Will Anton Sing Like a Canary?

Anton Briggs, despite his flaws, seems to be a pretty decent guy. A musician, into a hot detective, he may have his issues with street drugs but from the looks of it, it's just herb and you know what I always say - legalize it. Anyway, the scenes where he was with the skinner looked pretty brutal. But telling too.

Senor King kept asking him about Free-bow. And Anton, like everyone else he skinned, has no clue. He knows of Free-bow, but no one knows where he is except for Miguel Prado and Dexter. I think even the police force thinks that Free-bow has skipped town and of course, they are continuing their efforts searching for the skinner (or better yet, who did Ellen Wolfe in).

But what else did Senor King say or do when Anton was in his chamber? We don't know because a.) we were not privy to it and b.) everyone else has died and did not implicate King in the motives.

I wonder if he might have slipped and mentioned Miguel or the Prados or anything else he might know. We only have three episodes left and technically, Miguel should be gone after this one. So perhaps we will find out soon.

I do like Anton though and I hope that he gets to stay on in some capacity.

Well I Was Completely Wrong On That One...

I CANNOT BELIEVE this show. They really need to make it like Saturday or Friday nights, because I get so wired afterwards, I cannot sleep (screw actually going to work).

Just when you think they won't make it predictable...they do. And when you think you've figured out the latest twist -- turns out, you don't.

I didn't think they would find Anton tonight. They did.

I also wasn't sure how to get the Ellen Wolfe scenario. It's obvious Miguel did kill her. But it seems to me that he's done this sort of thing before, with or without Dexter's help. He is able to move evidence around - he is able to turn things around to his benefit. And it looks as though Dexter is going to have to teach him a thing or two about "the code."

I can only gauge how Miguel is going to go away after 10 episodes. Will he try to kill Dexter? He's going to have to die, I guess. I like Miguel's character simply because Dexter was able to let him in. I would like to see him come back but I think it's obvious that because he has gone outside of the code, Dexter is going to have to take him out with the trash.

Thinking About Tonight's Episode

Spoiler alert (sort of): we all know, judging from last week's previews that Ellen Wolfe (Miguel Prado's archnemesis) is missing or not returning her calls. And judging by the look on her face when Miguel shows up at her door unannounced, she seems to not be fazed by it. In fact, she looks pretty happy to see him.

My theory: Ellen and Miguel are carrying on an affair. Syl, probably clued into this with her female intuition, goes out and kills Ellen or sends her away. I'm wondering if somehow this is the case, since we know Syl was considering getting a private detective on Miguel to keep tabs on his whereabouts.

In other news, I think we are going to find out what happens to Anton - I am pretty sure Deb saves him. And gets her badge for cracking the skinner case wide open. Just a hunch.

Talk to you later...

Does He Kill Her...Or Does He F**K Her?

What an interesting twist to this week's show ending. Miguel participates in his first kill, and ends up at Ellen Wolfe's house. As we all can tell, Ellen is the bane of Miguel's existence. He's convinced that without her meddling, he'd be able to get all convictions he wants.

At the same time though, it kind of reminds of a sports rivalry. One day, the teams are talking smack about each other. The next day, they go out and play a round of golf. Seems like in Miguel and Ellen's case - the passion they exhibit in the court house can translate to passion in the bedroom.

It makes sense, though, with their fiery attitudes. We were able to see a side of Ellen when she was acting as Maria LaGuerta's "date" that she likes to flirt with the boys and let her hair down. She was trying to convince Maria to participate with her and to relax more herself, have some fun.

The ending of the show could take two twists -- Miguel (as we can see in the previews for next week) was "fired up" after the kill that he couldn't go straight home. Fueling the fire that his wife Syl could believe that he's having an affair. And the look on Ellen's face when she opened the door wasn't one of "What the hell are you doing at my house this late, mother fucker?" -- it was more like, "hey there, sailor." *wink, wink*

If he went over there to complete the act of killing her, that's one thing -- but if they are having an affair AND she ends up missing next week, this can lead to a very interesting last few episodes of the season.

We also know that Jimmy Smits is signed on for 10 episodes, so perhaps he either goes missing or he "disappears" for two episodes and shows up again in the last one.

Conspiracy Theories

The best part about a Dexter season, and I think for most Dexter fans is that the season outline can be a bit predictable. Not that the story lines are particularly easy to figure out. Hence the title of the post. But that we can pretty much guarantee to see what the theme of the season is, the first episode reveals a lot without telling us much, and by the sixth or seventh episode of the season, we are pretty much glued to our television sets every Sunday night, but also can breathe knowing we are going to see the end of the season. I think another thing I love is that each season ties up each loose end. So that we will certainly know what Deb's new partner is up to, why IA is investigating him, who Anton really is (hint: I'm pretty sure he's either IA himself or some kind of detective type), who the "Skinner" is, and what Miguel Prado's deal is.

Since Jimmy Smits is only signed for 10 episodes, theories abound that he's either going to be killed (hopefully not by Dexter himself since he does live by the "code") or move away or something. The thing is though, it appears as though he's going to get his hands "dirty" next week somehow. I'm wondering if eventually he will fall into some kind of code living and Dexter can get away with it. I'm also wondering just how "clean" this dude is. Ellen Wolf, his nemesis, has alluded that he's done some super-shady things as Assistant District Attorney. Well, pot meet kettle, but that's besides the point. The point being is that there are plenty of theories on the Dexter board at Showtime.Com and others that Miguel may have been participating in a game like this all along. Like, his little brother Oscar over Free-bow's house the night Dexter went hunting for him. I wonder just how personal that visit was or whether Miguel might have sent him there for a shake down.

Theories have been abounding essentially that Miguel has been participating in some "house cleaning" of his own and not just by prosecuting criminals in court. There's also thinking he may not have been getting his hands dirty. It will be interesting how he is written off the show. On FrozenBarbie, there was a story that Smits accidentally used a real knife in a scene, not a stunt knife (no one was hurt). Things that make you go hmmmmm.

In other news, someone pointed on the Dexter board that perhaps Vince Masuka is going to be written off the show. I really hope not (you can pretty much guarantee a smart-ass comment from him in each show), but why would they make such a big deal about Masuka looking like the killer last week? It was interesting because last week's episode was probably the first one I rewatched this season. It's funny how you might miss some things here and there, and catch them the second time around. I'm going to have rewatch a few of them I think.

What else? We all know Deb is going to bed with Anton. We also know that her partner is a dirty cop who got another cop killed. We will certainly get more insight on that.

It just sucks we have to wait another five weeks to find out! What's great is that we won't have cliffhangers!

Rita Profile

Perhaps one of the most polarizing characters on Dexter is his girlfriend/soon-to-be-baby-momma Rita -- which I think it hella ironic since, I mean, we are rooting for a SERIAL KILLER to kill bad guys. I think most of us were raised with the idea that killing is bad, thou shalt not, etc etc. But here's the kicker -- Rita strikes some as annoying, whiny, and not nearly as strong as someone who would be in her place (convict ex-hubby who was killed in prison, two kids who are incredibly well-behaved despited having an abusive drug-addicted bio-dad, a decent job - well, she just lost it, but it's besides the point), but I don't mind her, personally.

What I do mind is this.

She has incredibly bad judgment in the men she chooses.

Um, possibly the understatement of the century. But I think deep-down, most of the Dexter-junkies want Rita to NOT get hurt, since it's quite obvious that there's a possibility of it happening.

But another kicker is this -- she is incredibly manipulative. We did not know what she was like during her marriage to Paul, although what we do know is that she was routinely abused and beaten, and often had to get the police involved in domestic disputes. But we also saw something amazing when her ex-Paul eventually returned. That she can be incredibly possessive and manipulative. And I think THAT is what turns the general Dexter-watching public against her.

I mean -- who didn't know that she would ultimately be knocked up with all the scenes we saw with her and Dex getting it on? And when she gave him that ultimatum about raising this child with or without him. That annoys me, personally. Besides the fact that we are all privy to the knowledge that he hunts and kills serial killers who have fell through the cracks in the system, with his suspicious behavior and what-not (going out late at night, reclusive, etc), she knows ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT HIM. And now they are getting married? Pshaw.

I think Rudy/ITK said it best just before he put Deb in a sleeper-hold on his boat -- so desperate to fall in love. The fact is, Dexter as appearances have it, looks and acts the part of dependable guy and Mr. Reliable with a good job and provides a living to his family.

I think it will be interesting, if we see it this season, with the shotgun wedding with Rita and Dex, is that her mother will have to show up, yes? She was suspicious of Dexter from the start. The funny thing is, I always want to disagree with my mother in real life -- but she always has that sixth-mom sense about guys who are no-good. And perhaps Rita should run away while she can. That to me would absolve her from being a wimp.

Miguel Prado Profile

By far the most interesting "guest spot" on Dexter in the past three season has to be Miguel Prado, played by Jimmy Smits for those of you keeping track at home, besides Christian Camargo's turn as Ice Truck Killer in Season One. I felt like Season Two was kind of like treading water -- interesting to see how Dexter evolved (who claims not to be "human" but definitely had some kind of conscience in choosing who deserves to be taken out with the trash and when he was ultimately going to turn himself in before Doakes was killed) and how his code of Harry kind of has tangential meaning now.

But Prado. The District Attorney of Miami. Obviously has some familial issues -- stemming from being the oldest and "dependable" one, to Daddy's disappointment, his fiery middle brother and the protectiveness he had towards his youngest brother that had gone awry. Also we see some strain with his wife -- just wonder how "happy" that marriage is or if it's one of those facade marriages that he keeps for the public. And obviously the admiration that Maria LaGuerta has for Prado, when Angel makes the assessment that "To Maria, Prado is the one that got away." (What is it with LaGuerta and her hooking up with all the lead male characters on the set?!?)

Anyway, back to Prado. It was interesting to see how he's easily latched onto Dexter, when I feel like Dexter has done his best with being polite to a fault, but with Prado's "mi casa, su casa" philosophy extending into Dexter's private world.

But I think they have more similarities than we think. Of course, Prado has the more acceptable role as being an attorney, bringing the bad guys to justice. But a run-of-the-mill comment he made to Dexter about the widower who Pradi suspected killed his wives for insurance money really stood out for me. "The defense attorneys get to wipe their ass with it." That's pretty much why we see Dexter having to dispose of these wastes of human life -- Dexter understands the law and how by the whole innocent-until-proven-guilty philosophy works, it sometimes protects those who should not be.

This week's episode from the teasers of it looks pretty interesting. We all know that Prado has already sort-of figured out (ok, he DID figure out) that Dexter took care of the guy he wanted to nail. Apparently this week, Dexter tries to see just how far Prado will go to get rid of those he has deemed threats to society. Although there seems to be some kind of ambush when Dexter is escorting this guy out with the police and Prado. But I can't seem to understand how that figured into everything.

I can see this plot line going one of two ways. One is that Dexter somehow gets away and leaves this guy behind -- some kind of eluding authority charge. Two is that Prado is trying to set Dexter up.

You see, I wonder if eventually Prado figures out that Dexter is really the so-called "Bay Harbor Butcher" and wants to bring him to justice. But we all know that Season Four is in the works and Dexter isn't going anywhere. I am guessing that somehow Prado has no proof and can't bring Dexter to justice or ends up dying himself. See, anyone who knows Dexter's secrets ends up going bye-bye one time or another.

But I like Miguel, much like I find Dexter to be a likable character. Miguel is a nice balance to Dexter's vigilante justice -- he does things the "legal" way yet can find appreciation in the art of how Dexter takes out the trash.

But I also wonder if he realizes that along with killing Free-Bow, that Dexter is also responsible for Little Brother Prado's death too.

I'll be interested to see how things pan out tonight though...

Why I Started This Site

Well, let me give you a little background first. I am not a big television person. I've never been one of those people who absolutely has to stay home to watch a television show. I guess with the advent of DVR and TIVO, this landscape of urgency has changed anyway.

But even with my DVR and technology that allows me to fast-forward through annoying commercials, I found one new addiction on television. An addiction that once you get started...it is incredibly hard to stop. There are no commercials, and it's 50 minutes of uninterrupted bliss.

Dexter on Showtime.

I've broken dates. I've not run critical errands Sundays just so I can be at home when the theme song comes on. I've not answered my phone. I've not answered my door.

But I'm not the only one -- Dexter does that to people. I often tell people with Showtime it's a good thing they don't watch it...because it's habit forming.

Almost like Dexter's need to take out the trash.

So why now? Well, I blog on a few different topics, and believe me they range variably from my obsession with Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). And on Mondays, I often find that I want to read something, anything, that will allow me to think deeper about the episode. Something more than a recap or something stating an obvious fact (you know, like how everyone knew that Rita would be preggers from the focus on them doing it like drunk test bunnies in a few scenes).

I wanted to think deeper into what the show was telling me. As an example, Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), if you think about it, is very much like Dexter, except he dispenses justice in shall we say a more "ethical" and "morally acceptable" fashion.

Still doesn't detract from the fact that Dexter is still awesome. Not just as a show but an amazing character in general.

So why does this site differ from others? Well, besides the character analysis (for the record, I *heart* the "dirty" Mazuka), show summaries, clever analysis, predictions, victim descriptions, and other things like Dexter's relationship with Debra and his devotion to "Harry's Code."

I'd like to hear some feedback from the general Dexter fan public on what can make this site better. I imagine that in the Dexter "offseason" there might be a few tidbits here and there. But I've got three seasons to catch up on...So let's "dig in," and by dig in, I don't mean a watery grave.