Dexter - The Complete Second Season
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 Are Dexter's days finally numbered? I didn't think the second season of "Dexter" could even come close to to the brilliance of the first season, but I was wrong. Instead of the Ice Truck Killer, Season 2 begins with the Miami P.D. hot on the trail of another mass-murderer dubbed as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Dexter (Michael C. Hall) already knows the identity of the killer right off the bat, because it happens to be him. The FBI is brought in to help investigate the case, and Dexter is under pressure to stay off the radar and figure out how to get himself out of this huge mess. Season 2 introduces some great new characters, including Special Agent Lundy (Keith Carradine) and the mysterious Lila (Jaime Murray), a woman who interferes with Dexter's relationship with Rita (Julie Benz). Meanwhile, La Guerta (Lauren Vélez) pulls some very dirty tricks out of her hat in an effort to get her job back, and Dexter's relationship with Doakes (Erik King) escalates and is finally put to the ultimate test. There are some exciting twists and turns in Season 2, but everything wraps up very nicely at the end. I have no idea what will happen to Dexter in Season 3, but I can't wait to find out! Amazing. Great show. More people should read the books. It's like watching new (better?) episodes in your head. Darkly Dreaming Dexter Dearly Devoted Dexter Dexter in the Dark: A Novel  Darkly dreaming Dexter getting a little duller. After a blistering first series, I felt that much of the second series of "Dexter" was a bit of a letdown. The basic premise of the series, which I am not going into here, is very solid and allows the viewer to be concerned about the central character (which in itself creates the weird scenario of rooting for very dubious guy indeed), but before long we are introduced to the very irritating character of Lyla Turney. This is where the interesting central premise of the show gets eclipsed somewhat by a cheap soap-opera-like "which girl will Dexter end up with" type narrative that is, quite frankly boring. The main fault of season 2 is that the producers have seen fit to add in some Hollywood sex (in the first season he couldn't really do it), soap-opera plot devices and have chosen to give Dexter more human emotions. This is a bad move as by humanising Dexter too much, it tends to make him less interesting. The charm of the Dexter series is that the viewer becomes attached to a guy who is essentially a nutter (albeit with somewhat justifiable moral code). But as this gets eroded, I felt that that my interest was being eroded too. To a point where there was considerable time between my viewing of episode 7 and episode 8. In contrast, I watched the first series in two sittings. There were times in season 2 that was just waiting for Dexter to kill someone...anyone. I do recommend the second season though, don't get me wrong. It has a good central story, mostly good acting and returns with all the strong characters from the first season and develops them somewhat further. The only problem with the secondary character is with Debra's unrealistic relationship with her new boyfriend. It's ok, but I felt her character could have been developed in a much better way, especially after her experiences in the first series. Again, the result is very soap-opera and made me tune out to a degree. The best character (other than Dexter) is James Doakes and he returns in the second season too in one of the more interesting subplots of the series that has a great conclusion. The bottom line is that Dexter Season 2 is just not as good as the utterly brilliant season 1 (which was simply the best thing on TV for a long, long time). But for about 8 episodes, I felt myself losing interest rapidly. However, by episode 9 or so, I was hooked again and the season builds to a great finale. So much so, that I cannot wait for season 3. What I would like too see in season 3 is a little more ambiguity from Dexter and certainly more of his serial killer exploits...and a little more blood'n'gore for good measure. ***1/2 stars overall. Soul mates aren't all they're cracked up to be This season has Dexter Morgan crossing paths with Lila Turney, the woman who understands him like no one else -- but that's not really a good thing. For anyone. She's definitely not the kind of person who makes an old reprobate say: "You make me want to be a better man." Sometimes, two wrongs don't make a right. Meanwhile those bodies so carefully disposed of in Season 1 are discovered, leading the cops closer and closer to Dexter. There's an "Out of Time"* feel to this season that's quite enjoyable. He seems teetering on the edge of getting caught only to seem to avoid detection yet again. Great suspense on that level. The writers are also guiding Dexter to more and more nuanced and human emotions this season, particularly in his relationship with Rita. They seem to be leading him to some sort of normality. A recovering serial killer by season 3? Anything is possible! * Pretty good 2004 flick starring Denzel Washington and a totally hot Eva Mendes set, in all places, in Southern Florida. | |||||||||||||
