I am – Hercules!!

SPOILER!! This week’s installment? Disappointingly devoid of old-man nakedness! As are the next two episodes! Here’s our man in the Midwest with what to expect instead tonight:

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 (played by nudie boy John Lithgow) and reintroduced to now-retired FBI Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine), causing strife in Debra's love life and seeking aide in solving the latest Trinity killings from none other than Dexter.

What's the title of "Dexter" 402?
"Remains To Be Seen"

Who directed?
Brian Kirk, who has helmed several episodes on such shows as "The Tudors," "The Riches," "Brotherhood," and the acclaimed British series "Father & Son."

Who wrote it?
Series executive producer Charles H. Eglee, who penned two previous "Dexter" episodes last season. Eglee was also an executive producer on "The Shield," "Dark Angel," and "Murder One."

Where do we pick things up?
Okay, for the record, I deliberately misled everyone about how last week's episode ended with Dexter in a terrible car accident with a trunkful of body parts and killing equipment in his car. It was just too good and ending to give away or even hint at. I won't do it again. This episode opens with Dexter waking up in an ambulance, immediately remembering that there's still something in his trunk. After getting word of a mild concussion from his doctor, Dex still sneaks out of the hospital to go deal with his mess

When the police and accident investigators look into Dexter's car, they find body parts, and send him away for life, right?
No. But when Dexter finally does make it back to the accident scene, he is met by Harry, which triggers dizzy spell and some seriously foggy memories about what the hell happened to those arms, legs, torso, and head.

Does the Trinity Killer do anything exciting this week?
Exciting might be too strong a word, but compelling and curious are certainly in the running. The first sighting of Trinity is him drinking coffee watching a woman nearby who we assume is his next victim. Later in the episode, Trinity has a creepy interaction involving the young son of his intended victim and ice cream. When Trinity finally meets his next victim for the first time, he's walking his dog.

Any other cases for the detectives to fret over?
Another tourist shooting finally gets the media's attention, making these cases more of a priority than Lundy's possible Trinity killing. Still, Debra does interview one potential suspect in the Trinity murder who has a connection to the first victim.

Is the status quo of the squad room really being maintained?
The secret relationship between Angel and Lt. Laguerta is still clearly a delicate balancing act. Also, Debra confronts Lundy to get closure on their history. Lundy reveals to Debra why he's really in Miami.

Does Dexter find his latest victim's body parts?
While pounding Red Bull and other caffeinated products, he goes back to the abandoned gym where the killing took place, looks around the bushes near the accident sight, and generally stumbles around in a half-awake/half-asleep state being hounded by the ghost of Harry.

What I liked.
For the second week in a row, the Trinity killer is the most interesting aspect to the episode, despite the fact that his storyline in no way intersects directly with any other character. Plot-wise, the episode feels like it's linking the strong opener with a launch into some serious investigating, but it still works because Lithgow shows us the kinder face of Trinity that is hiding some incredibly hideous shit. Sleep-deprived Dexter is fun for one or two episodes, but we need to reel him in so he can be functional on and off the job. And I'm digging the Angel/Laguerta sexual tension, mainly because I find Lauren Vélez to be a devastatingly gorgeous woman, and I have since she was the doctor on "Oz" many years ago.

What I didn't like.
Pretty much everything from last week still holds. Although there's less of Dexter the Suburbanite in this episode; he's back with a vengeance next week.

How does it end?
A baby cries. Someone says, "Fuck."

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
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