Warning: Contains spoilers about last night's episode, 'Hungry Man'.
Well, it appears that someone was listening to me. Or, you know, I probably just spoke too soon. Last night's Dexter was the show at its creepy best, generously energizing what had been a somewhat slow season. We got to see the Trinity killer's true evil, Dexter snap and lose control like rarely before, and Rita tumble down the bad-deeds rabbit hole, finally giving her character a little more shading.
How about that ending huh? I'd suspected that intrepid reporter Christine Hill had something sinister to do with Deb and Lundy's shooting, which it appears she did, but the Trinity father/daughter connection? That was a pleasing and thrilling surprise, and a pleasant reminder that Dexter is one of the cleverer series out there in terms of making sure all of its disparate story threads get bloodily knotted together by season's end. I'm anxious to see what exactly the Trinity/Christine dynamic is like, especially in light of how the John Lithgow Monster treats the rest of his family.
Man, all those Thanksgiving scenes were creep city, were they not? I'd previously been kinda miffed that they'd gone the trite route of having this secretly wicked man be a publicly righteous family guy. It just seemed a bit pat and obvious, that he'd have this obliviously happy family. But, oh no, me and Dexter were both wrong about that. Instead, Trinity is vicious and controlling and abusively cruel to his terrified clan—breaking his son's finger during a Rockwellian Turkey Day football game, locking his daughter up in her room, and terrifying his poor mouse of a wife into frozen Stepfordness. Those domestic horrors played out with a quiet and agonizingly slow dread last night, and provided some of the most believably down-to-earth chills in the series' history. Gone were the Shakespearean histrionics of the Ice Truck Killer or the Looney Toons ramblings of Lila. Instead we had a charming-looking suburban house rotting terribly from the inside out. Dexter's raw outbreak at the end—strangling and knife-wielding, scaring not just Trinity, but his bizarrely-protective wife and daughter—felt so wonderfully earned, a killer raging against not just this cruel monster, but the lie that the monster had been unwittingly telling him—that a family man cum serial killer really can have it all.
Sadly it would appear that Dexter may be on the brink of having nothing. I loved the strange and out-of-context presence of Masuka last night, and think it's a nifty little twist to have him of all people be the witness to Rita's blushing minor infidelity. If he spills, will that give Dexter the out he needs, a reason to shuck the family and become the lone wolf again? I doubt it will be as easy as that. And was I the only one oddly hoping that Deb and Masuka might embark on the show's weirdest relationship yet? I kinda doubt it will happen, but it could be fun. Either way, it was great to see Vince out of the office and bumping up against his colleagues' private lives.
So, three episodes left and I'm chomping at the bit for 'em. In some ways last night's episode made the early part of this season's slow (sometimes too slow) burn totally worth it. What a jarring and horrific surprise it was to see that Trinity's M.O. is a lot more complex than we'd earlier suspected. And how interesting to have the tables turned by seeing Rita become the weaker half of the marriage. I think something Big and Important is going to happen at the end of this season—so laded with heavy themes of family and responsibility as it's been—and last night's episode galvanized me to sit anxiously on the couch and find out what it is that's looming darkly on the horizon.
What did you think? Best episode yet? Will Dexter dump Rita? And how much does Christine know about her dastardly father? (I think it's a lot.)
Comments (37)
Slow, sluggish season? No way! Much better than the previous one!
Wow, just wow. Dexter never ceases to amaze me, I can't even begin to fathom how things will turn out in the remaining 3 episodes of this season. Just wow
Best episode of Dexter ever. It was gripping, dramatic and simply awesome. That episode should be up for an Emmy.
Ah man last night was awesome. I remember screaming " NO WAY!!! THAT WAS THAT GUY!??!!" (
I'm thankful for Dexter :)
This week episode blew me away. I had my suspicions about Debra's shooter, but Christine's relationship with Trinity made me yell out "WHAT!?" at the end of the episode. Dexter is really one of the few shows I still consistently eagerly watch every week. I sure as hell do not want to be that other guy trying to move on Rita.
Not yet the best episode, i must be frank a say that I saw this coming a mile away. Sure the storyline is more dense then the past seasons. Bud the chemistry between Arthur and Dexter form the start is absolutely wonderful to watch. You want (as viewer) the best for Dexter, witch means that he's getting a new friend. In this case Arthur. Remember that he's is still looking for a replacement of his own (step)-father and even for his brother (whom he killed himself). And none of the people in his surrounding fits it better then Arthur. It all changed when Deb got Shot. The fact that not Arthur did it but his (new) daughter (the reporter). Didn't shocked me, I new from the start that their was something fishy about the reporter. The fact she shot Deb and Lundy is just a new twist. Bud not a shocker. Even the fact she is the daughter of Arthur didn't do it for me. What comes next is more of a surprise then anything else. Where I hope (just a little precognition of me) that Arthur already KNEW that Dexter was/is a serial killer. And that he instructed Chrisitine to get close to everybody surrounding Dexter and if needed we can control everything if something goes wrong. And the fact Dexter Openly attacked Arthur changed the ball game completely. So i think, could have it wrong off course, were not jet finished with this great tail.moreless
So what happens next? Looks like the hunter might well become the hunted ...
I was ready to stop watching Dexter altogether, but this episode changed my mind.
worst episode ever... like watching a mexican soap opera
i never lost faith in the season.. dexter is probably the best show which is airing nowadays.
man oh man, it was such a great episode i was also thinking that masuka and deb were gona get it on but its unlikely but it would be an interesting twist considering that she thinks he the most disgusting person ever. and i personally think that Dex and Rita wont separate coz it wud just be too messy story wise.
have i missed something about this season...slow...i just thought it was a really great story so far this season...maybe is it that dexter is not up to his kill ratio this season??? otherwise i love this show and hoping for more seasons to come
Best episode yet! It totally renewed any lost faith I might have had in the show as it had been slowly prodding through this season. The latest episode was absolutely, WOW! The twists and just wow! And no I dont think he is gonna dump Rita!
Man! What an episode it was! simply amazing.. cant wait for the next episode.. Its getting better day by day.. I would say it has been slow poison but very effective..I can say that for many that his/her inner voice should be sounding "Dexter's" voice.. amazing..
You were pretty much alone on that 'Dexter ain't as good as before' trip you had, Richard, and last night's episode only confirmed that you should have shown more patience.
Right now, I'm just wondering how Dext can now get rid of Trinity without his family suspecting him - he cannot possibly go for his usual grab-and-dump. Pieces must fall perfectly in place for him to get away with this one... unless someone else beat him to it (Trinity's son could definitely end up killing his daddy in this sleep - and WHO COULD BLAME HIM?)
I think a main sign of an excellent show is that there is dispute as to which season is the most compelling. For me it was the first season because of the finale, but the third season is close runner-up. Although I disagree that the second season was the best so far, I have heard it before.
Last night was by far the best episode of the season...had me on the edge of my seat...especially when Dexter said, "I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Can't wait till he guts Trinity!!!
Well, like I said on the previous article that acused this season as being a boring one (which I disagreed on, but, opinions are like private parts, everybody has one =P), they were building the story up to this point, and now I'm expecting until the end, for it to be a very good ride... I have to add, I told you so. lol!
can't get the edit message to work. Meant to post Christine hit Lundy instead of Rita hit Lundy
Yes. Best episode yet...but I really don't agree that the show has been in a slump. I have been riveted ever since the first episode when I learned John Lithgow was going to be the main prey. He is so polished a performer I literally sit on the edge of my seat just to see what he is going to do next. Dex dump Rita? Nah. I think that Rita hit Lundy for her father and her career and he is going to get her to find out where "Kyle" lives and off him for him. I dunno. Just my opinion.
definitly best episode so far ... crazy last few sec :D
I agree with Primitive, i think this is one of the best seasons so far, it's much better than the 3rd.
OMG! YESSSS! Last night's episode was a much needed addition to the fourth season of Dexter. I was pleasantly surprised by the Trinity/ Reporter twist at the end. I didn't really see that coming. Up until this point, this season has been a little slow, compared to previous seasons. Season one was definitely the best, but seasons 2 & 3 were pretty great also. I had almost given up on this season, but last night's episode renewed my faith in Dexter. I haven't been this anxious to see the next installment since season two, when Dex had Doakes locked in a cage. Thanks Showtime!
I signed up for a TV.com account just to comment on this article. The title lured me in, and I just have to mention that I couldn't agree more with just about every point made. Dexter has been my favorite show for a few years now and it wasn't until two weeks ago that I had to stop and realize I wasn't enjoying this season as much as I used to. But yesterday's episode truly saved a sinking season. Glad to see someone else thought so too. Great article.
i keep trying to understand why people have found this season "SLOW".....i think it's been one of the best!!!
i want to disagree with your point that dexter is "looking for a way out" (of his family). we have an impression of dex as an emotionless robot, because he made a point of it all throughout the first season. he was only dating rita as a cover, but i think we were pleasantly surprised to learn that he actually loved her, only he never admits to it. same goes for cody and astor. he does have emotions, he just thinks he doesnt. he was programed to believe he doesnt. i believe thats the premise of the show. (unless the writers prove me wrong).
Definitely the best episode yet
While I agree the first few episodes of the season where a bit sluggish, until now the whole season has built up to be the best one so far. The acting performances of Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter in particular were quite memorable. Especially last night's episode, with Dexter's breakdown was pretty damn cool.
OOOh GodThis is DexBorn free as free as the wind blows
I think the main problem with this season is that the last season was the best so far and it's still fresh in people's minds and everyone is just comparing it to that one. Don't forget season 2, I personally think that was the least interesting of the show so far.
The show needs to develop groundwork to make future episodes better and I think they are making it interesting while doing that and we will see it pay off in the next few episodes and into the next season. He has two different sides to him and without trying to balance that out in the series there will be no build up only episodes that are the same just with different serial killers.
@dfmir: it doesn't follow the formula, that's true, but bravo to that. I think last weeks episode was just as good as this week's, if not better. Compelling stuff all the way.
It's good that it's getting back on it's feet. It really sucks when really good shows get in slumps.
I disagree with you, Jooj. This has been the least compelling season for me personally because of the lack of the hunt. There haven't been as many killers for Dexter to put away and he's been stalking Trinity too much without any actual action. This episode, however, got me on the edge of my seat. I was very happy to see Dexter unleash the beast inside of him on Trinity although it wouldn't have been right if he had killed him then and there.Something that wasn't mentioned in the article is the intrigue of Deb finding out the killer is in the school system. This is going to lead the cops one step closer to Trinity and is going to make the chase between Dexter and Miami Metro very compelling.
I totally called it! I KNEW that reporter was the shooter, only I thought she was the daughter of Lundy and was angry for his abandonment, etc. What a twist - i just told the play by play to my coworker and even she was incredulous at it w/ my telling! amazing! I'm still reeling about the Lithgow family. OMG - intense! I'm already a big fan of the dysfunctional family dynamic (Oprah book anyone???) so this was the PENULTIMATE. That was the best show and the most believable and Deb ROCKS. And we didn't have to yawn (I actually still FF those parts) through too much of Laguerta and whatshisface.
Rita will "cheat" or decide to to cheat on Dexter before the end of the series. I believe that she will do so as an act of retaliation for something Dexter does or she thinks he does. It would be interesting to see how Dexter reacts when he faces jealousy or betrayal. wont it ?
What are you people on? This is the best season of Dexter so far. Never a dull episode!