Dexter: "Those Kinds of Things" Review

     Well, America's favorite serial-killer is back and he's feeling like his old self again.  Sure, that sound's a little counter-intuitive, but we all know Dexter has grown leaps and bounds emotionally since we 1st began listening to his inner monologue. How are things looking this season? Let's take a look.

"Season 5 was disappointing??? Looks like I'm paying some critics a visit...."

  SPOILERS!!!!!!

     We find Dexter in a seemingly life-threatening predicament, which I'm sure got all our hearts racing instantly, and our minds running away with endless thoughts.  Thankfully, it was just another well-crafted kill (a DOUBLE kill at that!).  It was a very clever and skillfully-written scene to kick-start the season. It was a great way to demonstrate that Dexter has finally moved on, and is starting anew.

Double Kill! (*Halo Voice*)

       We're told it's been quite a good year for Dexter, thus establishing creative freedom for the writers.  They are free from the constraints of Rita and Lumen.  Dexter acknowledges that "darkness" visits all of us at some time or another, but that he is capable of persevering and coming out on the other side even better than before (as much as a serial killer can become a better person, that is).  

        The dark humor made a triumphant return in this episode.  It gave it a sort of Season 1 vibe.  This is in no way to suggest that 'Dexter' isn't often humorous, but this episode had me laughing so much that my cheeks were hurting to the point that I had to make sure they hadn't been cut with a scalpel.  The way Dexter and Harry played off each other was classic.  And kudos to Dex for getting a little "thank you" from the former prom queen.  

        On a small side note, it seems La Guerta is back to being the cut-throat bitch we know and hate,  Batista has a hot younger sister, Quinn is about to take the plunge with Deb, and Masuka has some interns to attend to.  It also seems that the "restaurant shoot-out caught on tape" will propel Deb into the limelight.  Everyone is indeed moving forward, as Dexter noted.     

"Hey, did you guys see Breaking Bad last night?

      Olmos and Hanks are sufficiently creepy (and downright brazen) as the "big bads" for this season.  Their modus operandi including Biblical prophesy of the apocalypse is exciting.  How about the audacity to brutally murder and eviscerate a guy in broad daylight and then stuff snakes into his abdominal cavity?! Now THAT'S depraved.  Even in the midst of such a brutal crime scene, Michael C. Hall's superb acting got me to laugh when he expressed Dexter's fascination with what he was witnessing.

     There are several great character scenes in this episode, but the one that stood out to me the most was the conversation between Dex and Deb outside the pre-school.  Deb calling out Dexter for his "certain set of rules" that keep him out of trouble.  She stresses that it seems cold and Dexter, obviously valuing Deb's opinion, reflects on this.  The kill scene with the former high school jock was an instant classic.  His contradictory ramblings and Dexter's perplexed facial expressions were just another grand display of the show's expertise with dark humor.

       It's clear that this season will explore both of the extremes to religion: the emptiness of lacking religion juxtaposed with the hypocrisy and over-zealous side of faith.  Don't let your guard down because of this humorous episode.  Things can't go well for everyone.  I think all Hell is about to break loose.

-John A.-