Written by: Kevin Berge
The real unsettling part of this image is seeing Dexter smiling. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.com)
Quick Take: Dexter Season 2 picks ups where the first season left off, exploring the complex grief of Dexter and Deb while throwing Dexter into the fire more than ever. Highlighted once more by a captivating performance by Michael C. Hall, this season comes close to matching the brilliant opening act of the show.
Previous Season Reviews: Season 1
***From here on out with season reviews of Dexter, these reviews will be spoiler heavy, exploring the events and threats of the season. You can check out the first season review if you have not seen the series yet. Otherwise, if you plan to watch season 2, you should turn back if you're afraid to be spoiled.***
Dexter's first season was a rare breed, created to answer as many questions as it posed. Despite having a serial killer at its center who kills other serial killers, the show chose to start by complicating matters significantly. Not only did the season explain much of Dexter's mindset and upbringing, it also created a lasting trauma.
The central villain, Rudy, ended up being Dexter's own brother who seduced and nearly killed Dexter's foster sister which forced Dexter to kill him. This heavily weighs on the second season with much of this season driven by Dexter and Deb's emotionally fragile states of mind.
This season also does not use this downtime on a generic villain but rather makes Dexter the only focus of this season, often closer to playing the antagonist this season as he is forced to cover his tracks, kidnap, and kill in order to keep his identity as the Metro Miami labelled Bay Harbor Butcher a secret.
The only major guest star villain this season is Lila Tournay (Jaime Murray) whose brief affair with Dexter in this season creates a host of extra problems but also ends up solving Dexter's issues for him as she does the heavy lifting when it comes to the truly morally black actions.
In some ways, this season came too soon. It dramatically alters the dynamic of the series, killing off James Doakes (Erik King) far too early, while putting Dexter in a situation that would have meant more if the audience had spent more time sympathizing with him first.
However, thanks to the drama of season one's fallout coupled with this season's more vicious and unpredictable edge, this season carries through on the promise that comes with Dexter being placed under the microscope and being forced to improvise.
***From here on out with season reviews of Dexter, these reviews will be spoiler heavy, exploring the events and threats of the season. You can check out the first season review if you have not seen the series yet. Otherwise, if you plan to watch season 2, you should turn back if you're afraid to be spoiled.***
Dexter's first season was a rare breed, created to answer as many questions as it posed. Despite having a serial killer at its center who kills other serial killers, the show chose to start by complicating matters significantly. Not only did the season explain much of Dexter's mindset and upbringing, it also created a lasting trauma.
The central villain, Rudy, ended up being Dexter's own brother who seduced and nearly killed Dexter's foster sister which forced Dexter to kill him. This heavily weighs on the second season with much of this season driven by Dexter and Deb's emotionally fragile states of mind.
This season also does not use this downtime on a generic villain but rather makes Dexter the only focus of this season, often closer to playing the antagonist this season as he is forced to cover his tracks, kidnap, and kill in order to keep his identity as the Metro Miami labelled Bay Harbor Butcher a secret.
The only major guest star villain this season is Lila Tournay (Jaime Murray) whose brief affair with Dexter in this season creates a host of extra problems but also ends up solving Dexter's issues for him as she does the heavy lifting when it comes to the truly morally black actions.
In some ways, this season came too soon. It dramatically alters the dynamic of the series, killing off James Doakes (Erik King) far too early, while putting Dexter in a situation that would have meant more if the audience had spent more time sympathizing with him first.
However, thanks to the drama of season one's fallout coupled with this season's more vicious and unpredictable edge, this season carries through on the promise that comes with Dexter being placed under the microscope and being forced to improvise.
Who knew having a great big pyromaniac titty vampire (name courtesy of Debra Morgan) could be a such a drag on a story? (Image Courtesy of: dexter.wikia.com)
Over the course of reviewing this show, I am going to praising Michael C. Hall an unreasonable number of times, but he shows such a mastery in this role that drives the series along. This season allows Hall to show more of Dexter's animalistic side, exploring the anger underneath his calm persona. While still immensely likable, this performance gives pause to standing behind Dexter.
As Debra continues to unravel, Jennifer Carpenter excels in the role more and more. Without Hall's benefit of inner monologues, Carpenter lets us inside the mind of Deb as she tries to ignore all the small scars accumulating in her own mind from all that she is witnessing as she gets promoted to homicide.
As the relationship between Dexter becomes fascinatingly mutual, Rita's character becomes more complex, and Julie Benz does a great job showing off the layers of Rita. Erik King gets to play the full range of Doakes this season and truly shines particularly once finding out Dexter's identity.
Most of the guest stars in Dexter do a great job blending in with the main cast, but Jaime Murray (Defiance) never quite steps up as Lila who is frustratingly aloof and impossible to pin down as a character. She feels more like a plot device. Keith Carradine (Nashville) fairs much better as a worthy adversary to Dexter in the FBI's Frank Lundy with a quiet confidence that matches well with Hall.
The writing for Dexter continues to be excellent while the direction remains uncomfortably close and visceral. The way the writing layers in multiple levels of information while avoiding too much expository dialogue is impressive. There are always visual and narrative cues to the story's direction that can be easily missed as the show forces the audience to watch intently despite discomfort.
The episodes once more ramp up consistently despite a somewhat rocky finale that spends too much time cleaning up complications. "That Night, A Forest Grew" (plays up Dexter's deviousness and Lundy's cunning), "Resistance is Futile" (Dexter and Doakes' first honest encounter), and "Left Turn Ahead" (the penultimate episode that beautifully set the final stage) all are truly excellent hours of television.
As Debra continues to unravel, Jennifer Carpenter excels in the role more and more. Without Hall's benefit of inner monologues, Carpenter lets us inside the mind of Deb as she tries to ignore all the small scars accumulating in her own mind from all that she is witnessing as she gets promoted to homicide.
As the relationship between Dexter becomes fascinatingly mutual, Rita's character becomes more complex, and Julie Benz does a great job showing off the layers of Rita. Erik King gets to play the full range of Doakes this season and truly shines particularly once finding out Dexter's identity.
Most of the guest stars in Dexter do a great job blending in with the main cast, but Jaime Murray (Defiance) never quite steps up as Lila who is frustratingly aloof and impossible to pin down as a character. She feels more like a plot device. Keith Carradine (Nashville) fairs much better as a worthy adversary to Dexter in the FBI's Frank Lundy with a quiet confidence that matches well with Hall.
The writing for Dexter continues to be excellent while the direction remains uncomfortably close and visceral. The way the writing layers in multiple levels of information while avoiding too much expository dialogue is impressive. There are always visual and narrative cues to the story's direction that can be easily missed as the show forces the audience to watch intently despite discomfort.
The episodes once more ramp up consistently despite a somewhat rocky finale that spends too much time cleaning up complications. "That Night, A Forest Grew" (plays up Dexter's deviousness and Lundy's cunning), "Resistance is Futile" (Dexter and Doakes' first honest encounter), and "Left Turn Ahead" (the penultimate episode that beautifully set the final stage) all are truly excellent hours of television.
RIP Doakes. Your memory will live on in Dexter's greatest meme. (Image Courtesy of: dexter.wikia.com)
Dexter is a series driven by its main lead's interaction and conflict with a few select characters, and the second season pulls back by not having a true adversary for Dexter. Lila and Lundy are obstacles, but they are not central enough to the story to be more than a part of the threat to Dexter.
This makes the true conflict Dexter in conflict with his own ability. He has to improvise including upon his moral code in order to survive while also dealing the aftermath of finding out so much of the truth about his mother's death and his foster father Harry.
By having so many smaller characters, this allows the emotional core of Dexter to be better established. The first season is sets up Dexter as a character. Season two opens up his world as Deb and Rita becomes more fully evolved characters and defined as much by events as their relationship with Dexter.
The main fault of this season is the character of Lila and her relevance to the story. She is an obnoxious, often frustrating character who only seems to be around to create unnecessary complications which she then helps conveniently solve. Perhaps with a better actress, she might have come as more threatening than irritating.
The second season of Dexter is one of its most personal and intimate, driving home who Dexter is in more complicated terms as well the people that surround him. We see Dexter at his most devious but also most genuine, opening up just how complex the series can get with a character that enjoys killing so much.
While far from perfect, the second season is a worthy followup to the opening season, keeping the tension and drama high without losing the implications that come with every action in the series.
This makes the true conflict Dexter in conflict with his own ability. He has to improvise including upon his moral code in order to survive while also dealing the aftermath of finding out so much of the truth about his mother's death and his foster father Harry.
By having so many smaller characters, this allows the emotional core of Dexter to be better established. The first season is sets up Dexter as a character. Season two opens up his world as Deb and Rita becomes more fully evolved characters and defined as much by events as their relationship with Dexter.
The main fault of this season is the character of Lila and her relevance to the story. She is an obnoxious, often frustrating character who only seems to be around to create unnecessary complications which she then helps conveniently solve. Perhaps with a better actress, she might have come as more threatening than irritating.
The second season of Dexter is one of its most personal and intimate, driving home who Dexter is in more complicated terms as well the people that surround him. We see Dexter at his most devious but also most genuine, opening up just how complex the series can get with a character that enjoys killing so much.
While far from perfect, the second season is a worthy followup to the opening season, keeping the tension and drama high without losing the implications that come with every action in the series.