"Dexter" season finale - "Don't be sorry your darkness is gone"

"Dexter" ended its run Sunday night with "The Big One," an episode that wrapped up all the storylines very neatly. A little too neatly, I thought, but it was still a good season ender. Not having a cliffhanger is a return to the norm for this show, as some people are forgetting since Rita's death was really the only big shocking cliffhanger we've ever had on "Dexter."
Basically, Jordan captured Lumen, Dexter came after him, got caught briefly until he turned the tables and he and Lumen finally killed Jordan. Liddy's body was found in the van and Quinn was immediately put under suspicion because of Liddy's phone. Things with him worked out in the end as well as Dexter covered up the blood match on Quinn's shoe and Debra came back to him. Deb caught the vigilantes (sort of) at the scene and let them go. Lumen completed her mission and realized that her place was not with Dexter. No surprise there. The biggest pitfall you get with bigger name guest stars is you're painfully aware that they are guest stars, nothing more. Batista and LaGuerta decided to give it one more try. Astor and Cody are going to spend the summer with Dexter.

If I have one complaint, it's that this finale went a little too smoothly. Especially the Jordan confrontation, in my opinion. All this time, all this build-up, and they finally get the son of a bitch. And that's it. I didn't need some big tragedy or major twist, but it felt too easy. I would have liked maybe one more surprise to how that showdown went down. I was secretly thrilled that Jordan took Lumen to the old camp. I figured that one out last week, way before Dexter. (Okay, I'm sure lots of other people figured it out too.) But the horror fan in me was excited that the big rescue would take place at an abandoned campsite. The car crash seemed a bit excessive and perhaps it was there to create that extra tension I wanted? Really, it just made a plot hole of a giant piece of evidence with Dexter's blood in it. Not to mention it just felt like a retread of the time Dexter crashed his car a few seasons ago. Another thing that appealed to the geek in me was the fruit stand guy noticing the shifty Jordan with an obvious body in his trunk. ("Dammit, why is there always a fruit stand?!")

Debra was really the fascinating part of this episode, in my opinion. First of all, I have no idea how she made it this long as a cop living in Miami not knowing Spanish. Second, I enjoyed the moral dilemma she faced when she caught Dexter and Lumen at the camp. I went from thinking she would let them go to realizing she wouldn't to realizing she actually would. I really loved that scene and the frustration written on her face. "Maybe it's true some people deserve to die. But I'm a cop and I don't make that fucking decision. So I'm gonna call this in. In an hour this place is gonna be swarming with police. If I were you I'd be gone by then." I thought after all the time she spent watching the rape videos she would be mostly okay with her decision. But she really is a cop 100% and couldn't help but be bothered by her actions. As she said, decisions of life and death aren't hers to make. But how could she bring herself to arrest two people who were taking out such monsters that the cops wanted stopped anyway? Perhaps if she looked at things as simply as "killing is always wrong. No matter what." But as she thought later, "you think someone's a good cop, and then they...do something. I don't know, all I'm saying is nothing is as simple as it seems." She's certainly growing as a character. She wants so desperately to see things as black-and-white, right and wrong, but life just does not work that way at all. At least she gets to know that Jordan got his. Knowing that Trinity is out there on the run (as far as she knows) is bad enough already, no need to add to the list of "the ones who got away."

Dexter and Lumen had their requisite wrap-up, which was touching but inevitable. I was so nervous on that boat that she would jump off or get shot randomly or something bad would happen because it was such a beautiful moment. I was terrified she would commit suicide, leaving a note saying that the peace she felt after killing her tormentors didn't last. But no, the writers weren't unbelievably cruel. She and Dexter just acknowledged that her Dark Passenger was satisfied, but Dexter's never would be. They weren't the same, after all. I am happy that Dexter will have his kids over the summer though. I'm glad to see Astor and Cody back in his life and happy after all the turmoil. It would be too mean to leave Dexter alone again after all of this. I liked the touch that Astor's question to Dexter - if helping Lumen made him feel better about what happened to Rita - was left unanswered. Rita wasn't acknowledged as much as I think she should have been this season, but Lumen was the response to her death. Lumen was Dexter's grieving process. (On a random note, is it possible for two blond parents to have two brunette children? That stuck out to me all of a sudden at the end.)

We didn't get a big Quinn-Dexter confrontation either. I'm glad, but it seems strange that Quinn would just drop it, even if he knows Dexter helped him. Maybe they'll pick it up again next season or something.

I'll close out this entry with this finale's summing-up-the-season speech:
"You can’t do one thing to make up for another. That’s what Jordan Chase says. But he’s wrong, because we do that all the time. That is the way the world works. We try to make things right. Even me. Lumen said I gave her her life back, a reversal of my usual role. Well the fact is she gave me mine back too. And I’m left not with what she took from me but with what she brought. Eyes that saw me, finally, for who I really am. And this certainty that nothing - nothing - is set in stone. Not even darkness. While she was here she made me think for the briefest moment that I might even have a chance to be human. But wishes, of course, are for children."

"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.

"Dexter" season check-up

One of the best parts of my Thanksgiving break was having access to a television with Showtime and the beauty of Showtime on Demand. In the past two days, I caught up on the entire current season of "Dexter." Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch tonight's episode, but now I'll know what I'm missing because this season has been fantastic. It's a wonder that five seasons in, a show can be so well written and acted and just as witty and thrilling as its first season.
Things started off slow, with the aftermath of Rita's murder and the wrap-up to the Trinity storyline. I was a little worried at first because not much was happening. Dexter was dealing with his grief, the police department was a little suspicious, and Quinn was basically being set up as Doakes 2.0. Luckily, since then, we've gotten the Santa Muerte case with the Fuentes brothers as well as the nefarious friends of the late Boyd Fowler. Our season-long guest is Julia Stiles as Lumen Ann Pierce, one of Boyd's soon-to-be victims after being kidnapped, tortured, and raped repeatedly. She witnessed Dexter offing Boyd and now is going after his friends with Dexter. I'm glad they referenced that 'Lumen' is not a name, because I get really irritated when TV shows makes up crazy trendy names and just act like they're as normal as any other name. I've read that some people are critical of the Lumen storyline because they don't want Dexter saddled with some sidekick this season. If this show didn't have great writers, Lumen could have been Miguel Prado 2.0. But I like her addition. Although how could I not love a season that's basically a rape revenge tale? One of the things I've always admired most about "Dexter" is the twisted morality of it and all the ethical questions it poses with its storylines.

I've grown to enjoy the bond growing between Dexter and Lumen. They have both been with each other in moments of great vulnerability and they understand each other, on some level. Lumen isn't some evil genius like Miguel, offing people who are a threat to her professional life. And finally, she confronted Dexter about his activities killing the killers. I was waiting for that moment for a while, when she would finally realize that Boyd wasn't Dexter's first foray into murder. I was surprised, however, that Dexter was the one who openly offered his history. It echoed his prior confessions about his wife's murder and the shocking decision to trust Lumen with his real name. They are each suffering and they are each helping the other work through it. It's grief therapy, "Dexter" style.

I'm still hesitant about Batista and LaGuerta's storyline. I'm invested in them as a couple to a very small extent so it's hard to care about their hot-and-cold relationship. And after LaGuerta threw Debra under the bus for the nightclub shootings, she's quickly losing any 'sympathetic character' status. As for Debra, I still love her. If I could edit my top ten list about unfairly hated TV characters, I would add Deb so I could defend her more. Many people don't like her because she's not a lovable, cuddly character. She's got a hard exterior and interior, but her sense of justice is strong and as innately held as her brother's code, albeit in a more legal way. She's bitter and cynical, but she has good reason to be and often can't help but be swept up in new relationships that are often bad for her. Which brings me to her current love interest, Quinn. I initially hated this guy, mainly because he was just mini-Doakes. And no one is as badass as Doakes. But lately, he's really growing on me. He clearly cares about Debra and he's torn on whether or not to continue investigating Dexter. He's not as certain anymore about dealing with a dirty cop and was hesitant to use "unorthodox methods" to find out the truth. It seems dirty cop Liddy has taken on the new Doakes role and it appears like he's going to find out a lot about Dexter's extracurricular activities. Liddy's working on the sly, unlike Doakes, but at least Liddy would be easier to get rid of. I am curious what Liddy is going to think about his findings. The show hasn't exactly been afraid to reference things in the past and maintain continuity, so I'm kind of hoping Liddy notices the similarities to the Bay Harbor Butcher case.

This season has had some excellent moments. There have been numerous hilarious scenes (Lumen watching, confused, as Dexter analyzes her crime scene), some great heartwarming scenes (Dexter's moment in the car with Astor), and a lot of witty moments. But the most recent episode had this season's big piss-your-pants moment. There have been some great ones in the past, from Doakes' "surprise motherfucker!" to Trinity's "hello, Dexter Morgan," but the final scene of the last episode was just as chilling. Lumen accidentally ends up on the phone with Jordan Chase, one of her tormentors played by Johnny Lee Miller, who leaves a message for Dexter. "Tell him time is of the essence. Tick tick tick. That's the sound of his life running out. Could you be sure to tell him that? Take care, Lumen." Because it's so epic, I've included it below. My absolute favorite scene, though, has to be from that same episode. It found Dexter beating up a man physically abusing his girlfriend's daughter, with Dexter delivering the most intelligent beat-down ever. As one youtube commentor says, "wow, what a violent and educational ass-kicking, he literally taught Barry a lesson." That clip is the second one below.

"Dexter" is still an absolute treat. This season is a toned-down breather after Trinity, but that by no means equals less edge-of-your-seat entertainment. I've greatly admired this show for being willing to slow things down and catch its breath rather than piling on villains, trying to top itself every season. My only question now is how on earth has this show never won the Emmy for Best Drama? Or, better yet, how has Michael C. Hall still not won a freaking Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series? Seriously, "Breaking Bad" and Bryan Cranston are excellent, but "Dexter" was here first and it's overdue for a whole ton of awards.