Reviews

I know, maybe the seasons up to the fourth were better written. But never before was something this huge done. Season 4's ending was fantastic, but it was more of a tragic consequence of Dexter's way of life than anything else. In this episode here, the tension was almost palpable. The season had its flaws, but it built up to a torn Dexter, a free and dangerous Hannah and an insanely confuse Deb, and that is the major, the ultimate consequence of Dexter's life.

And, despite my not liking her at all, LaGuerta was the one to conduct the story to one of the most heart wrenching episodes of this show. The expression on her eyes when she was talking to Deb was amazing, and she showed her detective skills are still sharp after all these years. Then she went, like a fuse leading to a bomb, to the container, and there it all happened. The bomb exploded. I had literally my hand in my mouth to keep me from screaming or something like that. Despite all its flaws, a show which is able to do this masterfully, like few are, is a great show.

Of course it would be even more interesting for a twist to have Deb shoot Dexter - maybe he could survive and run from everybody in the last season, it's an interesting perspective. However, the one we're presented with, albeit more predictable, is no less enthralling. Deb did it, did it for her and for the brother she loves more than anything (she has proved that by now, has she not?), and she sure as hell won't be able to live with it. She is completely broken, and it is all Dexter's fault, like it or not. He was too absorbed by Hannah's "magic" to turn all his attention to Deb this season, and it was understandable - he discovered love in and for all his self, after all -, but now he won't be able to do that.

How will they live together? How will they live at all? How will they explain what they've done to the world and to themselves? Oh, season 8 packs a tremendous punch in its perspective, and I hope they deliver even better than how they've done this season, so Dexter can end like few shows do - better than ever before.

Dexter is right. Keep yourself thinking about the future, and you'll lose yourself now. Yvonne Strahovski was a master of the art of acting in this episode - Dexter was truly lost in her magic... maybe it really was love. Apparently, though, what he feels toward Debra is stronger, as I had pointed out in another review by the start of this wonderful season.

Well, it has been really good up to now. However, with Isaak dead, Hannah arrested (a fate less predictable and worse, in her words, than death), and LaGuerta missing on Dexter by inches, I can't imagine what the last episode has in store. The twists this season have been amazing, and if they pull anything better out of their hat, I'm just have to do a genuine standing ovation.

This show is amazing, and if it keeps up with this good a plot (or maybe even better), the next episode and the last season will give everyone something to remember.

I don't like when the protagonist does impossible things, especially dangerous and against the law things, and gets away with it unscathed. This is precisely what happens with Dexter killing one of the hit-man out in the open and raising no suspicion at all. It leaves things much more interesting when the consequences catch up to the one who brought them to himself. Of course, that seems to be happening with LaGuerta investigating Dexter, and it did happen when Rita died in season 4, but Dexter has gotten away with many improbable (one could even say sloppy) killings and situations, and that is not good of the show.

However, all in all, I gave this episode 9 rating, because of how it made me feel. That is what, in fact, all show should be about - of course an intelligent and well written plot only adds to those emotions, but when there are minor flaws (not major ones like in season 6) and the things the show makes me feel and think are good or impacting in some way, as it was with these episode, I cannot hope to deny that this is nice television. And that is what Dexter is, one of the best shows ever to air.

THIS is how twists should be done. I might have been too inattentive, because the thought of Isaak being romantically involved hadn't even crossed my mind, really. And it was so nicely done, the revealing was subtle and fit perfectly into the story. So did Deb's break down and her revelation. That was not subtle at all (and it was also an interesting twist, because I thought he had already dropped those feelings when she found out about Dexter's true nature), but how can we talk about subtle when she loves her brother who also happens to be a serial killer dating another serial killer. In Deb's words, that is truly fuc*** up.

This episode was about this, and the place we can all call home, but it also advanced marvelously two other interesting story arcs which I look forward to see where will lead: Quinn's and LaGuerta's. Will Quinn redeem himself by at least taking part of the Koshka brotherhood down with him? It seems there is no turning back now. And will he be able to save Nadia? Oh, and LaGuerta, of course. She is getting dangerously close now, showing us he still has gotten some sharp detective skills in her, and that might mean Dexter's end.

We've all seen Dexter get away with all his murders, including the ones witnessed by Deb in the past two seasons, but now all is falling apart around him. He is torn in his search for love, Deb has her world crumbling like never before, Isaak is driven to get his revenge... It all adds up to one of the best season finales in the show, along with seasons 1 and 4, maybe. Let's hope so.

Dexter loved Rita and really cared about Lumen. The emotions he showed to the latter were really deep and sincere. However, none of those two were ever so close to Dexter as Deb is right now. And Dexter is being himself, maybe like he never was. I mean, he lies to Deb about Hannah by the end of the episode, but that IS him at his most true self. He cares about Deb, he loves her, and he wants to protect her more than anything. And that is why he has to lie, and doesn't want her to share his secrets. I think this is the most true Dexter has ever been to anyone (despite Lumen also getting very close to him), and that is why the show is so interesting right now.

We see a really cold and powerful Isaak Sirko, and he's driven now. He's not done with Dexter. Moreover, all he does has a motive, as we were shown in the scene with the apartment last episode, and that just adds to the mix. That is why he can't stop, no matter what. But neither can Dexter - so, one way or another, they are in collision course.

The mentions and references to other seasons are still too subtle to me, but Doakes' shadow reappearing over Dexter, Debra divided and close to her breaking point, Quinn turning to his dark side again, and all of that wrapped up with fine writing (finally back on track again, since season 4 or 5) and excellent acting, gives us one of the best shows in TV again.

It is time to move on, but also time to face the past and all the things it has brought. Deb is having a hard time dealing with her emotions, which are all mixed up, because, in fact, she understands and even, in some level, approves what Dexter does.

Speltzer proved himself to be a worthy adversary for Dexter, and also served to contribute nicely to the Dexter and Debra plot. However, he was pure muscle, whereas our other "villain" this season, Isaak, is all about intimidation and cunning will power. That scene where he watches the bartender put a bullet through his head without even blinking was almost scary.

Nonetheless, after all, Isaak is human too, and we're shown that in this episode. He promises to be a very interesting character, and so far Ray Stevenson is keeping up to what's asked of him.

Are we watching Dexter become more humane too, season after season, after getting in closer touch with the truth about himself? This is one of the strongest points in the show, and season 7 and this episode explored it masterfully so far.

Oh, I really liked this episode. And Dexter is finally back on track with season 7, which makes me fell good, because my hopes were rewarded.

Once again, Dexter's main target in this episode was not related directly to the bigger plot of the season, but whereas in season 6 that kind of hunt felt empty, in this episode everything made sense. There was something behind the killing, that is, Dexter and Debra coming to a wicked sort of understanding. And the action was really good too, it made me feel thrilled like I hadn't felt in quite a while watching Dexter.

Quinn's story arc with the stripper is promising too - he will be messing with the wrong people, and the fact that he actually cares about her may bring interesting pieces to the puzzle. Speaking of which, the mobsters are getting a good lead on Dexter too. It is going to be a major hunt, but now Dexter is the one being hunted.

I just have one major concern: WHERE ARE ASTOR AND CODY? The actors didn't want to represent their roles again? What is going on? Harrison still shows up quite often, but Astor and Cody have just vanished without explanation. That is not right. It is a loose end that cannot go untied, and I hope (again) that they give it the proper treatment.

After last season finale, I wrote that all I had left from Dexter was hope. And it turns out hope wasn't dead at all, because this, fortunately, was one of the best season openers that Dexter has had.

The one thing I didn't like was Anderson getting killed by a guy who gets killed in the same episode. Alright, quick revenge is nice, but Anderson seemed like a great cop and deserved more recognition from the writers, who gave almost nothing to work with.

I do hope (now that's my motto for this show) that the Ukrainians will be part of the bigger scheme this season, so Anderson's death actually means something story-wise.

That said, the main focus of the episode was almost perfectly achieved. That is, of course, the conflict between Dexter and Debra, which leads to the ultimate truth, the truth Dexter can no longer deny. This was easily better than seasons 5 and 6 finales, and sets again a high standard, the one this show should never have left, and must now pursue at all costs.

The only reason I'm giving this episode a 9 is hope. I have seen what Dexter (the show) is capable of through all the seasons so far, and while it has set low standard after low standard in the past two seasons, maybe the writers, producers and directors still have got something in them.

I'm hopeful the last 10 seconds of the episode - yeah, ONLY the LAST TEN SECONDS - can unleash Dexter's full potential again in the next season. Oh, wait, there are still two seasons, at least, to come. Well, maybe they'll go full throttle now, and that is what I'm hoping for.

I wouldn't like to ignore the past two seasons and the colossal amount of plot holes and loose ends that they have left behind with no explanation AT ALL, but as it seems that is what they're doing, the only way to cope with that is to make the most out of this big, intense but predictable cliffhanger.

Maybe Dexter still has got some tricks up its sleeve, or maybe I'm being delusional and the show is really far past its best days, but, nonetheless, I'll still give it green light, once again, solely because of the hope that those last 10 seconds brought, and with it, a giant collection of possibilities, some of which are amazing.

So that's that. Are you ready to surprise me, Dexter, or will the downfall only get steeper in the seasons to come? Hope dies last, unless it's gotten itself trapped in Dexter's table.

I haven't been paying much attention to this season, I must admit. It has not gotten me trapped like all the previous seasons did(even season 5, which was not so good).

However, even then, the situations which should be impacting simply are not! There were three twists in this episode, and I found them all to be predictable. I had suspected Louis all along. I have not figured out who he really is, I'm not a medium or whatever, but it didn't came to me as a shock.

From day one, I knew Matthews was the one on the hotel room with the prostitute. LaGuerta talking on the phone only made that even more obvious.

And, of course, the big one. Gellar has been dead all along. This is a scenario that has been suggested for a long time, and that is why it didn't surprise me. Gellar is never seen, even when he's supposed to be there (like when Travis shows the upper floor of the church to Dexter, signaling with his head).

That, of course, raises some big questions about Travis' commitment to the Doomsday cause. How did he manage to do all that by himself? If carefully explained, it might be interesting. Up to now, it is NOT. I'm guessing everybody has watched Seven and Fight Club, and this season seems to conveniently borrow some of the themes present in those movies, but the plot holes and loose ends are too big (which doesn't happen at all in Seven but happens a little bit in Fight Club).

It kind of looks like Lost, where everything is a mess by the end, and "the viewer is supposed to interpret as he/she likes". That is bad writing. They won't be able to make amends for this bad season, there isn't much time. But I hope the next episodes are a somewhat better, at least exciting in some way, and season seven pulls itself (and the whole show) together again.

Not yet jumping any sharks, but this definitely was a buzz killer. Dexter dive (well, he killed Nick in the sea, didn't he?) into his darkness on the last episode was great, it opened up many possibilities that could have been well explored.

Clearly that is not what happened. They came up with a terrible episode of Dexter not acting like he should. There was a reason, but it was not convincing enough. His brother should have been better used, if he was to be used. As some other reviewer said, it was a waste of Brian.

A waste of Jonah too, who turned out to be a really interesting character, but was left all of a sudden when Dexter realized he can forgive and there's always light somewhere and he can be good or whatever.

I hope the writers don't pull another one of these lame episodes up on us again. The viewers and the show deserve better. Dexter realizing his position in his eternal struggle with his dark passenger should be a more subtle, better developed thing, not a rushed episode that might have achieved nothing, or something close to that.

That last scene was what I've been waiting for the whole season! This is how the conflict between dark and light (and the gray shades in that scale) should be treated. It was amazing to see Dexter react how we know he should - but it came as a little bit shocking, too, because it seemed like the light was making its way into Dexter's life.

Well, now we're open to some very interesting things that may happen, like Dexter dealing with the return of his darkEST passenger and the conflict between Gellar and Travis, which should unfold in the next episodes.

Maybe this is the turning point for the season - it surely looks like it is. And despite my thinking that it has come a little too late (we're halfway through the season already!), something really good might actually come out of this.

Seriously, what are these ending scenes coming out of nowhere? This episode's one was a little bit better than that with the horses, but nevertheless, it was still kind of lame. We all know Brother Sam is dealing with some dangerous people as he tries to save a lot of them at the same time, but he was starting to become an interesting character, who provided the only really good dialogue in the season thus far. And then they just kill him randomly in the last 10 seconds of the episode. If this has no meaning at all in the bigger context of the season and the show, and only serves as the starting point to another of Dexter's hunts, I'll be majorly disappointed.

However, not everything is bad. We see now Travis is really supposed to be a weak character. Of course Gellar sees that too, and that is why he's manipulating him. As it seems the main conflict of the season is something like light versus darkness (although I really don't like this dichotomic division), it has become obvious that Travis is going to be trapped in that conflict. It might be interesting, if well written, which is my biggest concern towards Dexter in the last two season.

Will Dexter represent the light, for once? I thought I was concerned with Dexter becoming a religious person, but having him portrayed as a hero might be even worse.

I've made my complaints clear in other reviews. This season, up to now, is the worst of all six. However, it does have a long way to go yet, so things can (and should) get a lot better.

Nevertheless, my point here is another one. I'm an atheist, and always interested in good and well constructed debates about faith and religion. I also fully understand Dexter skepticism and, on the other hand, his leaning toward a god idea, with all that is going on in his life (though Harry's reminding him he already speaks to an imaginary fatherly figure was quite funny).

Finally, my point is: I was really disturbed when I learned what The Chronicles of Narnia was all (or partially) about. The lion is a metaphor to god. I do hope that, in Dexter, the main character's development does not lead him to conversion, only to show he is then more humane. It's not only because of my beliefs, but if the point of the season is this (after we take the action and the religious discussions out), it is really bound to be the worst (and I'll not say "least good") season of Dexter.

Should I be worried about this episode? It was an anecdote and a reflection on aging and its impacts on life and the things we leave when we're gone. Well, OK. But... was that it? Sure, Dexter got another bad guy on his table, Debra is having problems with her new position(something that HAS TO develop into a tense and interesting situation), and everybody else is looking for some meaning in what they do.

But, three episodes into the season and we do not even know what it is really about. Alright, religion and philosophy, and topics about those things. It is interesting if the approach is right. However, sadly, it's not. Forrest Gump the second seems too meek for the job, but maybe that's the point. His "guide" hasn't show his true colors yet, and it's time he showed 'em. That last scene was interesting, but it came out of nowhere. It was almost random.

I guess I should be worried, because this is Dexter, and I (and all the viewers) have all the right to be demanding with the show. But once again, I'll trust the writers, who seem to be really out of hand lately, to do the marvelous job they have showed us they're capable of. Please Dexter, tell me you're not dying.

This episode might be the worst episode of this whole show. The 6 seasons included. I wouldn't be able to tell why, really, but it felt so empty in its tries to be philosophical about religion (which will be a recurring and dangerous theme for the season, so they should start treating it better) and nothing at all had real impact, at least on me. Of course, as we're talking about Dexter, no episode is really bad, but this one stood out for me as one of the "least good" episodes so far.

Dexter's killing was meaningless. Well, it was a "bad guy", but come on, he's been doing that since the first episode, so we should see something new by now, shouldn't we? (like it happened last season - killing the rapists was not ordinary at all) And although I thought season 5 was weak comparing to the rest of the show, these two first episodes of season 6 did nothing to show me that Dexter still has room for improvement, in all aspects. It is only changing subjects and scenarios, but it kinda seems the development is frozen, in some way.

One more thing: I really don't wanna see isolated seasons. Well, it is a trend having shows which follow the pattern "one episode, one case" (with some exceptions, of course), but Dexter is not about that. Unfortunately, it looks like it's turning into some kind of "one season, one case" - the character development (not job promotions or breaking up and stuff like that) does not continue as it should from season to season, and events from past season do not connect properly into the following ones. The whole plot HAS to be intertwined. Just watch Breaking Bad, or shows of that caliber (yes, it is higher than Dexter's right now). There are moments when you struggle to remember something that has happened two seasons ago, and when you do, it all makes sense in a perfect way. Dexter is seriously lacking in this department, but I'm still hoping for the best. Faith, is that what this is called? Well, let's see.

Unfortunately, a major let down. For me, at least. I do not watch Dexter expecting it to be extremely realistic, or its plot to be perfectly tied, because almost every show has flaws, and a show as good as this has had very few of them throughout all the past season.

Well, not in this one. I'll not point all the big mistakes made in writing, because many people have already discussed them, but they all contribute to a season where NOTHING was added. Well, if anything, Dexter is in major trouble now, having been connected to Trinity and, of course, the girls in the barrels case (he stole a car and left it with his DNA in the crime scene!!!!). Oh, and I might add Liddy as well.

Don't get me wrong - the acting is superb, the season was good, but it did nothing to no one, unless, in the next season, they choose to follow all this major loose ends created by the lazy writing of this one. This is Dexter, and I have been made to expect A LOT more from it. So that's why I say it's a major let down. We went from Rita's death to Harrison's birthday, but if we could wipe this season out, in terms of real character development (needless to talk about Lumen, she came and now she's off forever) nothing would be really missing.

I do hope season 6 will put the show back on its tracks (while also at least trying to solve the plot holes left by last season and this one, which of there are plenty), because it has a lot more to offer, and I want to watch it.

(Yes, I'm writing this in 2013, problem?)

This is the first review I'm writing, and I'm doing so for a reason. I see some frustrated reviews here at IMDb for Dexter this season. People complaining about how Lumen and Dexter should fall in love or something like that. I don't know if you've been watching the show, but Lumen has been raped and tortured. She's very afraid, and only now starting to get back to her life, and solely because of Dexter (well, this obviously mean she isn't going to be ready to engage in a romantic relationship in quite a while (as we're shown by her dumping her fiancé), despite how strong her connection to Dexter is!).

And this is true for Dexter, too. He lost Rita, and as we see in this episode, he is completely shattered - the "Oprah-like" scenes, as someone mentioned in another review, were given quite the meaning, as, in a way, they show how Dexter is feeling. It was a powerful scene! Well, so Dexter lost Rita, and thought going back to his killings would set things right. But it didn't! He still felt empty, but now, with Lumen, he has a reason. This is the point of this season thus far, showing how he is able to reconnect with his "primal instinct" through opening up with Lumen, which she also does with him. They're both deeply hurt, and seeing how Dexter let Lumen experience his whole ritual was one of the most meaningful things in this entire show. In fact, for me, it was much more interesting than what happened with Miguel. It's not trusting Lumen too much - it is the ONLY WAY Dexter finds to keep on living right now.

Don't get me wrong, I think the season has some flaws, some plot holes, like what happened with the guy covered in plastic and "Den the Dentist". Maybe it is seeming a little bit too easy for Dexter and Lumen, but now Liddy is on them, and they have their biggest challenge up to now - Jordan Chase. How could this not work out, show-wise, since we all know Dexter has some of the best writers and directors out there? Finally, about LaGuerta. Some people are complaining about her decision making. Yes, it was poor, really poor. But this was all to give some meaning to the, as of now, boring marriage situation with Batista. She is troubled, but has her arrogance as high as it ever was, and shows this choosing to protect herself over anyone else. It makes sense for her character - she is powerful and really prideful.

Despite some flaws, this season is really great, and I enjoy Dexter making some mistakes (he IS shattered) and finding meaning in his relationship with Lumen. It's nice to see some change from the one major serial killer hunting scenario presented in other seasons. This one is about Dexter, Lumen and getting in touch with emotions after the hardest situations. If you can't feel it, well, then don't even bother watching, but this was the best episode of the season, and this show is one of the best to ever air in television.