I am – Hercules!!




My man Capone has graciously agreed to pinch-hit for me during this busy premiere season by reviewing the first handful of “Dexter” episodes:

Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago. Well, I've seen the first four episodes of Season 4 of everybody's favorite Showtime serial killer series "Dexter," and I'm happy to report that the show continues to impress me, especially now that we have another bone fide nut job for Dexter and crew to hunt down. This season, we are introduced to a character known as the Trinity Killer. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Allow me to remind you where we left off and where we jump into Dex's married-with-children lifestyle.

What's the title of "Dexter" 401?
"Living the Dream"

Who directed?
Marcos Siega, who has helmed seven previous "Dexter" episodes, plus the very good upcoming episode 403. He's also directed select episodes of "The Vampire Diaries," "Tru Blood," "Cold Case," and "Veronica Mars."

Who wrote it?
Series executive producer Clyde Phillips, who has penned three previous "Dexter" episodes.

Where do we pick things up?
The newly married Dexter and Rita have moved to the suburbs, with Rita's two children Astor and Cody, as well as new baby Harrison (presumably named after Dexter's spectral father Harry). Dex's sister Deb is still seeing her former C.I./jazz musician boyfriend Anton. All else in the detectives' squad room appears to be maintaining the status quo.

How does the episode open?
Dexter doing what he does best: driving around late at night with a very important mission. All of this late night driving is apparently sleep depriving our anti-hero, so much so that he screws up on the stand the next morning and gets a killer freed. But we know Dexter can make up for his mistake, right?

Do we actually see the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow) do anything exciting this week?
Fuck yes we do, and elements of what he does are so shocking, they are burned into my brain forever. We also find out that he kills in threes, and that the FBI has tracked his activities back 15 years making him the most successful serial killer to never be caught. But Dexter makes a discovery that may trace Trinity's killing back 30 years.

Any other cases for the detectives to fret over?
All of the episodes are blurring together for me, but I believe there is mention of a tourist being killed in this episode. If not in this episode, definitely in the next.

Is the status quo of the squad room really being maintained?
There's a surprising secret relationship that has sprung up between two characters.

Any other surprises this week?
I was completely unaware that a major character from Season 2 was back this season to really screw with Deb's life. I won't say who just yet in case Showtime is attempting to keep this under wraps, but next week I'm spilling the beans.

Any other special guests?
As a matter of fact, yes. Deb is still trying to find Harry's old C.I. that he may or may not have slept with. She doesn't realize it yet, but she's attempting to find Dexter's mother. She goes to interview another C.I. (played by the still-lovely Adrienne Barbeau), hoping this is the woman she's looking for.

Is that smoking hot Internal Affairs lady still stalking Quinn?
She's nowhere to be found, but that doesn't stop Quinn from flirting with another gorgeous woman, a newspaper reporter played by Courtney Ford.

Does Dexter confess his crimes to anyone this season like he wort of did with Jimmy Smits last season?
Yes he does. He tells someone close to him that he kills people, and he's not saying it as a joke.

What I liked.
The Trinity killing near the beginning goes beyond anything we've seen on the show in terms of brutality and shock value, for many reasons--nudity being one of them. The return of the Season 2 character is so welcome that words escape me…until next week.

What I didn't like.
Dexter's narrative observations about the sickening suburban lifestyle feel stale and never really goes anywhere in the first four episodes, even when it tries to. Gee, making fun of the 'burbs; very original. The jury is still out on the introduction of the reporter character. I can already see where that storyline is going--the same place every affair between a cop and a reporter goes. But I'll reserve judgement because Courtney Ford is a cutie. Everything else is solid.

How does it end?
Deb and the mystery returnee are finally reunited.

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
Follow Me On Twitter

Herc here with my wish list for season four:

Here’s hoping!

The Chicago Tribune says:

… “Dexter” has grown tiresome. In Season 4, Dexter’s life as a suburban dad feels claustrophobic, and the show has become repetitive and predictable. Despite Hall’s undeniable talent and a brilliant performance by John Lithgow as the “Trinity Killer,” this is one journey that feels as though it has dragged on too long. …

The San Francisco Chronicle says:

… As usual, the series kicks off with creeps and thrills - and humor. Lithgow is amazing, promising to upstage the Jimmy Smits cameo of Season 3. …

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:

… The tension of "Will Dexter Get Caught?" created a rich atmosphere that helped make Dexter sympathetic despite his status as TV's blood-spattered anti-hero. But when writers went to that same well in seasons two and three, the plot repetition made it seem impossible for the series to regain the grandeur of season one. That's probably still true, but through the first four episodes of the fourth season, it's clear the writers have learned to move beyond the Dexter-in-jeopardy rut. …

The Boston Globe says:

… Thankfully, this season “Dexter’’ continues to play with our moral bearings, which is the show’s best quality. “Dexter’’ is definitely a well-made crime thriller that will keep you riveted even when, as happened last season, the pacing is off. …

Variety says:

… returns for its fourth season slowed a bit by the title character’s domestic bliss, as well as an uneven emphasis on his work colleagues’ social lives. Nevertheless, Michael C. Hall’s performance remains one of the juiciest on television …

9 p.m. Sunday. Showtime.

Naked Penny Widmore For $15.99!!
838 Titles Under $20!!

Worf And Data In HD Shipping Now!!
$12.25 Per Blu-ray Trek Movie!!