Something I thought I wasn’t particularly going to like was having Aster back, even for this one episode. I never cared for the character when she was around more often, but that was more that I didn’t like a typical, whiny 12-year-old girl. What I did like here was that she opened up to Dexter and seemed to soften a lot of her hatred toward him, even going so far as to hold his hand in the final moments of the episode. It seems to me that they may be setting up for something bad happening to her, or that she’ll be back moved in with Dexter soon. What’s your take on that?
When Dexter confronted Olivia’s dad, punching the crap out of him in “strategic” places, I recalled that it was mentioned, at one point, that Dexter was a black belt in some sort of martial arts. At the time, that made a lot of sense, since Dexter does a really godo job of handling himself when he has to. For example, he took out Cole Harmon pretty handily. However, for a black belt in martial arts, we’ve never, ever seen Dexter practice or spar. Hell, we’ve barely seen him work out! It’d be a nice touch to see Dexter doing something to hone his hand-to-hand skills other than occasionally taking down bad guys.
I feel that the events in this episode really solidify my theory that Lumen is going to take the fall for Dexter. Someone’s got to take the blame for these disappearing guys, and it’s obviously not going to be Dexter. Lumen feels for Dexter and what he goes through, so I don’t feel she’d willingly allow Dexter to be taken in for helping her exact vengeance. However, with Liddy’s photos and Dexter’s clear connection to her with the house rental (and that he fully admitted he’s “friends” with her), if Lumen were to be arrested for murder, Quinn’s going to remember those photos from the boat and not be able to ignore the obvious. It’s also going to look quite fishy to everyone that Dexter just so happened to be friends with Lumen and taking sessions with Jordan Chase, who will most likely become a victim.
I do wonder if we saw the possibility of Quinn acting out on Liddy Dexter-style, should Liddy do something to Deb. What will Liddy do that would be so bad for him to kill him, though? Would Quinn kill Liddy, only to find out later that his photos make Dexter look all kinds of guilty? Then he’d have to explain where the photos came from and what happened to the photographer. Whatever happens, I don’t see a future on the show for neither Liddy nor Lumen, so it’s fun to try to figure out how it might play out.
As for Emily Birch, any guesses as to why Jordan Chase has her blood in a vial around his neck? Could she be a murderer along with him; a “blood sister” in crime, perhaps? I really can’t begin to guess, because it’s really an odd situation. I’d love to hear your theories.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Nov 22, 2010 @ 16:09 EST5EDT
I have a feeling that Debra is going to kill for Dexter. They’ve alluded to this fact with the idea that she didn’t feel bad for killing the La Muerta dude. It seems like it would be a little soon to do it this season. But I could totally see Liddy confronting Deb about Dexter and not wanting to hear it or wanting to save Dexter, she kills him.
Why so against the idea of Lumen being around long-term? I think she’s an interesting character who does good things for Dexter. Not like Julia Stiles is such a big star these days that she wouldn’t sign on for a regular slot on the show. Similarly, I think it’d be kind of a cop-out to have “something bad” happen to Astor the same way it did to her mom. Not a direction I see the writers going.
Seems pretty obvious, though, that Liddy’s not going to be long for this world… not with the precedent this show’s set. If Doakes didn’t get to live, Liddy definitely doesn’t. I can’t tell exactly where this season’s going, but I get the impression it’s going to be a dramatic finale again. And I’m glad to keep being surprised every week.
*POST AUTHOR*
Not against the idea of Lumen being around, just that I see the writing on the wall. Miami Metro is closing in on something odd going down, and the track record for guest starts on Dexter isn’t so great for them sticking around. Dexter with a partner would definitely be interesting, though.
I think the ending was just to show that Astor was starting to become okay in the wake of her mother’s death, and that she and Dexter could have a relationship going forward (I had been afraid that we would never hear about her and Cody and again). I doubt that she’ll either be in danger, or return to Miami, unless Deb was living in the same house again to make up for Dexter’s frequent absences.
Dexter studied Advanced Jiu-Jitsu (in college, I believe). I have to assume his sparring is one of the many mundanities we don’t have cause to see, just as he mentions at the beginning of the episode his enjoyment of running on the beach, an activity I can’t recall ever witnessing in previous seasons.
From Deb and Angel’s concern that Dexter was paying for private sessions with Jordan, I assume that the department would once again view him as the victim in the middle should everything come to light. Either Jordan was cozying up to Dexter to get to Lumen or the police, or Lumen using him for the same reason. He’s always quite good (and lucky) at allowing his friends to jump to the wrong conclusions.
With not a lot to go on, my initial guess is that Emily Birch was the first victim, and became the archetype. Jordan’s group raped and abused her at their summer camp from the picture, but weren’t developed enough to truly torture and kill her. Someone’s rich parents paid the camp and her family off to keep it out of official records, but she was destroyed by the experience and uses alcohol to cope. Her record is full of DUIs, drunk-and-disorderlys, and moving/speeding violations. This could be totally off by next week, though.
I doubt Deb would kill Liddy (just typed “Lundy,” there. Freudian, much?) in cold blood, but she would certainly kill him if he were attacking Dexter or Quinn.
It’s possible that the killings of these men is ultimately tied neither to Dexter nor Lumen, especially if their bodies continue to disappear. The missing ones could have run from Miami, or turned on each other, or the dead Liddy might even take the blame as the vigilante cop, just as Doakes did.
I do hope that Lumen gets away, even if she leaves the show. Dexter deserves to have one of his confidantes finally survive their season.
I think Chase may end up dying by the end of next weeks episode. That will leave the remaining two episodes with the task of figuring out what to do with Liddy and how to handles the disappearance of Chase’s crew.
I also like the sort of redemption Quinn is going through. From the moment we were introduced to him, I had the feeling he would end up going down like Doakes. However, he seems very sincere with his feelings towards Deb. Liddy’s photos were pretty damning in regards to illegal activity or at least suspicious activity. Quinn was able to look past that despite his zealotry earlier in the season. If Quinn does die this season, it won’t be by Dexter’s hand.
Many people are clamoring for Laguerta to leave Miami Metro. With the way she has handled things in the past and the fact that she was temporarily replaced in a previous season, I get the feeling that Batista may get a promotion by seasons end.
In the books Debra knows about Dexters killing. Every season kind of hints towards Deb finally findout out about her brother. This season, she has had dialogue that would suggest she is ok with killing when it is warrented (Fuentes Bro.) If thats the case, I can see a situation where Deb and Quinn possibly find out about Dexter yet accept what he has been doing.
I think Emily Birch is the “starter” of the rape/killing group. If Boyde served as the “finisher” why not have Emily fill a pivotal role as well? Judging by the blood necklace, perhaps she did take the teenage picture. Something may have happened at the camp where Chase has leverage over her (blackmail or something) and so she helps Chase and his crew by luring girls to Chase. Something like that could take a severe emotional and psychological toll on her which could explain the DUIs and constant violations.
Finally, I still think some dark secret will be revealed concerning Elliot. Something about him irks me. Correct me if I’m wrong, but was there ever proof that Trinity did kill Rita? I mean, obviously the style of murder and circumstance would certainly point to Trinity…but Elliot constantly sits at the back of my mind as the possible culprit. Anyone else could have told Dexter they saw a white van with partial plate #’s yet it had to be Eliott…We’ll see.
No and NO, Elliot didnt kill Rita, that was admited by Dexter Director of season 4 in a video. Trinity Killed rita that’s a case close.
Well, i think Emily Birch is Rita… You can see the picture.
Jordan Chase it was the first husband (i think) of Rita and i think Jordan killed Rita… That’s my idea. He wants to talk everytime with Dexter about Rita’s death…
You crazy? NO, the first husband of rita was another guy who was in prison!!!1
I agree about Elliot possibly killing Rita. That could come out later as writers do change there minds
who thinks that emily birch is madly in love with jordan chase thats why she does everything he asks
who thinks that emily birch isnt in love with jordan chase? why do you think shes so whipped