'Dexter': Cornucopia of criminals

Before I get to discussing the Worst Thanksgiving Ever, I'd like to make a prediction. Either Maria Laguerta (Lauren Vélez) or Angel Batista (David Zayas) won't make it through the season alive.  The couple who have traversed mountains and rivers (actually: some bureaucratic red tape but otherwise the mild interest and support of their colleagues) have finally declared their love. Unfortunately this story line has been lacking much strength this season (never have I thought "Enough Trinity killer! How are Angel and Maria doing?") so for some reason I see it ending with a literal bang. 

Last night's Thanksgiving episode of "Dexter" was one of the freakier, more horrifying installments to date and yet one of the least bloody. It was Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow) breaking his son's finger after grabbing it in a high-five. It was him flatly calling his wife an unprintable name at the dinner table after she, full of terrified optimism, told him she was thankful for him. It was the jar of human ashes flung against the wall in anger. And you thought it was bad when you ran out of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Dexter witnessed the freak show after inviting himself to the Mitchells' for dinner, fearing that Mitchell's son Jonah (Brando Eaton) was in physical danger at the hands of his father. Dexter knew already, of course, that Arthur was the Trinity killer but then learned that Mitchell's happy family was anything but. 

My problem is that Dexter seems to be a bit more of an incredulous patsy this time around than in previous seasons. So far Trinity fooled Dexter into thinking he was a lone-wolf killer, then led Dex to believe that Mitchell maintained the front of a happy family. Now, Dexter sees a new reality, although at the end of the episode we learned that Mitchell has yet another secret--a second daughter in the form of reporter Christine Hill (Courtney Ford).

What happened to shrewd Dexter, who could suss out his victims ahead of time, who could spy on them in the dark without having to show up and tag along like an annoying neighbor on church trips and at Thanksgiving? That Dexter also would perhaps have been able to keep a better eye on concerned neighbor Elliot (Rick Peters) who could barely mask his interest in Rita (Julie Benz) in front of Dexter. 

Don't get me wrong: I love Trinity (John Lithgow seems to relish each and every scene) and the horror of each aspect of his life, but it feels like we're losing the original Dexter Morgan a bit--we need his savvy and coldbloodedness back.

And I really hope Masuka (C.S. Lee) rescued those cakes. Even if it's the Worst Thanksgiving Ever, you shouldn't throw away perfectly good molten lava cakes.


-- Claire Zulkey

Photo: John Lithgow as Arthur Mitchell. Photo credit: Randy Tepper/Showtime

Comments

[totally buggered]

Savvy, yes. Coldbloodedness, not necessarily. We are, after all, on the road with Dexter as he discovers his humanity. He is getting uncharacteristically sloppy though--letting himself be seen in the same location as his victim, by a cop no less? I predict that Quinn will also be toast. I also predict that Dexter is headed for a major meltdown as the gap between his conscience and his actions grows. It's the promise of that internal struggle that keeps me tuning in, not the butchery...

[bay harbor butcher]

"What happened to shrewd Dexter, who could suss out his victims ahead of time, "

He wants to learn from Trinity. Once he discovered Trinity had a family, it threw Dexter for a loop. He wanted to see how he was able to appear normal with a family. However what he has learned is that in reality, Trinity is still a monster to family and it is a total contrast as to what Dexter wants for his own family.
Kudos to Lithgow. Fantastic job as Trinity.

[Carlie Williams]

I personally love Dexter and his family. I hope Dexter stays around for years to come. He is smooth, sophisticated, smart, funny, and very very sneaky. I think the episode last night was the best ever and leaving us hanging sucks LOL but I love it! I want more he is awesome and Rita and Deb (Dexters real wife off screen) she is starting to get really into the show and I like that too. When they just had her doing little bit parts it was sad NOW GO DEB. I think Christine is the Killer of Lundy but we shall see. GO DEXTER AND KEEP US GOING FOR YEARS TO COME....my husband will drive me crazy if you ever end. Oh and one more thing quit making us wait so long in between seasons PLEASE :-(

[themothchase]

I completely agree, Claire. This was one of the creepiest episodes ever - I am not sure which was worse, Sally basically offering Dexter her daughter ("I don't know what you've done with Rebecca or what you are planning to do, just don't tell Arthur") or Arthur breaking his son's finger while staring him coldly in the eyes.

I'm not so sure Dexter is losing his touch, though. I agree, this season has brought about a change in him. But it is because he is so fascinating by Arthur and so much in need of figuring out his own weird father/family issues that he is letting down his guard. It was totally shocking to see him pull a knife on Arthur like that! Anyway, I'm really intrigued by the whole exploration of family dynamics that have governed this season and I am willing to see Dexter work it out, even if that means he is a bit shakier at times.

So is Christine Trinity's daddy's girl in more ways than one? Did she shoot Lundy and Deb?

More thoughts on the episode at http://themothchase.wordpress.com.

Thanks for another great review!

[Claire]

I'm having the creepiest feeling that Christine is Trinity's daughter by Vera (his sister), might explain her suicide, and his obsession with the ashes???

[Therese]

Right on, "totally buggered". You wrote: "it's the promise of that internal struggle that keeps me tuning in, not the butchery." THAT is the magic to this show. Dexter has met his match this season like no other bad guy he's met before. Because of this, he is starting to realize new things about himself. The concept of this show has intrigued me from day one, can't imagine how it will all end.

[Mike]

"What happened to shrewd Dexter, who could suss out his victims ahead of time, who could spy on them in the dark without having to show up and tag along like an annoying neighbor on church trips and at Thanksgiving?"

I see your point here, but remember: Dexter wanted to learn from Trinity. He wanted to tag along for a while to find out exactly how he seemed to balance being the head a happy family for so many years with his dark passenger. Now he knows better ...

I wouldn't mind seeing Maria go, unless the writers start doing something more interesting with the character. But don't go near Batista, plz!

Really enjoying these reviews, my favorites on the Web.