Dexter - "don't get caught"!

Dexter

Season 5's premier begins directly after the unbelievable season 4 finale; Rita’s death, no, her murder! Truly, I mean, truly incredible. Everyone I know couldn't comprehend how the series could continue after the Trinity killer took Dexter's wife out, leaving him behind as a single father. In fact, neither could I. This is an apparent oxymoron - a serial killer as a functional & loving single parent to three kids? Aside from that, his guilt from that which could’ve been prevented, (prevented by him), is something quite new to him. Dexter has experienced a hint of this emotion called guilt when he kills his first innocent in Season 4. It happens as he rushes to end the life of a seemingly sick photographer only to discover that the culprit was instead the victim's the assistant. This was a violation of the code his father always drilled in him, to never kill an innocent. Yet what occurred before could easily be dismissed in light of the current truth: he had the opportunity to kill the Trinity killer before his wife fell victim. And he didn't. Now he has to decide what exactly is next. How does he now live his life; as a mourning husband, single parent, miami metro analyst, serial killer?

The pacing of this season started out slowly, and maybe deservedly so, for Dexter was fighting with this new experience. He actually loved her and doesn't know quite how to cope. His eldest two step children move, at least temporarily, and stay with Rita's parents while he remains living in (now) Deb's apartment with her and the baby, Harrison. He wants to believe that he can take it a step at a time, even avoiding his urges, yet we, and he, know better. Dexter's mental debates with the ghost of his father elaborate on the defense of his capability to keep his son out of his "adventures". Yet Harrison, in just the second episode, gets a trip with his father while Dexter tests a spot of blood, hinting at what we're all thinking; is Harrison going to end up just like his dad? And not even from biological tendencies, but from Dexter's direct influence?

This past weeks episode 4, entitled "beauty and the Beast", introduces us to a character who will remain throughout the rest of the season: Lumen, played by Julia Stiles. After the surprise Boyd gives him in trying to capture him, Dexter "secures" the site for his extermination yet finds out that not only was he not alone, there was a witness: Lumen. Lumen is Boyd's planned victim who, naturally, has little family and certainly none looking for her. Dexter in his debonair way ;), convinces her he means her no harm. He certainly doesn't want a liability but also doesn't want to end the life of one who hadn't done a thing. The closing scene reveals that Lumen wasn't victimized by Boyd alone, thus segwaying into what will likely be Dexter and Lumen's avenging adventures. We are also following Deb's investigation of the beheading murderer, Quinn's determination to implicate Dexter as being a killer and LaGuerta & Battista's internal affairs situation, all over a bar fight about LaGuerta's, er, bedroom (or closet) tendencies. I'm anxious to see how this season will play out. I try not to do much predicting as I honestly love the surprises, but I'm sure Deb & Dexter will not live together that much longer; as much as they all love and need one another, Dexter's secretive lifestyle can only stay that way with minimal questions.

Seasons one through four were a blast, between Dexter's discovery of his blood brother to the ego struggle of Miguel vs. Dex; I have no doubt that what is to come will bring more nail-biting and breathe-holding fun!

In addition, here is a link to those desiring some further Dexter indulgence: http://dexterwiki.sho.com/

P.S.: The season's guest appearances are: Jonny Lee Miller, April Lee Hernandez, Shawn Hatosy, Julia Stiles and Katherine Moennig.

So far I give this season a three and a half frames out of five:



Here's a preview of the next episode, entitled "First Blood":



Shoot me an email or post on the forum for more Dexter Discussions!!

Danae signing off!!

source: youtube.com

Tasty Drama

I have now invested approximately 21.5 hours to my dear Dexter. Only two seasons left to catch up on and solidified is my respect for the all that is and behind Dexter!

We are first introduced in season one, to Dexter Morgan, a forensics blood spatter analyst, living his life as a serial killer... A serial killer who kills other serial killers. He lives his life under the facade of normalcy via rules he was taught by his father (e.g., do things to make others believe you are normal and (number one rule), don't get caught). His sister, Deb, has always felt that Dexter was favored by their father, also a cop, as Dexter and him spent so much time together. In fact, the bulk of their father/son time was Dexter being instructed how to control his urges and how to use them for "good". Deb is a new detective hoping for more recognition but hindered by a power hungry Lieutenant Maria LaGuerda who seems to have it out for her. Sergeant James Doakes is the only one suspicious of Dexter - he seems to have a keen eye for those trying to hide something. Detective Angel Batista is a nice guy who appears to have it all yet his personal life is not all that it seems. Dexter's training to make him appear an average human being involves maintaining a relationship with his formerly abused girlfriend Rita. The first season was pregnant with Dexter's philosophy and how he managed to stay undiscovered. You gained respect for his ability and either adored or despised the other players in his world. The recently viewed second season had Dexter questioning all that he lived his life by, and was chalk full of close calls and awkward exchanges. Loved EVERY SECOND!!!

Not needing to summarize all that went on in the first couple seasons (if you haven't seen it - do it), what needs to be known is the great story writing and the depth of each actor's characterization. To elicit all the nuances as each is written is quite a task. It is in season two that you truly get to see into the conflict (yet in also the resolutions) within Dexter. Case in point, there was a scene in which Dexter had to feign a duo of emotions: shock and bitter pain as he had to get a morgue technician away from his deceased biological father so that he could examine the body - truly genius! The look, the response, the body position each having to reflect this emotion, not just that but the idea of the emotion, the struggle - yet all not truly having been experienced by him - ingeniuos!

Here's a preview of what consisted of Season Two:



I give this series, so far, a five out of five frames.



Hit me up if you've seen this series or have one to recommend.

Danae signing off!

Netflix (again!)

Due to the sickness (no worries, I won't pull any Daybreaker mess on you), I'm only updating this last minute. I swear, next post will be on a CURRENT movie. So I then deduced that since I'm a johnny-come-lately with the Netflixin (but a hardcore advocate and recruit.... don't I get some sort of commission or something?), I'm going to share with you what's up next in my queue.



Dexter Season 1 was a recommend by a good friend of mine. She knows my type of preferred viewership; mystery, murder, thriller, drama, dark, some humor, twisted and cleverly written. According to some of the reviews I've read and considering that the star of the series, Michael C. Hall, won a Golden Globe & Screen Actors Guild Award for this character, I'm convinced. The only downside, as with any series, is if you didn't start from when the show commenced, the task to catch up is daunting. Although not impossible with the availability with Hulu and Netflix. Starting a series, say Lost for e.g., NOW is terrifying. If Philadelphia continues to have snow like we've been having and a snow week was possible, there is hope. Regardless of how or when, you may be labeled "obsessive" or "crazy" but no one ever said you were sane. Dexter is now going on season five. Am I a tad fearful? Will those who arrive at my domicile cringe at me having not have moved for 48 hours, crumbs still on my shirt (snack for later), hair looking like Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd (see below) and hissing upon a foreigners entrance? Maybe. But I have a feeling all will be worth it. There are 12 episodes per season, roughly 44 minutes without commercials, for four seasons, amounts to roughly 35 hours (a workweek). Doable, completely doable.... Pray for me...

Here's a short summary about the series that I took from imdb.com: "During the day, Dexter Morgan is a jovial employee in the Miami Metropolitan Police Department's crime lab, but his meticulously crafted life masks his true nature. In reality Dexter is a disciplined and murderous psychopath (a self-admitted "monster"), and he slakes his blood lust at night by carefully killing the serial killers he tracks down during the day. Based on the novels (Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dearly Devoted Dexter and Dexter in the Dark) by Jeff Lindsay."

For your viewing pleasure, Mrs.Lovett:


I'm interested in what marathons you readers have had. Movies, shows, games.. What length of time was committed and what was the source of your attention? Personally, I don't have too many, but X-Files was something I could watch for hours *cough, days* and playing Mario 64. Let me know by posting below, on the main j1studios.com page or on the forum.

What have you invested hours of your life to and ended up looking like this:



Danae signing off!