Dexter Season 8 Episode 12 "Remember The Monsters?"

          At first, I was filled with an interesting combination of rage and sadness by the series finale of Dexter. I felt betrayed by the writers who made Dexter grow and struggle with being "human." The ending I had hoped for was the opposite of what really happened. However, I realized several things in this episode that made me understand the choices behind this final episode of Dexter.
          From the very beginning, Dexter was all about a man who couldn't fit into society. He struggled with girlfriends, his wife, his kids, his sister, and his job because he was a serial killer. He longed to be like everyone else. Slowly, he began to make progress on becoming normal. He had a girlfriend, got married, and had a kid. Dexter began to look like a normal human being. However, the grass is always greener on the other side. Dexter could not handle being normal. It is much easier to not care about others than to love and lose. SPOILERS! Dexter has lost everyone he loves. He killed his brother in season 1. Rita was killed by Trinity at the end of season 4. His step-children wanted nothing to do with him in season 5. Deborah finds out about Dexter at the end of season 6. She then kills LaGuerta and saves Dexter at the end of season 7. At the end of season 8, Dexter mercy kills Deb so she won't be left in a coma, he abandons Harrison and Hannah, quits his job and moves to an isolated location where he cannot hurt anyone else. It is easy to say based on these characters that Dexter has ruined many lives. By learning to be human, he cared for people, made sacrifices for them, and hurt many. This is what he realizes as he drives into the hurricane. Being with Dexter is like being an alcoholic. While it feels good now, the pain will come.
          While I understand the reasons behind the writer's decisions, I am not sure how they should have ended it. I would have enjoyed watching Dexter move to Argentina with Hannah and Harrison and watching Deb finally have a successful relationship with Quinn, but that would have been hard to do while keeping with the themes of the series. I feel like the fans deserved better and while it may have not fit with the rest of the series, the audience would have wanted it to end happily.
          In my mind, there are 3 ways this show could have ended: happily, a big bang, and the mercy kill. For it to end happily, Dexter would have gotten away with Hannah and Harrison, Deb would be with Quinn, and Saxon would be caught or dead. I feel like this is what the audiences wanted. For the big bang ending, Dexter would have gotten caught by Miami Metro, gotten into a huge battle with Saxon, or ended up in prison on the death penalty. While this seems to be the realistic ending, it wouldn't have gone over well. How the show ends is like a mercy kill. The kills weren't satisfying, but they were understood. Everything makes sense mentally, but isn't emotionally satisfying. When it comes to writing stories, I guess I have learned that emotions are more important than facts. If the ending feels good, the audience will learn to get over the flaws and missteps of the writers. However if the show ends with poetic character arcs and logical conclusions, but fails to meet the emotional needs of the audience, then nobody is happy.

Dexter Season 7 Episode 2 "Sunshine & Frosty Swirl"

          Well episode two starts directly after the conclusion of episode one where Dexter tells Deb he is a serial killer. Dexter follows Deb after she runs from his apartment to vomit in the street. What a perfect reaction. I first noticed that once they started talking to each other, Deb was disgusted by Dexter. She was absolutely horrified that her father taught her adoptive brother how to kill people. This scene must have taken forever to write because it is absolutely flawless. Deb punching Dexter was the perfect reaction to Dexter’s sassy, “well what are you going to do now,” question. It was definitely something Deborah would do.

          I was pleasantly surprised when Deb brought up the topic of rehab. I didn’t expect the episode to head in this direction to happen which made it even more enjoyable. While Harry tried to channel Dexter’s killing toward evil people, Deb is trying to stop it all together. This is perfectly seen when Deb asks Dexter, “If you can channel your urges, why can’t you control them?” We have seen Dexter attempt to stop killing in the past, but he didn’t try hard enough. Now that he has Deb to keep him accountable, maybe he’ll succeed. However, forcing Dexter to enter Deb’s rehab could backfire. Addicts need to enter rehab for themselves otherwise its a lot harder to stay clean. 

          What probably stuck out to me the most was when Deb said she still loved Dexter. She is a Lieutenant at Miami Metro Homicide that loves her serial killer brother. Can you think of anything more genuine and ironic? Sibling love: nothing is better.

          LaGuerta is getting dangerously close to finding out that Travis was murdered. It seems like this happens almost every season. I’m starting to wish that LaGuerta was killed in season one like in the books.

          Deb seems to be replacing Harry and his teachings. The “Code of Deb” has already started with the first two rules: be honest and tell Deb when the Dark Passenger is tempting him.

          I’m not 100% sure what Louis’ role is in the show but he is definitely creepy. I’m pretty sure he knows Dexter’s secret and he’s not afraid of him. Maybe because he’s a serial killer too! Anyway, I hope that LaGuerta will catch onto Dexter but Louis will get caught instead. Its basically the exact same situation that Doakes was in.

          Dexter has taken it upon himself to stop Louis. Instead, he should be honest with Deb and Deb will stop him. Then all of his bases will be covered. However, this obviously wont happen because its the easy way out and it won’t thrilling.

          Well Dexter obviously didn’t choose to go that route after he drugged his sister. Not a smart move dude. Somehow, you managed to not kill Louis and called your drugged up sister for help. I’ve got to say I’m proud. I’m rarely (if ever) proud of Dexter but I am excited that I am. I would say that Dexter is changing but in reality, I highly doubt it. Throughout the whole show, Dexter has barely changed. The code is the same, his method and routines are the same, the only thing that changed was in season four when he realized he could have a family and be a serial killer. Well that ended well didn’t it? I thought Dexter might become religious in season six, but Brother Sam was killed off halfway into the season and things went back to normal. It is a little late to see a radical change in Dexter, but I am completely open to the idea.

          For the first time, we see Ray Stevenson as the main antagonist. He’s charming, business oriented, charismatic, a great actor (unlike Colin Hanks), and a brutal killer. I can’t wait to see where his character goes and how he becomes more evil.

          Overall, Randall the prisoner seemed to hold a lot of the core beliefs and values of this episode. Dexter thought Randall was able to change from being a killer to a normal human being. However, we learned that he just wanted to have a few days of happiness before he killed himself. This could be foreshadowing the ending of Dexter, but it could also be a false ending. Either way, I am excited for this season and what it will bring.

The Newsroom "The Greater Fool"

          Filled to the brim with heartwarming scenes and emotional tension, episode 10 The Greater Fool, became one of the best episodes yet. I know I say this after every episode, but I promise I mean it this time. Beware, if you have not seen this episode, I will be spoiling everything. 

          Well to start off, Will mixed too many anti-depressants with bourbon which created an ulcer in his stomach. Last time Jeff Daniels and an ulcer appeared in the same room, he was in Dumb and Dumber. Amazing how time flies. Anyway, Will was admitted into the hospital and considered not coming back to ACN. Obviously, this didn’t turn out to be true because the editing of this episode was not chronological and showed Will a week later back at the news desk. So this turned out to be a devious ploy Aaron Sorkin (creator and writer) devised to raise my blood pressure.

          And the stress just kept piling on. Nina Howard (the tabloid reporter) somehow found out that Will high while reporting the death of Osama Bin Laden. Later, Will, Mackenzie, and Charlie Skinner all go to Leona Lancing’s office to discuss this matter. Will ends ups admitting to being high on the air and almost gets fired, Reece is found out for hacking Mackenzie’s phone, the two sides come to an agreement, and much of the tension is dissolved.

          I also think that the emotional tension in this episode trumped every previous episode for various reasons. First, Solomon Hancock provided a heartbreaking scene where he talked about how he has no friends and his family won’t talk to him. To make things worse, he ends up committing suicide and also provides “critical information” about the Reece Lancing ordering hacks on people’s phones. Later, Lisa and Maggie get into a fight over Jim which causes Maggie to run into the street and accidentally confess the crush she has on Jim. To make the cute moment even better, Jim chases Maggie around the city which ends with a passionate kiss between the two of them. The moment is precious, but is quickly destroyed when Maggie decides to move in with Don. To make this love triangle even more complicated, Jim lies to Lisa and says that she was the reason he came by that night, not Maggie. Also, we learn that Sloan is only single because Don never asked her out. I’m pretty sure everyone knows that Sloan and Don should be together, Jim and Maggie should start dating, and Lisa can find someone else.

          As always, Will and Mackenzie have their cute fights which only compile onto the emotional tension between them. I cannot wait for the day when they just forget about the past and get back together. Mackenzie finally tells Will that she actually did hold up the signs in the pilot episode. What could have been an emotional kiss, turned into a small little fight which added some needed comic relief. 

          Finally, Will recognized a girl in the newsroom who is applying for an internship. She turns out to be the sorority girl from the pilot episode who was the catalyst for all of Will’s problems. Will decides to hire her and one more intriguing cast member is now added to this already fantastic show. The Newsroom is easily one of my favorite shows and will be renewed for a second season which is scheduled to premiere in June 2013.

The Newsroom "I'll Try to Fix You"

          Once again, Aaron Sorkin (the writer and creator of The Newsroom) delivered a fabulous episode. The fourth episode, "I'll Try to Fix You", was perfectly titled because it dealt with fixing people up for dates, fixing relationships, and fixing the news industry.
          While at a New Years Eve office party, Will McAvoy decided to take a risk and talk to a beautiful woman.  Little did he know, that she was a gossip columnist intent on writing a 'takedown piece' on a celebrity. Will tries to convince her that she it being cruel but fails because he insults her. She throws her drink in his face which lands him in a tabloid the following day. Several similar situations happen all with the same outcome. By the end of the episode, Will is on the front page of a gossip magazine. Its ironic yet beautiful that Will tried to save a celebrity from the wrath of a gossip columnist, but ended up the victim himself.
          While I love every episode of The Newsroom, this episode stands out above the rest because Aaron Sorkin criticized the cruel world of tabloid news. After watching this episode, I started thinking about how insensitive the news can be. Many people fail to realize that their entertainment (tabloids) is at the expense of other people's lives. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced that they were getting divorce a few days ago, which has given Extra and TMZ a lot to talk about.  As soon as I heard about the divorce, I pitied them nobody wants to have a broken heart, especially when its broadcasted across the world within minutes. According to the Holmes and Rahe stress scale, divorce is the second highest cause of illness after the death of a spouse. That being said, its pathetic and cruel use these stranger's relationship as a form of amusement. Luckily, I believe Aaron Sorkin and I share the same views on entertainment news which contributed to my praise of this episode.

Game of Thrones Pilot Episode

          Set in the mythical land of Westeros, seven families fight for control of the Iron Throne as threats arise from the snow covered region of the North and the barbarians from the East. 

          The story, based on the A Song of Fire and Ice novels written by George R. R. Martin, is extremely interesting and original. Based on what I have read in the past, fantasy novels are usually very similar because there is some noble quest, a king or princess in danger, and strange mythical beasts. Within the first 5 minutes of the pilot episode, we are introduced to some of these mythical beasts. These White Walkers have been known to be extinct for thousands of years which is why their arrival is so intense. This scene is incredibly unique because it added a mixed the genre of horror into the fantasy based television show.

          The second thing about Game of Thrones that immediately grabbed my attention was the opening title sequence. The mythical land of Westeros is shown like a traditional map. The camera moves to and from various several cities and towns from above. As the camera moves in closer, we see that these towns are rising from nothing, into their current state much like a robot or Transformer. This provides the viewer with an quick overview of the land and setting. Much of the landscape is small and not very detailed, much like a map would be. Finally, the camera moves up and focuses on the sun which has several metal rings rotating around it, one of which says Game of Thrones. While these rings aren’t really rotating around the sun, they add an intriguing effect. The visual effects are mind blowing and have already won an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design.  

          Based on the first episode alone, the characters do not have any unique traits that make them stand out. Lord Eddard Stark, played by Sean Bean, is probably the most interesting character. Father of 5 and one bastard child, he is the Lord of the Northern Kingdom. He and his family live in the peaceful town of Winterfell. The most attractive quality about Lord Eddard Stark is his loyalty to his family. He never takes the easy way out with his family and always will fix a matter himself because it is his duty (as the father and Lord) to do so.

          I should have expected that this HBO show would have questionable content but I thought it wouldn’t because it falls in the fantasy genre. I knew there would be blood and violence but did not anticipate the nudity and language. There were probably about 5 scenes with nudity in them. Some of these were more graphic than others but almost all of them were unnecessary to the basic plot of the story.  Probably the worst instance of this were when a teenage prince takes the clothes off of his sister to convince her to flaunt her body more. While this treads on the line of incest, it could have easily been removed from the story without notice. Various sex scenes within brothels and barbarian camps showed female nudity and would have been a bit harder to avoid, but still could have been done

          Along with excessive nudity, the language was surprising. There were a 2 or 3 instances where characters used “fuck” in a sexually explicit way. Minor curse words were also used which wasn’t surprising.

          Based on the explicit content of the show, I probably shouldn’t advise anyone to watch Game of Thrones. Dead animals, full beheadings, guts, and gore are all shown within the first episode. I only expect the violent content to get worse over the course of the season. This being said, if you are over 18 years old, I think you would be able to handle the violence and the language.

          The nudity is a bit over the tip and could easily be cut down. Personally, I hate nudity in TV shows and movies because I think it is a distraction from the plot. Also, it is only used to reel men into watching the show. The nudity is the only reason why I wouldn’t recommend the show to someone, but I feel that the positive elements of the show (the characters, setting, plot, and themes) outweigh the nudity.

          While Game of Thrones has its share of explicit material, it is constantly winning awards and is becoming quite popular. After the first 5 minutes, I can easily say that I became addicted and didn’t expect my addiction to stop any time soon.

Alcatraz Season 1 Episode 2 "Ernest Cobb"

          While the Alcatraz’s storyline is progressing smoothly, I am feeling emotionally disconnected from the characters. This is because there has been little to no history on these characters. I believe that it is a character’s past that makes them interesting, defines their actions, and makes you enjoy the overall story. This was successfully done with the show Lost because each character had at least an entire episode devoted to their past. Because it is only the second episode, I cannot judge too harshly, but I would like to see more character development in upcoming episodes. 

          The show’s premise is intriguing, but I feel that in the future, the show will become mundane because each episode is the same. This is the way House and Bones have become. People don’t watch the show for the repetitive storyline, they watch it for the characters whom they love. Each episode in Alcatraz is devoted toward a specific inmate. So far, they are found to be alive at the same age they disappeared, than the prisoner murders a few people, and finally is caught and thrown back in the new Alcatraz. Hopefully, the writers will find a way to keep the show fresh and original in future episodes.

Dexter Season 6 Episode 12 "This is the Way the World Ends"

          I don’t know what to say other than how awesome this episode could have been. The tension steadily rose throughout each episode, but my hopes for the conclusion were shattered. 

          The opening scene begins by showing Dexter drifting in the ocean on a piece of the boat until it becomes waterlogged and sinks. He than is rescued by a spanish fishing boat and taken to shore. One thing that I am thankful for is that he did not “simply” swim back to the mainland. This would have been extremely unrealistic and rather disappointing, but I figured that the writers wouldn’t be this cheap.

          For one of the few times in this season, the relationship between Dexter and Harrison is actually shown. Usually the two only appear in a scene casually as Dexter arrives home, but Dexter was seen spending quality time with Harrison playing and talking. Being the last episode of the season, their relationship must wrap up somehow to begin again in the next year.

          One by one, the pieces and questions in this enormous puzzle are finally being put in place and answered. The 3 most prominent examples of this is when Dexter covered up his relationship to Travis by punching a hole in the painting of him, Deb finding out she loves Dexter, and finally witnessing him kill Travis.

          Of all the things I have seen in Dexter, Travis kidnapping Harrison was quite predictable, but also incredibly creepy. However, as all this was happening I felt a level of anxiety that has disappeared since season 2. Dexter playing with Harrison one moment, losing him the next, than almost witnessing him being sacrificed made for an incredible build up that made my blood pressure rise and my mind go blank. This being said, the conclusion to this drama was incredibly disappointing. Not only was Travis not instantly murdered by Dexter for nearly killing his only son, but Travis was gone. One thing that I realized in this scene is that it subtly represents the story of Jesus. Dexter plays the role of God, watching his only son be sacrificed by his nemesis (Travis). Luckily, this episode doesn’t conclude like the bible, where the innocent son dies. 

          Now that I think about it, it only makes sense for Dexter to kill Travis in the church where many of the rituals were performed. Except now, a guilty person is being killed instead of an innocent one. For the first time in a while, Dexter performs his ritual on Travis 

          The religious banter flies between the mouths of Dexter and Travis as we watch and soak in the profound quotes. So far, the best quote of the season happens here. While making the sign of the cross, Dexter says, “I am a father, a son, and a serial killer.” While this is an incredible quote, it is also one to summarize the season. These are the 3 things that really matter to him. He does not believe in a god, and leaves him out of his life. Just as I said earlier, Dexter has started right where he left off, not knowing if God is real or if he should believe in him. It is for this reason that I think that Brother Sam’s character was virtually meaningless. 

          As viewers, we not only see Travis twisting the bible, but also are aware that Dexter is doing it as well.  I am incredibly disappointed by this seemingly unnoticeable act because it feels like Dexter has forgotten all that Brother Sam had taught him. He has stooped to the level of Travis, while committing a murder. Dexter and Travis may have more in common than they thought: they both kill based on principle and beliefs, they speak to their victims before they are murdered, and they both believe that they are doing the right thing.

          While the ending was good, I also found it unbelievably disappointing. It was blatantly obvious that Deb would walk in on Dexter as he was killing Travis for several reasons. First, Deb told Dexter to go there that night and finish up the blood work. Second, Dexter told Jamie Batista that he was going there in order to finish a task. Third, if you have been watching for 6 seasons, you should be able to notice how the writing works and make reasonable predictions. Fourth, doesn’t it seem like it would be the perfect twist? Yes. That is why it wasn’t the perfect twist, because we could see it coming. A twist like Rita’s death in the end of season 4 was perfect because it came out of nowhere and surprised us all. Fifth, this was hinted at in the finale of season 5, except Deb let Dexter and Lumen go. In this episode, Dexter (and the writers) failed to create Dexter’s kill room, which would have provided cover for Dexter (just like last time). The ending of season 5 could have easily been the same if the plastic wrap were to be missing. 

          As I watched the episode drawing to a close, I became furious. Lewis’ character was never explained. His creepiness around Dexter turned out to be a meaningless red herring that wasted time. While it felt like something cool could come out of it, nothing arose. Showing Dexter his serial killer game was bizarre, but buying the Ice Truck Killer prosthetic illegally and writing things on it was meaningless. While these things could be explained in season 7, I find that unlikely because people aren’t going to be focused on that at all compared to the new drama with Dexter and Deb.

          The “surprise ending” will make for an incredible 7th season, but in retrospect, season 6 was only slightly above average. Dexter didn’t change any of his beliefs, Deb realized she is in love with her brother, and all of the cute relationships (Deb and Quinn, and Batista and LaGuerta) were destroyed. This season had an enormous amount of potential and it was simply ruined. My love and respect for the writers of Dexter is virtually nothing now. 

          In conclusion, the only word I can think of right now is disappointed. 

Dictionary definition:

disappointed     disəˈ point id  

adjective

(of a person) sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfill one's hopes or expectations

Thesaurus:

Upset, saddened, let down, cast down, disheartened, downhearted, downcast, depressed, discouraged, displeased, dissatisfied, frustrated, disgruntled

Dexter Season 6 Episode 11 "Talk to the Hand"

          While the show Dexter usually doesn’t effect me, I find that Travis’ religious rantings are disturbing. Hearing him talk about being called by God to kill people is beyond messed up. This is one of the reasons why he is an extremely effective villain to this season.  Having emotions toward a character is usually the result of good acting and writing. If you love or hate a character, it is most likely because you have some sort of emotional tie to the character. This can be seen in Dexter’s third season. In season 3, the Skinner played a small role compared to that of Miguel Prado. Much of the storyline was directed in Prado’s direction, leaving the Skinner behind. In the beginning, Miguel was a likable character but later became detestable due to his hatred for Ellen Wolf. The Skinner was just background music and became another show filler.

          As Beth was walking into the homicide department with Worm Wood, I realized that this is a repeat of what happened in season 4 when Arthur Mitchell entered Miami Metro looking for Dexter. Luckily, the situations ended entirely different which is a wonderful sign that the writers still haven’t lost their abilities.

          Once again, I am loving the communication between Deb and Dexter. It adds a wonderful emotional aspect to the seemingly emotionless show.  What I think many people don’t realize is that these emotions play a major part of the show. Dexter is a serial killer who kills murderers who have escaped the justice system, but it surprisingly has a great deal of deep and emotional content. So far, my favorite scene in season six is the conversation between Dexter and Deb after Beth activates Worm Wood. The love is nearly palpable yet Dexter is keeping his emotional armor tight. Deb on the other hand realizes that despite his dark times, Dexter will always have his sister’s back.

          Another thing I am enjoying about this season is the incorporation of Tom Matthews. While he usually plays and extremely minor role, he has moved up to a lesser known major role. I find his character interesting, especially with the call-girl case. Despite persuading Deb to call of her investigation of him, I find him honorable. I hope Deb will do the right thing and turn him in. Sadly, my two hopes for his character are contradictory. I want to remain a series regular, but I also want him to get caught.

          Just like the Skinner in season 3, Mike Anderson has been on the back burner for this season. I understand that there are so many character additions to be made, but I also find his character to be a filler. It almost would have been better if they would have just left his character out for this season.

          Part of me wants to scream “I told you so” when it comes to Lewis. I had always figured he was up to something, but I had never known what. His intentions are not yet clear, but they seem devious. Because little has happened recently with his character, I am assuming that there will be a major plot twist with him in the season finale.

          Probably the most awkward scene of the season occurred when Deb was in a session with Dr. Michelle Ross’. Implying that Deb has “feelings” for Dexter both makes sense and is outrageous. A great deal of respect for the writers would/will be lost if Deb falls in love with her brother. This is one circumstance where emotions can ruin a show. This being said, I found the scene humorous due to Deb’s fury at Dr. Ross’ idea, and the fact that Jennifer Carpenter (Deborah) and Michael C. Hall (Dexter) were married for a time until they recently got a divorce. The dream that Deb had definitely supports this theory of Deb’s love for Dexter but it is a terrible theory. Why on earth would the writers even propose this? They should know that the viewers will become furious if this actually happens. Honestly, it may keep me from watching the show, which is saying a lot!

          For the most part, Dexter is well written. However, I always find things that don’t make sense. For example, Dexter sending a video message directly to Travis is an incredibly dumb decision.  Dexter’s face has now made an appearance on Travis’ incredible paintings (which will probably be found by the police).  Just as expected, the show has become extremely complex and it is impossible to determine the outcome from here. Much like Lock, Stock and Two Smokin Barrels, Dexter’s multiple plots intertwine to make the tension unbearable.

          While this episode started out extremely strong, the final ten minutes were terrible. Dexter became extremely arrogant and sloppy while trying to kill Travis, he also failed by not going to the emergency room, and Deb seems to be falling in love with her adoptive brother. As much as I love Dexter, this is one of the most disappointing episodes I have ever seen. If this continues, (which I have faith that it won’t) my respect for the writers will be close to nothing. A lot is riding on the next episode so they better not screw this up!

Dexter Season 6 Episode 10 "Ricochet Rabbit"

          Within the first few minutes of this episode, it is revealed to us that Travis has been the Doomday Killer all along.  This whole time, we thought that Professor Gellar was the one who was influencing Travis but we were misled. Travis stole a sword and gave it to Gellar which became the reason why Gellar was fired. Gellar thought that Travis was delusional and that he needed help. To prove that they are the chosen ones, Travis stabbed Gellar to show him that they cannot be hurt. Gellar obviously died and was turned into a subconscious projection in Travis’ mind. While the situation makes sense, it seems a bit funny. Travis stabs Gellar in the chest saying, “See you can’t die,” and than he dies. I wish that Gellar’s death would have been out of rage instead of an accident. Murdering Gellar over not accepting his beliefs seems to fit in with Travis’ psychotic personality.

          One of my favorite quotes of the episode is, “Travis’ dark passenger is apart of him. He can’t be saved from it any more than I can from mine.”  This statement broadens a great deal of Dexter’s motives. He thought he could get rid of Travis’ Dark Passenger by killing Gellar because Gellar seemed to be alive and manipulating him. Little did he know, that Travis’ Dark Passenger had already taken hold of him. I find these words quite depressing because it makes me feel like there is no hope for Dexter. He wants to be rid of his demons but finally realizes that it cannot happen. The closest he had gotten was with the help of Brother Sam, but with Sam dead, the Darkness has reemerged.

          While I am not sure why Deb was freaking out at the crime scene, I must say that I like it. One of the things I love in stories is unique character development and so far, Deb has been emotional, but very strong at work. The change seems subtile, but feels like it could lead to further positive development.

          I also loved the references to room 103 in the first season. This may be because the first season is my favorite, but I loved how Dexter referenced his past and emotionally connected to Deb for the first time in a while. I’m hoping their friendship will grow even farther. Once it get strong, Deb may finally find out Dexter’s secret.

          It seems strange that Dexter is throwing everything he has learned about religion out within one or two episodes. I feel like if he doesn’t go back to it, than my hopes for the season will be crushed. In every season, Dexter starts out living normally, learns somethings new and changes his behavior. Than by the beginning of the next season, he reverts back to his old ways. Season 1 was all about family and connecting to people. Season 2 was about his ritual and not getting caught. Season 3 was about friendship. Season 4 was about being a killer and a family man. Season 5 was about revenge and helping others. Finally, season 6 seems to be about faith. Very little of the themes intertwine between seasons which makes me sad. Looking back, Dexter is the virtually the same person he is in season 1. He kills because of his Dark Passenger, he can’t connect to Deb, and he wants to get rid of his need to kill. Nothing ever changes. The biggest change was obviously the death of Rita, but in the long run, everything is the same.

          One thing that I noticed within this episode is the clever cinematography used whenever Harry is in a scene. To give the feeling of Harry not being real, he is “transported” throughout a room. Here’s an example: When Dexter breaks into Holly’s house, Harry is behind Dexter, but as they enter the house, the camera pans to show Harry standing beside a closet inside the house. Finally, I noticed that Harry is rarely seen moving. He is always standing still, than seen standing somewhere else. This lack of movement also helps the viewer feel like Harry is a ghost or mental projection of Dexter.

          One of my favorite dialogue moments is when Deb is talking about the relationship between Travis and his sister. She says, “Its so weird. His sister seemed so convinced he was a good guy.” Dexter chimes in and replies, “Maybe she didn’t know.” Walking away, Deb concludes by saying, “Anything’s possible.” This conversation screams for attention because this is exactly what is going on between Dexter and Deb. I have a feeling that Deb may die because of the similarities between Dexter and Travis. This is the last thing I want, but it could happen.

          Along with this, I loved Dexter’s narration saying, “I AM the Bay Harbor Butcher!” It was comedic and quick witted. I was amazed that Dexter hated Lewis’ game idea of being a serial killer. For the first time, I feel like we have the perfect insight into his life. Dexter doesn’t want to be a killer, but is forced to by his Dark Passenger. He didn’t choose to be a serial killer and nobody else should be able to choose that either.   Lewis believes that the game is a “vicarious thrill,” but Dexter strongly disagrees. I think that Brother Sam and Christianity have finally taken hold of Dexter wether he likes it or not. Because Dexter rejected Lewis’ idea, I’m pretty sure something is going to go majorly wrong with Lewis. The fact that Lewis bailed on his plans with Jamie because he was upset provides evidence to my theory that Lewis was using his relationship with Jamie just to get close to Dexter.

          I found it fascinating that Dexter called the police for a greater cause, but what intrigues me more is that Batista’s life is on the line and that Worm Wood is going to be planted at Miami Metro Homicide. How this is going to be stopped, I don’t know. I’m hoping that Batista will survive because he is an amazing character with an infectious personality. The intensity is significantly increasing and is almost becoming unbearable.
          I would love to hear opinions and theories on what is going to happen so let me know what you think!

Dexter Season 6 Episode 9 "Get Gellar"

          One of my favorite things about this season is the emphasis put back on Deborah. Jennifer Carpenter’s acting has come a long way since the first season, which helps in her frequent emotional breakdowns.  Seeing a shrink is something that she has needed to do for a long time and it is good to see her trying to fix her relationship with her brother. Later on, her shrink tells Deb that she can fix her messed up life by changing her habits. This is something totally new for her character and I cannot wait for it to happen. I’m somehow getting a “sixth sense feeling” and I guessing that Deb will somehow tie into this religious theme.

          This season has revolved around religion from the first episode. Through Brother Sam and Prof. Gellar, Christianity has been pushed onto the viewers in a normal way (Brother Sam) and a psychotic way (the Doomsday Killers). For the first time, the opposite position has come into view. Dexter believes that Gellar’s next victim is going to be a devout atheist who is also a professor at a university. 

          Like many people, Dexter is trying to live his life through Travis. By killing Travis’ Dark Passenger, Travis will be free from the burden that Dexter has always faced. What Dexter doesn’t realize is that this isn’t going to make him feel better. The exact same situation occurred with Lumen in season 5. She wanted to kill the men who raped her just as Travis wants to kill Gellar for murdering his sister. After Dexter and Lumen finished off Jordan Chase, Lumen’s Dark Passenger was gone. This left Dexter alone once again.

          After Quinn and Batista retrieve Quinn’s belongings, they get in a fist fight over personal matters. Surprisingly, this is the first time this has come up. In the beginning of season 6, they were seen smoking weed together and now they’re fighting. I guess that’s what weed does to people. From there, Quinn and Batista appear at the next crime scene together and do not talk. At first, I thought this was a plot flaw but than realized that since Angel’s car broke down, a day has gone past.

          While Prof. Gellar’s next kill seems simple, the bowls of wrath make the scene gruesome. Much like the room 103 in season 1, blood was spilled all over the homicide team. I must say that I called this one as soon as Dexter mentioned the draining of the victim’s blood (another homage to Brian Moser). The kill was way too simple and the bowls of wrath was not explained in any way. That being said, I had no idea what what going on with the severed hand (another Ice Truck Killer reference) until it ended up in Travis’ sink.

          So far, one of my favorite scenes with Deb happened in this episode. She finally breaks her pattern of accepting LaGuerta’s demands and stands up for what she truly wants. This scene is total proof of the saying confidence is attractive. In the beginning of the elevator scene, I thought Deb’s hair and clothing were odd and not very attractive. A few minutes later, things changed. 

          Once again, the writers blew me away with the involvement of Captain Matthews. I had no idea that he would be the one who performed CPR on the girl who overdosed. Now that Deb is reopening the case, LaGuerta and Matthews intend on stopping her. The drama within the homicide department is becoming tangible and is adding to the intensity to the show.

          Not to toot my own horn, but if you have been reading my Dexter reviews, I stated that Lewis had a major crush on Dexter. By possessing the stolen piece of the Ice Truck Killer investigation, he proves that he is either obsessed with Dexter or serial killers. I would like to reemphasize my theory that Lewis will turn out to be a killer. I’m even going to guess that he is going to take over for Professor Gellar.

          I thoroughly enjoy the tie in to the previous theme of Dexter trying to be a good father. This concept has not been prevalent in the recent episodes and I am pleased that it has returned. These deep themes of trying to be a better father, being religious, and Deb changing her habits make for a wonderful show.  The deeper the context and story is, the easier it can connect to the viewers. While shows and movies with mindless violence can be easier to write, things with deeper meanings usually turn out to be more popular.

          One of my favorite things about Dexter is how the writers can throw a left hook out of nowhere. My mind is still trying to wrap around the entire twist. I find it incredibly interesting that Dexter has his vision of his Dark Passenger (Brian) and Travis does too (Gellar). They both killed their loved ones, possibly for the same reasons, and now they’re coming back to haunt them. One thing that I don’t understand is how Travis went along with Dexter’s idea of killing Gellar. Wouldn’t Travis realize that Gellar is dead because he killed him? He could be playing along, but if he was trying to get rid of Dexter, he could have done it at various times. I’m almost positive that he is actually crazy, and less like Dexter than I originally thought. I believe that much more will be explained in episodes to come and I cannot wait for the next episode. This feeling of excitement and anxiety is one I thoroughly enjoy. 

House M.D. Season 8 Episode 8 "Perils of Paranoia"

          For the first time in a while, there was a terrific introduction to this episode. Most of the time, the show begins by showing a normal person having a severe problem such as losing vision, vomiting blood, or having a seizure. However, this episode opened with a court scene, which was tastefully different. For the first few minutes, I forgot what show I was watching and became enthralled by the courtroom drama. Instead of being overly dramatic, the Tommy simply said, “I think I’m having a heart attack.”

          It is interesting how Foreman lied to the patient in order to get House to take the case.  This could be a random occurrence but I feel like it is possible that Foreman is slowly becoming more like House. Only in the context of lying to a patient in order to get his way.

          While Adams and Park are driving to investigate the patients house, several unique camera perspectives were used.  Throughout the scene, cameras were attached to the bumpers of the car and pointed at the characters to give a new perspective on the scene. Creative cinematography is a wonderful thing if used properly. In this instance, I found it distracting because these shots have never been used before in this show and they feel a bit “artsy” for being a medical drama. Despite the distractions, I did enjoy the unique angles.

          To my surprise, I have started disliking Park in this episode. She may be a brilliant doctor, but her people skills are horrendous and her personality is abrasive. Park seems to defend her opinions about the case like they are her children. People can tell her she is wrong, but she will need proof to believe it.  This could be because of different writing in this episode, or could be part of her character. Either way, I am not a fan.

          I absolutely loved the reference to Black Friday by Taub.  Although, I am not certain if it was supposed to reference the woman who maced people waiting outside of a store so she could get an Xbox 360. He says, “I don’t think stockpiling weapons is the most reasoned response but given what I’ve seen at Bloomingdales’ on Black Friday, I wouldn’t say it rises to the level of mental illness.”  I love when writers add cultural references into movies in shows. By doing this, they manage to connect to the readers through relevant information.

          While searching for a gun in House’s apartment, Wilson triggered a booby trap (set by House) and got caught in a net suspended above the ground. It is these unique bits of comic relief that make this show addicting and incredible.

          To be perfectly honest, this felt like a forgettable episode. It was fun to watch, but there weren’t any big changes (other than Foreman going out with a married woman).

Bones Season 7 Episode 3 "The Prince in the Plastic"

          I can say without a doubt that Daisy Wick is the worst character on Bones. While making comments that are illogical, she manages to ruin every episode she is in. However, she is the perfect example of a crazy girlfriend. In this episode, she focuses on the tragedy of a barbie-like doll being “murdered” instead of the actual murder. While this is insensitive, it also doesn’t make any sense. Who in their right mind would do this?

          On the other hand, I would like to congratulate Emily Deschanel for single handedly destroying my views on this season. I just learned that she became pregnant and ruined this season. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have hid her pregnancy from the camera. The Cosby Show did this for an entire season while Mrs. Cosby was pregnant. During that season, she was always shown with close up shots, or was having her stomach covered up by something. Open refrigerator doors and large teddy bears made hiding her pregnancy possible. This same technique could have been used on Brennan and the show would have remained wonderful.

          In the middle of the episode, the murder looked like an accident but later turned out to be murder. I would have much preferred an accident because most of the episodes turn out to be emotionally driven.

          Dr. Sweets just acquired his license to carry a firearm which makes absolutely no sense.  Shrinks stay in their offices and analyze people while real FBI agents go out into the field. Why would a shrink need to carry a gun if he’s going to be in his office?  It almost seems like the writers are trying to replace Bones with Sweets, which is a terrible idea.

          Because of all of the inconsistencies, I would have to say that this is one of the worst episodes of Bones that I have ever seen.

House M.D. Season 8 Episode 7 "Dead and Buried"

          The beginning surprisingly doesn’t open with a patient in the process of getting sick outside of the hospital. Subtile changes like these make the show interesting without changing any major dynamics of the show.

          I know I give a great deal of praise to this show. I am sorry, but I am going to give a bit more.  Within almost every episode that I have seen, which is all of them, there has been a great deal of medical speech. I understand very few operations and diseases that they talk about, but love when they explain things.  For the first time, I noticed that there is tons of banter between House and his team. Normally, House talks about personal issues residing within his employees while they avoid the personal topics by suggesting theories. To me, only half of the dialogue was interpretable which added to the power of the understandable. Without thinking, I ignore what I do not understand and wait for House’s side of the conversation to begin. While both conversations are complete, only half is understandable which makes that part more important.

          Much like Sherlock Holmes, House isn’t interested in helping other people, he is interested in entertaining himself. To society’s benefit, this so happens to be in the form of a doctor who takes on cases nobody else can solve.  Also, he happens to fake and play off of human emotions to get what he wants, which makes him a more personable character and slightly likable by his peers.

          Another thing that grabbed my interest is House’s passion to figure out the case of a dead child.  He has never done this before and is broadening his curiosities. Because of his obsession and addiction with puzzles, House figured out how a child died while potentially saving the lives of two of the family members.

          Two flaws that I noticed within this episode correlated with the dead child case. First, the child was in excellent condition after being buried for 5 years. The skin was still intact and was not dried up and leathery. Second, when House opened the coffin, the smell from the decayed body would have been terrible. House failed to cover his nose or even show a change in smell.

          However, I am confused how is House getting away from being off the hospital grounds all the time. The show said the signal was jammed for only 45 minutes in the beginning.  Luckily, he got caught and punished in the end to show that he was breaking the rules and this wasn’t entirely a plot flaw.

          Finally, I loved the use of split personalities in this episode. While it is commonly talked about in psychology classes, it hasn’t yet occurred on the show. Multiple personalities isn’t a “medical diagnosis,” but it did serve as a cause to other diagnosis’.  To my discontent, this case ended abruptly because the focus was on the dead child case. While I wish the focus could have been on both cases, I feel that the writers did an adequate job bringing emotion into the other case.

Dexter Season 6 Episode 8 "Sin of Omission"

      One thing that I feel that the show Dexter has been missing recently is the close interaction between Dexter and Deborah. Since season 1, they have been very close and have shared mostly everything with each other. After Rita was killed, Dexter pulled away and their relationship has become even more distant since Deb became the Lieutenant.  To my displeasure, it only seems to be getting worse. Dexter keeps shutting Deb out of his life and Deb cannot take it. I am really hoping that they will get back on track because that is when the show seemed to be the best. Watching Deb in pain over her lost connection to Dexter is heartbreaking to say the least. All she has been trying to do this entire show is connect with people. All of her boyfriends are for a desire to connect because she cannot truly get this from Dexter. This being said, I would be very happy if Dexter opened up to Deb about his Dark Passenger and how he kills people. Not only would this bring them closer, but it would add complexity to their already confusing relationship.

          I must say that I am extremely disappointed that Brother Sam is out of the season so quickly. I know he died a few episodes ago but his funeral made me realize how much I actually miss him.  

          I don’t understand why, but Lewis is seeming a bit more like a creep. Usually the writers downplay something like this for a dramatic reveal in the final episodes.  

          I am actually enjoying the interactions between Dexter and Travis. Dexter has started reading the bible, something I am confused about but also proud of him for. By doing this, he is able to connect to Travis in a way he could not earlier. It would be interesting if they somehow teamed up against Gellar. Dexter seems to be taking on possible apprentices. Jonah who killed his mother, Travis who is in need of guidance, and Lewis who seems to be more of a stalker than an apprentice.

          Despite being Tom Hanks’ son, Colin still can’t act. The scene where he found out his sister was turned into the Whore of Babylon was very hard to watch. I have no idea why the casting crew chose Colin Hanks for the part of Travis Marshall but it was definitely a mistake.  So far, he has been the worst actor on the show, surpassing Julia Stiles.

          As Dexter wandered through the abandoned church where Gellar hides out, the tension became unbearable. For the first time in a while, Dexter donned his kill outfit and lurked in the dark. To add to the creepiness, Gellar saw Dexter come after him. Like a game of cat and mouse, the suspense built until the episode ended. It is this kind of cliffhanger that I have been waiting for all season. There are only 4 episodes left and so little time to answer all of my questions.

House M.D. Season 8 Episode 6 "Parents"

          While this is probably the most boring episode of the season, it has some of the deepest values. The story revolves around familial problems and what it means to be a good parent (which House says is an oxymoron).

          I loved the familial background stories of each of the characters within this episode. Probably my favorite one is Chase’s. He explains that his mother locked him in his fathers study while she would drink because she couldn’t handle him. After a while of crying and banging on the door, he had to find something else to do so he read books on medicine. This horrible memory created his love for medicine and started his career.  He simply states, “We all have family disfunction. Its why were successful, to fill that hole.” Strangely, I find this comforting because it reassures me that every family has their problems and that I am not alone with mine.  

          At the end of the scene, I was surprised to find that Chase called House so that he could hear Adams “open up” about her background. To my disappointment, she somehow figured this out and foiled Chase’s attempts. I don’t exactly understand why Chase is helping House. Hopefully this will be explained later.

          I did not see the biological dad sexually molesting the son. This gave the son syphilis which caused all of his problems. That was definitely a unique diagnosis and an interesting ending to the rather boring episode.

          Adams seems to be the only person on the show that always see’s through House and his maniacal plans. Wilson on the other hand, was not so lucky and was conned out of his ring-side seats by House and Foreman. 

          Being a college student trying to find my place in life, I found the following quote comforting. “Following your heart is easy, following your brain is tough.” Many of the things I love, I am terrible at but sometimes, you have to make sacrifices in order to be successful. I overheard a speech relating to this topic recently from the singer of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Corey Taylor.  He was asked by Oxford University to speak on campus and delivered a phenomenal speech about how to choose a path to follow. http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/top-posts/video-slipknots-corey-taylors-full-oxford-lecture-online/

Dexter Season 6 Episode 7 "Nebraska"

          Wow. Each episode this seasons continues to top the last. With Brian Moser (Christian Camargo) back in the show, my excitement has skyrocketed. I am absolutely ecstatic because the writers included Brian and the Trinity killer.  I love it when they incorporate previous seasons like in seasons 4 and 5.

          After killing Nick (Brother Sam’s murderer) Brian shows up as the Dark Passenger.  This is the first time we have seen the physical presence of the Dark Passenger since season 1.  About halfway into the episode, I thought I wanted Brian (Christian Camargo) to be a series regular instead of a guest star. Although only a few minutes later I retracted that. Brian started out being the happy brother who was encouraging Dexter to kill innocent people, but later began trying to force Dexter into this decision.  At Dexter’s breaking point, he had random sex with a grocery store clerk, stole a gun, and went on a street sign shooting rampage.  It was a little bit over the top, but I’ve had bigger problems with the show.

          Prof. Gellar and Travis Marshall have been on the back burner in the last few episodes due to the problems occurring with Dexter and Brother Sam. Hopefully these next few episodes will show more of them. 

          I am very happy that the rivalries between LaGuerta, Quinn, Deb, and Batista are dissipating.  While Deb and Maria smoothed out a little, Deb and Quinn finally patched things up between them. I am still hoping that they end up back together because they were such a cute couple. Their characters seem to be written perfectly for them to be together.  

          I noticed a couple great camera shots throughout the episode. My favorite one was when Dexter is talking to the pot farmer and Brian stabs him with the pitchfork. The camera rotates behind the farmer and reveals Dexter holding the tool.  I thought this was scary because Dexter seemed to have almost no control over the situation. Brian (the Dark Passenger) quickly possessed Dexter’s body and took over. Normally, the Dark Passenger encourages and tempts Dexter, just like Jordan Chase in season 5.

          The situation with Jonah was extremely captivating and thought provoking. I assumed that Jonah didn’t take on the persona of Trinity due to his hatred of his father. Also, it seemed way to obvious. After watching the Dexter seasons repeatedly, I have managed to figure out how the writers work, and have realized that usually the first guess is the wrong one. I am still hoping that Dexter will somehow adopt Jonah into his life. Despite being a killer, I can see Jonah acting like Dexter’s son. At that point, Dexter would train and mentor him just as Harry did.

          I’m glad that Dexter’s rebellious streak has dissipated, and Harry is back in his life as the Light Passenger.

          Lewis (Masuka’s intern) seems to be getting even creepier. If you didn’t notice, Lewis managed to get into Dexter’s house with permission by going out with Jamie Batista.  I’m guessing he only did this to snoop around. Maybe he’s another apprentice of Prof. Gellar, maybe he’s in love, or maybe he’s just looking for a role model.  It doesn’t matter. Lewis is creepy.

          Great episode. The season is getting better and has already surpassed my rating of season 5. 

          What did you think of it?

House M.D. Season 8 Episode 5 "The Confession"

          I’m glad that Taub and Chase are back but I am not exactly thrilled about them being back.  While bringing them back onto the show may add for some interesting scenarios, the drama from the previous seasons comes with.  I loved how this season seemed like a whole new show with Cuddy and the rest of House’s team gone. It seems like that was only temporary.   

          Luckily, there seems to be good chemistry between Adams and Chase. Maybe they will end up together like Chase and Cameron.  

          One thing that this episode does incredibly well is the tension between House and Taub.  Every time House tries to get Taub’s DNA, he fails but than makes his plans more elaborate.  Starting a betting pool in the hospital about the legitimacy of Taub’s children is cruel, unprofessional, and absolutely hilarious. This is why I hope the show never ends. 

          I would have to say that one of the most meaningful moments in this show happened in this episode. While at the newly installed mini-bar in his office, House confronts Adams about the truths in this world. After Adams says, “Maybe if everyone didn’t lie,” House steps onto his soapbox and delivers a wonderful speech.

"Aw that is cute. I’m talking about your breasts. They always get perky when your being painfully earnest. Truth. It’s uncomfortable isn’t it?  More truth. I only noticed because I noticed Chase was staring at them. He’d never admit it because he doesn’t want to offend you.  Same reason he’d never tell you he’s thought about having sex with you.  Although to be fair, every man you’ve ever met has thought about having sex with you.  They’ll lie because if you knew, you wouldn’t want to have sex with them. And thats just some of the lies from the last minute. And here’s a bigger one. You already know this, but you pretend you don’t because it makes you feel civilized.  Most people find it easier to ignore the truth, ask Taub."

Brutal honesty can come across as being rude, but I find it very interesting. With this statement, House shows the humor and reality behind what people are actually thinking. The whole time, he is making guesses, but the surprising thing is that he is right.  It is for this reason that I am absolutely in love with the Sherlock Holmes / Greg House character.   

          I really loved this episode, but I didn’t understand the ending at all. I would love to hear people’s opinions about it.

Bones Season 7 Episode 2 "The Hot Dog in the Competition"

          Still awkward watching Booth be the father of Brennan’s baby. I very surprised that Brennan didn’t inform Booth that she was having an ultrasound. Those appointments are very important for both the father and the mother. It seemed colder than usual for Bones.

          I find it hilariously amusing that there was a python in the abdomen of the victim. If you have read my other articles, you will know that Dexter is my favorite show. In the season 6 premiere of Dexter, the new serial killers murdered a man, put 7 snakes in his stomach, and sewed him back up for the police to find. I just think that this is an awesome coincidence between two of my favorite shows.

          The new intern is intriguing only because of his shaded past in juvenile detention.  I feel like we have been waiting so long for one of the interns to finally get hired, and now the show is adding another one. Luckily, Abernathy is incredibly smart and fun to watch. The way he calculated the weight of the victim and how to get the evidence out of the snake was inspiring and enjoyable.  Hopefully he will become a permanent character for the show.

          Sadly, the cases keep going downhill. I miss the episodes in earlier seasons that involved serial killers. Maybe this is because I am intrigued by them and I love Dexter. Also, I feel like it is important to have a permanent villain instead of a new one every episode.  It is hard to become emotionally involved when we never get to experience the collaborative forces directed at a single villain over a period of time.

          I am slowly becoming frustrated by the repetition of the show.  All of the killers claim “it was an accident” and the relationships within the Jeffersonian are barely developing. The two biggest developments recently have been the two pregnancies.  Bones seems to be declining to the point of a series finale. I’m predicting that the show will end within the next two seasons.  I would love to be proven wrong. Let me know what you think.

Dexter Season 6 Episode 6 "Just Let Go"

          I must say, I was slightly disappointed in this episode. I feel that there would have been more drama with Brother Sam getting shot based on how the last episode ended.  Everyone, especially Dexter, was upset about Sam but I felt that there was no tear jerking breakdown when he died.  As viewers, we were strongly connected to Brother Sam and his death seems too emotionless.

          Also, I was sad to see Deborah lose her friendships with her coworkers because she is now their superior.  Throughout the seasons, it has been Batista who she goes to for comforting and advise, and Masuka who provides the comic relief. Instead, she is now getting rejected and has only Dexter and her councilor to go to.

          So far, I feel like Jamie Batista has no real purpose in the show other than to watch Harrison. I feel like her story needs to be pushed and explored a little farther. I’m hoping the writers will add some drama around her in the upcoming episodes. Who knows, maybe she’ll get kidnapped or killed.

          It was a little strange to see Anderson playing “bad cop” at that drug hideout. So far, he has been hard working but not ruthless. Also, the flamingo handcuff scene was well done and quite entertaining.

          Lewis (Masuka’s new intern) has developed a major crush on Dexter. He’s constantly talking about him, asking if he can watch, and acting like a school girl with a crush. I’m sure this will pan out to be something else, but he could turn out to be a killer just like Dexter. In this scenario, Dexter would be the victim and Lewis would be the predator. This probably won’t happen though.

          This episode was more focused on Dexter and Brother Sam instead of the Doomsday Killers. They had their appearances but very little was accomplished other than Travis letting the next victim go. 

          On his deathbed, Brother Sam tells Dexter that Nick shot him and to not kill him. Instead, Brother Sam wants Dexter to tell Nick that he is forgiven. Since killing his brother, this is probably the hardest situation Dexter has been thrown into. Everything within him wants to kill Nick, but Dexter knows he should obey Brother Sam’s death wish and let him live. Dexter successfully gives Nick the message where Nick was baptized.  In an act of rage, Dexter than drowns Nick in the ocean. This symbolizes the rebirth and relapse from crime that Nick experienced. This is also the turning point in Dexter’s life.  Dexter could have chosen to let go of his Dark Passenger or to continue embracing it. He chooses the latter and is greeted by late brother, Brian Moser (Christian Camargo).  Brian now represents Dexter’s Dark Passenger while Harry has taken the form of the Light Passenger.

          I am really excited to see where this season is headed. I love Christian Camargo and have been hoping that he would make a reappearance into the show. As viewers, I feel like we all want to see Dexter stop murdering people, but we know that once he stops, so will the show.

House M.D. Season 8 Episode 4 "Risky Business"

          Another wonderful episode of House. Even though the entire medical portion was predictable, I love the character interaction.

          House never fails to astound me. For the first time in the show, House spoke fluent Mandarin. It seems like something Sherlock Holmes would do considering the entire show it based on Holmes. 

          Along with the movie Sherlock Holmes, I found myself lingering on every word House said. Both to be entertained and amazed. No wonder this show, and the Sherlock Holmes franchise has done so well. People don’t watch this show for the medical work, they watch it for House.

          I would have to say that I am envious of House. His humor is astounding and almost infectious to those around him. Despite this, he has little to no emotion and cannot become close to others, qualities that I have no intention of having.

          For the first time, I noticed the slight background music that begins to play when a patient has a heart attack, vomits blood, or has frightening symptom. This music is barely   but causes anxiety within the viewers, drawing them in.  It helps that the instruments used are mostly synthesizers so people notice the music less.   

          At one point, House transformed into MacGyver and created a strobe light that causes vomiting in order to reclaim the other part of his office. Unbelievable. This is a simple example of the writers keeping the show fresh and entertaining.

          I loved Dr. Park talking to Wilson about House. It seemed funny because every piece of advise Wilson gives Park has a story or experience with House behind it. Wilson has learned a lot from his mistakes with House and still loses battles (as seen in the end).

          I would love for House to take an IQ test. With his deductive reasoning, medical knowledge, and highly advanced reversed psychology skills, he could probably score around a 144 (genius level).

          The final scene where Adams smashes everything with a baseball bat was visually astounding. The director of this episode used the perfect amount of slow motion to make the scene entertaining and authentic. 

          Another entertaining episode. Another long week to wait for the next one to air. Let me know what you thought of the episode.