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Dexter: Father Knows Best

Dexter: "How did a death turn into a couples weekend?"

There was something completely bizarre about two serial killers and their girls spending the weekend together. Cleaning up after someone's death, which was oddly appropriate.

Harry lied to Dexter about Dexter's biological father, and that really shook both Dexter and Debra. Why did Harry lie? Especially since Joe Driscoll cared enough about Dexter to give him blood, and to keep the thank-you card that Dexter drew. It doesn't make sense. And why on earth did Rudy kill Joe Driscoll? In order to create a weekend of emotional resonance in which Rudy could get to know Dexter? Really? And how did Rudy know who Dexter's biological father even was?

It was like Rudy really wanted to be friends with Dexter. Rudy fit in strangely well with Dexter, Rita, and Debra, like he belonged. He was friendly, considerate, fun, and even empathic. I especially loved his suggestion that Dexter leave Driscoll's ashes at the bowling alley. If we didn't know Rudy was the Ice Truck Killer, I'd actually like him. Does Rudy want a buddy, someone he can kill with?

The B plot was about Doakes apparently carrying out the execution of a very bad man – which is exactly what Dexter does, only with more blood. Haitian death squads sound awful. (Actually, what they did sounds a little like what Rudy does.) Angel is a sweet guy, a good man. I liked that Angel went ahead and did the right thing. I liked even more that Doakes respected him for it and wouldn't let him take the heat.

Bits and pieces:

-- Another TV show title. We get TV show titles and song titles.

-- Dexter has AB negative blood. Now we know how Dexter got his scar. This episode's Most Obvious Symbolism: Dexter's scar, opening up old wounds.

-- Dexter's father was sixty when he died, thirty years sober, and into bowling. Did he have another name prior to thirty years ago, a criminal past to go with his prison tatt? Sounds that way.

-- In keeping with our criminal absent dad theme, Paul finally, predictably went too far. Rita outwitted him and got him good with a baseball bat. Good for Rita.

-- More father stuff. Angel's father asked him one thing: to be an honest man.

-- Dexter stealing the cremains reminded me of Michael C. Hall's previous gig on Six Feet Under.

-- In the kids' room, Rita was holding the book, Pinocchio. A few episodes ago, Dexter referred to himself as the "little wooden boy."

-- Harry died ten years ago.

-- Rudy gave me the heavy duty creeps. Looking at Debra's legs, stroking scissors. Rudy was also the homicidal cable guy. Poor old lady. That will teach her to constantly ask strangers for help, huh?

-- The song Dexter remembered from the car was "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's strange, but that song was instrumental (pun intended) in the final episode of Stargate SG-1 and it affected me so strongly that I hunted it down and played it to death. The lyrics are really odd and interesting.

Quotes:

Debra: "Dexter likes to deal with things on his own. He doesn't need my help."
Rudy: "Or he doesn't know how to ask for it."
That was perceptive of Rudy.

Paul: "Just making sure dear Dexter is dealing decently with his dead dad."
Alliteration with D's like the Dexter book titles.

Rudy: "I can only imagine what you're going through."
Dexter: "A lot of lemon fresh Joy."

Rita: "He's out stealing garbage can space from the neighbors."
Rudy: "Criminal. I like it."

Dexter: "I guess I understand why Deb is upset. We both idolized Harry, lived by what he taught us. But Deb never had to be taught not to kill innocent people."

Three stars. So far, every episode of this series has been at least three stars,

Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.

2 comments:

  1. Very good, indeed. And good for Rita for outwitting Paul, he is such a douchebag.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now that I know who he is, Rudy scares me. I had figured out pretty early on that he was behind Joe's death, but what I can't figure out is why. If it was so he could manipulate the weekend, wow. He is good!

    I found myself impatient with the B plot. I wanted more of Rudy and Dexter together, but I did like Angel coming clean at the end.

    ReplyDelete

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