A wonderful day in the country for our dwindling group of serial killers.
There's a reason why I've reviewed this series for so long. Dexter is the ultimate alienated character. He's an avenger unlike other avengers, a killer unlike other killers. His mask has been in place for so long that being himself must feel like, oh, pick your cliché. Like being set free from prison? Let out of his straitjacket? I imagine that Michael C. Hall could be enjoying this season like no other. He rarely gets the opportunity to use his extraordinary acting range like he did here.
During his show-and-tell, Dexter (being himself, at Harry's behest) told the party the truth about how lonely he is, how heavy his mask can be, how difficult it is that no one truly knows him. Interestingly, while Gareth was disappointed that Dexter didn't trot out the bloody deets, Prater absolutely loved it. Prater shared with Dexter his own unsuccessful efforts to connect with Cooper Morris, the monster who killed his parents.
And I don't know. That seems so bizarre to me. There's something big that we don't know about Prater, isn't there? I keep wondering why Prater is so nasty to Charley, so disdainful toward a woman that he pays to keep his extremely large secrets.
Then Dexter told Gareth the truth about his brother Brian and how sad he was that it had been too late for brotherly bonding. With a big grin, Dexter told Gareth he had killed his twin, Gareth lost control, and so much for the other half of the Gemini killer. Killing Gareth with a wine glass in full view of the garden party was outrageous, and it was obvious that Dexter enjoyed it immensely.
On to the college tour. It makes sense that Harrison is interested in criminal justice, since he is very clever, has a fiery sense of justice, and also clearly has a strong stomach. Did Claudette deliberately include the most nauseatingly possible murder scene photos in her lecture at the last minute in an unsuccessful attempt to freak Harrison out? I really liked Harrison telling Claudette to her face that he was interested in police work; it completely caught her off guard.
Apparently, the New York Ripper isn't killing anymore but is still contacting and tormenting the loved ones of his victims. We've already been told that Prater was a child when the Ripper was actively killing, so the Ripper can't be Prater. I'm not sure where the Ripper is going to fit into the story, but I really enjoyed Dexter the forensic specialist showing Claudette his real face by telling her where she screwed up in analyzing the Ripper crime scenes. It was a lot like audaciously killing Gareth Number Two in front of the entire garden party. Dexter's idea of fun.
Although Dexter did lie to Claudette about Angel. Poor guy, spun out of control by what happened with Doakes followed by losing Maria in the line of duty, he pushed us all away and by the way, you got the crowbar wrong.
"Surprise, hermano!" Indeed. Dexter did not take Angel invading his personal space well. In the car, Dexter showed his true face to Angel for the first time in thirty years. We all know that Dexter doesn't want to hurt Angel. He didn't want to hurt Doakes or Maria, either. But if Angel doesn't back down and return to Miami, what can Dexter do?
Honestly, I think Dexter and Harrison should run for the border. Any border. Of course, that would mean there would be no college, no normal life. Dexter always takes things too far, doesn't he?
Bits:
— That was some mansion. Gorgeous.
— Elsa is still having trouble with her landlord.
— Dexter bought a "proud dad" Collings College cap. Everything feels like a set-up for something later. Was the cap a mistake?
— Dexter transferred a blood sample from the broken wine glass. The "slides" this time have been outsized, like everything is bigger this season.
— Al's show-and-tell with the young woman made Dexter uncomfortable. I hope it's Al's last.
— In continuing with the "mask off" theme, Dexter told Prater he decided to start eating meat again.
— Harrison met a cute blonde girl named Gigi Jones, a sophomore at Collings, who was their tour guide. The fact that she had nerve damage after a car accident was an interesting detail.
— Again, I am loving the music this season. I miss the dark Miami music a bit, but shaking it up was a good idea.
— Angel left his airpod in Dexter's car. Clever. Although if it's Angel versus Dexter, we all know who will win.
Quotes:
Dexter: "It's like being stalked by a zombie. Gareth won't stay dead. Now I know how Harrison felt when I showed up."
Dexter: "Don't get me wrong. Feeding my Dark Passenger gives me pleasure. But after my victims take their last breath, I feel... unbearable sadness. Because that brief moment when I'm completely myself is over. And then it's time to put the mask back on."
Gareth: "It's funny how everything keeps going off the rails this year. I keep asking myself..." (looks at Dexter) "... what is different?"
Dexter: "Trapped in a metal box with dead parents. Sounds familiar."
Dexter: "They say twins can feel each other's pain. Is that true? Did you feel a sting in your chest last night around 8:20?"
Laugh out loud funny.
Dexter: "A strong moral compass runs in the family. Your Aunt Deb and Grandpa Harry would be proud."
Harrison: "It was you. You're the one who inspired me."
Wow. How to take that?
Angel: "Just passing through. I thought I'd try to catch you."
Three more episodes to go of a so far exceptional season. Four out of four parties in the country,
Billie
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.
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