Meeting the Family

Dexter 5.09 Review - 'Teenage Wasteland'

Guest Starring:
Rick Peters as Elliott
Tasia Sherel as Francis
Christina Robinson as Astor Bennett
Tabitha Morella as Olivia
Daniel Travis as Barry
with
Peter Weller as Stan Liddy
with
Jonny Lee Miller as Jordan Chase
and
Julia Stiles as Lumen Pierce

This week's episode of Dexter was quite an interesting episode, managing to combine elements of both the main narrative (ie/ Dexter and Lumen's developments), while at the same time briefly reintroducing a character from earlier on in the season and tying up all the loose ends associated with that character. That's right ladies and gents - Astor returned to Miami!

But more on that in a moment.

All in all, this week's episode managed to strike a balance between main character progression and secondary character developments. Unfortunately, all the other story arcs associated with the season (ie/LaGuerta and Batista's storyline/Quinn and Liddy's plot developments), were given a back seat during this episode, but to be honest, i really didn't mind. Sure, i would have loved to have seen more of Liddy (especially after scaring that kid in the photo store), but Batista and LaGuerta's storylines honestly don't intrigue me much anymore. I much rather them apart and dealing with their own individual story arcs or helping out on cases.

Dexter's developments during this episode were quite well-paced and managed to keep the suspense flowing rather well. From his initial and brief subplot with Jordan Chase during the episode, Dexter ended up walking away with a sample of blood from a vial Jordan kept in his locker. Unfortunately, Jordan notices his locker ajar and discovers that Dexter has stolen some of the blood. Looks like he knows what you're upto Dexy-boy.

Dexter and Jordan working out as part of Dexter's 'healing process'.
Image copyright of Showtime.

Additionally, Dexter's developments with Astor were suspensful and enjoyable to watch. At first, i was worried it would develop into a rehash of 5.2, but instead of leaving in anger, Astor returns to Orlando with her friend on good terms with Dexter. If there was ever going to be a time to end the kids' storylines, this would be it - an almost perfect ending and peace between Dexter and the Bennett kids. I will miss them.

Debra's storyline really piqued up this episode as well, as she dealt with the aftermath of her suspension. Having been reassigned to the file room, Debra ends up discovering new evidence related to the Barrel Girls case - namely that upto five men were involved in the rape, torture and murder of the women. After a standoff between Debra and LaGuerta, LaGuerta finally gives in and reopens the case, but not before hinting to Debra about Quinn's suspension earlier on in the season. After confronting Quinn about it, Debra promptly storms off, leaving Quinn alone and possibly ending their relationship. Will they kiss and make up? We will have to wait and see.

Overall, here are my final marks for the episode:

• Potency of the season's theme(s) identified in the episode:  *********

• Editing & Scenes of Relevance:  ********

• Main character's connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  *********

• Secondary character's connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  ********

• Music & Visual Effects:  *********

• Originality and effectiveness of the episode's narrative:  *********

• Integration and effectivenss of multiple story arcs and character relationships:  ********

Overall Marks: 60 / 70

Grade Percentage: 86%

With only three episodes to go, this season is shaping up to be one of the most intense and suspensful seasons thus far. Now that Jordan Chase knows that Dexter and Lumen are after him, they really will have their hands full trying to take down this uber-popular celebrity. Will Dexter be forced to reveal himself in order to take down Jordan? We will have to wait until next week's episode to find out!

Roadtrip To Maine

The Sopranos 1.05 Review - 'College'

Guest Starring:

Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola

Oksana Lada as Irina Peltsin

Tony Ray Rossi as Fred Peters

[Reviewer's Notes: This episode originally aired on February 7th 1999].


Episode 1.05 of The Sopranos took an unusual turn from the previous four episodes, as a majority of the episode was spent on the road as Tony took his daughter Meadow to several universities near Maine to learn some more about each university and to get a feel for the university life. However, the episode involved so much more than just the road trip - Tony himself had a rather difficult challenge to face - in the form of Fred Peters, an alias for a former made man of the New Jersey mob who became a rat to avoid going to jail. Not only did Tony have to protect his daughter from the armed man, but he also had to take him out without letting Meadow know that they were in danger.

Admittedly, Tony was the one who instigated a majority of the events in the episode, as he was the one who scoped out the Peters house and alerted Fred's attention. But the constant power shift between the two men was very interesting to see, as we diverted from Tony's investigations into Fred's own investigation of Tony Soprano, culminating in a near assassination in a hotel parking lot.

One of the most interesting events in the episode was when Tony finally got the upper hand on Fred and started strangling him with the wire. Fred told Tony that he had been in the parking lot and was about to shoot Tony dead but he stopped because his daughter was there, and he believed that it was only a coincidence. Unfortunately for Fred, Tony didn't relent and he met his grisly demise. But it was interesting to see that even Tony himself was willing to kill people, even though he was a capo and could have sent his lieutenants to do it. Fred's death was a revenge kill for all of Tony's friends who ended up in jail and the viewer sees another side of Tony that we haven't seen so explicitly thus far - a vicious, ruthless and bloodthirsty side as opposed to his usual strict but fair side.

Of course, the episode wasn't entirely about Tony and Meadow - Carmela's subplot was greatly expanded upon as well. After staying home because of the flu, Carmela's close friend, Father Phil, decides to pay her a visit and see how she is going. What follows is a gradual progression of Carmela attempting to garner the attention of the priest in more ways than one. I really liked Carmela's storyline this episode, as we see her desire for Father Phil held back by a conflicting love for her husband. Of course, Father Phil does get quite drunk from all the wine he and Carmela have, but before he has a chance to kiss her, he runs to the toilet and vomits. Looks like Carmela missed out this time. But as for how long she will stay with Tony? I don't know. I suppose that will be addressed further on down the track.

I should also mention that when Tony and Meadow got back, Carmela did confront Tony about his lie in reference to his therapist (he had originally told her Dr. Melfi was a man). I have a feeling this will be addressed next episode.

Overall, my marks for the episode:

• Potency of the season's theme(s) identified in the episode:  ********

• Editing & Scenes of Relevance:  *********

• Main characters connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  *********

• Secondary characters connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  ********

• Music & Visual Effects:  *********

• Originality and effectivenss of the episode's narrative:  *********

• Integration and effectiveness of multiple story arcs and character relationships:  *******

Overall Marks: 59 / 70

Grade Percentage: 84%

This episode of The Sopranos was absolutely brilliant and i enjoyed it very much. Of course, the episodes so far have all recieved fairly good marks, but this episode has taken the base story and expanded it much further, resulting in a multitude of interesting scenarios that would not have been expected so early for a show like this.

Primal Instinct

Dexter 5.08 Review - 'Take It!'

Guest Starring:

Chris Vance as Cole Harmon
David Paetku as Owen

April Lee Hernandez as Officer Cira Manzon

with

Peter Weller as Stan Liddy

with

Jonny Lee Miller as Jordan Chase

and

Julia Stiles as Lumen Pierce

This week's episode of Dexter certainly raised the bar for the season, as we were treated to a lovely opening montage of black and white animals in nature. Dexter and Lumen's quest for revenge took a major step forward this episode, as they planned for Cole Harmon (aka 'Suit Guy')'s kidnapping and execution, but with a twist - they had to do it at the hotel where Cole was staying.

But i'll get back to that in a moment.

Quinn at home in his apartment.
Image copyright of Spoiler TV and Showtime.

Aside from Dexter and Lumen's major developments, other characters' storylines were expanded upon as well - albeit not as intensely as last week. But, to the writer's credit, they had a lot of ground to cover on the Cole Harmon situation, and they did so brilliantly, mixing in some subplot from other characters for good measure.

Debra's storyline mainly revolved around the aftermath of the Club Mayan incident, namely with Debra coming to the defence of Officer Cira, who LaGuerta wanted to pin the disasterous sting on. Instead, Debra insisted that she be blamed for what happened as she was in charge of the team that alerted the Fuentes brothers to the undercover sting that resulted in civilian deaths. Of course, Debra didn't really want to be blamed for everything that happened, especially since LaGuerta had ordered Cira to approach the Fuentes brothers, and things between Debra and LaGuerta came to a head when LaGuerta announced on television that Debra would be suspended with pay, effectively destroying Debra's police career.

Of course, Quinn was there to support her, as was Batista surprisingly, who decided to tell the truth over supporting his wife. Will this result in Batista and LaGuerta splitting up? I certainly hope so. No offence to Lauren Valez but i just don't find her character appealing any more. She needs to get her own individual storyline back (like in Seasons 1, 2 and 3).

Quinn's storyline didn't really go anywhere this episode - instead the story focused more on Quinn's P.I. buddy Stan Liddy who made some exceptional progess in his investigation this episode. Not only did he acquire all of Lumen's details (by staging a car accident), he also took pics of Dexter and Lumen dumping Cole's body into the ocean using a gigantic lens to capture the incident. With Stan making incredible progress, it is only a matter of time until Dexter and Lumen get caught out - that is unless Dexter stops him.

Dexter waits for Cole Harmon to wake up.
Image copyright of Spoiler TV and Showtime.

Finally, getting back to the main story at hand. Dexter initially stalks out Jordan Chase's seminar in Miami planning for a way in which to grab Cole undetected and kill him once and for all. However, nothing really goes to plan as a series of complications take place that force Lumen to spend the night with Dexter in his hotel room, instead of escaping out at night.

Fortunately, Dexter does manage to finally subdue Cole (after he spots Lumen in the foyer and chases after her) and incapacitates him before Cole has a chance to choke Lumen to death.  Then, with Lumen looking on, Dexter kills Cole, and in the process, silences the third rapist. I really liked the scene between Dexter and Lumen here as she stares on in amazement as Dexter kills Cole, and then gives her the blood slide containing Cole's blood. It was a touching moment (in an ironically creepy way) that further cements the bond between Dexter and Lumen. Now all we need is for a sex scene between the two of them and life will be perfect.

Overall, here are my marks for the episode:

• Potency of the season's theme(s) identified in the episode:  *********

• Editing & Scenes of Relevance:  ********

• Main characters connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  **********

• Secondary characters connection with audience/actors effectiveness in role:  ********

• Music & Visual Effects:  *********

• Originality and effectiveness of the episode's narrative:  ********

• Integration and effectiveness of multiple story arcs and character relationships:  *******

Overall Marks: 59 / 70

Grade Percentage: 84%

All in all, this week's episode of Dexter was highly entertaining and it appears that the season is charging full steam ahead. With four episodes to go, and with such a dramatic change in the previous few episodes, who knows what lies ahead?