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« Dexter
Episode Recap: "Dex, Lies and Videotape"
I know I’ve said this a hundred times before, but this was perhaps one of the best Dexter’s ever written. Ever. I watched this ep a few days ago and have not stopped thinking about it since.
I thought we had already made the connection between Harry and Laura and the possibility that Dexter is Harry’s biological son. Dexter wanted to know if Harry planned to have him "settle the score" on behalf of his mother. Perhaps Harry felt guilty for basically leading the murderers right to Laura and her two sons.
Lila was certain Dexter’s newfound discovery that even though he "built everything in my life on what Harry told me to be," and learned that Harry didn't follow his own code, was part of a fresh start so he could figure out who he is. She assured Rita and Gail at dinner that Dexter was doing well in recovery. How well he was doing in recovery took most of the ep to find out. Lila left an incriminating message on Dex’s machine referring to Rita as "Very Martha Stewart," and letting the cat out of the bag about their night in the hotel. After being rejected by Rita, Dexter turned easily to Lila, who was all too happy to help him on the road to recovery.
Some incredibly wonderful lines:
"My mother, confidential informant and mumbler."
"I can explain all that she-male stuff." (How can you not love Matsuka and his weird lifestyle?)
"Dexter also likes long walks on the beach and foreign films."
"Your Spidey-sense tingling yet?"
"Come back tomorrow, I promise you some serious recovery."
A copycat BHB struck and Lundy took Dexter out on the case. He learned that Lundy knows about the plastic wrap because of the impressions it leaves on the victim’s skin. Either Lundy is really good, or Dexter has not covered his tracks well enough. I fear for the day Lundy might figure it out. While all of Miami seems to be backing the BHB, Lundy wants him caught. However, all Lundy can think about is the difference between hippos and lions in his box of animal crackers.
Dexter had to find a way to get rid of the tape from the night he was on his boat. Like any good sixth grader, he pulled the fire alarm.
Debra liked being Lundy’s "go-to girl," but painfully realized that "Dexter, the superior Morgan" was being called to his side. She respects Lundy, and according to her hunky bf, Gabriel, she has a crush on Lundy. "Until Lundy showed up, I just felt like the dips--t who slept with the Ice Truck Killer. If he pulls the plug, I go back to being the resident retard." Dex assured her "these things have a way of working themselves out."
Once again, Jennifer Carpenter proved herself in her scene with the incredibly subtle Keith Carradine. When she found out that Lundy did not prefer her brother over her but rather because he couldn’t stand Matsuka, she unabashedly threw herself at Lundy like a daughter might to her father. Her immediate embarrassment and withdrawl from the hug was heartbreaking. She’d finally had a real moment of happiness she had sought from Harry and then realized she was letting Lundy be Harry’s stand-in.
Dexter told Maria that Doakes has been eyeballing him. She came to the rescue and told Doakes to "lay off" Dexter. I don’t have any faith that he will obey Maria’s command. Besides, it would be too easy if no one was on to the real BHB.
Dexter looked for a way to prove the guilt of the BHB copycat and he found it easily. The fact that Dexter can continue killing his special breed of victims while he is being rooted out by the FBI is testament to his dedication and loyalty to the code. He even had a breakthrough moment when he realized he didn’t need to kill the BHB copycat. He killed him nonetheless, but he didn’t need to; a big step in his recovery. (And all the while, the FBI is hot on his tracks).
Rita, who was all business towards Dex, called him to chat about their relationship. Dexter confessed to Rita about his innocent night with Lila. It started out so well as he told her that he and Lila had not had sex in the hotel. But then he screwed up and said, "No, not that night," letting her know that they did have it that afternoon, instead, and found he was no longer able to protect her from his new identity.
I don’t know about you, but I may spontaneously combust before seeing next week’s Dexter, so I’m hoping a visit to our Online Video Guide will curb my appetite before the next kill.
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Nov 5, 2007 3:23 AM
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I don't want to be the one to bash the blogger but I don't understand why the subject of Harry being Dexter's biological dad is still being visited, "the possibility that Dexter is Harry’s biological son". As many posted last week, Dexter found out in the first season that another man was his father through DNA testing. Secondly, I'm not sure what she-mail is but I believe Matsuka meant he had been viewing shemale porn online at work.
That being said, I'm not sure I can share the enthusiasm of the blogger for this episode. While I understand that his NA meetings are bringing things to the surface, Dexter is all over the place. It was as if his personality did a complete 180 all of a sudden. For me it was too much all at once. I think the new Dexter is reckless and could get him caught if he isn't careful. I have a feeling Dexter will figure this out and Lila will learn first hand exactly who and what he is and Dexter will have to kill for self preservation for the first time.
I did however like that Dexter finally enjoyed sex and now knows what it is like to connect with another person on an intimate level. His emotional detachment and inability to love always broke my heart.
On a side note, has anyone else noticed that they no longer give a preview at the end of the episode for next week?
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Nov 5, 2007 5:38 AM
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Paula please get up to date from last season - Dexter is NOT Harry's son...it's getting annoying that you're hung up on this "clue"
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Nov 5, 2007 8:32 AM
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I think what was meant was "she-male," as in tranny. Not "she-mail. Darn those homonyms.
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Nov 5, 2007 9:01 AM
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Ditto on the blogger getting up to speed with the history. If you think it was "she mail" and not "she-male" then you missed out on the joke.
Did anyone else get the impression that Doake's has a history of stalking behaviour? Is Dexter his first? I don't necessarily think so. Maybe Doakes will just come off as crying wolf if he continues his tracking of Dexter.
I think this might be the beginning of the end for Lila. Dexter will learn the hard way why he can't get close to people.
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Nov 5, 2007 9:15 AM
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The commenters here really need to get a life and quit nit picking the blogger and the episode.
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Nov 5, 2007 9:41 AM
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I agree with Paula, I really loved this episode. The intricacies of Dexter's existence as he searches for who he is is fascinating. I also disagree with the blogger who says that Dexter is all over the place and it's too much too soon.
Dexter has been slowly unravelling ever since he killed Rudy. Given the bombshell of finding out that Harry had his mother working for him as a CI and therefore he can no longer tell what he should believe, he would absolutely be all over the map. He's lived his entire life according to what Harry said. Not being able to trust him means he has to discover who he is, right now, on his own. That means he's going to be all over the map.
For a minute I thought that Lundy suspected Dex but eventually started to wonder if Matsuka's brand of freaky just got on his nerves. And you're right Paula - who wouldn't love Matsuka. He always makes me laugh.
I also agree with the blogger who says that Doakes is not an amateur at stalking. Maria suggested that because of his former sins he'll get fired or worse if Dexter files a complaint. But like a dog with a bone, he's not going to give up. I got really excited (is that wrong?) when Dexter was soooo mad at Doakes and told him to back off! 
I can't help but route for him to kill him. Ok that does sound wrong. 
I wish Debra would get some therapy already. It must be excrutiating living inside her mind with her insecurities and jealousies and inferior complex. She's so inappropriate and has boundary issues.
I couldn't believe Lila had no concept of discretion. Why would she mention his mom during dinner? Even if she just assumed Rita and her mom knew about his mom's murder, how is that dinner conversation?
And then for her to leave that message on his phone was just inexcusable. Of course I doubt that any of that was a coincidence anyway.
She's wanted Dex from the first time she saw him so I guess now she's happy.
Personally I say good riddance to Rita and her meddling mom! I know Lila's not necessarily good for him, but at least he can be himself (so to speak) with her. And I really think she's going to love him warts and all.
Stellar episode. Can't wait until Sunday!
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Nov 5, 2007 11:38 AM
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I have to agree with some of the other bloggers: Dex's biological father was already established as someone else in a past episode. It's senseless to continue pushing that as a possibility. Harry obviously took him in to appease his guilt over putting Laura in harm's way.
Doakes is definitely a lone wolf, not one to take orders too seriously. I can see why Maria needed to issue him a warning. It's also why Lundy didn't want him as part of the BHB team.
I felt sorry for Debra, who craves attention in the shadow of her big brother and always did. Harry was a bad father to his own biological child in that he mostly ignored her. Her excitement over Lundy's admission that only requested Dexter because he just couldn't stand Matsuka was childlike and sweet. She desperately needs a father figure.
I realize Lila is uninhibited, but aren't sponsors supposed to keep some confidentialities? Blurting out things about Dexter's mom at the dinner table and about the road trip over the answering machine is like she was trying to flaunt that she knows more about Dexter than Rita does. It was bound to happen that Dex would succomb to Lila sexually, but I wish he hadn't let it slip to Rita. She is the normalcy he needs. I also sense that Lila's interest in blood splatter is not just for artistic purposes.
I'm really enjoying the suspenseful twists and turns the show is taking. Dexter's journey to find out who he is is riveting. I want the previews back too. Why is it necessary to show previews for a show that's about to come on?
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Nov 5, 2007 1:27 PM
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This was a heck of a good episode. The writing and plotting were superb. There's going to be some serious stuff happening between Dex and Doakes very quickly, methinks. I think Dex will want to get him off his back right away so he can deal with the closing net of facts and clues Lundy is methodically picking up.
I was very surprised and happy about the way the writers got Dex out of the vigilante problem - that was an ingenious twist. But, even that gave Lundy another clue - the BHB was 'watching them'. I'm guessing that Lundy's already got a suspicion that the BHB is in, or involved with, law enforcement just because of the knowledge needed to choose his victims. He probably doesn't like the idea but will go where the evidence leads.
Dexter should REALLY get rid of those blood slides - he should be too smart to keep 'trophies' that would instantly convict him if found.
Poor Deb, she really should be in serious therapy rather than carrying a gun. The scene with Gabriel was really telling and the one with Lundy was touching.
I loved the way that Lundy acted toward Matsuka - the guy is really dispicable and should have his mouth taped shut (the actor seems to be making a career out of playing that character since he's almost the same on Chuck).
On a side note, Rita seems to be very similar to her mom - very quick to leap to judgement. I wouldn't be sorry to see her and mom ride off into the sunset but of course that won't happen since there has to be an obligatory collision between her and Lila, doesn't there?
I wasn't sure how successful it was going to be having Dex take this new direction, but they are developing it extremely well and in a very believable manner. In the beginning I thought Lundy was going to be the chief antagonist, now I think it's going to be Lila. There's too much unknown about her and Dex seems to say too much to her and she certainly doesn't keep her mouth shut about his secrets - whether that's calculated or just her uninhibited nature remains to be seen. Dexter really better watch what he says around her from now on and start thinking about trying to get ahead of Lundy rather than playing catch-up...
I love this show!
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Nov 5, 2007 3:39 PM
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I know I posted this before, but the previews for Dexter are on after Brotherhood. It's Shotime's way of getting people to watch Brotherhood too, which is a great show, albeit not Dexter.
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Nov 5, 2007 4:49 PM
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I think I am the only one who hates Lila and her propensity for being sexually available and braless in almost every scene. I hate when shows obsessively pander to their male audiences by introducing the alluring, dark and mysterious topless she devil. Lila's character wouldn't bother me so much if it didn't seem like the writers introduced her to give this show the sexual edge it was missing. I just don't buy that Dexter is suddenly unwound by this woman--certainly he's encountered her type before. I hope he has to kill her. Or that she has a different purpose that is already being presented.
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Nov 5, 2007 5:27 PM
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A superb episode of Dexter. Watching him walking into the rain after telling Rita the truth was haunting. Things unraveled quickly for Dexter in this episode, and I could see why other bloggers felt that too many things were happening at once. It led to some hilarious moments though and pushed Dexter to the edge.
One of the funniest comedic moments was when Dexter was thinking about all he had to do, and he said that "he'd fix world hunger" as well.
Another one was after Dexter had sex with Lila when he said "Oh good, the voices are back." Hilarious.
Great writing and plotting, but the developments of this episode were no surprise to me (as opposed to previous installments with Dexter starting down this path to recovery). The episodes have been building towards Dexter getting over his addiction and shucking his old life, along with Rita.
I remember that the original reason Dexter started going out with Rita was not because he was passionate about her, but because he needed a nice, normal girlfriend as a front to make his life seem as normal as possible.
When Rita sat down with Lila at the table for dinner, I thought immediately of "Bettie and Veronica," except if Betty was a bit blander and boring.
I thought it was hilarious that Rita "debriefed" with Dexter right afterwards , saying all the stuff that she kept to herself during dinner. Acting normal in front of the parental units, and gossiping about it afterwards. Seems like something she would say and do, hilarious.
That confrontation with Doakes is not going to lead to anything good. When Dexter said he just needed a reason, my mind flashed to how Doakes had killed two people in the past six months already in the line of duty. That should lead to something.
Also, Rita can't be out of the picture yet, and I think she's going to fight for Dexter. Lila will probably discover the truth about Dexter's "addiction" and things may get hairy from there.
Lundy's senility issue or "act" may lead to something interesting down the line, as he may choose to just nonchalantly let Dexter go or become misled. He doesn't seem as "super-smart" and "good at his job" as Morgan says. It could just be character quirks, but it's becoming pretty noticeable and it may play into the story by the end. Mark my words!
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Nov 6, 2007 12:41 AM
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What a show! It just never lets up in the suspense department and I pity anyone who doesn't know how good this series is. Rita is a fighter and I have a suspicion that she will rescue Dex from both himself and from the sneakily evil Lila (who doesn't fool me for a second). Every story line is riveting this year and I can't wait for the next episode. And the next. And the next....
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Nov 6, 2007 9:28 AM
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As much as I love*love*love Jaime Murray, and I'm still stoked that TPTB allowed her to keep her real accent (though viewers of Hustle know she can pull off a perfect American accent anytime she wants), and how much Lila and Dexter together really turns me on (in a good way)- I'm just waiting for Dark Lila to show up and screw things up, royally.
Before I move on to make another point, I must reiterate: Dex and Lila together are HOT. Sizzling. Hot.
Though Deb said it best, Rita "is perfect". Rita is the right person for Dexter to be with...but damn, Lila and Dex are sex on wheels!
Now Lila is going to really screw it up somehow and Dexter is going to have to scramble to cover his tracks in yet another arena of his life. Though, maybe our little NA firestarter can put her destructive energies into something helpful for Dexter...like burning down some key BHB evidence?
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Nov 6, 2007 12:14 PM
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Well, the previews seem to show next week's episode as a real 'explosive' one. Looks like Dex neuters Doaks, but Lila has a fiery plan of her own. Wow!
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Nov 6, 2007 1:31 PM
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Our good friend, Michael C Hal, best known for his current work as the dark, serial killer, Dexter, has earned himself a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by and Actor in a TV Drama.
Congrats, Michael! We love you!
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