Back to My First Blog Love: Dexter

So many of you know that from the days of Yore (and Yore was a very important era in colonial America, as Rachel Green would attest to), I used to provide frequent, in-depth analyses of episodes of Dexter. Seasons 1 and 2 miraculously unlocked the floodgates of inspiration and I took great pleasure in dissecting nuances, analyzing characters and hypothesizing potential plot twists, all with the fervent zeal of a new lover.

Sadly, the well-intentioned, promising but (in my humble opinion) poorly executed mess otherwise known as Season 3 decisively ended my love affair with blogging about Dexter.

Thanks to this past pivotal Season 4, Episode 4 "Dex Takes a Holiday," Dexter Blogs and I are now officially an item, reunited.

Speaking of which. Relationships. Relationships in this series have ironically always proven central. Dexter's relationship and view of Harry continues to evolve, especially now as Daddy Harry serves more as a spirit guide, a moral conscience. Well as morally conscious as a man who trained a serial killer to hide his true nature can be. Harry is the Obi Wan Kenobi to Dexter's Luke Skywalker. You can almost hear him whispering in Dex's ear, "Run, Dex, Run!"

And run, he might have to, though not in the traditional sense. In Season 4, the writers have cleverly taken us down this pathway of exploring what domestic bliss, with all its suburban restraints and charms, will do to Dexter and his stealthy extracurricular activities. I've loved every second of seeing Dexter squirm, not necessarily from the cat-and-mouse game of possibly getting caught, but how his own choices and lifestyle seem to be working against him. It's almost like Dexter is a Grand Master, playing chess with himself and checkmating himself all the while. It's not the police or prosecuting attorney out to get him, expose him, or even kill him. It's about Dexter's choices to come a father, a husband and an integrated member of civil society that keeps Dexter on his toes, sweating every possible minute.

In some ways, this show is becoming a surprisingly incisive, dark humored take on the American dream and the sanitized, suburban American way. It almost makes me think of the mid-life or quarter life crisis pandemic that seems to hit a culture overwhelmed with the curse of too many options, and a universal assumption to assert individualism and personal self-fulfillment.

But I digress.

There were so many great moments in this episode for me. When Quinn told that reporter (or Smokin' Hot Reporter Lady as some of my guy friends have unfortunately labeled her) to take a hike (Quinn can be such an IDIOT sometimes); when Lundy's six sense kicked in and he knew something was fishy about John Lithgow swooping in and "accidentally" dropping his keys (I loved this by the way: ultimate confirmation that Lundy really does deserve the title of Rock Star Serial Killer Catcher); when Dexter had a moment of clarity, an epiphany while he had that cop lady Saran Wrapped and cocooned to the table; when Deb decided to go for it and went with her heart, like she always does. Even the slightly cheesy but somehow sweet storyline of La Guerta and Angel struck a tender chord for me.

In most of these cases, each character's choice to either commit or quit relationships they are in seems to shape and define and propel both their destinies and other people's destinies on collision courses with each other.

It seems to be general consensus that Lundy indeed probably died instantaneously, while Deb will live on, although not without a serious fight. And we can only assume Dexter will have a fire lit underneath him once he hears his baby sister was shot. I am looking forward to a final showdown between John Lithgow the Trinity Killer and Dexter.

I love where this season is going in terms of plot, theme, character development.

Oh yeah, and my favorite theme music is back.

I really can't complain:)

Dexter again

So I know I am going a tad blog-happy today. BUT. I had some more thoughts regarding Dexter that I did not comprehensively explore in my previous blog. I mentioned in a previous blog entry how the Seasons 1-3 compare:

Season 1 focused on Dexter the Monster and how he came to be. Season 2 focused on Dexter--still a Monster--but struggling for survival and learning to deal with the Dark Passenger. Season 3 has focused primarily on the corruption of the system, and how that begins in the monsters in the people around him, most obviously Miguel Prado. This season, more than any other season, I believe, has raised serious ethical questions on justification of murder, motive of the murderer and how the cause of justice becomes twisted to serve the Monster's own inner appetites.

The central themes of each of the two previous seasons culminated with the "Dexteration" of one of the characters that brought these themes to a head. In Season 1, Brian a.k.a. "Icey" serves as a foil to Dexter's Monster or Dark Passenger. We have the classic example of unrestrained freedom vs. freedom with restraint, the battle between the code of Harry and the codeless Icey. The tension between these two codes is battled out in Dexter, who ultimately chooses the Code of Harry over his own brother. And so, he kills Icey in the final act.

In Season 2, Dexter struggles to evade the law and simultaneously deals with his own frailty (evading capture) and humanity (evading his Dark Passenger). He considers abandoning his "code" altogether, and experiments with an "addiction-free life." This plot is moved further along with the introduction of Lila a.k.a. Pyro. However, Pyro turns out to be just as addicted as Dexter, and quite unable to manage Dexter's Dark Passenger, let alone her own, Pyro sets herself up to be the perfect candidate for Dexter's code. Solution: Dexteration. By syringe. In Paris.

Season 3, Dexter breaks new ground by not limiting himself to the code. In fact, he fights Harry all the while, who no longer appears in flashbacks, but in re-imagined conversations in Dex's head.

In Dexter, a clear pattern is emerging: The Code of Harry, which has ensured Dexter's survival is continually challenged, a plot which is brought to a head by the inclusion of an external character: Icey, Pyro and now Miguel. In the first season, Icey challenges the Code. In the second season, Dexter tries life without the Dark Passenger AND the subsequently the code for awhile, to no avail. In the third season, Dexter himself challenges the code, abandoning it and pushing the limits, which escalates with the character of Miguel Prado.

The central questions and intrigue to the remaining two episodes of Dexter Season 3 seem to be:

1) What effect will Miguel Prado ultimately have on Dexter's perception of Harry and the code? Dex touched on this briefly in the past episode. He seemed to recognize Harry's wisdom all along.

2) What kind of end will Miguel Prado meet, as we know he must inevitably? Will he fall victim to Dexter's knife just as Lila and Brian did? Or will he see justice served unto himself in a court of law?

3) Now that it seems that Dexter accepts the wisdom and value of the code, despite Harry's flawed parenting, what will that mean for Season 4 of Dexter?

4) I am still waiting for Debra or Rita (more Deb, than Rita, because I do not believe Rita could not handle the truth at this point) to discover Dexter's true identity. I cannot believe that the writers would have that much potential stored up for a revelation and not ever use it. This too, would affect Dexter's use of the code, although I'm not sure how. Harry obviously withheld the truth from Debra for his own reasons; however, would would the Jiminy Cricket Harry of Dexter's imagination say to him if Deb was in on the secret too? How would that affect Dex's code. Would it affect Dex's code?

5) Even though I am still wondering how the plot is going to resolve itself (i.e. how does Dex get away from the Skinner (I'm guessing Dex kills the Skinner and the law gets Miguel), how Miguel gets caught, what are all these loose plot ends that may need to be tied), I think I am most intrigued by how the events of Season 3 will shape Dexter's code, his perception of Harry, and how exactly Miguel meets his death.

Dexter, Status, etc.

1) So I fixed Google Analytics on my blogger page this week. What can I say, I like to stalk you people who stalk my blog and don't leave comments;) I think the new layout helped with the HTML code problem I was having. So I hope you enjoy the new layout (I will continue to tweak it I think, although I'm sad to say goodbye to Oscar's Happy Yeti in a Cave). And hopefully this will motivate me to be a more faithful blogger. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged in blogging when I don't think people are really reading. Comments and Google Analytics keeps me motivated to more consistently blog, so here's to more of that...:)

2) Status was muy interesante tonight. Kate spoke this week--the one who's been basically coercing me into/keeping me accountable for finishing The Brothers Karamazov;) She spoke on issues I have definitely not heard from a pulpit or a stage auditorium or even a rebellious emerging church book before. Probably the only forum I've heard dare broach this topic is an occasional facebook note from one of my peers.

Basically, Kate took the opportunity to re-imagine the monologue that led to the martyrdom of Stephen, as chronicled in Acts 6 and 7. Stephen speaks the history of the Israelite nation back to the Jews, a tale well-worn but perhaps gone stale from dry, rote recitation and familiarity. She boldly re-imagined the conversation for American Christians in the 21st century, challenging us to consider what cultural blinders we have on today that prevent us from truly having our "faith expressed in love." The topics were not easy and I do not envy her in bringing forth that conversation in so public an arena. Yet, these things must be discussed: the stigma attached to gay marriage and abortion within conservative evangelical circles.

In the recent election, Florida voters recently voted to recognize marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman, upholding a "traditional" view of marriage. Politics is a strange animal, because the passionate opinions and often intensely personal ideals fueling the political machine completely eradicate any relational element from the process. In confirming Amendment Two, Floridian voters had the luxury of imposing morality on a certain demographic without any relationship occurring. This is something I have been pondering ever since I listened to Cole's oof podcast on Libertarianism and Socialism. He pointed out that the reason socialism doesn't work is that it takes a very benevolent, altruistic concept--redistributing wealth among the poor--almost mirroring the Christian ideals --and divorces it from the relational element, the very thing Christ came--as a Man no less--to restore. Socialism quite closely approaches the nature of the kingdom of God, then completely abandons it by the lack of freedom and free will attached to it.

In the same way, this recent amendment that was passed was based on a good intention to endorse a concept that does approach the kingdom of God--reconciling a lifestyle with an ideal--but in legislating this concept, it completely alienates the one against whom the law was intended. All within a non-relational context. By eliminating relationship from the process, the motivation propelling the amendment nullifies the very thing it set out to restore--a relationship.

It's one thing to check off a morality police box. It's quite a different thing to have a loving relationship with someone within that lifestyle.

Ever since I read Philip Yancey's The Jesus I Never Knew, I have been wrestling with the concept of what Jesus truly dealt with when He was tempted in the desert: He rejected the temptation to fall back on His divinity as a means to escape suffering. That in itself is a concept that could take years for one soul to truly work through. But Jesus also rejected political power, an idea which the American church at large MUST deal with, if we are truly going to follow Christ and be His bride, the way the early church in Acts was. They rescued babies from the rocks; they didn't hold picket signs outside the temple of Artemis. They fed and clothed the sick; they didn't walk by and say "That's terrible" and then sit back in apathy. Neither blind apathy nor intolerant legalism have no place within the kingdom of God.

These are ideas I continue to wrestle with, because they intersect with decisions I make about how I align my life with the kingdom of Christ.... Needless to say, I am glad Kate brought up these issues. I really appreciate how it wasn't necessarily this mind-blowing conversation, but a real, engaging, thoughtful opportunity to deal with some hard truths about the church and ourselves, while leaving room for the Spirit to move an act out in our conversations and processing. It's easy to talk theology about how things ought to be. It's a very different concept to live out a life and make decisions based on truth that's been internalized in this manner...

3) Dexter commentary: Only 2 episodes left! I probably have much more to say on this past episode, but I WILL throw this one conjecture out there. Up until tonight, I had fully assumed Dexter would, as I like to say "Dexter" Miguel, or finish him off with the usual rubber gloves, apron, plastically decked out venue with a blade of his choice. This, after all, is the typical fashion in which the writers have brilliantly chosen to dispose of the two characters thus far who have been able to see and embrace Dexter as he is.

But now I'm seriously wondering how poetic it would be if Miguel were sentenced by the flawed legal system he had come to despise, if that corrupt legal machine were actually to get the better of him and for once, administer justice to the one who so clearly invites and taunts it. A huge part of me is hoping that LaGuerta figures out Miguel is the murderer and nails him fair and square, the old-fashioned way with indisputable evidence in a court of law. This would be the perfect end for a man who used justice as a platform for his own base, sinister desires.

Dexter blog revived

After a long hiatus from blogging about anything Dexter-related, I am resuming.

To be honest, I had been more or less disappointed with Season 3 thus far. I should know by now that the whole structure of a Dexter season is about 66% plot set up and about 33% pay off. The problem is, with the previous seasons, the writers tossed us a bone or two much earlier in the season, rather than waiting until practically the last minute.

What I like most about this season, is that the past couple of episodes have been quite relevatory of Miguel Prado's true nature, forcing us, the viewers to shed whatever preconceptions or assumptions we had about Miguel. Now, we're forced to look back in hindsight and look at Miguel through a new set of lenses. I haven't wanted to go back and totally dissect and analyze an entire character arc since President Logan in Season 5 of 24. I want to see how the development of the character Prado has contributed to the plot set-up..

The season has gotten much more interesting as we delve further and further into the character of Miguel Prado. Up until this point, we've been led to believe that Miguel was a bit of an overzealous, self-proclaimed member of the Justice League, irked by the depravity of the system and justifiably ridding Miami of the scum of the earth. Now we realize more than ever how dark and twisted Miguel's true nature is.

One of the most interesting things about this season has been the disruption and apparent reinvention of Harry's code. Season 2 left us with the impression that Dexter, jaded by Harry's inability to handle the "monster he had created," would abandon the code in new ways.

1) He abandoned the code first--albeit inadvertently--in the first killing of Oscar Prado, the main impetus for Season 3's plot arc. He killed someone spontaneously without any assurance of guilt.
2) He intentionally abandoned his code yet again with the whole key lime pie incident with Camilla. Again, the ethical lines are blurred as the show tangles with question of euthanasia. Also, the episode turned me off to key lime entirely. And I wasn't a huge fan to begin with.
3) He breaks the code yet again by tag teaming with Miguel Prado.
4) Dexter seems to be ignoring the Skinner completely, which would seem to be the most natural choice of prey for Dexter.

I mentioned this in a previous Season 2 blog, but it seems that any time someone who comes along and at least partially recognizes Dexter for who he is: Brian, Lila and now Miguel, they are always at odds with Dexter's code in some way and Dexter inevitably ends up killing them. I see no other path for Miguel, other than this ending him in being Dextered.

Interestingly enough, I think this season more than any other season has explored--not so much the darkness (or Dark Passenger) within Dexter himself, but rather in those around him. Season 1 focused on Dexter the Monster and how he came to be. Season 2 focused on Dexter--still a Monster--but struggling for survival and learning to deal with the Dark Passenger. Season 3 has focused primarily on the corruption of the system, and how that begins in the monsters in the people around him, most obviously Miguel Prado. This season, more than any other season, I believe, has raised serious ethical questions on justification of murder, motive of the murderer and how the cause of justice becomes twisted to serve the Monster's own inner appetites.

Some interesting plot points/questions to consider:

1) At what point did Miguel become aware of Dexter's true nature? Was this immediately after Oscar Prado was killed? Or was it after he stumbled upon Dexter killing Freebo?
2) Has Miguel figured out that Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher? This seems reasonable to assume. His close relationship with LaGuerta may bring about some hidden connection Miguel may have with Doakes. Miguel may have known all along that Doakes was not the Bay Harbor Butcher.
3) Is there a deeper connection between the Skinner and Miguel? We are assuming at this juncture that the Skinner wants nothing more than to settle the score with Freebo. His chosen victims all have a link to Freebo. If Skinner finds out that Freebo is already dead, how would that change his motivation to kill?
4) Since it appears that Miguel has been manipulating Dexter all along, what is his end goal with Dexter? Of course, we are assuming that he wanted all along to learn the ropes from Dexter, but something tells me there is more to it than that.
5) What is the true line that separates Miguel from Dexter? Most obviously, the code separates them, but they seem to now be motivated by an insatiable need to kill. Miguel seems enthralled with the power trip it brings, while Dexter, it's an appetite that needs to be sated every now and then. Miguel is hotheaded, driven by personal agenda--seen best in his crusade against Ellen Wolf. Dexter never makes things personal. His victims are carefully, coolly chosen.
6) Why has Dexter not gone after the Skinner at all? He's been so distracted with Miguel this season, it never crossed his mind to hunt the Skinner down. Very odd. I wonder if that will change.
7) What did Miguel do when he was along with King? I wouldn't put it past him if he let King escape somehow so he could kill him himself.
8) LaGuerta is obviously going to become more important to the climax. How and to what end will Miguel manipulate her? I think it's safe to say he already has...
9) Where's my favorite crucial plot point music? Come on, writers...:(

So, although this season may not be the most quotable or thrilling, I have to give the writers major props for making it the most complex and interesting season in terms of ethical questions raised. The constant scenes with Harry, the juxtaposition of Dexter's nightly extracurricular activities with a wedding and baby on the way. Miguel and the Skinner playing the foil to Dexter. So many plot intricacies to consider...

Dex and Icey: mimetic rivalry?

Preface: Again this is one of those blogs, where if you haven't seen Season 1 of Dexter, you really shouldn't read this anyway. I mean you should... but only AFTER you watch Season 1.

Seriously, go away. Go watch it right now. And then you can earn the right to read this blog.

I mean, I really tried to word this so I wouldn't give anything away, but you never know...

Okay, here goes...

Last week, I finished reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. This is Book One from the book series upon which the television show was based. The book was well-written, but I much prefer the television show. I felt like the television show had more leeway to breathe and develop interesting character arcs. It really capitalized on the emotional and dramatic potential of the book. The show goes places the book doesn't.

Thanks to Jonathan's blog entry on The Dark Knight and Rene Girard's theory of mimetic rivalry as well as Jeanne's astute observations during TDK, I realized that this could possibly be yet another example of mimetic rivalry woven all throughout Dexter, although perhaps on a microcosmic and not a macrocosmic scale, the way it seems to be in Dark Knight.

"Mimesis" means, quite simply, "imitation." Girard's theory is that rivalry develops when we mimic or imitate other people's desires. Like Jonathan summarized, "This naturally creates ever-building conflicts (which he calls scandals), and these scandals mount and mount until a moment when there is so much intrasocietal tension that people come to the verge of the "war of all-against-all", since the only logical conclusion of "mimetic rivalry" is murder."

Dexter is fascinated by the work of the mysterious Ice Truck Killer (whom I've affectionately dubbed "Icey"… Yes, I've affectionately dubbed a serial killer. Pray for my soul). Dexter admires Icey and is enthralled by the possibility of someone just like him out there, an elegant, more refined, "playful" and daring version of overly-cautious self. In a sense, Icey also is fascinated by Dexter. I found it interesting that in the book, Icey is described as actually looking exactly like Dexter. There's definitely a theme of dualistic rivalry throughout, although not quite of the epic proportions in TDK. Both Icey and Dex desire the same "object," which is to find validation for their twisted nature. The desire to be "free" to embrace their true selves.

I don't think the rest of Girard's theory perfectly meshes with Dexter, but it certainly is interesting to think of how their mirrored desires makes them enemies in the end, rather than allies. They are the same, whereas one has a code and the other one doesn't. Like the Joker, Icey sees Dexter as bound by the rules of society. In the jail scene, Joker tells Batman that he doesn't need to live by the code or the rules he's made for himself and that he shouldn't have rules. Joker also tells Batman that they are alike and that Batman is not like the cops and shouldn't talk like them. In a way, Joker and Batman have more in common that Bman would like to admit. But the thing that separates them is the code.

Same as in Dexter.

Anyway, reading the book made me want to rewatch the last couple episodes of Season 1 and I found myself having way more sympathy for Icey this time around. I think the first time I watched it, I was so disturbed and disconcerted by his kidnapping of Deb (which, granted, is call to be disturbed and disconcerted) but I feel like I kind of missed the other narrative thread running through the story...

...Which was this idea that Icey and Dex found both identity and isolation in their roles as serial killers. Icey was only being "playful" with Dex in the way he was kind of "courting" him throughout Season 1. But it was the only kind of playful that can possibly exist for a 4 year old boy, traumatized by seeing someone slaughtered before his eyes and carrying the bloodbath around with him for the rest of his life.

I think it was interesting because as twisted and distorted as this might seem from our perspective, Icey's desire to be validated by Dex (and vice versa) is really not any different than the fundamental human desire: which is to be seen and known as we truly are and not rejected. And more than that... to embrace who we really are in light of that acceptance.

Some might call experiencing that sort of relationship "love" although I don't know if love as we understand it necessarily translates into serial killer lingo.

But in the end, that's all that Icey wanted. That's all Dex wanted.

So yeah... definitely felt more sympathy for Icey this time around. Weird.

relentless Dexter blogging (please pass Go and collect $200 if you do not watch/care about this show;)... b/c this entry will bore you to tears.

So last night I finally finished Season 2 of Dexter. And I honestly can't quite pin down which season I liked more. I liked each season for different reasons. I felt like the writing of the actual dialogue and structure of the show was more inventive and unpredictable in the second season, but the plot twists and character fleshing out was more enjoyable for me in Season 1. But there was more time to enjoy the character arcs for Season 2. I don't know. Apples and oranges, methinks.

Anyway, Jeanne made an observation last night that I've been pondering, on why Dexter ends up killing the only people who really see him and accept him for who he is. Why is that? I have some theories... (which are not really theories because they're kind of obvious) For one, the most obvious being that the only people who have been capable of accepting Dexter as the killer at this juncture, have been people who are just as twisted by evil as he is. And because of that twistedness, they try to shape Dexter into what they want, which is not to feel alone in their evil. Icey wanted Dexter to embrace complete license to kill and thereby banish any remaining shred of humanity, which necessitated killing Debra. Deb, we find over and over and over again, is the one person that forces Dex to not go completely postal. She helps keep him human.

Lila took matters into her own hands, and relentlessly tried to suck Dexter into this sick, codependent relationship with her. This necessitated messing with Rita and the kids (in her mind, anyway). And Rita and the kids--like Deb--keep Dex emotionally connected.

Icey and Pyro each had an agenda with Dexter. He filled some need within themselves, mostly to not feel alone in their own depravity. They were each motivated by some form of selfishness. Not that would have mattered to Dexter, except that the selfishness catalyzed them each into doing something that hurt the only people that Dex cares about--Deb and Rita.

So maybe the reason why Dexter kills people who truly see him is because the only people capable of understanding him ARE these twisted people. Who then do something against "the code of Harry" that inevitably pisses Dexter off and compels him to kill them.

What would be interesting if another character comes along who can truly see and accept Dexter for who he is... and not turn away. And not try and rope him into some sick, codependent relationship like Lila did. Or try and turn him to the "even darker side of the dark side" by making him into a loose codeless serial killer like Icey did. What would he do then?

The only thing I could think of was bringing some external character whom I'm not even capable of conjuring up in my imagination. Or that person would actually turn out to be Deb. Eventually.

I think it's interesting that the writers brought us to this point of Dex nearly telling Deb, then copping out. Because in some way I think they're setting the audience up for automatically assuming that Deb couldn't handle the truth. But I think she could. In fact, I think maybe all the fragmented pieces of childhood memories and present situation might actually come together in her mind to the point where it might actually make sense to her. One day.

I think the reason that Deb couldn't see through Rudy and hasn't been able to see through Dexter at ALL, is because--for all of her profanity and dirty mind and smart-aleck attitude--she is paradoxically pure at heart. She can't recognize true evil in others because she doesn't have any real twistedness within herself. Same reason why Angel can't see it, and why Doakes COULD.

Ah, Doakes:( Tragic end for a guy who truly did try to do the right thing. In the end. He's my unsung hero in this show.

Anyway, I have waaaaaaay more to say about the Code of Harry, but that would quadruple the size of the post and I don't have anymore time. So I'll save that for another day...:)

Cheers.

You know you're obsessed with Dexter when...

So the following are real live examples from my life. I kid you not.

This is the beginning of an ongoing list, I'm sure. Feel free to add to my list.

You know you're obsessed with Dexter when...

• You unintentionally start getting ready in the morning by humming the theme song of the show's opening credits.
• You are in Walgreens shopping for some Vitamin C boost and see lozenges on the shelves and your first thought is "Ice Truck Killer."
• You are shopping for shoes and you see this:

...and you immediately have to take a photo of it.

Yep.

I have not been motivated as much this season to blog about Dexter, however I do have some overall thoughts on Season 2 so far...

I feel like my opinion of every single character has drastically fluctuated for better and worse over the past 9 episodes. And I'm sure it'll change again for the remaining three...

• I am disappointed at how Lila took advantage of Dexter's vulnerability. It seemed like he was on the road to mastering--or at least dealing with--his issues. He opened up to another human being potentially as messed up as him, someone who could potentially understand him as he really is. And he got burned for it (no pun intended. Psycho Pyro Lila). This made me upset mostly because when we initially saw Lila helping Dex out, I thought, "Wow this girl's good. Unconventional, but good." Little did I know that her ability to help Dex was really born out of this twisted neediness within herself. Ugh.
  
• Dexter: (voice over) "Lila almost had me believing it was possible, to change, to become something else. As if that ever really happens. I've always known what I am. (pulls on gloves in preparation for a kill) If the glove fits..." This made me sad:( So now he's back to Dextering the dregs of society.
• Incidentally, I wonder if they're intentionally exploring the superhero elements. First we have Icey, now we have Pyro. Maybe next season we'll have Krypton.
  
• Dexter: (voice over)" I'd almost forgotten this feeling, driving toward a kill, all my senses sharpened. It's like I've been living underwater, holding my breath, and now I can finally breathe. So how come it's so suffocating in here?" It's because you're a human being with emotions, not a monster. Embrace your humanity, Dex, don't stifle it.
  
• Anyway, I essentially felt betrayed by Lila. I want to go beat up that pale, English vampire right now. Deb will help me. Haha.
  
• Harry's past becomes increasingly shady. We're initially led to believe that the trauma of Dex's early life is what made him. But in truth--Harry significantly shaped Dexter, in how to train his impulses. Did Harry truly help or harm Dexter? Only time will tell...
  
• I was wondering the whole time if Deb's affinity for Lundy was going to become an attraction. Although there was something very sweetly awkward about them together from that first 1p.m. lunch by the harbor thing, I definitely had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, the age difference is a little weird. But on the other, Lundy is the one person who can provide Deb with security and innate goodness and character and stability, something she definitely needs, what with all of the other men in her life being serial killers and all. And he's the FBI rock star. Kind of poetic that the fiance and sister of two notorious serial killers has a relationship with the Fed that hunts them down.
• Rita's mom annoyed the crap out of me. Good riddance. I am so thankful my mom is nothing like that.
• I have never been crazy about Rita, but she's shown gumption this season.
  
• I wonder if they will actually catch Dex. Lundy's good at his job. Real good.
  
• If/when Deb finds out about her brother... Wow, I am not looking forward to that. My heart hurts for her already.
  
• Doakes. Doakes, Doakes, Doakes. I was annoyed at him for the first few episodes and his stalker eyes staring down over his grimacing mouth. After Doakes believes Dex is a heroin addict, he cooled off a little and it was fine. For awhile. Now he's hunting through Dex's apartment and found his little blood on glass slide collection. Uh oh....
  

Anyway, I have no idea how this is all going to pan out and I am about 5 seconds away from just finishing the entire season....

Dinnertime!

Cheers,

M

sisterly confessions

Special thanks to Oscar Cortez of www.drastudio.com (and Courtney) for redesigning my blog. Hooray!

Nothing is more random than a Yeti, that's for sure.

So amusing story... (to me anyway)

Last week, I had met up with my friends Jeanne and Leslie for dinner, and afterward at their house, we somehow discovered that they did in fact have the entire Season 2 of Dexter still on Showtime on Demand, even though they had previously believed as of a couple weeks ago, they lost access to all of Season 2. So we decided to watch an episode. We picked it up right where I had left off at Episode 5.

However, I decided not to tell Miriam, for fear that she would get mad at me for watching an episode ahead of her and I secretly felt guilty for skipping ahead of her. She was in the middle of a three day shift at the hospital and probably wouldn't have time to watch an episode anyway, but in the event that she did, I resolved to just feign surprise and shock as we watched episode 5.

I really didn't think too much about it, until yesterday morning as we were driving home from church. Miriam said, "Melissa, I have a confession to make." Uh oh. This is not good. Ron had just done a sermon that morning on confession and repentance so I was bracing myself for an intense conversation of some sort...

Miriam: "I actually watched two and a half episodes of Dexter while you were gone last night."

What?! And here I was feeling guilty all this time. I actually remember walking in the house after Lauren's party and she was sitting on the couch with my laptop, and then she put it away as soon as I came in. I didn't think anything of it, but she later confessed that she was in the middle of an episode when I walked in and shut it off when I came inside the house!

What would have been really funny is if we had watched Episode 5 together and both pretended to not have seen it and acted all surprised at the plot twists and laugh during the funny scenes.

We are so silly.

I just realized this is my last post of the month of June (where did this month go?) and this is the most productive blogger.com month I've ever had. Between Dexter and Ingrid Michaelson, it's been one crazy month, I'd say...;)

Dexter: the conclusion to my Season 1 saga

Please do NOT read below if you haven’t watched Dexter. It’ll just ruin it.

I mean it! Stop reading.

You think I’m joking… I’m not.

STOP.

If you haven’t watched Dexter and you’re still reading this, our friendship is now in jeopardy and my respect for you as a person has significantly diminished. Just puttin’ that out there.

Go away. Seriously.

Okay, so Miriam and I got to the end of Disc 3 (Episode 1.11 “Truth Be Told”) and we both literally screamed. It’s THAT good and intense. It was such a cliffhanger, that we hopped online to Netflix to watch Disc 4—which was only one episode?—but is the season finale. (Episode 1.12 “Born Free”)

Code of Harry

• I think my reservations about Harry were at least partially—if not fully—addressed. With the foil of Brian to compare Dexter to, Harry instantly saw into Brian's soul and saw what kind of man this kid was destined to become. He already had the darkness in him. But in Dexter, I think Harry sensed something that was redeemable, which is why he rescued him from that crime scene.

• But once Harry realized what he was up against (Episode 1.1 “Dexter” when Harry realizes young Dex has been killing animals), Harry mustered all his wisdom and resources to train Dexter to master his darkness and not be completely chained to it.

• Brian has totally embraced his identity, while Dexter barely hangs on by the thread of Harry’s code. Harry’s code and investment into Dexter, instilling values and ethics in him is what trained him to ultimately choose a different trajectory.

• I LOVE stories like this, where choice and free will so clearly determine one’s destiny.

• The sad thing is, the only difference between Dexter and Brian might have been the age. Brian was old enough to be twisted and warped by what he saw. Dexter couldn’t even remember the incident until Brian/Icey severely jogged his memory. And Dexter was still damaged by the event.

On the Job

• Dang it. Just when I start to really enjoy LaGuerta, she gets demoted.

• Wow, when she and Doakes figure out that Icey’s the Doctor = brilliant Sherlock Holmes moment.
• I think the reason I love Doakes is because he’s the only one who sees through Dexter. If Doakes can get over his animosity, I think Doakes might be one of the first to see and accept Dexter for who he really is. Although, since he’s a very, very good cop and former Special Ops, this knowledge will create some obvious professional conflict. Could go either way. We’ll see.

The Future Mrs. Morgan?:

• Rita, about Deb: “She must be a mess falling in love with a serial killer.”

Dexter: “What are the odds?” Seriously, writers. Stop winking at the audience. Haha.

• Rita discovers a shoe, just like Paul said. Aaaaaand the writers perfectly set up Season 2.

Brothers & Sisters

• The Lozenge reveal of Icey’s identity to Deb was BRILLIANT. I got the creepies during this part. I felt Deb become completely paralyzed and panicked. Brilliant acting, Jennifer Carpenter.

• “Not Deb.” This moment finally shed some clarity for me on the nature of Dex. Somewhere under layers of psychosis and trauma and mess, there is a beating heart there that has somehow developed strained affection for his foster sister Debra, perhaps merely remnants of his affection for Harry. However warped that affection is, it saved him and distinguishes him from Brian.

The Ice Truck Killer/The Dexter Factor

• Dexter: “Deb's fallen for you hard, and if you hurt her...”

Icey: “What you'll hurt me? Oohhh..”.

Dexter: “Yeah, something like that.” The way Icey says “Ooooh” had a Creepy factor of 10.

• I LOVED the final scenes between Icey and Dex. It was so epic and Shakespearean, the idea of two brothers of two separate moral fibers and destinies—but still linked by a common tragedy—dueling it out. Wicked awesome.

• Icey: “I know what you've been going through all these years. The isolation, the otherness, the hunger that's never satisfied. But you're not alone anymore, Dexter. You can be yourself with me, your real, genuine self. Takes the breath away, doesn't it?” SUCH a good demonstration of permissive freedom versus true freedom with the right restrictions. Icey has fully embraced his freedom as a license to fully indulge his insatiable need to kill. Icey sees Dexter as bound and restricted because of his “code.” They’re both damaged. But which one is truly more free?

• Now, Icey’s getting Dextered. INTENSE. Such a loaded Dexteration, too. How in the world can Season 2 top this in narrative and emotional gravity? How I yearn for August 19^th… Oh, Season 2 DVDs, please come quicklyJ

• I kind of breathed a sigh of relief with the conclusion. So I did not have to embrace any sort of “ethical paradigm shift” after all. In light of his backstory, Dexter makes perfect sense: “My mother was murdered before my eyes. Makes sense I'd choose a life where I search for meaning in blood, and the sole memory I have of her is being covered in it.” Yes, it does, Dex. Yes, it does. Now you should go to counseling…

Other random Pretender parallels and trivia:

• The title character Dexter is played by actor Michael C. Hall. Jarod was portrayed by actor Michael T. Weiss.
  
• In 2006, Michael T. Weiss portrayed a character named Dex in a movie called Razor Sharp. I'm not even making that up.
  

Now I have to wait for August 19th for Season 2. Oh, the agony:P

more Dexter... (spoiler alert)

Episode 1.10: "Seeing Red"

Oh no. The episode is called "Seeing Red?" It MUST be the crazy, bloody room scene from the preview. Ewwwww....

So I was eating a burrito when this episode started and in anticipation of a bloody room, I had to put the burrito down.

Room 103. Is. Horrrrriffic. SICK.

Okay, it's back to a Rita scene. I can eat my burrito now.

On the Job

• So who's the random Asian girl who discovers the cup of blood?
• Doakes to Dexter: "Something finally got to you. You're human after all." For this reason, I love Doakes.
• Wow, Doakes can read Dexter's mind. Nice.
  
• Dexter to LaGuerta: "Give that lady a lollipop." Haha.
• "What did the freak do this time? Boil your goldfish?" bahaha:)
  
• Angel's got a good lead on Icey. No, Angel, DON'T go talk to Icey for advice. He will KILL you... Gah.
  
• aaahhhh... Icey's gonna kill Angel! Never mind, his life is spared for now.
  
• Parking garages late at night are never good. Keep your guard, up Angel.
  
• Angel's getting attacked! By none other than Icey, I'm sure:P
  

Code of Harry

• More of the code unveiled: Dexter says the keys are: "Secrecy. Self Reliance. And stock of hefty bags." Harry you are sick. What were you teaching this kid?
• "Harry didn't believe in pre-emptive killing, but Harry wasn't perfect. After all, he lied about my birth father." Thus begins the slippery slope. Interesting...
  
• "Don't get emotionally involved. I think this is why." After Dex clocks Paul in the head while doing dishes. AWESOME.
  

Brothers and Sisters:

• Deb is trying to make a connection with Dexter.
• Dexter: "I'll tell you if some random emotion hits me in the middle of the night, you're the first one I"d call." Debra: "Fine. Whatever." Just talk it out, kids. Come on.
  
• Aww. "How do you do it? Make me feel like I'm six years old again?" Aww, now Deb needs a hug.
  
• "Dex you are all the family I have and I barely know you." Heartbreaking.
  
• I'm gonna cry. Seriously. Poor Deb:(
  

The Future Mrs. Morgan?:

• Aww Dex gave Rita pepper spray. How romantic.
  
• WHAAAAttt? Rita is attacking PAUL? Gimme a break. Class 2 assault? Maybe Dex and Rita can go to prison together. That wouldn't be so bad.
• Okay, so maybe Paul didn't get a haircut. But he has a huge bandage wrapped around his head. Much better:)
  

The Ice Truck Killer

• Icey is interrogating Deb about Dexter. He's fascinated. That's weird.
  
• Whoa... Oh snap! Icey is more interested in talking about Dexter than in doing the deed with Deb. That's messed up.
  
• I think Icey has a crush on Dex. He showed up at his house. He offered him steak and beer. That's what I would do if I were crushin' on a guy...
  
• DON't give Icey a meat knife, Dex. Gah...
  
• Oh don't you toy with Deb's heart like that. You are evil, Icey. Evil.
• Acrotomophilia? What does that even mean?
• Aaaaand he's got a stash of nail polish in his drawer. SICK.
• "I love you"? You are messing with my girl Deb now, Icey. That is NOT cool.
• There he is, smiling away like Cillian Murphy again. Gah...
  

The Dexter Factor:

• Dexter is reeling from the bloody room. Aww, I wanna give the guy a hug.
• I'm assuming this is childhood trauma related? I'm pretty sure that was a flashback... What happened to his "parents"?
• Dexter: "I always see other people's problems much clearer than my own." Ain't that the truth. I think this is the key to understanding Dexter. He isn't as self-aware as he thinks or pretends.
• Paul is gonna get Dextered!!! Oh snap! But is this going to be an emotional kill for Dex?
  
• Never mind. He just spared his life. And all because of the Code of Harry.
• Now I have a glimpse into the trauma of Dexter's youth. The pieces are coming together.
  
• Dexter, you are not as emotionally detached as you are trying to trick the audience into believing you are. I'm onto you...
  

Wow, this show is starting to get even more intense. Don't know if I can handle it...

and the Dexter saga continues...

I was overjoyed to discover that despite Netflix's unavoidable flaw of being inextricably bound to the timetable of the U.S. Postal service, they do offer certain DVDs online for free, available to watch at anytime. And Dexter is among the selections. So Miriam and I sat down to watch Episode 1.9 "Father Knows Best" last night. Glorious.

As I'm becoming more familiar with the show, I'm starting to get a handle on characters, elements and typical goings-on in any given episode, so I am restructuring my blog accordingly. Ironically enough, this episode didn't seem to fit the mold of any previous episode.

For one, nobody got Dextered.

Anyway, I'm still testing this out, so let me know if you think it's lame or not.

On the Job:

• The episode begins with a unique twist. Whereas before Angel had some of the more comedic elements, along with domestic troubles in his attempt to keep up the facade of marital bliss, he gets caught up in intrigue when Doakes (I am beginning to love this man more and more by the way) shoots a mysterious man in a confrontation that nobody really witnesses. Intrigue ensues when Angel begins to question Doakes' motive in shooting the guy. I really enjoyed Angel's more dramatic scenes here.
  
• Special Ops? Doakes? Suhweet. This man just became 10 times cooler. And I thought I couldn't love him any more...
• Aww, lay off the man, Lame-o Cop whose name we don't even know. The guy's just trying to do the right thing. Leave the big Latino teddy bear alone:P
  

The Future Mrs. Morgan?:

• I like the whole family vibe in the opening scene though with the kids. Awww... will the psychopathic killer make a good dad? Only time will tell...
• Paul: Somebody PLEASE give this man a haircut. And an AA sponsor. Seriously.
  
• I like that Rita's apparently grown a pair. She was a bit too whiny for my taste. But I guess her character arc had to go somewhere, eh?
  
• Ugh. Paul is a terrible representative of the male species. He makes me mad.
  
• Phew! I thought he was going to pop out of somewhere and block Rita and the kids from leaving. I thought she was really stupid until I saw her pull that baseball bat out. Yeaaaaah, Rita!
  

Code of Harry:

• The title of the episode already signaled to me that Harry was going to be extremely important in this episode. Harry's becoming more and more fascinating to me.
  
• I question his parenting: Why not just put Dex in counseling instead of teaching him how to murder justly, if there even is such a thing?
  
• I question his ethics. What is his logical basis for imparting to Dex the code that he did? How did he determine what was right? And what is his backstory that prepared him to be such a unique father? Soooo many questions. I look more and more forward to flashback scenes. Very revealing.
• Aha! Yet another parallel to Jarod from The Pretender. Jarod also had AB- blood. I learned from that show, that only 1 in 300,000 families have that blood type, so yes, it is extremely rare. Don't ask me how I remember that statistic..
  

Brothers & Sisters:

• The scene between Deb and Dexter was awkward and lovely. You see their personalities juxtaposed so beautifully when Deb confronts Dex over his paternity. Deb is passionate; Dex is stoic; Deb is uncomfortably honest; Dex's whole persona is a lie.
• Gah... I can't even imagine what's going to happen when Deb inevitably discovers the identity of her boyfriend. It's going to be a personal and professional disaster to the nth degree. But those are gonna be some gooooood scenes:)
• Deb: Morgan here.
  Masuka: Wait, did I call the hot Morgan by mistake? Freudian. My subconscious has been exposed.
  Deb: Well, zip it up and tell me what's going on."
• I freakin' love this girl. Miriam made a comment that she wished she could quote Deb. She has all the best lines! But she also has f-bombs sprinkled every other word. Too bad.
  

The Ice Truck Killer:

• CREEEEEEeeeepy. He just popped out of nowhere and said "Dexter. I've been waiting a long time to meet you." Ahhhhhhh!!! Someone pleeeeease talk to that woman across the street. I KNOW she saw something...
  
• Ewww. Creepy again. There he is making coffee. Getting up earlier than Dexter. What is this man's agenda with Dexter? What does he hope to accomplish?
• Ugh, he seriously has that whole Cillian Murphy thing going on--the pretty face, good smile, and yet sinister. It's sinister prettiness.
• Oh snap! Never mind. Poor sweet lady across the street is going to get Iced. Guh. Why did Dexter ignore her? Blah. I hate this show:P
  

The Dexter Factor:

• So nobody got Dextered in this episode. Blast.
• But it set so many things in motion. It planted seeds of doubt within Dexter's mind to question Harry. It brought Dex and the man we now knows as the Ice Truck Killer face to face for the first time. I HATE it when the audience knows more than the characters do.
• I am still trying to figure out Dexter's moral core. Why does he adhere to Harry's Code? Loyalty to Harry? Training like Pavlov's dog? Does he have any sort of moral compass? Why stick to the code at all? I look forward to delving into this man's psyche...
  
• He is a paradox.
  

That's all I got.

Dex in bulleted format.

So my opinion of Dexter can probably best be summed up as follows:

Since Jeanne gave me the recommend, over the course of watching this show, I went from initially wondering if Jeanne might possibly eat small babies in her spare time to now considering naming my firstborn after her. Well, maybe not quite that extreme;) She is, however, welcome to take any of my future offspring out for ice cream.

And maybe even the park.

But we'll just have to wait and see how I feel about the rest of the series...;)

Random thoughts on the past few episodes:

Episode 1.6 "Return to Sender"

• Dex hates birthdays. Not surprising.
  
• Uh-Oh! Dex is gonna get caught!
• Waaaaaait a second...Am I actually rooting for the psychopathic serial killer to escape the law?! This show is genius. And completely corrupting my morals.
  
• Wow, Dex can be a jerk. To his sister, mostly. But also to everyone.
• Hold on, are LaGuerta and Deb actually bonding? .... ah, never mind Deb slammed the bathroom door in her face. That's my girl:)
  
• The kid saw Jesus. Didn't see that coming.
  
• Okay, maybe Dex doesn't hate birthdays anymore:) Dexter, you are a walking paradox.
  

Episode 1.7 "Circle of Friends"

• Rita's husband could use a haircut. Just sayin'.
  
• CREEPY psycho Ice Truck Killer suspect sings even creepier Italian opera music. WHAT was that...?
• Rita, talking about her moppy haired hubbie: "I just wish he'd just go away. I mean, why can't he just go away and disappear forever?"
  Dexter: (in his voice over) "He can do that. Very easily.": Oh this show and its sick humor... Rita's husband is gonna get Dextered. Just wait.
  
• Dex is in self-preservation mode and being a manipulative jerk again. Come on, dude! Be a good brother:P
  
• Rita: "Somehow I doubt that. You have a good heart, Dexter. You're not like Paul, you don't hurt people."
  Dexter: "Innocent people. I don't hurt innocent people.": Oh, if only she knew...
• Dexter's slow smile in the last frame of the episode=CLASSIC.
  

Episode 1.8 "Shrink Wrap"

• Whoa, a lot of deeds being done in this ep. If you catch my meaning. And yet another reason why this show is on Showtime and not network TV.
  
• Especially Deb. Something 'bout that doc creeps me out, though. He has a winning smile and a cruel looking mouth all at the same time. Is he...?? Nah....
  
• Dex to the shrink: "I'm a serial killer! Wow, it feels so good to say that out loud!" AMAZING. Dex had a Dr. Phil moment.
  
• This makes me not want to go to counseling. Moral of the story: shrinks are evil.
  

The End.

my Tuesday evening

music: girls and boys by ingrid michaelson

By popular demand (by that, I mean by popular demand of one person), I am continuing my episode reviews of my Dexter experience as it unravels.

Episode 1.5: "Love American Style": I finagled my way into a free showing of Dexter at Jeanne's because her blessed household has Showtime on Demand, which has all of Season 1 and 2 available. Glorious.

So my inner struggle last night was this: Do I practice delayed gratification and actually wait for the Netflix DVD to come tomorrow? Or do I indulge immediately because I can? Happily--or sadly, depending on your perspective--indulgence won out.

Also, this was my sneaky way of forcing my sister to watch Dexter, since she had categorically refused to do so this past weekend:)

(I love you, sister. Please don't hate;)

I finally get the dark rhythm and quirky flavor of this show. Now I actually have time and freedom to enjoy the show's finer technical aspects like creative camera angles and unique lighting and whatnot.

In a small way, this show reminds me a lot of The Pretender, a show from the mid 90's that I'm pretty sure no one else but me watched. Dexter is like Jarod. Except whereas Jarod only messes with his victims, forces evidence from them (usually via some sort of taped confession) and turns them into the cops, Dex just kills 'em.

There were some great awkward moments where we have to see Dexter struggle with appearing normal and emotional, despite his psychopathic tendencies. I have never found unemotional so funny. Or equally heartbreaking.

Great character development episode.

Also, Mir and I went to see Kung Fu Panda last night with a lovely slew of friends. First, I was disgruntled to discover that Festival Bay has done away with $6 tickets on Tuesdays. What the crap. I intend to write a strongly worded email to Cinemark Management.

After enduring several exceedingly lame previews, the movie finally started. The animation was superb (especially the opening scene---wow!), the storyline was fairly simple and moral lesson was a wee bit cliche, but the humor was quite enjoyable:) I'm kind of skeptical of the content of animated films these days. I'm also weirded out by Pixar's recent animated attempts to humanize inanimate objects (Cars, Wall-E).

But I'll save that rant for another day;)

Because there's only one thing left to say...

Skadoosh!

On Dexter

So my friend Jeanne has been raving on and on about this show Dexter. Dexter is her Desert Island DVD. That’s intense.

Dexter—in the titular role—is a serial killer. As a protagonist. Like a vigilante, he hunts down people who has done society wrong and whacks ‘em. Except he doesn’t do this out of some inner, noble sense of justice or vengeance like V for Vendetta or anything. He only does it to “channel” his insatiable need to kill. Unique (and possibly disturbing) premise for a show, and not one would typically choose as a favorite to live out the days of one's life with on a desert island.

Anyway, since I cough up $8.99 per month for Netflix DVDs, I figured I’d add it to my queue, and over the weekend I got through Disc One. Mind you, not only was my opinion of the series on trial, my estimation of Jeanne as a human being also was on the line. Haha.

Here is my review, episode by episode:

Episode 1.1. “Dexter”: Jeanne is sick. SICK. I find Deb (Dexter’s sister and aspiring cop) kind of annoying, which does not bode well for my opinion of the show since she is closest emotionally to Dexter. This show is shaping up to be one huge ethical mess.

Episode 1.2 “Crocodile”: Hmm this show is kinda crazy. Hope they catch that Ice Truck Killer guy. Okay, so Jeanne’s not sick. She just has a black, black heart. My question is how they are going to make the audience continually sympathize with an emotionless, conscienceless killer?

Episode 1.3. “Poppin’ Cherry”: The character of Deb is starting to grow on me. In fact, I thought my heart might burst with pride when Deb was granted her deepest wish and was promoted from Vice to Homicide. I am feeling like I’m going to have to embrace some ethical paradigm shift in order to accept the premise of this show. Also, I think I need a line by line explanation of Dex’s “Code of Harry” which supposedly allows him to kill some people under certain circumstances and not others. Despite these misgivings, I am starting to appreciate the genius of the writing and also the complexity with which Michael C. Hall portrays Dexter. The voiceover narrative is unavoidably crucial to the show. I also have mixed feelings about that. Necessary evil, ay?

Episode 1.4. "Give the Boy a Hand": I am starting to finally get Dexter. This is his most psychologically revealing episode thus far. Last four seconds of the episode: “I am neither man nor beast. I am Dexter.” Freaking awesome. I’m sold. Jeanne is also turning out to be one of the most wonderfully complex people I know.

Black heart notwithstanding.

I can’t wait for the next Dexter DVD to come;)