DEXTER: Hello, Dexter Morgan

There has been disparate view from many reviewers and critics of “Dexter”,  but I don’t think this season has been as inconsistent as seasons past. Sure, every series and every season will have episodes that are better than others. But, this season’s story has progressed at a nice rate and, even though I’ve complained about some of the secondary storylines being dropped, you can tell that the creative team behind the show definitely had next week’s finale in mind while planning the season.

There were, however, a lot of things wrong with this episode. It’s forgivable, though, since the second to last episode of every season of Dexter has been merely a connector episode to get us to the finale.

First of all, I still don’t understand the point of the Rita quasi-affair. Was the sole purpose of all of the build up and the weeks since just so that Dexter cared? I mean, the significance of the event was not lost on me, I assure you. In fact, the juxtaposition of the violent act and the sweetness behind it and in Rita’s reaction was very moving. But, I feel that there would be less trite ways of achieving that end. Perhaps I’m wrong. Obviously, without knowing where things are going in the finale, I easily could be.

Secondly, unless Angel or Laguerta are going to face some sort of danger where we watch the other one in agony, I don’t see the point in the workplace romance. Again, I’m firmly on record as being in favor of the relationship. And, I would suppose I’m pretty indifferent to a marriage, regardless of the reasons. But, why? Why did we go through week after week of DTR (Define the Relationship) talks? Why did we go through breaking up the relationship and the obviously reconciliation? It certainly had nothing to do with any police work? And, it ended pretty anti-climactically. So, again, unless they are planning for this to create ripples well into the future, it seems like filler this season.

Deb’s voyage into Harry’s past provided dividends tonight and, from the previews for next week, it looks like it’s going to give us a lot more. I’m glad, since it was always an interesting storyline that they just never seemed to do anything with until they had to or felt like they had to remind everyone it existed. But, it was interesting to watch Deb open up about her disillusionment of Harry and pointing to the bigger thought of whether being a cop was right for her. It also fed into Christine’s suicide, which led to Dexter coming back, which led to Arthur showing up at the station. Plus, after four seasons, maybe it’s time to shake up the Dexter-Deb relationship in a big way.

Well, after I’ve spent enough time talking about what worked. Here’s what did work. Without saying, Arthur and Dexter worked in a big way. The cat and mouse game that they are playing is fun to watch, since you know that it will, with 99% certainty, end with a dead Arthur. The prolonged inevitable hasn’t been as bad as I was expecting, since Arthur has put up a bit of a fight. He hasn’t really been challenged before, at least not to this level, and it’s fun to watch him run around the maze, trying to get to the end.

I think if this season were to have a solid, cohesive theme, it would be the parallel between how many different directions we pull ourselves in vs. how many directions Dexter pulls himself in. The other thing that really worked tonight was Dexter and Harry. I’m always a fan of the time that Harry and Dex spend on screen together. Furthermore, I wish that Deb had a Harry talking to her, helping her digest information. But, Harry put it best when he commented on the number of Dexter Morgans (and one Kyle Butler) Dexter was juggling. He was hinting at the fact that, at some point, one of the personas (the family man, the worker, the killer) will have to falter. I’m wondering if it’s Dexter himself, all the versions of him, who have let Arthur into the Morgan home. Regardless of the answer, I can’t tell you how excited I am for next week’s finale.

What are your thoughts on the marriage, affairs, and secrets of the past? Utterly pointless, or leading to something huge this week.