'Dexter' recap: There's no coming back from something like this

I figured out a problem I have this season with “Dexter,” although I’m worried that admitting it might make me look like I’m filled with bloodlust.  While we were listening to the screams of Jordan Chase and Co.’s victims being tortured during Sunday night's episode, I’m afraid to say I wanted more.  We don’t know exactly what happened to Lumen and the other blond victims before they were murdered, and this gap in my knowledge lessens my interest a bit in the storyline. We know “something” happened to Lumen and the others but what exactly?

I don’t think I want to know just because I’m a sicko, but because with this series, we’re accustomed to a certain level of gore: Remember the Ice Truck Killer’s grisly clues?  The skinner? Call me crazy, but I want specifics.  The show previously had trusted that its audience was able to handle gory details, but lately it feels like it just wants us to use our imaginations, and if I wanted to that, I would read a book (kidding).  

I’m also not a fan of Dexter and Lumen hooking up, which was what happened Sunday night after Dexter let Lumen murder Alex Tilden, a member of Jordan’s crew (played by Scott Grimes, who to me will always be that snotty bad doc on “ER”).  I’ve been dreading this moment all season.  I know some of you are Lumen fans, but I think there’s so little going on with her character, which is not Julia Stiles’ fault. Her character has two settings, basically: traumatized and boring.  I still don’t get what Dexter sees in her: the chance to make things right in the universe by saving a would-be blond victim like Rita? A Supergirl-type sidekick?  A vengeful feminist goddess?  And how do any of those things lead to sex? 

In all, the Lumen storyline is a retread of two previous ones that I never found compelling in the first place: Dexter has a partner (which we saw with Miguel Prado) and Dexter has a lover (the annoying Lila).  I didn’t mind Rita so much as Dexter’s love interest because, in the beginning anyway, it was clear why he was with her: because she was damaged and could help him lead a normal life.  But just because Dexter says things like, “Here we are, hunting as a pair: it’s all become so natural,” it doesn’t mean that it feels natural to the audience.

I love “Dexter” so I don’t want to give the impression that I’m just picking apart this major theme of the season for fun.  Thank goodness for Stan Liddy, at least.  Although it feels to me like each new element of the Jordan Chase storyline doesn’t really go anywhere (we all know there’s going to be an inevitable showdown with Jordan and Dexter and Lumen), Stan Liddy’s in there, now forging Quinn’s signature to get surveillance equipment to spy on Dexter and Lumen.  My longshot prediction is that Liddy will die in a horrible fire along with all of his notes on Dexter, but in the meantime Liddy’s muddling around will indicate a huge mess for Dexter, Lumen, Quinn and Deb, and I can’t wait for that. 

-- Claire Zulkey

Photo: Peter Weller as Stan Liddy and Michael C. Hall as Dexter. Credit: Randy Tepper / Showtime

Comments

[Tom]

Claire,

How did you get this job? This is your recap? Some nebulous and uninspired gripes about the cornerstones of this season? There's no analysis whatsoever, no interesting musings, and all you manage to do is moan about how you want to see the gory details of what happened to the 13 women. That's a little bit ridiculous, don't you think? I'm pretty sure that the audience can connect the dots, and there are some places that even Showtime really can't go. You should know that.

If you want to learn how to write a review for this show, head over to NYMag's Vulture Recap. I'm actually irked by how bad your review of the episode is; do us a favor and spend more than 20 minutes earning your weekly paycheck for this blog. This took absolutely no effort, told us nothing about the episode in the context of the season, didn't point out any potential plot holes, didn't wax on potentials for the season's climax (aside from a lame guess about Liddy dying in a fire), and you didn't explore why Lumen and Dexter would find each other in the way they did.

You write for the LATimes, and you should be embarrassed by this poor excuse for a recap. Earn your paycheck, Claire.

[Moon]

I was really excited about last night's episode. I agree with the fact that they should have shown more specific's on what happnened to the girls. It makes sense that with a show like this the viewers get at least a little bit of the "in your face" visuals. At the same time, I was almost thankful that not much was shown (after hearing the screams) over and over.
What I do love about this story line is the relationship with Lumen. It's not so much the actress (which I have never been a fan of but she is growing on me now), as it is the craving that I had to see him with someone that accepted him for who he was, and at the same time like him. There always has to be a degree of intimacy on these showtime shows, and frankly watching him with Rita and the other phyco was boring. I think that they "hooking" up scence with Lumen was very sensitive and played nicely. Hopefully she will stick around for at least another season. Dexter with a real partner just sounds like fun.

[Ana Iro]

I'm a unsettled at your interest in seeing what happened to "The Group"'s victims as argued by the on account of the "accustomed levels of gore"on "Dexter". Not because you're a "sicko", but rather because the victims and crimes in this season are very different from the extreme and somewhat outlandish plot arcs of previous seasons: sexual assault is not outlandish and it's not uncommon. The idea of gang rape and torture is horrifying enough that I don't need a visual to want justice to be served.

[Archos]

I think Lumen will eventually die...right? Dexter thinks Quinn is behind the surveillance, but we know Liddy will suffer a horrible death. I'm also interested in watching bits of the video; the wretchedness is what makes the show so interesting.

[Courtney]

I have to agree with Tom. This is a lousy posting. Though unlike him, I'm not surprised by the low level of quality coming from the LA Times.

Claire, do you have no imagination? The writers of Dexter are clearly trying to leave some things up to you. The Chase crew are sickos, and if the writers spell everything out it would either be too much to deal with, or not enough in some people's minds. By leaving the details up to our own imaginations, we can fill in the blanks. Clearly, though, creative thought is not your forte.

As for what Dexter sees in Lumen, he spells it out in his voice over. Lumen was "born in blood" just like him, and rather than seeing him as a monster, she sees him in a good light. He has shared his darkest secret with her, and she isn't running away, trying to change him, or turning him in. She accepts him, understands him, and even participates in the crimes with him. She's his partner in a huge way. As Dexter said last night "In Lumen's eyes I'm not a monster." That's huge. He's been trying to connect with another human for five seasons.

The real mystery is what will happen to Lumen. A few episodes back, Dexter found her asleep in the bathtub Rita was found in. Is this foreshadowing Lumen's demise, or that she will fill the role as Dexter's partner? And how will this finale end? There are so many twists and traps, it's going to be interesting to see how the writers pull it off.

There are so many subjects in this series to discuss. I'm sorry you missed the boat.

[Sean]

I can't imagine what details are required to grasp "exactly" what happened to Lumen and the other victims. They were sex slaves, brutally raped by multiple men. Do you actually want to hear somebody say they were sodomized, tortured, ect...?

Regarding Dexter's relationship with Lumen. Dexter is a show about a man finding humanity when he thought he was incapable of it. To deny him personal relationships is a complete failure to grasp the true theme of the show.

If all you're interested in seeing is an emotionless seriel killer and disgusting details, perhaps you are just a sicko???

[Max]

You want to know more about what happened to the girls? I think we all pretty much got the gist of it with the screams and cries in the video along with everyone's reactions to it. Masuka was disturbed!

And how do you not see what Dexter sees in Lumen? HE CAN BE HIMSELF! He doesn't have to hide or put up a guard. Dexter doesn't have to lie. He says himself that Lumen doesn't see him as a monster, like even his own father did or Rita would have has she known.

[JP]

Aren't we smart enough to imagine what happened to the 13 women? I don't think we needed more gore. I am beginning to like Lumen and can't wait to see where this goes. I never liked Rita for some reason. I am afraid Chase is going to get ahold of Harrison and the nanny. Eeeeeeeeeeeek!

[Lauryn]

Really? You have a problem with not seeing more of what happened to the girls? Is in not obvious from Lumen's wounds that they were beat and raped? I was pretty sure everyone knew that. I also think that Lumen and Dexter are good for each other. as we learned in Season 1 Dexter does not like feelings but after Rita's death he had no clue what he was feeling, hence the murder of an innocent in the bathroom at the marina. Lumen is good for Dex as she knows what he is and she is ok with it. The only other person who ever knew Dexter was Harry. I think that it was good that dexter and Lumen got together as it can show him that he is not just a killer but he can love too.

[Toni]

Your desire to see the girls being sexually assaulted by what I refer to as "the boys club killers" reveals a rather disturbing psychopathology. I recommend that you avail yourself of the services of a very good psychiatrist. I am not kidding.

[Daisa]

My prediction is this. Liddy is damn smart, he's doing all that crap and forging Quin's signature because he knows Dexter isn't stupid. Dexter is going to find all of that crap, and think its Quin after him and end up killing Quin. The ONLY way to save Quin and have Dexter kill the right person is if Liddy shows his face in the wrong place [like he did Sunday] ONE MORE TIME. Then Dexter will be able to put the pieces together and get the right guy. But other than that, Quin is dead, Liddy is going to have evidence proving Dexter did it, and then there will be no 'vigilante slap on the wrist don't do it again Dexter' if he gets caught. its going to be 'you killed a police officer, you're going to the chair'

[Daisa]

on another note...i honestly dont want to see what happened to Lumen and the other girls. Not saying I dont have the stomach for it because i do. i just cant WATCH that happening to all of those girls. and i think the creators of the show understand that it would be hard for some people to watch things like that.

[TR]

You acknowledged it with Rita but not with Lumen...Lumen is damaged too and they are trying to fix each other. Dexter has someone he can finally be totally honest with...this season is incredible! I've never been on the edge of my seat or so anxious watching anything on tv EVER!!!

[pax]

I think people have pretty much summed up the stupidity of this review, not to mention the questionable desire of the reviewer to see gang rape played out. Two more reviews this bad and the Times should consider hiring someone else.

[Thyria Jones]

It seem to me that sex would be the natural culmination in Dexter's relationship with Lumen. You can't have a real relationship with someone if they don't know who you really are, which is why Dexter's relationship with Rita was flawed and ultimately doomed. He can only truly love a woman who knows what he is, and, as Dexter said in the last scene, "who does'nt see him as a monster".
As a viewer, I enjoy seeing Dexter have a partner. A true partner, and let's face it, every character in this show is damaged.

[Deb Stockdale]

Claire, I fear that Dexter may be too abstract for your mind. Are you truly incapable of connecting the dots? In the previous episodes the evidence on Lumen and the pictures of the others gave me a clear understanding of what was happening.
Perhaps a less intellectual show might be a better fit for your narrow abilites?

[huston spence]

clearly the first victem will go down as the one killing the rapists and luman will quietly disapear or die some how.

[Shannon]

I think Dexter sees Lumen as someone he can be himself with. He doesn't have to hide with her like he did with Rita.

[Dexterminator]

We can figure out she was raped and mutilated repeatedly judging by her scars. We dont need a peek to see that. The point of Lumen and Dexter is that he has finally found someone exactly like himself. Not normal by any means and traumatized to the point that normal is a thing of the past. She's not Rita and she in not Lila. She is Dexter soulmate. I think she will stink around until the show ends. One more year and her and Dex just may hang up their bloodlust and live in happiness.

[Jordan]

I hate to say it, but I think you are a sicko. I wanted less of the horrific screams we heard I think hearing those tapes was probably the darkest thing I've seen (or heard I guess) on Dexter yet, hearing the girls scream desperately for them to stop and knowing what eventually happened to them is just horrible. Why do you need specifics? They were drugged, tortured, raped and killed. What more do you need to know?

I've been iffy about Lumen's character too but this episode was perfect from start to finish by far my favourite of the season and the ending was beautiful.