Monday, March 11, 2013

Season 1, Episode 5 – Love American Style



How can having breakfast and getting ready for work look so sinister?  This is like the best theme ever.

This is the episode where Rita talks to one of the housekeepers at the hotel and learns of “the Coyote” who brings immigrants over the border for a fee.  Of course, if you can’t pay a surprise balloon payment at the end he kills you.  Immigration knows about the Coyote and they have 4 or 5 suspects, but not enough for a warrant or a conviction  … enter Dexter.  I’m excited … we’re going to have a kill this episode!!!  After two “dry” episodes I’m longing for this.  Am I, perhaps, the voyeuristic version of Dexter?

Dexter breaks into Jorge Castillo’s junk yard.  He was on a list Dexter got from the precinct.  He finds the room where Castillo keeps the immigrants after they come in, but at the moment no immigrants are in residence.

Dex does surveillance on Castillo’s house and watches him with his wife.  The underlying thread in this episode seems to be love and how to make a relationship work.  Of course, most episodes correlate in some way with something Dexter is struggling with and this one is no different.   Dexter is trying to make sense of his relationship with Rita at this point – trying to find a way to allow it to continue and to relate to her in this, the new phase of their relationship.

A body washes up on the shore the next morning … yes, this is the body of the housekeeper’s fiancĂ©.   He brings the housekeeper and Rita to the morgue and they identify the body.  Dexter watches as she identifies the body and thinks, “that must be what love looks like.  The inability to feel has it’s advantages sometimes” and, yes, it does … but how empty life would be without those we love.

Dexter also searches Jorge Castillo’s boat and finds the place where he kills his victims.  While he’s doing this he is thinking of if Rita and the kids would like fishing.  I find it strange that he can’t FEEL anything for her, but even in his most private and consuming moments he is thinking of her.

Castillo gets another shipment of immigrants (that sounds so wrong to say) just as Dexter is closing in.  He sets up the kill room in an old RV camper in Castillo’s junk yard and Castillo just wanders right in… how considerate.  BUT … and here’s the shocker … the wife pulls up looking for Castillo and it comes to light that she helps him run this operation.  So Dex takes her too … yeah … two for the price of one!!!  And as they lay there, waiting for the end to come, they proclaim their love to each other in their last moments of life.  So Dexter questions them on how they make it work and they tell him they share the same dream.  Then he kills them.

Dexter unlocks the door where the illegals are being held so they can escape.  Unbeknowst to him Dexter, there is someone watching from the trunk of one of the junk cars as he loads the bodies into his trunk.
Later, he asks Rita if she has a dream for her life.  And she asks him if he does.  He says someday he wants to be content and to feel comfortable like everyone else.  And then Rita finishes his thought when he says, “I want …” she says “a normal life”.  Which solidifies for Dexter that Rita wants the same things as him – a boring, average and ordinary life.  This proves to him that they are meant for each other.  After all, they share the same dream.

Deb gets to “babysit” Tony Tucci until he wakes up, but she’s not allowed to speak to him.  This is her punishment for smoking on a crime scene.  If she wasn’t so damn annoying I’d feel bad for her.  Part of me envies her … she’s getting paid to just sit in a chair at the hospital. 

We meet Rudy … who is fitting Tony Tucci with prosthetics.  Now we ALL know at this point who he really is.  The surprise here is how much I like Tony Tucci – he is a dog with the ladies but his flirting with Deb is amusing.  It lightens the tale he tells – one of imprisonment and amputations.  In spite of his horrible experience he is mostly upbeat and this gives me hope that yes, bad things happen to good people, but they persevere and there is light.  Even Deb says “If Tucci can be optimistic then we can too”.

Doakes finally gives in and let’s Deb question Tony Tucci again.  Doakes even talks Tucci into using a blind fold to help him remember (Deb’s idea).  This of course does help and Deb has a great bedside manner with him.  Like I said a couple of blogs ago, maybe being a great cop is just asking the right questions.  After this they go back and search the rat nests for lozenge wrappers.  Poor Masuka (who has a fear of rats) searches each nest and finally hits pay dirt … lozenge wrapper with a partial print on it!!

To thank Tony, Deb gets him a prostitute … how thoughtful is she?  While the prostitute is “doing her thing” Deb and Rudy make eyes at each other in the hall.  That will NOT end well.

Dexter goes out with Batista to celebrate his pay bump.  He asks Angel for advice and Angel says not to go down the emotional road, just go down on her … it’s easier and she’ll be distracted.  I find this hysterical!!  Batista gets shitfaced and Dexter takes him home, but Batista is too drunk to tell him where home is.  Dexter wakes up Batista’s wife who tells him that Batista no longer lives there.  So Dexter takes Angel to his house and pretends he just didn’t remember where he lived.  See, he really does have a heart.  Or maybe he just didn’t want to get into a long chat with Angel about matters of the heart. 

He has a date with Rita and says he’ll pick up something “light” for them to watch … and he rents Steel Magnolias.  Since he can’t bring himself to cry he tries to take Angel’s advice and “reciprocate” the “generousity” Rita had shown him, but Rita turns him down.

More Harry flashbacks, but again, Dexter has no current day conversations with him.

On a personal note, my 18 month old loves to dance to the Cuban music they played this episode.

Dexter’s Body Count:
Jorge and Valerie Castillo – the Coyotes – kill immigrants who can’t pay their “entry” fee

It was my assumption he killed them with a power drill since that’s what Dexter is holding, but they do not show it, however, in the next episode we learn that at least Valerie Castillo was bled out - the carotid artery was cut with a knife.

Quotes of the Episode:
Ever since the blow job she assumes we’ve taken it to the next level.  She doesn’t know I don’t have a next level.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Season 1, Episode 4 – Let’s Give the Boy a Hand


Now the Ice Truck Killer is leaving his grisly souvenirs in places connected to Dexter’s past.   And the fingerprints on the hand belong to Tony Tucci.  Oh Boy, LaGuerta really screwed the pooch on this one.  Ha ha ha … I gleefully rejoice even though I already know it will work out for her in the end.  My favorite part of this episode is where Batista asks “what did Captain say, did she cry?” … Yes, I’m gleeful about her downfall, even though it’s only momentary (her downfall, not my glee).  And yeah, my glee lasted all of 3 minutes, because in the very next scene Mrs. Tucci THANKS LaGuerta for coming to tell her in person and just wants her son’s body brought to her so she can bury him.  Would have been nice to see her rip into LaGuerta just a little bit!!

I want to know why Doakes asks Dexter all these questions that have nothing to do with blood … questions that are more for a serial killer profiler than a spatter analyst and then when Dexter says he can’t answer, Doakes’ snappy reply is “Well what fucking good are you?”  I mean Doakes seems to have problems enough of his own dealing with Cara Simmons brother and his cop friends and getting beat up by Guerrero’s men.   I maybe feel a little bad for him.  Maybe … a little.  Turns out he gets rescued by Cara Simmons’ brother … it was all a set up to get Guerrero.  Doakes doesn’t seem as angry at this as I would have been.

Dexter discovers through blood flow analysis that Tony Tucci is still alive.  And then LaGuerta calls Tony Tucci’s mother  to tell her Tony is still alive … that totally cements her as a savior in this lady’s eyes … damn … that glee I felt at the beginning went away WAY too fast.  LaGuerta also goes to the church and prays with Tucci’s mama … jeez.

Dexter gives them the insight that the Ice Truck Killer is dumping the parts in places that have changed and on THIS Doakes takes him seriously.   And of course, he gives me a little chuckle when he tells LaGuerta that she’s the only person people hate more than him … hate camaraderie is always amusing.

Deb offers Dexter a million dollars to help her find the next dump location and he refuses … he goes to investigate but picks the wrong place anyway … The next body part shows up in the pumpkin patch … not a place that changed, but a place that Dexter has a photo of him and his family.  Rita then gives Dexter the key … Harry, who is always with Dexter and is the common denominator in all the photos that the Ice Truck Killer is using. 

So because the Ice Truck killer so considerately puts a little smiley face on the back of a photo, Dexter knows where to go.   Dexter finds Tony Tucci.  It’s pathetic the way he begs for Dexter to kill him and just please don’t cut anything else off him.  The Ice Truck Killer left him there for Dexter to finish off.  Now at this point you’d really think Dex might wonder how the fuck this guy knows that Dexter is a killer and even the tools Dexter uses.  Dex calls Deb and tells her where Tucci is (anonymously of course).  So Deb gets to be a hero.   LaGuerta even lets Deb work the crime scene.  Granted, it’s grudging, but it’s something.

Ah the cute little neighbor’s dog … “Hey you put Walter inside, Walter’s an inside dog” … what a bitch this neighbor lady is … I’d like to see Dexter … oh but wait, she doesn’t meet the code.  How unfortunate.  Rita tries to speak to the neighbor bitch as well and neighbor bitch laughs at her.  While I admit that Rita getting all tough is kinda … cutsie … the woman is just a real jerk.  Stealing the dog is a nice solution.  Seeing the beagle hanging out and barking from the back seat of the pimp mobile lifted my heart!

All that law breaking must have put Rita is a REALLY frisky mood because she comes over Dexter’s place (see, pushy Rita) dressed as Laura Croft Tomb Raider and gives Dexter a … ummmm … nice surprise.  Dexter’s voiceover commentary during this:  “I’ve come to appreciate the quiet comfortable moments with Rita.  This might be better”.   So much for no interest in sex …

Batista showing Dexter all the anniversary presents for his wife is kinda cute – first the four leaf clover, then “OX” (diamond filled hugs and kisses), a little bit of comic relief how Dexter judges the gifts.  Dying to know what Socio mean … Batista keeps calling Dexter Socio.  Batista had a good reason to be so concerned about the 10 year anniversary gift.  Turns out Angel Batista’s wife left him … so sad.  Even if he does say things like tits and butterface and bronco.  He might be crass, but he seems sweet.   He leaves the diamond key to his heart at his daughter’s bedside.  My heart may have broken a little for him.

Once again, there are flashbacks with Harry, but Dex has no conversations with him.  When do they start?


Dexter’s Body Count:

NONE!  Seriously, two in a row …

Quotes of the Episode:

I love Halloween.  The one time of year when everyone wears a mask.  Not just me.  People think it’s fun to pretend you’re a monster.  But me, I spend my life pretending I’m not.

He’s recreating my past with Tony Tucci’s body parts.

Bully is a felony waiting to happen.

Sometimes I’m not sure where Harry’s vision of me stops and the real me starts.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Season 1 - Episode 3: Popping Cherry



I love Dexter’s giant umbrella on the beach to keep the sun off him during Ricky Simmons’ funeral.  I have to admit, I could care less about the Doakes/Carlos Guerrero parts of this episode.  I do feel just SLIGHTLY bad for Doakes that Cara Simmons’ cop brother and his cronies set him up with Guerrero.

Jeremy Downs reminds Dexter of himself I’m sure.  The fact that Dexter interrupts Jeremy’s possible kill and then really runs into an alligators is friggin’ hysterical.  And his running into the tree is classic.  These are the laugh out loud moments I love about this show.  And then the little bastard broke into Dexter’s car … punk!!!  When Dexter finds out that Jeremy Downs was raped and that’s the reason he killed the guy 4 years ago it solidifies the kinship he feels with him.  Jeremy Downs was just “taking out the garbage like I do”.  So he takes his wallet and leaves Jeremy alive.

Sometimes I wonder what a real search of Dexter’s hard drive would turn up.  Doesn’t everything leave a footprint?

Rita’s ex-husband’s drug dealer:  “you think you can take me with your little shovel” … I wish Dex had bashed his fucking brains in.

I love the male banter in this episode … Butterface … Pull a bronco.  Masuka and Batista cracked me up with that.

Tony Tucci is the  night watchman in the hockey arena where the Ice Truck Killer leaves the latest victim.  Deb actually says “unless the Ice Truck Killer abducted him”… maybe she is smarter than I gave her credit for … LaGuerta really puts her foot in it by declaring Tony Tucci the Ice Truck Killer.

More Harry flash backs in this episode, but no current day conversations with him.  The Harry deathbed scenes are eerie … Harry looks so sunken and ill … and it’s somehow ironic that Dexter’s first victim is Harry’s nurse.  Her whole horrid room wrapped in plastic and Dexter wrestling with her – his kill suit made him look like he was going to a Halloween party dressed as a giant condom.  His stabs at the nurse were almost tentative … and I love Mr. Stinker Tinker’s purring in the background.

The hookers in Miami really aren’t that attractive and they don’t dress well.  I do love the parallel between LaGuerta and a pimp – I got a chuckle out of that.  The hookers TELL Deb not to piss off her pimp and yet Deb still went around LaGuerta to the captain.  Then again, she did try to tell LaGuerta about the station wagon … and LaGuerta discounts this.  And then of course the Captain tells LaGuerta if Tucci’s not the guy she’ll be left holding the bag.  Oh it will be a happy day when this happens!

Dexter is awesome with kids … I want him to babysit mine.  The splinter fairy indeed.  And the sight of Rita and the kids riding around in the pimp mobile at the end  left a big shit eating grin on my face J.

Dexter's Body Count:
No victims this episode – Jeremy Downs was released by Dexter

Quotes of the Episode:
If I had a heart it might be breaking right now.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Season 1; Episode 2 – Crocodile



There’s not as much meat in this episode’s blog – sorry about that.  A lot of these early episodes are “setting us up” for something down the line and since we ALL know what comes down the line, regurgitating every single event that happens seems like a pointless blog to me – that’s been done and I want to do something different, so you’ll only find my observations, things I found annoying or amusing and things that I didn’t realize in my first viewing (you know, those AH HA moments that we say “why didn’t I notice that the first time???”).  And of course, the big things that play a part later or play a part in shaping the series.

I love Dexter’s court appearance in this episode … “2,103 cases,” and the lawyer says “give or take”.  Dexter: “no, 2,103”.  Call me crazy but I kind of really like the Rain Man aspect of his personality in Season 1.  And of course, he uses his presence in court as an excuse to check on his next possible victim, a drunk driver named Matt Chambers, who happens to be on trial.

I realized I didn’t even mention Batista in the first blog … I still don’t have much to say about him … he’s just … there.  I don’t dislike him … I find it amusing that he so obviously dislikes LaGuerta in Season 1.

Ricky Simmons, the cop that was pushed off the causeway and his wife Karen are the police case of this episode … Doakes gets really worked up about this one.  Of course, that’s because he was screwing Rick Simmons’ wife … really, really inappropriate.

We meet the Captain, Tom Matthews in this episode.  He was a friend of Harry’s … supportive of Dexter and Deb – that will come in handy later.

For someone who was not interested in sex at all just last episode Rita is certainly getting frisky … of course, at the end of the episode she says she’s not ready and Dex gives that perfect boyfriend answer “If it’s not right for both of us it won’t be right for either of us” … THAT might be the BEST answer to that problem I have ever heard – if you ask me Dex makes an awesome boyfriend!!  He even brings Rita a pimp car from the impound yard … how romantic can you get??

Deb finds the ice truck, and LaGuerta, bitch that she is, reams her for it.  However, by the end of the episode Captain Matthews moves her from Vice to Homicide.  Of course, LaGuerta will find a way to screw Deb over … again and again and again.

I wonder why Dex never questions why the Ice Truck Killer would choose HIM to play with.  I’m guessing his assumption is that he chose him because Dexter followed the ice truck, but it seems to me that a serial killer who kills other serial killers might get a little nervous by the attention.

They eat a lot in this show … it makes me hungry.

As a side note, I really need to learn Spanish … it annoys me that I have no idea what they’re saying when they speak Spanish.

Dexter's Body Count:
Matt Chambers (aka Matt Brewster and Matt Rasmussen) - Drunken Hit and Run Driver – Killed with Power Drill

Quotes of the Episode:
You must have been a motherfucka at Cat’s Cradle.

If God is in the details and I believed in God then he’s in this room with me.  I just wish he’d brought an extension cord.

I can kill a man, dismember him and be home before Letterman but knowing what to say when my girlfriend is feeling insecure … I’m at a loss.