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"I Don't Want the Police to Take Care of It. I Want to Take Care of It"

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (14)



Thumbnail image for 08_dexter_560x375.jpg

“Dexter” has always been at its best — no matter who the villain or what the circumstances — when he’s competing, so to speak, with the police to identify a killer so that he can inflict his brand of justice before the authorities do. The better seasons are those where he and his colleagues (and his sister) at the police department are trying to find the same person, the police so they can arrest him, and Dexter so he can kill them. This week, which more or less continued the momentum the season picked up last week, has Dexter trying to identify Cole Harmon — the motivational speaker’s right hand man — before Musaka and Deb do. What I thought was interesting was — rather than steer the cops away from Boyd Fowler and, perhaps, raise suspicion about his murder — Dexter used Fowler to give himself some time to track down Harmon.

As to Harmon, Lumen identified him as one of the several who raped her, and after the unofficial partnership between Lumen and Dexter last week, it’s made official this week. They are partners in revenge, an arrangement most of us could see three episodes back, but the writers unnecessarily went through the push/pull motions before bringing us here. And if you ask me, they make for a cute couple, and though it’s not something I’d want for the remainder of the series, it’ll be fun to see Dexter in that kind of relationship for the rest of the year. It may also allow him to use Lumen as a springboard for his thoughts rather than resort to the pervasive voice-overs.

Thus identified, the murder of Cole Harmon has to wait another episode, and though no suspicion has yet been attached to the motivational speaker, Jordan Chase, my guess is that they wouldn’t cast Jonny Lee Miller as a simple red herring. There’s some sinister Frank T.J. Mackey underneath his naive innocence.

Meanwhile, the Fuentes brothers stakeout was fun — it’s nice to see some progress in that regard, and the murder of the informant is sure to bring out a more interesting conflict between Maria and Batista than what had transpired earlier this season (and has seemingly been dropped). Plus, Peter Weller’s crooked cop, Stan Liddy, is officially the best part of this season, so far. I thought at the season’s outset that Quinn would surely be killed, but Stan Liddy may save Quinn from Dexter and, possible, bring Quinn and Dexter together in an effort to bring down Liddy.









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Comments

Plus, Peter Weller’s crooked cop, Stan Liddy, is officially the best part of this season, so far.

A fuckin' Men. Robocop rules this season.

Posted by: Riles at November 9, 2010 6:25 PM

I move this season be subtitled "They Spit On Your Grave".

Posted by: sansho1 at November 9, 2010 6:32 PM

It's nice to see Julia Stiles back to being awesome.

Posted by: kelsy at November 9, 2010 6:53 PM

though no suspicion has yet been attached to the motivational speaker, Jordan Chase, my guess is that they wouldn’t cast Jonny Lee Miller as a simple red herring. There’s some sinister Frank T.J. Mackey underneath his naive innocence.

Wait, wasn't that Chase, along with Harmon, who was called back to the police station and who was told that Fowler's ID was found in the truck? And then later, when the two were back in the car, Chase tells Harmon 'good job' for planting Boyd's ID only for for Harmon to deny he did it? I think it's already been established that Chase is the ringleader here. Heck, wasn't he the one driving the truck in the beginning of the episode?

Or am I getting my nondescript white guys mixed up? At least I'm not getting any of them mixed up with Quinn.

Posted by: vic at November 9, 2010 7:09 PM

I think the Boyd Fowler red herring that Dexter planted is kind of exploiting a plot hole. I don't know how much time is supposed to have elapsed since he killed Boyd, but surely his co-workers at the Roadkill Department would have noticed his absence by now and police would be looking for him. No? He seemed pretty devoted to that job, his absence would be suspicious.

My favorite thing about this episode is the return of the awful LaGuerta that I love to hate. She's a great villain, honestly, and I love it when that gets to show. My favorite LaGuerta was the one who seduced her replacement's boyfriend to drive her to distraction so Maria could get her old job back.

Posted by: The Wandering Parakeet at November 9, 2010 7:33 PM

[b]Thus identified, the murder of Cole Harmon has to wait another episode, and though no suspicion has yet been attached to the motivational speaker, Jordan Chase[/b]
Dude are you serious? Did you watch the episode? He pretty much said he was involved himself

Posted by: YesPlease at November 10, 2010 1:57 AM

Wait, wasn't that Chase, along with Harmon, who was called back to the police station and who was told that Fowler's ID was found in the truck? And then later, when the two were back in the car, Chase tells Harmon 'good job' for planting Boyd's ID only for for Harmon to deny he did it? I think it's already been established that Chase is the ringleader here. Heck, wasn't he the one driving the truck in the beginning of the episode?

Yeah, that's exactly what happened. There is no doubt that Chase is the ringleader. I can't remember who was driving the truck in the beginning of the show. What happened in that scene? I'm drawing a blank for some reason.

I'm pretty sure that Lumen will pack up and leave by the end of the season, but it could just be wishful thinking.

Sometimes I think Dustin is watching a completely different show.

Posted by: Uda at November 10, 2010 4:25 AM

Oh and YesPlease, use the angle brackets for your code rather than the square ones.

Posted by: Uda at November 10, 2010 4:30 AM

@Parakeet, I think Dexter does a lot to cover up those kinds of holes. Remember the murderous cop from last season? He packed her bags and bought her a ticket to the Phillippines. Maybe he wrote Boyd's letter of resignation or something.

Posted by: J. K. B. at November 10, 2010 6:04 AM

And even not being on screan, Masuca was part of the moment that made me laught out loud, in the pictures bit...
Lumen: "No.. That guy is clearly a freak, but I don't know him"
Hilarious.

Posted by: Mariazinha at November 10, 2010 6:43 AM

@J.K.B., that's a good point. I'll take it.

Posted by: The Wandering Parakeet at November 10, 2010 8:01 AM

You guys, Dustin is saying that THE OTHER CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW are not yet suspicious of Chase. We know, they don't. They called him in because his company and vehicle were involved, not because he was a suspect. Please keep up.

I'm really enjoying the Dexter/Lumen relationship so far, and I'm interested in seeing where they're going with it. This season and last have had some really strong writing and acting.

Posted by: Katers at November 10, 2010 10:11 AM

my guess is that they wouldn’t cast Jonny Lee Miller as a simple red herring

That was the line that started it all, Katers. It has nothing to do with the other characters; we realize they don't suspect Chase. It was the hint of doubt that Dustin seemed to have about his level of involvement.

Posted by: Uda at November 10, 2010 9:04 PM

Where's this week's review Rowles???

Posted by: Riles at November 18, 2010 12:06 PM