Dexter 6.04
Oct. 25th, 2011 07:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakOkay, you heard it here first: despite the fact our valiant heroes have now heard about a middle aged professor who made off with a sword and sounds as if he could be the Olmos character, I couldn't shake off the idea plaguing me ever since the scene where Travis first talks about maybe dating the waitress in the restaurant. Because the waitress only served and looked at Travis, and it occurs to me we've never seen anyone but Travis talk with Eddie Olmos. Given that there are no actual ghosts on Dexter and thus a Sixth Sense twist is out, and given, again, this show's fondness of parallels and the Olmos character as a Dark Harry, I propose that while there might have been an actual Olmos Professor originally, just as there was a real Harry Morgan, the guy we're currently seeing giving Travis his instructions is no more real than the Harry Dexter has been talking to for several seasons. Why is Travis then surprised after waking up? Because Travis has multiple personality syndrome. It's the one serial killer cliché the show hasn't used yet.
Of course, if next week Professor Olmos interacts with people other than Travis in a way that makes it unmistakable clear they're seeing and speaking to him, I'm jossed, but until then, as I said, you heard it here first.
Speaking of parallels: Sam's story about his father is obviously another one. I don't hold with the school of thought that Harry left Dexter no choice but to be a serial killer (short version of argument made several seasons ago: you have to differentiate between Dexter's actual Harry memories, which is what we see in seasons 1 and 2, and head!Harry who's been around ever since; one of the pointed differences being that flashback!Harry in a Dexter memory from the s2 opener (I think), after encouraging Dexter to go to the Prom, basically gives him fake it until you make it advice and when Dexter asks whether he'll ever feel what the other kids feel about each other for real, Harry replies "I hope so, son, I really hope so"; whereas head!Harry, aka Dexter's inner voice in Harry shape, is the one who in s3 when Dexter becomes involved with Miguel gives the you-will-never-be-able-to-be-normal speeches), but of course his way of dealing with Dexter's problems was increasingly screwed up, and when he finally made that crucial step during Dexter's teenage years of deciding Dexter could channel his urge to violence via becoming a vigilante (in direct response to his cop frustrations, as we saw in flashbacks), he was using his son. (There is a reason why Harry ended up comittting discreet suicide.) I continue to warily hope that the show won't pull a 180% with Sam because I really like the character so far. As
abigail_n once put it, Dexter's quintessential dilemma (pre-Lumen, at least) was that the sort of person he can admire and feel affection for is the sort of person who could not accept his murders, whereas anyone who can accept him is either already or ends up being damaging everyone else (Lila, Miguel, Arthur). Lumen fell outside this parameter via the idea that like Dexter, she was a victim turned killer, but unlike Dexter, never killed anyone but her tormentors and was able to stop once these were dead; to maltreat a deceased equine, while I liked Lumen as a character enormously I had severe problems re: suspension of disebelief in how her story wrapped up, but in any case, hers was not a model Dexter could follow because the circumstances were specific to Lumen. This season has Dexter already wondering whether he'll end up like the Tooth Fairy if he makes it undiscovered into old age. The alternative if and when the show finally ends is prison (which I doubt the show will do), death (I don't think so)... or Dexter being able to quit his dark passenger, and that's where Sam could come in handy because, again unless the other shoe drops, he proves that it is possible. Incidentally, I think Dexter's reply to the seasonal what he believes in question will be that he believes in Deb and Harrison. Which could possibly give him the strength to quit. Deb as Lt: could see the reaction to her broadcast coming a mile away, but Deb finding her way into the job and accepting some, but not all advice (good balance) continues to be enjoyable to watch. Except for my visceral Matthews dislike, but in that case I think we're meant to and have been from s1 onwards.
Ryan the intern selling the Ice Truck iller's victim's hand on ebay: now that I hadn't seen coming, and it actually leads to a good character moment for Masuka, showing that for all his trademark tasteless jokes he takes his job and responsibility to the dead victims utterly serious. (Flashbacks to the late s1 scene where we saw that already.)
More pointed references to the late Brian/Rudy (nice touch that Dexter thinks of him as Brian and Deb as Rudy, which makes sense), now via the mannequin and tableau parallels: what are you up to with that, show? If not the Deb-finds-out plotline, it's a cruel, cruel tease.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-27 08:50 am (UTC)Did you notice that Quinn put the ringbox inside the fridge, just as Rudy/Brian put the barbie inside Dexter's fridge?
I like your theory about Olmos, but we've got the two different cutting styles - although, MPD would explain that.
I was frozen and upset after the last episode with the glasshouse death. I don't know why it hit me so badly - the fear in that woman's face, the way Deb was a moment too late - that they died to create faith, as Sam put it, that they do terrible things doesn't mean they don't believe. It's somehow more horrible than the killers driven by their own dark desires or revenge or - the victims were just props, but props by someone who still claims to care for them, wheras Rudy/Brian just saw them as objects.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-27 04:58 pm (UTC)It's somehow more horrible than the killers driven by their own dark desires or revenge or - the victims were just props, but props by someone who still claims to care for them
Agreed, that's extra horrible, though I was reminded of one of Rudy/Brian's victims, Tony the guard who was allowed to survive so Dexter could find him. The show made you really feel for him as well. (Of course, unlike the poor woman, he does make it out alive but we see the aftermath as well.)
no subject
Date: 2011-10-30 10:27 am (UTC)Definitely Harrison, and Deb has already pulled him back from the brink once: when he chose her over Brian, his brother who could've become his partner-in-crime once re-directed towards bad guys.
The first time Brother Sam mentioned that he had a dark passenger too but was holding it at bay with faith I had the same idea: that this season would be the last because Dexter breaks out of the circle. Last Sunday's ep, the one you discuss here, only confirmed it for me: the story Brother Sam tells of his father, about being used -- an instrument in the killing of others. Sounded immediately familiar, and the whole quip about imaginary father figures only confirms this is a crucial point of this narrative. Then, of course, the little things that are of course big, enormous even: Dexter's love for Harrison, which does not look like a sociopath's love at all; his new relationship with Brother Sam that's based on curiosity but also connection of the human sort. And again, always, Deb.
Me, I loved the Masuka storyline (but have long felt he should be a more well-rounded character; crass humour aside he's a good guy, loyal and smart and hard-working).
And your speculation -- love it! I think I've followed the showrunners' pointers and looked at the things we could see -- painting, as the most recent example -- but you're right; all interaction with third parties has been through Travis alone, so your point holds. I'd argue they're going for more a Fight Club than a Sixth Sense feel here, but either way, it works.