Courtesy Geeks of Doom
By Luke Trimble
Staff Writer
“There are times in our lives when everything seems to go wrong; despite our best efforts and for no apparent rhyme or reason, tragedy strikes, and there are other times when everything goes just perfect.”
These words, spoken by Michael C. Hall’s Dexter Morgan, forsensic blood spatter analyst by day, serial killer by night, perfectly emobody the start to the newest season of “Dexter.”
America’s favorite serial killer has returned to take a slice out of Sunday evenings for the sixth year. This season presents Dexter in a different, increasingly human light. The writers have decided to tackle religion this year, and this presents an unlikely dilemma: what exactly does a serial killer believe in?
Viewers gain unique insight into the moral bindings of one of television’s darkest minds. This season shows the results of Dexter’s examination of his own morale code and the principles of religion. Oddly, his life has aligned in such a way that everything seems to be looking up for Dexter. Hopefully it will this way.
To further these sudden changes of fortune, the writers revisit the memories of Dexter’s high school days, providing more detail into his tortured early life.
Unsurpsringly, Dexter Morgan made it through high school generally unnoticed; however, his adulthood transformation attracts the attention of almost everyone in his graduating class.
During Dexter’s high school reunion he is forced to keep his composure in the limelight of his old classmates. He finds himself in a position most serial killers do not wish to find themselves in.
With the growing popularity of “Dexter,” the actors involved become increasingly scrutinized by the public, and their personal lives prove to be equally entertaining. In January of 2010, Hall was disagnosed with Hodgekin’s Lymphona but announced that he was cancer-
free later that year.
free later that year.
While the authenticity of Hall’s post-chemo hair might come into question, the break up between on-screen siblings Dexter and Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) remains a subject of curiosity. The new season offers viewers the first chance to see if the chemistry between post-divorce Hall and Carpenter will remain succesful.
What can only be imagined as incredibly awkward for the pair translates to continued television gold; there is notably diminished shared camera time and general discomfort seems apperent.
Looks of unease creep across Carpenter’s face in multiple scenes. This habit is argued by audiences whether its simply thespian abilities or genuine emotion. Only time will tell if the newly single couple can continue its on-screen magic.
Besides Debra’s sudden degradation, the rest of the cast delivers the solid acting performances audiences have come to expect. Whether he’s boogying to ‘80s classics or electrocuting crooked paramedics, Hall plays the role of Dexter Morgan flawlessly.
Each actor steps into his or her character so naturally that its entirely plausible that a real-life serial killers could emulate the dark passenger. The absence of any real suspense thus far is overshadowed by the looming threat of a possibly apocalyptic (as well as religious) killing duo (Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks). Audiences can only expect greater things to come given the track record of previous seasons.
This season will not mark the end of the show, as many audiences believed it would. With a seventh season recently ordered, hopefully the show’s writers will begin to work towards an ending that fully captures the iconic character. “Dexter” needs to work towards a conclusion. It airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on Showtime.
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