TV Review: Dexter 3.4 – All in the Family

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 21, 2008

Dexter, Showtime, Airs Sundays at 9 PM ET/PT

Episode: “All in the Family” (Season 3, Episode 4)

Synopsis: After a botched marriage proposal, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has to figure out how to convince Rita (Julie Benz) that he is looking for more than a convenient merger of finances and fatherhood. But Deb’s (Jennifer Carpenter) case of a woman’s murdered fiancée offers hope for Dexter in strange ways. Meanwhile, Miguel’s (Jimmy Smits) brother, Ramon, is going off the rails in the hunt for their little brother Oscar’s murderer. Unfortunately, Oscar’s murderer was killed by Dexter Morgan, and that’s something he desperately wants to keep secret.

Review: What has gotten in to me these past few weeks — constantly late on my TV reviews. And missing on Sons of Anarchy recap is one thing, but being a few days late on reviewing Dexter, which is by far my favorite show to write about, is just not right. But I refuse to miss an episode, my friends, because with Dexter there is plenty to talk about.

We begin this week’s discussion with a thought — the thought that if there has been one common theme throughout the entire run of this show, it is that Dexter, a blood-hungry serial killer, has always been searching for his own humanity. he has always been trying to figure out whether or not he could really be normal. And in this episode, I feel that it is all starting to come full circle as Dexter decides that he is ready to take the next big step with Rita, beyond knocking her up, of course. And what I found most compelling here is the level of ambiguity that we are left with in the end — is Dexter really finally feeling love, or has he just discovered a better way to fake it? I’m sure that this will all be tested in upcoming episodes, but for now it makes for an interesting thought — that, and it makes me salivate even more for next week’s episode.

Aside from the Dexter humanity issue, which is played perfectly once again by Michael C. Hall, there was a bunch of other stuff happening in episode four. One particular storyline that was bound to get in the way of this season being great was the Oscar Prado situation, which appears to be resolved. I admitted last week that it was my sincere hope to see this wouldn’t be drawn out through the entire season, and it appears that the show’s writers and I are on the same page. With Oscar’s “killer” gone and Miguel’s hot-headed brother Ramon seemingly out of the way, we can now move on to see Miguel’s role get bigger, possibly becoming the friend that Dexter never had — someone that he might even be able to let in on his dirty little secrets. This is great for fans of the show, as it will allow Jimmy Smits to continue to be a bigger part of the series. So far he has been a welcomed addition to the cast, but I almost feel as if he has been under-used. Hopefully his character’s growth in importance will continue.

The only thing that bothered me this week was a lack of two things that have made this series great from week to week — there was no sex and no classic Dexter-kills. In fact, with Rita pregnant and Dexter constantly on the defensive, season four appears to be turning into ‘touchy-feely’ time for Dexter’s world. For now it appears to be okay, but if it continues it could prove problematic. From where I am sitting, this show could use a little more from Jennifer Carpenter — as in, a little more action, a few less garments. But that’s just me.

Up Next Week: While Dexter struggles with how to handle Rita’s desire for them to move in together before they get married, Miguel tells Dexter about a husband who has gotten away with killing two of his wives for financial gain. For Dexter, this seems like the perfect candidate to satisfy his dark urge and his need, like every man under relationship pressures, to get away. Dexter tracks the murderer to Bimini. While on the hunt, Rita has a medical emergency and he is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Debra works with Anton, her confidential informant to track down one of Freebo’s criminal confidants. But Debra finds herself oddly attracted to Anton.

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Did you catch this week’s episode of Dexter? If so, please feel free to discuss is below.

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