Dexter (Season 5)

DEXTER, SEASON 5 (TELEVISON)
Paramount Home Entertainment

Release date: September 5th, 2011
Running time: 10 hours, 18 minutes

Creator: James Manos, Jr.

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Christina Robinson, Preston Bailey, Chris Vance, Peter Weller, Jonny Lee Miller

There aren’t many shows like Dexter. Ever since it’s first season back in 2005, I’ve been fascinated by this quiet, withdrawn serial killer who fulfills his need to kill by disposing of Miami’s bad guys who fall through the cracks of the legal system.

Based on the novels by Jeff Lindsay and played by Michael C. Hall, Dexter is a blood splatter analyst by day but by night he’s something else. Haunted by the brutal murder of his mother which left him emotionally scarred for life as a toddler, he never thought he would be able to have a family but that’s exactly what happened. In Season 4 we saw him marry Rita (Julie Benz) and settling down as a father with three kids. But then the Trinity Killer made Rita his final victim.

As the police descend on the scene of the crime in the opening episode My Bad suspicion falls on Dexter. Grief, shock and guilt begin to set and while his colleagues and sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) lend their support, Quinn (Desmond Harrington) begins to investigate a lead which lands him a suspension from LaGuerta (Lauren Velez).

Left with baby Harrison to look after, Dexter starts to think he will grow up just like him for what he’s seen but his fatherly duties are interrupted with funeral arrangements and a woman who discovers his secret. Lumen (Julie Stiles) was kidnapped and raped by a group of men and Dexter finds her after killing one of them. Instead of fearing him, Lumen needs his help in finding and killing the other men and refuses to leave Miami until she can put this behind her.

Although suspended, Quinn continues his investigation which could link Dexter to the Trinity Killer. When his relationship with Debra develops into something more than just bed partners, he knows it could all blow up in his face but he’s determined to find the truth, whatever the cost.

Bing an avid fan of this series, I think Season 5 is the strongest so far. Even though it was sad that Julie Benz was no longer there, it was great to see Julia Stiles take on such a role. A damaged and broken woman, traumatised rape victim, but as we find out more about her we realise just how much share shares in common with Dexter. It’s the first time really see him connect and their scenes together as very tense.

There are some great moments as well. When Dexter visits a funeral home with Debra to make arrangements for Rita’s funeral, we get to see Michael C. Hall on the other side of Six Feet Under, trying to understand how funeral directors can say “I’m sorry for your loss” with such ease.

Debra has her own problems while trying to sort out her brother’s. An undercover operation goes wrong and LaGuerta makes her the scapegoat to save her own ass. Her scenes with Batista (David Zayas) are very emotional and it’s a rare moment when she’s so moved she can barely speak.

With Harrison’s first birthday closing the season, I really can’t tell where Season 6 will lead us. The show continues to keep me guessing. The storylines just keep going from strength to strength, and I’m astonished that Dexter’s secret has been so well kept but it’s never been so close to unravelling as with Season 5.

Patrick Samuel

The founder of Static Mass Emporium and one of its Editors in Chief is an emerging artist with a philosophy degree, working primarily with pastels and graphite pencils, but he also enjoys experimenting with water colours, acrylics, glass and oil paints.

Being on the autistic spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome, he is stimulated by bold, contrasting colours, intricate details, multiple textures, and varying shades of light and dark. Patrick's work extends to sound and video, and when not drawing or painting, he can be found working on projects he shares online with his followers.

Patrick returned to drawing and painting after a prolonged break in December 2016 as part of his daily art therapy, and is now making the transition to being a full-time artist. As a spokesperson for autism awareness, he also gives talks and presentations on the benefits of creative therapy.

Static Mass is where he lives his passion for film and writing about it. A fan of film classics, documentaries and science fiction, Patrick prefers films with an impeccable way of storytelling that reflect on the human condition.

Patrick Samuel ¦ Asperger Artist

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