He's Back!

I was a little surprised by Episode One. Well, surprised, but then...not.

Rita is still as annoying as a new mommy than she has been over the last three seasons.

Two is that - Lundy is back! I loved him in Season Two. He's retired now and able to do his own hunting, which seems like he is there for Dexter's help. In another twist of irony, now Deb is going to have to address her feelings for him, something she hadn't truly done before (but I do love me some Anton. I think they are a good match).

I also like how Deb has seemed to evolve. I wanted to punch her in the face most years, but the start of this season, I guess with getting the respect of her peers (and not to mention LaGuerta, who I guess she shares a kinship with, having dated two murderers) she is finally able to let go of her insecurities. I am liking her balls this year.

I was floored by the relationship with Angel Bautista and Maria LaGuerta. Absolutely floored. I would have never seen it coming. It seemed like last season, Angel was really into that other detective Barbara Gianna, but I wonder if it was a contractual thing and they decided to spice things up by having him link up with Maria. Interesting.

Now, the Dexter story line. Yes, we all know about his dark passenger. We all know he's had a lot of life changes with the new wife, new family and new kid. But the whole sleep deprivation thing seems a bit contrived to me. I know his ritualistic life has been turned upside down. But where are Rita's mommy skills coming into this? He has a high profile job as a blood spatter analyst in the Miami Metro PD, and yet *he's* on the night shift? Sorry, I think this just plays into Rita being a gigantic bitch who is conniving and manipulative. I like her even less.

The way the first episode ended was contrived and not to mention predictable. The other mini-lines in the story -- especially with John Lithgow playing a VERY convincing Trinity Killer -- are fantastic. I am looking forward to seeing how that pans out.

But Dexter coming back from a kill, getting into a driving-while-exhausted accident? Boo. Not cool. I hope this is just a segway for Rita to realize how the new kid is impacting his job and vitality, and will let him move back into his apartment while the kid is going through his growing pains.