who knew that having everyone on the same page would render everything more purposeful and compelling? I understand that a certain amount of set-up needed to happen in order to get us to this place, but it still begs the question of whether it was completely necessary to keep Dexter unaware of the Big Bad for three whole episodes? I mean, is that good storytelling or is it just spinning wheels? You know what, don't answer that. Let's just appreciate what we've got now!
Now that Dexter and Miami Metro are firmly aware of the Doomsday Killer (yes, singular, more on that in a sec), WE are finally getting a better sense of what exactly has been going on in that decrepit church. For one thing, Professor Gellar (Edward James Olmos) is a former theology professor who was let go for alleged artifact theft; not coincidentally, an antique sword was used to murder the first two victims. Professor Gellar's interactions with Travis (Colin Hanks) this week were mostly limited to Travis's awkward romantic tryst with a local waitress and Professor Gellar's punishment for Travis having "defiled" her. The episode culminated with the season's second consecutive glorious WTF climax, which went something like this:
I don't know, the locusts that followed might have been overkill, but at least the swarm led to Dexter eyeing Travis in the crowd (Dexter knows a killer when he sees one). I believe someone pointed this out in last week's comments, and this week's episode definitely confirmed it in my mind: Professor Gellar is most likely a figment of Travis' imagination! It's very Fight Club, but we still haven't seen Professor Gellar speak to anybody other than Travis. Neither the jogging victim nor the waitress seemed to lay eyes on him, plus he was absent from the crime scene—whereas Travis was hanging out like he had nowhere else to be. All we know is that Gellar "went off the grid" after his final blog post on the date of the first murder, but there's no reason to believe Travis hasn't somehow incorporated a long-dead professor into his own schizophrenia. I guess we'll see!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Miami Metro office plotlines were also pretty great this week. Deb got off to a slightly shaky start in her new capacity as boss, but this episode more or less confirmed what we've been suspecting: Miami Metro, until this point, has basically been the worst crime-solving team in North America and LaGuerta is mostly to blame! Think about it: They've now investigated half-a-dozen serious serial killers, yet Quinn doesn't even know the most basic serial-killer lingo? Also LaGuerta insisted on hiring only from within, which would have prevented the undeniably smart new detective from bringing some much needed expertise to the department (well, he's smart with cases, but a bit of a dunce when it comes to tact). LaGuerta also attempted to hijack Deb's press conference only to have Deb do it her own way and become a local hero from dropping the F-bomb on live television (Oh, Deb). This season has done a great job of pointing out just how horrible LaGuerta is, and to be honest, LaGuerta is a much better character the more evil she gets. Lauren Velez is a talented lady, but the sappy, vulnerable side of LaGuerta has always done her a disservice. Bring on the villainy!
Probably my favorite parts of this episode were the two lengthy, low-key, and lovely exchanges with Brother Sam, which were so smart and well-acted they were like something you'd see on AMC! As Brother Sam and Dexter have grown closer (a bond verging on friendship) they've began to talk openly about faith, how it's a double-edged sword that can be wielded by good men and evil men alike. As someone who's found himself on both sides of the faith divide, Sam made some compelling arguments about the dangers of putting too much faith in the wrong person, which shines a light on Dexter's relationship with Harry, not to mention Travis' relationship with Gellar (imaginary or not). In Brother Sam's case, his faith in his abusive father led him down a path of murder, but his later faith in an intervening God set him back on the path of righteousness. While Dexter remained slightly skeptical of God's existence, his conclusive admission that science doesn't have all the answers indicated a new open-mindedness on the subject. But seriously let's get to what's important here: How good is Mos? This is some Emmy-level stuff he's doing, and it's nothing less than a thrill to watch.
The thing I enjoyed least about this episode (apart from the pot-smoking shenanigans of Quinn and Batista) was that it took a formerly intriguing plotline and more or less trashed it. Last week when intern Ryan stole the MANNEQUIN hand (got it, commenters!), it seemed to be a suggestion that she was somehow linked to the Ice Truck Killer, and my imagination ran wild with what THAT could mean. Instead we found out this week she merely stole the item to sell on eBay. Whoops! Definitely not as interesting. Anyway, the one good thing that came from it? Masuka fired her. It's so rare he's allowed moments to prove that he's serious about his job, so I instantly respected him when he asked her to leave. Ultimately I'm hoping there will be another twist to this plotline, but this disappointing turn of events was probably more a victim of my own expectations than anything.
I don't mean to shock you guys, but this episode was one of the more solid hours of Dexter I can remember. Credit where credit's due!
RANDOM BLOOD SPLATTERS:
... Do YOU think Travis and Gellar are the same person?
... Have we seen the last of Ryan?
... Did you detect possible romantic sparks between Deb and the new detective?
... Do you completely trust Brother Sam yet?
... If the new detective is as competent as he seems, how long before he's onto Dexter?
You know it hadn't occured to me, but now that you mention it, there is a definite Sixth Sense element to how Geller interacts - or doesn't - with anyone other than Travis. I think you might be right. Yes, I know - you probably know for sure either way by now, but in the UK we just got to this ep last night.
I hope Ryan pops up next season, considering the person who actually bought the hand (won't spoil it)
BROTHER SAM! Oh my gosh. Mos Def is awesome. Seriously. SERIOUSLY.
This was a great episode, but the one thing that really pissed me off was at the very end, when that woman cop trips the wire that kills the girl, she gives no reaction to it whatsoever. She basically killed the poor woman due to her own stupidity, and then she just stand there with a completely neutral expression on her face, like she didn't do anything. I know she was an extra, but next time they should hire someone who can act. A more fitting reaction would have been sadness, shock, guilt, or all of the above, but certainly the non-reaction that she gave in that scene.
Certainly not the non-reaction* Damn typos.
Here we go with a possible Fight Club plotline. I think it will however work fine with Dexter, because one could almost (omos, lol) see a connection with Travis and 'Gellar' and Dexter and 'Harry'. The writers are Genius so they have probably thought of this as a protagonist VS. antagonist style of plot. Which ever way the story moves Im happy that chick from heros was canned and absolutely love Mos's portray of a man of faith:)
The thought that Travis and Gellar are one in the same didn't even cross my mind! And I usually think of that stuff. How brilliant would that be? Way to go people who have thought up that theory!
We have definitely not seen the last of Ryan. She mentioned all previous serial killers related to Dexter. She's going to pick up on a connection that no one else has found and blackmail Dexter. She'll also probably have closer relations with Masuka by this point so she'll be missed when Dexter puts her on his table. I'm guessing Masuka would be pretty dedicated in searching for his lover's killer.
And I don't see anything happening between Deb and the new detective. Yet. Through they probably will make it happen just to have that conflict between Deb and Quinn.
I totally trust Brother Sam. Because I definitely think that Sam is going to find out what Dexter is. Or Dexter is going to tell him. The real question is how Sam is going to react when he finds out. Will he turn him in, or keep his secret?
I do think the detective is competent however I don't know if they're going to focus on him this season. There's a LOT going on right now. Perhaps right at the end of the season? He would be smart enough not to mention ANYTHING to Deb about his suspicions (or at least he would figure out a plan for Deb to discover for herself) and I think that would be a season's story on its own.
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I'll give you everything else but Ryan blackmailing Dexter. I don't even think she's on his level or even close to it. If anyone is getting blackmailed its Masuka for putting himself and her in the position for things to be so out of control to begin with.
"pichikin" was the first to suggest the idea.
I can't seem to land on either theory regarding Travis and whether he's taken on a personality of Gellar or if Gellar is actually there. A lot of the signs suggest that Travis may have a split/multiple personality disorder, with Gellar being one of those personalities. I'm inclined to believe that theory, but I can also nitpick a few things that suggest he's really there. I just can't tell if my little nitpicks suggest the writers are making very slight mistakes or problems with their big picture (as all shows and movies do), or if the writers are really just doing a double bluff (Gellar is really there, but not really there, but really is there!). Double bluffs are usually stupid and just the result of viewers thinking too much, but so far, everything regarding this theory has been very subtle, which could make the double bluff possible without it being farfetched or stupid.moreless
That's my take too... Either it is bad writing like they try to make us believe that Travis is hallucinating, or, he is (and split personality). They also seem to borrow a lot of stuff from movies: Saw, Fight Club, Anamorphic. I just hope that they are not sitting on the previous ratings to get sloppy like "Prison Break" did in it's fourth year.
ill agree that the idea of gellar being a figment of travis' imagination is cool, but unlikely. Dexter says that there are two styles in the killings, that rough cuts of the horseman body, and the precision of the snake body. plus, how would he tie up the girl in the kitchen, but want to / try to let her go? Maybe he is possessed or something, which would be disappointing. Looking forward to the rest of the season.
And Brother Sam is awesome. Mos Def is doing well
I was just thinking that if they hired Edward James Olmos just to play a similar character as James Remar (Dexter's dad) it is a darn waste of a great actor. As someone else mentioned, it would be so cool to see the dynamic between Olmos and Hall.
"Have we seen the last of Ryan?"
I can't really tell. If that is all, it was quite useless and such an evident filler. But we've seen that with Batista and LaGuerta before: useless fillers. Anyway, she doesn't look (act) very sane. I wouldn't be surprised if she was involved with Travis.
"Did you detect possible romantic sparks between Deb and the new detective?"
Nope.
"Do you completely trust Brother Sam yet?"
Yes, I think he's genuine.
"If the new detective is as competent as he seems, how long before he's onto Dexter?"
End of this season and/or next season.
There is already plenty of stuff for this season.
I don't know but, after the whole hospital scene and the last discussion between Dexter and Harry, I am scared for Debra..
I hope that the writers of the show stay away from two reoccurring themes (1) The new guy sleeps with Deb and (2) The new guy starts suspecting Dexter... I do think Mos is a great addition and I love what he is bringing to the show.
and as for that old guy being an hallucination, heard that mentioned before so was on the look out for evidence, saw him pick something up so discounted it, but come to think of it now, that thing he picked up could have been an addition to the hallucination. - darn these unanswered questions :).
Maybe mentioned below, but just cos someone won the auction doesn't mean the arm has been shipped. Why he doesn't just go round her house, pick up arm and return, well that just beggars belief.
That woman cop that tripped the trap (hey! alliteration ftw! say that five times fast! can't do it!) is one of the worst extras I have ever seen. After she basically kills the woman they show a shot of her in the background, and shes just standing there all dumb faced. Why wouldn't the director come over to her and say "Okay you just killed this woman, so act distressed and overwhelmed. AND YOU! Male cop guy! You console her like your telling her it ain't her fault okay? Okay! Action!" Damn that s*** was so lame!
I liked the episode though. Quinn is funny when he's stoned! And Batista is creepy! Brother Sam is getting a little stale with the constant God-stuff, but he is acting the hell out of though!moreless
"shes just standing there all dumb faced"
Never heard of post-traumatic shock?
Umm yeah PTSD is a mental disorder in which one often relives a traumatic experience in dreams and has panic symptoms for more than three months. Pshhh. So by definition it can't be PTSD. Any way nope she was just standing there with a dumb look on her face.
You are talking about post-traumatic stress disorder. I'm talking about post-traumatic shock. They all kind of look like that at first and it could be a sign that they will fall into PTSD if not helped right away. I think they also call it "Acute Stress Reaction" in English.
I'm sorry but Dexter has far too much of a scientific education to accept "science doesn't know all the answers therefore God could exist" ie. the God of the gaps argument. Dexter would understand that science is merely humanities continuing quest to explain things with facts rather than myths and emotional ("spiritual") highs, and just because a few answers will probably never be understood, it doesn't mean we have to say "God did it!" Dexter is a logically thinking person, that's all. That hospital scene really did irritate me because Dexter was so out of character.
He's not that much out of character. The whole show is based on how Dexter process things that he is not used to. Friendship, Family, Love and all those themes have been the center of the Dexter's evolution. Each season is concluded by a different Dexter who learned something. Maybe this one will conclude with a spiritual Dexter or just a Dexter that understands spiritual belief without adopting it.The fact that his son was in danger may made him consider all those things in that ep but as usual we'll see at the end where he stands.
His son was in surgery, so he was a little bit out of character. But I totally agree, the theological debates are on a low level.
I think we're going to see more of this "out of character" thing this year. Remember the last conversation with Harry.
That was Dexter's mind brewing this whole stuff together.
Maybe as Gellar went "off the grid" 3 years ago, Travis felt left alone by his mentor like Dexter felt with his dad. Then Travis started his psycosis and is now imaginating Gellar but Gellar still lives somewhere and up to some point he meets Dexter !!!
What I want to know is if Travis is hallucinating Geller then how did Dexter figure out that two different people committed the murders? One was meticulous and the other person hacked the guy to pieces that's how he guessed it was a duo. Unless he has multiple personalities and he isn't just hallucinating Geller.
it's exactly like fight club .. sometimes he's himself, sometimes he's Tyler Durden and sometimes he sees Tyler Durden ..
Exactly my thoughts it gotta be split personality
All I kept thinking when they found the girl and she kept shaking her head whenever they got near her was, "protect and serve" my a**
Call me crazy but for some reason I think the hand being sold on eBay is going to tie into the rest of the story. After all who was the one that purchased the hand from an Ice Truck Killer murder scene? Travis did just use Mannequin parts for the previous murder. If it doesn't tie in that way then I fail to see the purpose of that side-plot.
Interesting...
What if Travis bought it?
And what's with her always shaking her booty in front of Masuka? Was this think a whole plan all along? Seducing Masuka to get the parts for the final scene?
Could she be another of Gellar psychotic admirer, in it with Travis.
Is this some kind of Cult whom Gellar was the leader of and is now the "Ever Seeing Eye" in their mind?
Cultism is another facet of Faith, the theme of this season.