Dexter

Remove all ads!

I am watching the 4th season of Dexter and really enjoying it -- it still has bite even into its fourth season, and the writing is still snappy and fun.

This forum is for those who watch the series, of course, but also for those who read the books and want to critique the changes made by the producers. I will be posting some of my thoughts later on.

 

I actually think the 4th season is the best, although I am sure fanboys will destroy me for saying that. I haven't read the books at all, so I don't know if they are keeping true to it or just took the idea and ran.

The last episode was the best of season 4 as well - the

Spoiler

fight between Arthur's family was so freaking tense, I loved it

. I am excited for the last 3 episodes!

 

IMHO, they took the idea and ran. Here's my synopsis -- I'll spoiler it for those who aren't up to speed -- be warned!

Spoiler

Dexter himself is quite a bit more likeable on screen than in his novel incarnation. While they occasionally cite the Dark Passenger, they don't focus on it to the degree Lindsey does in his books. The supernatural element that was introduced in Dexter in the Dark is also totally not present, which I love, because it just didn't work well for me. I like the whole thing firmly grounded in psychology and science, as is done in the show. The casting of Hall as Dexter is superb -- he can really carry it off.

Rita is much more developed on the show. I love her vulnerability that is oddly complemented by her strength. Dexters first fumblings with emotions regarding Rita during the first couple of seasons are just wonderful to watch. She's believeable and likeable, and sexy as all get out.

I also like the changes made to Debra -- she's MUCH more interesting on the show, and the fact that she doesn't know about Dexter's proclicities is, IMHO, a formula for much better drama as well as being much more realistic. Carpenter is at least Hall's equal in terms of portraying the conflicts that rage within her soul, though her conflicts are less drastic than his. The uncertainty, the intelligence, the Shakespearean ambition that drives her and collides with her equally powerful need to be loved, all of these things impress the tar out of me when I see Carpenter deliver her performances. The TV producers wisely ditched the dead-end character of Kyle Chutsky and made her that much more interesting by having her involved with Brian Moiser in the first season, Lundy in the second, and then Anton in the 3rd and 4th. Her struggles to find and maintain a human connection contrast nicely with Dexter's, reinforcing the fact that it's hard for ANYONE to make that connection, let alone someone who has the emotional deadness that Dexter does.

The most dramatic change was the one made to LaGuerta, who was a vicious, heartless, and primarily stupid witch in the one novel in which she appeared. She can be vicious and petty, but she is also human. I've always liked Lauren Velez anyhow, and this series just reinforces my respect for her acting chops.

Batista is also much more interesting than his novel appearances, and the fact that Zayas is, like Velez, an Oz alumni, makes me like him more.

Doakes should be discussed next, as Erik King is yet another Oz alumni, and I was sad to see him die in the second season, as opposed to becoming a deformed nightmare in the books. But the whole plotline wherein he died was just freaking awesome, so I can be forgiving.

They didn't do much with Dexter's long lost brother beyond what was done in the books, but he made a decent first season foe.

Lila made a MUCH more interesting foe in the second season, and she was also as sexy as they come. Contrasting her with Lundy, the highly skilled yet oddly blinded FBI investigator played by Keith Carradine, made for a kick butt season. I wish we could see more of Jaime Murray, as she is one fine woman and I wouldn't care how psycho she was.

I was totally creeped out by the books when they developed Cody and Astor as budding psychos. The show makes them much more palatable though less controversial. I think it would be difficult for them to get young kids to act the way the children do in the novels. They still made them interesting, though.

Jimmy Smits and John Lithgow as totally new characters are just awesome -- both men make for great villains, as well as representing Dexter's attempts to become more of a human member of society. Great casting.

Masuka is great comic relief, and I foresee some more development to him in the future. His perverted nature reminds me of, well, me!

The last one I'll mention is Dexter's adopted father, Harry. His conversations with Dexter replace the role of the Dark Passenger in the books, and I think it's a vast improvement. Remar is convincing and interesting, and one wonders about the life experiences that shaped him. The neverending revelations about him make for some seriously good drama. The conversations with Dex become more interesting to me when I remember that he is dead, and that this is not Harry as he was, but Harry as Dexter remembers him (and possibly wished him to be). Viewing him as an extension of Dexter's mind makes their conversations all the more interesting.

That's it for now -- my recommendation is that you all run out to the video store and watch any episodes that you can. IMHO it is getting better and better as time goes on, and I am praying for at least 2 more seasons.

 

I think they are signed on for a 5th season guaranteed. And nice synopsis, that was well thought out.

On the Cody/Astor thing:

Spoiler

In the last episode, Astor made a hint of being slightly off - she made some comment about something dead being 'cool' IIRC, which may be a reference to the books. Maybe they will develop that further, although I suspect that the baby will end up more like Dexter than Cody/Astor, if they have enough seasons to see him mature.

 

Thanks for adding the spoiler tags!

I saw all three seasons so far and I'm waiting for the fourth season to come out on DVD. Since it will be a full 9 months until then (just like a baby! ), I will cry myself to sleep, lie in a fetal position in the shower and stare sorrowfully out of the house window all day long while listening to Kenny Rogers...

What? I really really liked the first three seasons!

 

I've seen the first two seasons, and I love this show. Got season 3 around here, just gotta make the time to watch it..

 

Last night's episode was awesome.

Spoiler

Watching Dexter, a serial killer, rush around trying to save a life, all the while working around his family's suspicions, his job, and his sister's unrealistic expectations, made it all work for me. Lithgow totally creeped me out again, and the revelation that the cycle has 4 parts was freaking mind blowing. Too many shows are so effing predictable, this one isn't (at least, not as bad).

Hope those who watched it enjoyed it as much as I did.

 

I didn't like it as much as the Thanksgiving one (still thought it was better than some of the earlier episodes), but Lithgow continues to deliver.

I am so looking forward to episodes 11 and 12, especially based on the teaser at the end of this past episode.