With the fifth season of Dexter now behind us, there is only one word to describe the outcome, disappointing. What was set up to be a phenomenal season quickly came crashing like a car with a test dummy behind the wheel. With too many story lines taking place that did not have an essential direction that could keep you interested, “Dexter” lost its way. Each subplot, including the climax was left somewhat open ended, providing no closure, which was something fans of the show weren’t very used to either.
But lets be fair here, the first half of Dexter started out well. There was a nice flow of direction. You were excited to see what was going to happen next. The Santa Muerta case involving the be headings kept you on the edge of your seat due the graphic murders that were taking place in a consistent fashion, just like in the previous seasons. You had Detective Quinn hire an ex cop, Detective Liddy played by Peter Weller, that’s right, “Robocop” himself, to spy on Dexter [Michael C. Hall], after Quinn suspects him of killing Rita. There was also Debra’s relationship with Quinn that led to the possibility of her finding out who Dexter really is. Then there was the most important scenario of all, Dexter Morgan’s, and how his life would change, after the aftermath of his wife’s death.
Everyone was anxious to see some sort of a transformation with him. How would he cope without the woman he loved, and how would he grieve? If there is one thing you would learn about Dexter, it’s that he grieves differently than others. Remember, he is a serial killer, and psychotic, so his emotions are not considered to be anything close to humane, so it is understandable if Dexter did not completely lose his mind, and go off the edge. With this as the basic premise through the first few episodes, the show seemed as strong as ever.
The show eventually lost its luster in the second half though, because there were new characters introduced that took away from the grit that this season had going.
The second half of season five had Dexter team up with a new companion, Lumen Pierce, played by Julia Styles. Lumen was a rape victim and eventually teams up with Dexter to get revenge on the people who were responsible for keeping her captive and eventually raping her. Dexter did not agree at first to have Lumen stay. He was willing to get rid of her every chance that he got, but she would not budge. Dexter, ultimately decided to have her team up with him and take out the rapists, giving the reason that it was the only way he could feel good about avenging Lumen, and Rita. It seemed that the show then on was being rushed and lost focus on the major situations that were taking place. There seemed to be more of a spotlight on if and how Dexter and Lumen would eventually fall for each other. Although it was unique to see Dexter train Lumen to be like him, teaching her how to kill her victims when encountering them. It did however have a similar feel to when Dexter and Miguel Prado teamed up back in season three. One negative there is that you would not want to see some sort of repetition occurring, and with that scenario, it kind of did.
Dexter and Lumen figure out who was responsible for her being raped and come across the head honcho, Jordan Chase. Chase was
the villain of season five and quite frankly not a good one. His character was obnoxious and unrealistic throughout. He did not have that creepy look as in the previous seasons like the Ice Truck Killer and the Trinity Killer. The most frustrating aspect of all is that when he and Dexter came to the final showdown, he did not put up much of a fight even with an advantage of having Dexter tied up.
One of the most disappointing parts of season five was that there were many story lines that were like fish being lured in and then getting
thrown back in the water. One of which involved Debra. She had a chance to have the audience have heart palpitations by making a shocking discovery involving her brother Dexter, but instead she decided to turn around and leave and walk the other way. Talk about wanting to throw your television remote through the screen.
Although Dexter was picked up for a sixth season, there is still plenty of questions that are unanswered, especially involving Quinn. His storyline was the most disappointing of all, leaving you scratching your head and telling yourself why they even bothered going in a direction they possibly would not finish headed almost half way.
As for Dexter, you do feel for him, as he sits with the feeling of loneliness, after Lumen decides that her dark passenger is gone and her
work and feelings for Dexter are over. Only time will tell in what direction season six will go in. Will there be answers that the audience
expects to get to? And will there be a main story line that will be a smooth transition towards the climax? The only positive thing going
into next season is that you don’t know where the show is headed, but you better hope it was not as big of a waste of time as this season
was.
I agree with everything you’ve said. I am only through 1/2 way of Season 5 and I truly believe that Dexter has jumped… The storyline has just become unbelieveable.. And what’s with Quinn, he looks like some starved, overly tanned drug laden model.. Put some weight back on and stop the tanning booths.. I know it’s Miami but no one else on the show looks like they just came off the Hawaiian Tropic Beauty contest.
I just don’t like the rituals that Dexter is taking now.. Way to unbelievable all the risks he takes and never gets caught.. Having people take part with him in these killing rituals (DA and Lumen)… And with all the little mistakes he makes his father is right there practically every single time telling him what he should be doing and he never does and then comes back to say “I should’ve listened to my father”…
Dexter finds a cigarette ash in blood and it’s leads them to a killer… Dexter mauls to death a guy in a bathroom with an anchor of some sort, blood everywhere, he didn’t have gloves on and nothing ever leads back to him.
And the pond with the barrels of women.. WTH.. The road that he drives on past this little lake is completely worn down (well driven) no one, anyone, ever looks out and sees 15 metal barrels sticking out of the water and wonders “huh, I wonder what those are” and reports it.. Yet , Dexter is out there on 3 or more occassions.. Don’t get me wrong. I love the show. First 4 seasons were great.. I think the writing is losing it though on 5.
Dexter jumped the shark in season 2. He’s been busted so many times it’s not funny. That homicide squad is stupid and inept. I stopped watching years ago.