Dexter - TV Fanatic

Dexter Season 7 to Feature "Different Dynamics," Showtime President Promises

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:11:03 EST

Note: I will remain as calm as possible while recapping Showtime President David Nevins' panel today at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, as he delved in to the two major developments from season six of Dexter and, well, I made it very clear how I felt about those in my review of the finale.

Of Deb's realization that she loves Dexter, he said: “I’m aware that there’s a certain taboo despite fact that they’re not genetically related, but [this is] something that has been building over a number of yearss" and it's "an idea that’s informed how [the writers have] done this show for a long time."

Of Deb walking in on Dexter, mid-ritual, he said the reveal marks “a very clear trajectory [for] the next two seasons and it’s going to help to write with that endgame in mind. There should be fundamentally different dynamics now that Deb [knows about Dex] and it’s going to ricochet."

Hey, I'm all for mixing up what has become a stale premise, so I'll go into season seven with an open mind. It's just... Deb loves Dexter... really?!?

Dexter Season Finale Review: The Ruined Reveal

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:44:28 EST

Dexter finally went there to conclude season six. It aired the scene many viewers have been clamoring for for years: Deb witnessing her brother in all his blood-filled, Dark Passenger-based glory.

Many fans may believe this will make up for an incredibly sloppy, disjointed, suspense-free season. I have no doubt the producers are banking on that, as sites and message boards and water coolers will now be dominated by talk of where things will go in season seven.

But don't count me among those cheering because we're seemingly headed in a new, exciting direction. I can't let go of how we got there.

It was simply a mess of a season. Two cases in point from the finale: Travis is literally feet away from Harrison in Dexter's apartment... only instead of snatching him (what, was he afraid of Jaime? Is she tougher than the cop on the roof he killed without hesitation?), he sneaks into the children's pageant and does the deed there. Why? Simply because the script called for it.

And are we really meant to believe that not a single police officer had stepped inside the house where Travis painted that mural? No one had seen Dexter's face painted on the wall because EVERYone was waiting for the blood splatter specialist to arrive? We've seen enough crime scenes on this show to know that's never happened before.

That sort of leap in logic, that kind of desperate attempt to drag the season out, littered almost every episode. It was lowlighted, of course, by the insulting Gellar-is-dead reveal, which was as transparent and as terribly-written as any storyline on any show in recent memory.

So, really, there's no point in over-analyzing "This is the Way the World Ends." It was as heavy-handed and predictable as any other outing. And, really, it's not what anyone will be talking about tomorrow. I find it hard to believe anyone cares about the fate of Travis Marshall; or LaGuerta's words of rooftop wisdom; or Quinn and Batista's pointless bickering, which almost came across as a wink-wink from the writers that nothing outside of Dexter matters (these two fought, Batista tried to get Quinn transferred, and the end result was... nothing. It was just Quinn telling Batista he won't be getting transferred).

All anyone will be discussing is The Moment.

Let me state this: I'm glad it finally took place. I am VERY curious to see how the show will handle this discovery going forward.

But, my goodness, I'm appalled at how it got there. Why the writers felt it necessary to throw in the disgustingly misguided notion that Deb is in love with Dexter is positively mind-boggling. Really? Is that the only way they could come up with her arriving at the church? Because she simply had to tell her sibling how she felt at that moment?

And, really, did the writers have so little faith in the Deb/Dexter relationship as it had been constructed that they had to conjure up this wayward storyline because they think the reveal will now have more of an impact on Deb? It's legitimately insulting to all those who have watched the show from the beginning.

The Deb and Dexter connection has been the focal point of the series. They have been brother and sister in every sense of the world. As I wrote last week, it's been refreshing and unlike any other male/female relationship on television. It's also simply been very well done. Did any viewer doubt the love between this pair? Did anyone feel it necessary to throw an incestual wrench into the show, as if extra gravitas was needed for when Deb finally found out her brother's secret?

And does anyone even think this development accomplishes that goal? Are you more curious to see Deb's reaction next year because she's in love with him, as opposed to "merely" loving him?!?

To watch Deb give Dexter some sort of lovelorn look when he got close to her was nothing short of gross and staggeringly tone deaf on the part of the writers. NOBODY wants to see these two together. (Okay, correction, in our poll of nearly 2,00 readers, 24% wanted to see them together. To all of them, I say: EWWW.)

Look, Dexter has been through three showrunners. Seasons four, five and six were each manned a different person. It's very difficult to maintain consistency in these situations and it's possible Scott Buck, the current head, wanted Deb to have feelings for Dexter all along, but he could only implement his vision now that he's in charge. I obviously have no idea.

But I do know that the constant changing-of-the-higher-ups has had an impact on the series as a whole. To many, myself included, season four was the apex; season five a letdown; and season six an outright mess. Am I anxious about where events now go on season seven, based on the final moment? Of course.

However, I'm also upset that this season really served as nothing more than a set-up for next season (can I get 11.59 hours of my life back, please?) and I'm absolutely mystified by the decision to mar the Deb/Dark Passenger discovery by the former's unnecessary, repulsive revelation of love. I'm more confused than angry. What ON EARTH are the writers thinking?

What did everyone else think?

Dexter Season Finale Preview: How the World Ends

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:54:32 EST

It's come down to this on season six of Dexter. One final episode to see if our murderous hero can stop Travis Marshall before he completes his tableau, takes who-knows-how-many-lives and brings on the End of Days. In his warped mind, at least.

Will Dexter track DDK down in time? Will Harrison become the next loved one to perish as a result of Dexter's Dark Passenger? And how will Deb handle the crazy new feelings she developed this week for her step-brother?

All will be revealed on Sunday's "This is How the World Ends," the season six finale teased below. Watch and get ready now:

Dexter Season 6 Finale Promo: "This is the Way the World Ends"

Dexter Review: Brotherly Love

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:00:00 EST

Dear producers of Dexter: I think you misunderstood the memo. Yes, fans of this Showtime hit have been waiting for awhile for Deb to come to a realization about her brother. But not this one.

Yech. Seriously. NOT this one.

While "Talk to the Hand" featured an attempt on both Dexter and Batisa's life, as well as a professional manipulation by LaGuerta and the teasing of Lucas as Dexter's next nemesis, it's impossible to review this episode without first focusing on the show choosing to take Deb's feelings for her step-sibling to a whole new direction, one I can't imagine any viewer is excited about.

Why are we going there? The bond between Deb and Dexter has been one of the most consistent, refreshing aspects of the series throughout its run. It's really unlike any relationship on TV. Where else do we see this sort of non-romantic connection between a male and female lead? And what would be the impetus for destroying that? Just so Deb can have an even more visceral reaction to Dexter's Dark Passenger when it's finally revealed?

Aside from creeping me out, the storyline just comes across like another desperate attempt by the writers at shock value. Shock value that's grosser than any blood-covered crime scene at that.

Elsewhere, Travis acted like every other idiotic, cliche-filled villain in history. I expect a lot more form Dexter than to have its bad guy focus a gun on his prey; agree to that prey's last-second request; and then hold that gun up just long enough so he can distracted from pulling the trigger... and yet somehow have time to start a fire?!?

As if the first instance of Travis teasing a kill wasn't enough, he then chose to make Dexter's death into some kind of fancy escapade, as opposed to simply putting a bullet in his enemy's skull. Seriously, theses were the sort of antagonistic moves mocked by Dr. Evil in Austin Powers. I'm just surprised Travis didn't use sharks with lasers on their heads to take Dexter out.

At least the episode didn't conclude with that explosion, however. At least it didn't try to pretend that Dexter was actually dead. Heading into next Sunday's season finale, though, it did leave us with a cliffhanger that doesn't feel very... cliffhanger-y. As I've asked all season long, where's the suspense here? What are the stakes? Yes, Travis is still out there and it would be nice if he were caught - but his plot to gas the police station has been foiled, he doesn't have any other acolytes or plans that we know of. What, right now, is making you anxious as a viewer to tune in next week?

Sadly, the writers almost seem to be writing this season off before it's over. They appear to be setting storylines up for next year, whether it's Deb's strange new feelings for her brother, LaGuerta serving as Deputy Chief or Louis being lined up as a taunting new serial killer. Those might have potential, but it would be nice if they focused on making this season remotely interesting first, wouldn't it?

Do you want to see Deb and Dexter hook up?

Dexter Sneak Preview: "Talk to the Hand"

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:55:29 EST

Dexter will not be through with Travis on Sunday's new episode of this Showtime hit.

Look for the blood splatter specialist/serial killer to come up with an unusual scheme in order to apprehend DDK, while Deb will butt head with LaGuerta over a certain dead call girl and the man in the room with her when she died.

Finally, as teased in the following promo for "Talk to the Hand," Deb's therapist will also come up with a bold suggestion for her client. Watch now:

Dexter Promo: "Talk to the Hand"

Dexter Review: The Trail of Travis

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:00:58 EST

One week removed from the Most Obvious Twist in the History of Television, Dexter kicked off its final quarter of episodes with "Ricochet Rabbit," an hour that saw Dexter go on the hunt for Travis; Deb uncover a secret about her boss; and Quinn continue to drink.

Having already outlined my problems with the season in general last Sunday, I went into this outing with a clean slate, happy to give what has long been one of my favorite shows a fresh start for its final three episodes of the year.

And that mindset allowed me to mostly enjoy the most tense, tight installment of the season. It delivered an intriguing cliffhanger and left me legitimately anxious for what's next.

But it also left me regretful.

There was definitely missed potential here with Travis. If the writers had only aired the Gellar reveal after just a couple episodes, gotten Dexter more involved with Travis from the start and wasted less time contriving ways to delay the increasingly-clear fact that Gellar was dead... this storyline could have been saved. Travis could have gone around gathering more disciples to do the dirty work, Dexter could have felt ever more guilty about the mistake he made in trusting Travis, we wouldn't have spent as much time on Brother Sam and a fruitless visit to Nebraska...

Alas. Here we are, and at least it's someplace that might lead to an exciting conclusion. Batista's life in danger? The Miami Police Department as the target of a gas attack? Deb between a rock and a hard place? Or a hard Deputy Chief, to be more exact? All enticing build-ups for next week. There are actual stakes here.

Moreover, Dexter isn't wondering whether or not he can control his Dark Passenger anymore. He's not questioning whether or not there is a lighter side to his being. Both of those avenues have been explored to death (pun... intended!) and I've been urging the series all season long to just get to the action.

Here, he's accepting of his Passenger's presence and lashing out at the man largely responsible for it: Harry. This is an especially welcome development. Harry has become more and more of a narrative device over the years, seemingly around just to spell out for the audience exactly what his son is thinking. But now we see Dexter wonder why he even listens to the person who set him out on this path, which is a nice parallel to Travis telling off Gellar. Of course, we learned this week that Travis has been a mess since childhood and essentially used Gellar to justify his killings.

Has Dexter been doing the same with Harry? Might Dexter be afraid he'll end up like Travis someday, unable to listen to his rational father figure? Unable to abide The Code, his own type of Bible? Again, these are questions that could have been at the forefront of the season, if the show hadn't taken so long getting us to this point. Sorry, I'm back to being bitter, I know.

At least I can end on a positive: Deb. It seems hard to believe that her therapy sessions aren't setting viewers up for the only real storyline remaining on Dexter: the discovery of her brother's murderous secret. It makes the most sense for this to take place when she's at her most understanding and appreciative of Dexter, as she is now, in order for her to truly struggle with the revelation of who he really is.

We've been told that the final two episodes of the season will set the stage for the final two seasons of the series. Those kick off next Sunday. Meet me back here to discuss.

Final Dexter Episodes to Set Up Series End Game

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:35:36 EST

To some, including yours truly, this has been a disappointing season of Dexter. There's been a lack of urgency, a lack of suspense and a horribly-written, obvious twist that was finally revealed last Sunday.

But Showtime has already renewed for drama for two more seasons, a fact network President David Nevins says should excite viewers.

“There’s things that are going to happen [this season] that will set up a very clear end game that will take two seasons to tell. You have got to be there for the last two episodes," Nevis said at a Showtime party in Los Angeles last night.

Dexter Promo: "Ricochet Rabbit"

To what might Nevins be referring? The best guess is Deb finally discovering her brother's Dark Passenger, a development fans have been hoping for and one possibly teased over the last few weeks via the new lieutenant's therapy revelations.

The executive added that everyone is "operating under the assumption" that Dexter will end after eight seasons.

It airs a new episode on Sunday, which is previewed above, and we must ask again: What was your reaction to the Gellar reveal?

Dexter Episode Trailer: Who's Next?

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:22:21 EST

The most obvious reveal in the history of television finally came to the forefront on Dexter last night, a supposed shocker that left me aghast that a once-fantastic series would resort to such lame storytelling.

You can read my less-than-enthusiastic review of "Get Gellar" HERE.

But at least the secret is out now and perhaps the final three episodes of the season will be worthwhile. Next Sunday's installment is titled "Ricochet Rabbit" and it focuses on Dexter's race to identity DDK's next victim before it's too late. Deb will also come to a surprising conclusion about her brother, as teased in the following preview:

Dexter Promo: "Ricochet Rabbit"

Have you missed any season six episode? You can watch Dexter online via TV Fanatic by just following the preceding link.

Dexter Review: The Lowest Form of Storytelling

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:35:36 EST

Don't worry, Masuka, I braced myself for awful before Dexter aired tonight.

And, boy, did "Get Gellar" deliver just that, finally revealing the most obvious "shocker" in all of television: Professor Gellar is dead and Travis has been acting alone this entire time. The show has been airing scenes on a weekly basis that only took place inside Travis' warped mind.

I will try to be as succinct and as calm about this as possible, but this is simply storytelling at its worst and at its laziest. It's one thing to build toward a surprising reveal that is well-paced and nearly impossible to predict. Take The Sixth Sense, for instance, a clear model for this Dexter storyline.

At no point in that movie are we watching a character who does not exist. We are not purposely being misled by the writers, just so they can come back later and try to pull an "a-ha!" moment that changes the game. It's an intelligent movie, one with an engrossing plot that would have held up even Bruce Willis' character was NOT proven to be dead the whole time (ummm... spoiler alert?). The conclusion was not needed to make the movie; it was just needed to make the movie into the epic tale it has become. But the audience was never duped. Everything was witnessed was really happening. That is how one writes a true surprise. This, conversely, is the perfect example of a desperate, cheap imitation.

Let's forget the fact that Gellar's non-existence was more predictable than the Deputy Chief being the John in the room with last week's overdosed prostitute. Instead, let's just focus on how boring and uneventful the season has been, and how that's obviously been due to the fact that the writers were just waiting to play this pathetic ace in the manipulative hole.

Unlike The Sixth Sense, this season has been about nothing but this surprise. It's been a build-up to a development that everyone saw coming and one that makes it clear the producers are out of ideas.

You are entitled to disagree. If you found this to be a legitimately shocking moment, if you have no problem knowing you watched countless scenes with a character who wasn't actually there and if you don't agree this is writing at its absolute laziest... then I envy you. You will enjoy the rest of the season.

I, however, will be stuck wondering what happened to one of my favorite shows on television. But, hey, at least we have that enthralling Batista/Quinn feud to look forward to next week! Wasn't it hilarious when that stripper turned out to be an old, ugly mother?!? Hmmm... or did she? Perhaps Quinn was still drunk and that woman doesn't really exist...

What did you think of Dexter's big reveal?

Can Dexter Get Gellar?

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:48:05 EST

Dexter finally placed its main character in the center of the DDK action this week, airing an episode that concluded with Dexter teaming up with Travis in order to track down Gellar... and with a major question lingering over the series:

Does Gellar even exist?

It's growing more and more likely that this professor is merely Travis' warped version of Harry, a Dark Passenger along for the Apocalyptic ride. I've already made my feelings on this lame possibility known. Now, I'm asking fans to watch the official promo for Sunday's "Get Gellar" and then to chime in on the following poll.

Dexter Promo: "Get Gellar"

DOES GELLAR EXIST?