By Elaine Bergstrom
Bear with me, dear readers, while I moan and gnash my Dexter-loving teeth. What happened to those pithy Dexter one liners? The long nights spent stalking his unsuspecting prey? They’ve been smothered by a baby’s cries, Rita’s demands, and his own need to sleep. Baby Harrison can’t help being helpless and needy, but what’s up with Rita? For a single mom with a volatile ex, she was handling things pretty well in season one. But she sure has become dependent and bossy.
First off, what is that woman doing with her days besides taking care of children? Last season she lost her job and, so far, I haven’t seen her wearing any work togs. So, yes, though Dexter should be taking on his share of baby care, on nights before he has court, Rita dear, dealing with a crying baby should be up to you or he’ll lose his job, you’ll lose the house and you’ll all have to squeeze into his oceanside apartment with just a window air conditioner. As a co-worker noted in an e-mail to me after seeing the season opener, his family all hates Rita “because she’s whiny. Do you hate Rita, too?”
No, I don’t hate her, but I don’t much like her either. She’s been too demanding, which only serves to show how nice Dexter is when there isn’t a needle or knife in his hand. Hopefully, she is smart enough to realize that her man needs some sleep after the whallop of a final scene in the season opener — one that will definitely have fans watching come Sunday night even if they were yawning through half the season premiere.
But enough about the stars, what about the guest star, John Lithgow, as the Trinity Killer? Lithgow, best known for physical comedic roles such as the pompous alien Dick Solomom in 3rd Rock From the Son, has also played the twisted villain in a number of films — most notably in the Brian DePalma thriller, Raising Cain. He doesn’t disappoint here, as he dispatches his victims with marvelous flourishes. He’ll be a worthy adversary for Dexter, as well as for Officer Lundy, who abandons retirement to come to Miami and help catch him. Lundy may also have high sights on snaring poor Debs again. Being rather fond of Anton, I hope she is smarter than that. Quinn is back, too, but his role is uncertain — but then, it always was.
And then there is “Angel-Heart” — that odd relationship between LaGuerta and the always gullible Angel Batista. Who knows, maybe some of his goodness will rub off on her.
Next: Where’s the arm … and the leg and the head?
Photo credit: Showtime