"Dexter" - "some pretty serious shit"

Yes, "some pretty serious shit" went down this episode. Although it also aptly describes Dexter and Lumen's relationship, as Debra so eloquently put it. In the penultimate episode, Dexter reflected on his new relationship with Lumen, Debra got closer to finding Jordan Chase aka Eugene Greer, and Jordan finally got Lumen all to himself. For a season that started slow and didn't appeal to many, I hope this action packed episode redeemed the season in their eyes. I've really loved this season, especially since they just decided to drop LaGuerta and Batista's B-plot. B for boring of course.
I am still loving Dexter and Lumen together. And since this is "Dexter," it isn't some cutesy romance where they spend the entire episode acting petty and debating "what this means." They took things to another level, but they still had their mission to complete. Debra summed up their relationship without realizing it this week. "[The escaped victim] has someone in her life. A guy who's helping her, someone that would do anything and everything for her...what they're doing takes devotion. To kill someone together? That's some pretty serious shit...he's risking his life, he's putting everything on the line to make what happened right. As crazy as that sounds, what word would you use to describe that but 'love'? It's pretty fucked up, isn't it? Kind of beautiful too." The first thing this reminded me of was a previous episode where Harry Morgan (showing up less and less, thankfully) told Dexter how surprised he was that Dexter put himself out there for another person. Between Harrison, Astor, and Lumen, Dexter is finding out he's not just the monster his father viewed him as. He's damaged, but not inhuman. Lumen understands this, Dexter realizes it, and as a result, their relationship is more organic than any other on the show, I would argue.

Quinn is still growing on me. I just can't help it. His speech this week solidified it for me - I genuinely don't mind if he sticks around now since they're trying to make him into more than a subpar predecessor to Doakes. Liddy filled that roll, and he was offed nice and quick this episode. Rightfully so, since Dexter has some bigger problems to deal with than the fun nuisance Peter Weller was. Speaking of Doakes, I so wanted Liddy to say "lab geek, my ass" at some point in that van. It was one of my favorite moments of season 1, when Dexter finally let Doakes see a little of the Dark Passenger. I also wanted Quinn to randomly show up behind Dexter while he was throwing the data into the ocean, with a "surprise motherfucker!" But enough of my obsession with Doakes. I have the DVDs and can relive the old days whenever I want. I just have to quote Quinn's speech to Debra about why he can't just move on. "There aren't many women like you, I know that. You're more like...a guy. You don't play games where I have to figure out what it is you're really thinking. You just say it - usually with a lot of really filthy words that I've never heard before. You're the first woman who's ever called me on my bullshit. It made me take a hard look at myself. It's made me a better person, I think. I just don't want to lose you, that's all." Of course, we were left on a cliffhanger there. No reaction from Deb, since Batista broke in with the news of Jordan on the run. I'm really looking forward to the conclusion, though, and honestly wouldn't hate them getting back together. As long as the writers continue developing Quinn as a more three dimensional character.

This episode was just full of great intimate moments between characters. Another one I loved was the needed verbal sparring between Debra and LaGuerta. I thought she made some great points, that everyone gets used and politics still exist and it's LaGuerta's job to deal with that. Her claim that she trusts Deb's instincts as a cop is a little suspect, since she didn't value Deb's instincts the night of the night club shooting, but I'll allow it since LaGuerta really wanted a win that night. It was refreshing to see LaGuerta turn around and provide Deb with the court order she needed. At the end of the day, petty vendettas shouldn't interfere with important business. One of the things I love about this show is how they handle the cops. It's called "Dexter," it's about the anti-hero, serial killer Dexter. But that doesn't mean the police are bumbling idiots while Dexter is the lone genius. It doesn't mean the police are all corrupt and Dexter is the one beacon of justice in the community. Instead of painting things in black and white, as LaGuerta put it, the viewer is presented with two sides to think about. Season 2 dealt with this when they had some people applauding the Bay Harbor Butcher's mission while Debra stuck with the legal side, no matter the inevitable red tape involved. Miami doesn't need Dexter. Or does it?

Back to episode specific stuff, I actually managed to catch the promo for next week's episode. First of all, how on earth is Quinn NOT going to be super suspicious of Dexter now? Liddy spends all this time investigating Dexter and tells Quinn he has a huge bust to make, only to end up dead. Doesn't take a genius to connect the dots there. Second, never trust the editing in promos. I'll go out on a limb and say that Deb doesn't catch Dexter red-handed. I wouldn't be surprised if Deb caught Lumen, but I would be incredibly disappointed. Maybe Deb catches Jordan in his own murder-wear? I don't know, and I'm not too big on speculating the future of a show anyway. I like to sit back and enjoy the ride and trust the writers. The Debra of the show is not the Debra of the book series - she couldn't accept Dexter's double life. I do hope Lumen sticks around though, since it would switch up the show some more. I don't want every season to reset to Dexter, alone, against an adversary while possibly finding a new partner in crime. It comes down to what Julia Stiles wants to do, but it wouldn't hurt to freshen things up a little.