It's also a show that regularly has to tackle a few threats; namely the likelihood of formula infecting the plots, and the fact the supporting cast continue to be somewhat dull. I still believe Dexter used up its two best ideas in its first two years, too, and season 4 feels like it's going to be a mix of those glory years: there's a new serial-killer on the loose, the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), a meticulous murderer so-called because he kills in threes, by embracing naked women in a hot bath as he slices them with a cutthroat razor and lets them bleed out, later posing them in a literal "blood bath"; and the return of FBI Agent Lundy (Keith Carradine) from season 2, who is now retired and is using his time to solve the Trinity case that eluded him his entire career.
The Trinity Killer is lurking on the periphery of events right now, as the meat of this premiere dealt with the fact proficient Dexter is struggling to maintain his own exacting standards at work, thanks to sleep deprivation at home. He takes the wrong paperwork to an important trial (resulting in the perp going free in light of negligence), has his precise morning routine disrupted (in a fun self-parody of the excellent credits sequence), and finds his duties as a husband and father get in the way of his nighttime activities killing ne'er-do-wells. Even saucy sex with Rita (Julie Benz) has just become an opportunity for a cat-nap.
Most of the subplots were a little thin, which is often the case. Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is still dating hunky Anton (David Ramsey), but feels rival feelings when her ex-boyfriend Lundy reappears; Angel (David Zayas) has broken up with his vice cop lover and is now secretly romancing his boss Laguerta (Lauren Vélez); Quinn (Desmond Harrington) is royally pissed at Dex's recent negligence (a return of the Doakes-like workplace hostility directed at the bloodspatter expert), and finds himself attracted to sexy reporter Christine (Courtney Ford); and the aforementioned Lundy has returned to Miami now his "nemesis" has surfaced there, only to learn from Dex's ingenious forensics that Trinity's first victim was 15 years earlier than police records show, making him America's most successful serial-killer at-large.
While I have my concerns about Dexter's future because the basic premise dilutes itself the longer it continues, "Living The Dream" was undoubtedly a stronger premiere than last year's. It was easier to follow, there were some fresh developments for Dex to deal with (even sweet Astor's become a teenage brat), there's the excitement of Lithgow as this season's "big bad" (a great actor, going back to his acting roots playing a psycho with this role), and it ended with a brilliant climax -- with Dex transporting the remains of a recent kill in the back of his SUV, only to fall asleep at the wheel and flip his car off the road. Will Dex be able to hide his incriminating quarry before the traffic cops arrive?
Overall, it remains to be seen if the show can rediscover the edge it lost last year, or if there are actually any compelling stories to be told within the confines of Dexter's premise, but there are still enough core ingredients that will keep me watching -- not least the always wonderful Michael C. Hall.
27 September 2009
Showtime, 9pm ET/PT
written by: Clyde Phillips directed by: Marcos Siega starring: Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan), Julie Benz (Rita Bennett), Jennifer Carpenter (Debra Morgan), Desmond Harrington (Joey Quinn), C.S. Lee (Vince Masuka), Lauren Vélez (Lt. Maria Laguerta), David Zayas (Angel Batista), James Remar (Harry Morgan), John Lithgow (Arthur Mitchell), David Ramsey (Anton Briggs), Adrienne Barbeau (Lisa Darr), Courtney Ford (Christine Hill), Keith Carradine (Frank Lundy), Christina Robinson (Astor), Preston Bailey (Cody), Rick Peters (Elliot), Tasia Sherel (Francis), Kelly Huddleston (Lisa Bell), James Ingersoll (Cop), Gino Aquino (Benny), Alexander Lewis (Marty), Alex Lewis (Marty), Mary Alyce Kania (Karen) & Mylinda Royer (Widow)
