Dexter season 5

So the premiere was tonight. I have to say, that was a pretty sub-par episode if you ask me. Pretty unsatisfying all around... I mean, you knew he wasn't gonna take off. It'd be pretty hard to have a show named 'Dexter' without Dexter.

Anyways. I thought he was being pretty sloppy with his behaviour. Of course he was a bit shocked, but he could have easily portrayed himself as being numb rather than emotionless. Are they paving the way for him to really come apart at the edges, perhaps? That would make sense. If not, this episode is kind of meandering.

Most disappointing was the lack of a new rival. I hope they get on that soon, because Dex really needs an enemy if you ask me. A character study of a sociopath on his own just isn't that compelling.

Nonetheless, I'm glad it's back. I find that this show really takes a couple episodes to get going, anyway — I usually don't get sucked in 'til then. So let's hope this season is as good as the last one (which I think was the best yet).

Season opener was OK. I'm hoping they don't try to make the main rival Quinn, because they'll never top the Doakes story line from seasons 1/2.

I've been hooked on Dexter from the start though, so no matter what they do I'm sure I'll enjoy watching it, even though I think the show has been getting a little stale the last couple seasons. I think I was just sick of Dexter the family man.

It did everything it was supposed to do, but had a few bad choice. They established Quinn as his conflict character early on. We all knew that was coming from the trailers, but what I wasn't expecting was to put a wedge between Dexter and Debra. That felt sloppy mostly because Deb has been around Dexter almost her whole life. She knows how he reacts to problems and would find nothing wrong with his behavior. Hell, I found nothing wrong with how he was coping with Rita's loss. I saw him and thought, he looks like a husband in shock. They were trying really hard to say Dexter is weird/off/wrong, but his behavior was very normal for a grieving husband.

Second, it established that Batista and Laguerta (and specifically Laguerta) are going to back Dexter through most of this season. Laguerta feels responsible and even made the comment that it was likely Rita was killed while Dexter witnessed their marriage. I don't know if I like the idea that an office full of detectives are so quick to pick sides, but it seems to be the role they want people to play. If all works as it is starting off, you'll have Quinn pursuing, Deb finding out more and having to face her own doubts about her brother, Angel being torn between his job and his wife, and Laguerta feeling an obligation to protect Dexter (whether or not she finds out what really happens).

Then of course there is Robocop and whatever role he's going to play. They still have to deal with Quinn's internal-affairs issues. I'll definitely keep watching. I mean, I agree that it wasn't the best opener of all time, but the story is going down a new path and there is some basic story setup that needs to happen first. Seeing Dexter consider running, losing himself and then brutally murdering the man in the bathroom showed he's becoming more emotional and reckless. Too very human characteristics that even his vision of Harry seemed to chime in on. There was also the whole, "She made me human" speech at the funeral. I think that's all going to play out to something this season as well.

It was an okay opener. I agree with a lot of what nruva said. However, I found it extremely ODD that Quinn and Deborah immediately start fucking each other in the middle of a brutal, bloody crime scene. When that went down, it just seemed so...random. And who the hell decides to just start fucking in the house where your brother's wife was brutally murdered less than 24 hours ago?

Another thing that bothered me was Dexter leaving his baby with the downstairs cat lady. Who the fuck does that? Dexter is (almost) emotionless, not stupid.

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Originally Posted by Soilwork

It was an okay opener. I agree with a lot of what nruva said. However, I found it extremely ODD that Quinn and Deborah immediately start fucking each other in the middle of a brutal, bloody crime scene. When that went down, it just seemed so...random. And who the hell decides to just start fucking in the house where your brother's wife was brutally murdered less than 24 hours ago?

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Haha, I completely forgot about that scene (or, more likely, blocked it out). I agree, it was really weird. I mean, I don't think it is horribly out there to think Deb, after cleaning the house with Quinn, would need some sort of emotional connection. That she was so broken up and so emotional that she wanted to feel something with another person. The kiss, I could justify... Maybe even to the point they both started getting undressed as it got more passionate. Again, people all grieve and handle loss in different ways... but the whole time I was saying out loud, "OK, time to stop this... Going too far..." I expected Quinn to pull away. I expected him to tell her to go home and take care of Dexter or something... I didn't expect him to reciprocate. Yeah, weird moment indeed.

The show jumped the shark with the season finale.

I'm sort of disgusted by it and am debatin watching it again.

You're talking about the season finale for 4, I take it? How was that jumping the shark? I thought it was fine.

As for Deb and Quinn fucking, hey. Sometimes people react to stress and grief by boning. I'm surprised that you guys were surprised by that. I thought they handled it pretty well, actually — they made it clear Deb didn't find him attractive (clearly she regretted it immediately), so it was pretty obvious that it was borne out of grief and whatnot.

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Originally Posted by HeartlessNinny

You're talking about the season finale for 4, I take it? How was that jumping the shark? I thought it was fine.

As for Deb and Quinn fucking, hey. Sometimes people react to stress and grief by boning. I'm surprised that you guys were surprised by that. I thought they handled it pretty well, actually — they made it clear Deb didn't find him attractive (clearly she regretted it immediately), so it was pretty obvious that it was borne out of grief and whatnot.

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It was in the middle of her brother's wife's murder scene

I don't see how they can keep the series going smoothly without Rita accounting for the kids and at least a quarter of all the prior storylines. Dexter was always meant to be a loner, yet putting in a marriage with kids and making him responsible for his own offspring only serves the purpose of diluting what he's best at: tracking and taking down people he deems to be criminals.

Quinn will not top Doakes but it looks like they'll definitely go this route. Deb continues to be a whiny mattress for the entire station. Putting the finger of suspicion on Dex has already been done in Season 2, so we are left imagining the entire Metro Homicide department as a bunch of illogical detectives incapable of finding someone in their own midst.

My main issue is that they are not leaving Dexter any logical way out of his predicament. The only way he can move on is to dedicate himself as a father, stop his killing spree, and lead the life of an everyday joe. This is completely opposite his entire personality and no way to motivate the viewers.

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Originally Posted by HeartlessNinny

Most disappointing was the lack of a new rival. I hope they get on that soon, because Dex really needs an enemy if you ask me. A character study of a sociopath on his own just isn't that compelling.

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You guys should've watched post-credits. They showed off bits a pieces of the rest of the new season.. one of which was clips of a guy who takes off peoples faces and puts them on wig displays and leaves them out in the open.

The episode itself was a slow-start, but I'm just hoping the rest of the season speeds up.

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Originally Posted by Soilwork

It was in the middle of her brother's wife's murder scene

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Yeah. Where else would she be more grief-stricken and stressed out, exactly? Seriously man. That's a pretty human response. People fuck all the time when they're upset. Well, some people, anyway.

Besides. I think we were supposed to sit there and wonder what the fuck was up with that. Clearly that's what Deb did afterward, don't forget.

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Originally Posted by TougaKiryuu

You guys should've watched post-credits. They showed off bits a pieces of the rest of the new season.. one of which was clips of a guy who takes off peoples faces and puts them on wig displays and leaves them out in the open.

The episode itself was a slow-start, but I'm just hoping the rest of the season speeds up.

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Well, that's pretty much what I was saying. I guess they would have had to cram it in there, but I kind of wanted a taste of the new killer up front. Even if it was just a little teaser scene. Think about how cool it was the first time Lithgow sliced up that chick in her tub — they had me on board with that scene.

I guess I just never thought of Dexter as a character drama, that's all I'm saying. It's just my perception.

P.S. What's all this talk of 'topping' Doakes? Doakes was awful! What a terrible character — and a worse actor. I thought the whole second season was about getting rid of that guy more than telling a cool story.

the premier was ok.

This is looking to be a crappy season. Read the wikipedia entry on series 5 and the talent is completely absent this season. We'll see, I guess.

I thought it was alright. Just kinda felt like they dragged their feet. Watching Dexter just flat out kill somebody without going through he usual routine was a bit odd. I really wonder if that and him burning up his storage unit is going to bite him in the ass come season's end.

It's just going to be REALLY hard to try to top what they did with the fourth season. Lithgow was just amazing and it's a tough act to follow after what he did. ("Stupid..FUCKING CUNT!!!!")

I do see a season two turn around with having Quinn taking the place of Doakes, and just like Ninny I couldn't stand the guy either. He was full on asshole or trying to be sentimental. I watched one of the season one episodes on Netflix before the premier and I still think he's a weak link. After seeing all the trailers it looks like Quinn is going to be watching Dexter for as long as he's going to be in the show. I don't see him making it through to the end of the season, plus he fucked Deb, and you see what happens to every other guy she fucks in the show.

Just saw it. It felt long and that Quinn guy is probably gonna die at some point....people that keep their eye on Dexter too long tend to die.

Doakes was fucking comedy man. One of the best characters of the show. The whole feel of the show changed after season 2...and not for the better. I still love it though.

So the guy that plays Harry Morgan is Raiden in Mortal Kombat Annihilation and one of the guys from the Warriors. I can't get away from that fucker in the last couple of weeks.

I loved the fact Dexter snapped and beat the shit out of some random redneck.

The season 5 trailer really seemed to play on Quinn digging deeper into Dexter. The trailer even had mention of Dexter's Kyle Butler character.. Once Trinity's family is questioned, the Kyle Butler name will come up again.

This season can go alot of ways, I'm curious to see what happens.
The involvement of the baby makes it all more dramatic and emotional imo.

I could have done without the Quinn/Debra fucking.

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Originally Posted by Pink Spider

I loved the fact Dexter snapped and beat the shit out of some random redneck.

The season 5 trailer really seemed to play on Quinn digging deeper into Dexter. The trailer even had mention of Dexter's Kyle Butler character.. Once Trinity's family is questioned, the Kyle Butler name will come up again.

This season can go alot of ways, I'm curious to see what happens.
The involvement of the baby makes it all more dramatic and emotional imo.

I could have done without the Quinn/Debra fucking.

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I don't see Trinity's family turning Dexter in... Seriously, they show Quinn talking to Arthur's son in the trailer. Do you really think he'd tell Quinn anything? He'll protect Dexter/Kyle after all he's been through and Dexter did for him.

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Originally Posted by cannonball

Doakes was fucking comedy man. One of the best characters of the show. The whole feel of the show changed after season 2...and not for the better. I still love it though.

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You're out of your mind, the first two seasons are the worst. :scratch:

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Originally Posted by YuckMud

I don't see him making it through to the end of the season, plus he fucked Deb, and you see what happens to every other guy she fucks in the show.

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Hah, this is an astute observation.

I was hoping Dexter was going to the funeral with his bloodied clothes and the Jack Bauer smirk tio go with it.

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Originally Posted by nruva

I don't see Trinity's family turning Dexter in... Seriously, they show Quinn talking to Arthur's son in the trailer. Do you really think he'd tell Quinn anything? He'll protect Dexter/Kyle after all he's been through and Dexter did for him.

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Yeah I thought the same thing. That kid won't snitch on Dexter. I'm pretty sure the only reason they had Deb fucking Quinn was to further "complicate" :rolleyes: what's going to happen this season with Quinn pursuing Dexter. It was completely forced too.

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Originally Posted by nruva

I saw him and thought, he looks like a husband in shock.

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Up to a point, yes. The 911 call certainly wasn't anything akin to "normal."

I'm not sure what anyone was expecting, here. A new villain? The start of some grand new game? There's too much to address for that to happen in a season premiere. Was it my favorite episode of all time? No, but it's not even close to being a bad one.

I dont see Trinity's family "turning in" Dexter either.. However they will be questioned about Trinity, and his acquaintance Kyle Butler's name will surface. See the comic con trailer.

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Originally Posted by Deuce

Up to a point, yes. The 911 call certainly wasn't anything akin to "normal."

I'm not sure what anyone was expecting, here. A new villain? The start of some grand new game? There's too much to address for that to happen in a season premiere. Was it my favorite episode of all time? No, but it's not even close to being a bad one.

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I never meant to imply that it was bad, only that I thought it was hardly one of the better episodes. Come to think about it, I don't really have a favourite episode, just favourite story arcs... Ah, nevermind. It's a good show, I like to watch it, and even if this season is lame, it's sure to be entertaining. I suppose the nuance is unimportant.

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Originally Posted by Soilwork

Hah, this is an astute observation.

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I'm still pretty sure it's going to happen, sleeping with Deb is a surefire way to end up dead.

Rudy/Brian/The Ice Truck Killer - Killed by Dexter
Anton- Skinned (I forgot if he got killed or he just stormed off)
Lundy-Shot and killed by Trinity's Daughter

Plus you could count that one boy that she got friendly with to try to pinpoint The Skinner was also killed too. So now that Quinn and Deb did the Horizontal Bop means that Quinn is going to suspect Dexter has something wrong with him, get too close and end up dead. I just hope Dexter ends up killing him then Julia Styles, hopefully they don't go the Lila route with her.

He won't need to kill Quinn. It's already been established that Quinn does shit like pocket money, and Dexter knows about it. Dex could discredit him instead of just wasting him. Besides, Dex still has the code (redneck murder aside). I doubt he'd be willing to kill Quinn unless he found out about some kind of heinous misdeeds on Quinn's part.

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Originally Posted by Deuce

Up to a point, yes. The 911 call certainly wasn't anything akin to "normal."

I'm not sure what anyone was expecting, here. A new villain? The start of some grand new game? There's too much to address for that to happen in a season premiere. Was it my favorite episode of all time? No, but it's not even close to being a bad one.

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That's what I was thinking too.

It dragged a little, and there were definitely scenes that I didn't need to see, but it wasn't too shabby at all. Though I kind of do hope this is the final season.

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Originally Posted by Domino-chan

Though I kind of do hope this is the final season.

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Really? I hope they keep doing it as long as the quality remains. It's too early to tell if this season is gonna be great, bad, mediocre, whatever.

I tell you one thing, though: I hope they don't try and redeem the character or anything in the finale. That would be spectacularly lame.

Episode 2 thoughts everyone....?

Spoilers ahead.

Kids going to live with the grandparents, seen that one coming a mile down the road.

Quinn nagging Deb for pussy.. eh.. Move on man.. You're on the border of being obsessed with her brother, sure that's not scoring points.

The road kill.. ahmm.. killer..? He'll die next episode. But the way this one ended with Dexter unsure of his feelings confirming him meeting the code.. Understandable but I didnt like how it ended the show with it.. Didnt have a true cliff hanger feeling, for me anyway.

The FBI interview with Dexter. Less than I expected.. But had my heart racing for a few moments at the beginning.

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Originally Posted by Pink Spider

The road kill.. ahmm.. killer..? He'll die next episode. But the way this one ended with Dexter unsure of his feelings confirming him meeting the code.. Understandable but I didnt like how it ended the show with it.. Didnt have a true cliff hanger feeling, for me anyway.

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Looks like the road kill killer is gonna get off a tranquilizer dart on Dex as he needles him. That should be interesting. Both of them laying on the ground. Which one of our dynamic duo will wake up first? Will Quinn get the drawers for a second time? Tune in next week to see!

I actually really liked the second episode. I felt like they were getting back to what Dexter is all about. I'm still a bit leery of how they're trying to develop his character (it's odd to see a sociopath upset at losing the kids), but overall, it was good fun if you ask me.

Yesterdays episode was much more intense, finally picking up but Dexter is getting sloppy....

Fuck the roadkill guy andJulia Styles, where the hell is Peter Weller?

The opening of last season with Lithgow in the bathroom was awesome and I expect no less from Weller.

This season is reminding me of the Jimmy Smitts season.

just saw a glimmer of hope in last nights episode in an otherwise boring season in the form of Peter Weller

Man, I miss the days where I was rabid for the next Dexter episode. Now they sit on the DVR and I can barely bring myself to watch them.

Someone wake me up if he chops Quinn into little pieces.

With Breaking Bad on hiatus, this is the only premium show I still watch on a weekly basis. Everything else that seems promising (like The Event) is just getting pushed back into the Netflix queue.

Can't wait for Walking Dead though. And although this season is definitely slow, it's still better than 90% of TV out there. I just wish they'd stop with Deb being the office mattress, her character development is nil.

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Originally Posted by average joe

just saw a glimmer of hope in last nights episode in an otherwise boring season in the form of Peter Weller

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Definitely. Weller is the man.

I hope they get rid of Julia Stiles soon. She's such a horrible actress and we certainly don't need another Jimmy Smits story.

Even if the new season hasn't been as good as the older ones, it's impressive that's it's maintained the quality that it has up to this point. The further into a series, the harder it is to keep the bar high.

Predictions: Weller winds up on Dex's table. At some point, he fucks Julia Stiles, who survives the season and goes home in the end. Quinn... I dunno what they're gonna do with that guy. Surely they won't waste him like Doakes?

Peter Weller is coming across as such a shit actor. Maybe his lines are just bad ("Fuck with the bull.....you'l get.....the hoooorrnnnnss...") or maybe the directing is to blame, but it's just laughable in the little bit of screen time he's gotten.

Doesn't help that John Lithgow was excellent and Jimmy Smits is also a much better actor.

PS: I keep typing John Lithgrow, which would be an awesome porn name.

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Originally Posted by HeartlessNinny

Predictions: Weller winds up on Dex's table. At some point, he fucks Julia Stiles, who survives the season and goes home in the end. Quinn... I dunno what they're gonna do with that guy. Surely they won't waste him like Doakes?

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These are the main story lines right now:

The San Muerte still on the loose
Quinn and Deb in a serious relationship
the irish baby sitter
Lumen trying to kill people half assed
some sex slave ring
Quinn's buddy investigating Dexter

Minor points: Laguerta trying to get a promotion to captain, the two kids leaving Dex to live with their grandparents, Arthur Mitchell's family in witness protection.

This season seems like a big mess. I don't remember things being this complicated, but at least it's better than some tree cutter appearing out of nowhere to skin people.

There are a couple of parallels between this season and Six Feet Under. Dexter in a funeral home...

Spoiler:

Dexter seducing men...

Reminds me of a story someone had of flipping channels, seeing Six Feet Under on and thinking "Oh hey, Dexter is on."

Shortly followed by "Hey wait, what's Dexter doing with Doakes? Oh no. Oh god. What did I miss?"

That's Peter Weller? O_O Didn't even recognize him. Good to see him in the show though.

Dexter's instance of nearly getting caught in the latest episode is, without spoiling anyting, taking it a bit far.

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Originally Posted by wasabi

This season seems like a big mess. I don't remember things being this complicated, but at least it's better than some tree cutter appearing out of nowhere to skin people.

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Yeah, I don't disagree. I have to say, I still like it anyway... But this is shaping up to be a really sub-par season.

And why do they think we give a fuck about Batista and Laguerta? That has got to be the most worthless plot point in any show ever.

Anyone watch last night? I won't be able to see it until Thursday.

Yeah, I managed to catch it today.

Spoiler:

I'm kind of annoyed by Lumen. I see what they're trying to do, but she just comes off as an irritating sidekick as opposed to a woman who truly wants revenge. Peter Weller is also phoning his performance in, but that's sort of expected due to his absence from film lately. And while the near-misses with Dexter are kind of predictable, I admit I died laughing when Matsuka explained the crime scene with the dentist and plastic man.

The whole motivational speaker this is intriguing, to say the least.

I think last episode confirmed it for me. wasabi is dead-on: this season is just too all over the place. There's way too much going on, and most of it is of little consequence to the main story. Worse yet, most of it is boring.

I don't mind Lumen that much, but she's a pretty weak addition, to say the least. I'll keep watching and enjoying the show, but let's hope it hasn't jumped the shark.