Location: Episode 6: "Dex, Lies & Videotape"

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ZizzyB23
ZizzyB23
Thoughts about the episode
Nov 5 2007, 5:50 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 5 2007, 5:50 PM EST
What did everyone think of the episode? I really, really, really, did not like it. "Dexter" has officially become a soap opera. I cannot STAND Lila at all, and the fact that Dexter had sex with her is bad enough, but whats worse is that Dexter is actually becoming unlikable. He's not half as charming as he use to be, he says things that make him look like a jerk, and in the span of one episode he went from caring deeply about Rita to not at all. If the writers wanted me to actually hate Dexter, then they did a fine job!

My biggest complaint about the show is things are getting so ridiculous and out of control for Dexter, that the solution to it all (to get things back to at least close-to normal like I assume will happen, if they want a season three) will have to be even more ridiculous, and most likely be unbelievable. Doakes is obsessed with him, Rita broke up with him, each episode they get closer to finding "The Bay Harbor Butcher", Rita's mom hates him, Lila seems obsessed with him, he doesn't think he wants to kill anymore, etc... The writers are making too much happen to him at once, and yet with all this confusion going on, Dexter just wants to run into Lila's arms (or perhaps her legs)? Thats not the Dexter I fell in love with last year. I definately do not like the way to show is going

Is this striking a chord with anyone? Or am I the only one who is extremely disappointed with the show this season?

ps- I don't like that they're making Harry seem like a jerk this season. I want the old, wise Harry, not the manipulative, adulterer one. I need SOMETHING wholesome to hold on to.
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Tulleh
1. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 6 2007, 6:02 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2007, 6:02 AM EST
I think the season is going just how i expected, Dexter is under a hell of alot of stress right now.. over the course of season 1 and 2 to date, so many events have taken place that has made him look at his life and who he is, remembering his mothers death, brian, harry repeatedly lying, being close to discovered not once.. but now twice. While all the time trying to keep on his mask to please others and blend in.. well now its proving all too much.
You can really see him turning "more human", emotions have started to creep up, so much so he cannot even control them anymore. I think this is the best course for the show, its a turn that has kept me interested, im hoping he stays a ruthless killer, but its nice how there is some serious character development going on.
I have read all three Dexter books and i can see elements of each creeping into this season, i think some nice turn of events will happen soon.
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FcukRita
FcukRita
2. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 6 2007, 8:06 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2007, 8:06 PM EST
I really disliked this past episode also. Not the whole season though. I just wish Cuesta directed all of the episodes, and no more of this jumping from one thing to another real fast not letting anything play out, although thats also the writers fault for cramming so much in. I do miss the old Dex too Zizzy. But he's going to make his own code now, I can't wait till this season ends and the next one begins fresh. 2  out of 4 found this valuable. Do you?    

blitheringidiot
3. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 6 2007, 9:43 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2007, 9:43 PM EST
T...Dex, Lies, & Videotape is the worst of all the episodes so far. It didn't ring true. Implausible. Careless. Stupid.

I almost became completely disengaged with the series after watching it, but i've done some back episodes and i'm a fan again. Will the series recover from this blunder?

The Lila thing was working as a sexy sponsor with a hidden agenda UNTIL he slept with her in this episode. IRL, his sponsor would be an older guy with experience. Lila would be the sponsor only of a teenage girl, maybe, depending on how stable and compos mentis the NA leader found her. The 12 step programs never give you a sponsor who might be a sexual partner. In fact, they discourage new sexual relationships in the first year of recovery, because they get in the way and sometimes derail the progress.

I think if the Dexter character slept with her, there should have been a more authentic seeming fallout. Dexter isn't unable to experience any emotions (recall his agony when he had to kill his brother) or understand social cues or consequences...he has valued Rita and would know what this means. There WOULD be something more than a glib "oh, i'm the love triangle guy, now." Seriously. If it were a big sex thing, there should have been more buildup of the Lila relationship and temptation and so on, not just Dexter getting blindsided by Lila's agenda.

He STUDIES social behavior like an alien trying to blend in...he knows better than anyone that a steady girlfriend with children (and his minivan) makes him seem more normal. Recall the interrogation of the butcher wannabe in this episode..what did Angel ascertain? The suspect had no girlfriend, lost his job, had guns, and a history of physical violence. Dexter needs to keep his job, his girlfriends, etc. and keep his profile tidy and innocent.

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blitheringidiot
4. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 6 2007, 9:43 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2007, 9:43 PM EST
um, er...forgot to say..

Plus, Dexter genuinely seems to care for her...which it is reasonable that he would...he had a loving attentive mother for at least the first three years of his life and had experienced love. You KNOW the series is going to return to Rita. Her mom is there to provide a bit of drama and tension, now that Paul is out of the picture.

i'm sure we'll get more Lila, who, one suspects from next week's clip isn't going to be around all that long...she's a pyro-firebug. we already know that she's killed one person by setting fire to his house. What do we know about her so far? Scary cannablistic mannequin art ? Art "supply" thief? Completely unconcerned with Rita's misery. Not a sista'.

I predict Dexter's going to end up killing Lila.

We'll soon find out what that feline smile has planned, and she DOES have scary plans for Dexter, IMO. It had better be interesting enough to counteract the lame and unwieldy plot from Episode Six.
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ZizzyB23
ZizzyB23
5. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 6 2007, 9:50 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 6 2007, 9:50 PM EST
Yeah, I am not sure if this season can recover completely. If Dexter and Rita do get back together (which I hope they do), their relationship is never going to be the same. Because the last episode is called "The British Invasion", I am hopeful that means Lila becomes very, very bad and Dexter has to take care of her (you can understand the reasoning I have right? Lila's British and has sort of invaded Dexter's life). I still really hope Harry turns out to be a good guy again, I loved that guy. I wonder what Jeff Lindsay thinks of how the show is going now? 6  out of 6 found this valuable. Do you?    

DexFan65
6. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 7 2007, 8:50 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 7 2007, 8:50 AM EST
I thought it was the sexiest, most compelling episode this season! I actually loved it! I loved the Dexter and Lila scenes and just the entire thing. I love the way the show is going. Dexter needs to FEEL more human emotionis...so just let him. 4  out of 8 found this valuable. Do you?    

BlueCoder
7. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 10 2007, 9:06 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 10 2007, 9:06 AM EST
I absolutely loved it. It's was the best episode of season. It was that because it built up anticipation for the further episodes of the season. Dexter is all about the what's going to happen next factor that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Dexter's relationship with Lila isn't a relationship at all. It's therapy. I suspect that your female by the way you romanticize Dexter. Dexter is a human being and that's what this episode is all about. The world is blowing up around him and he's becoming more human. He is drawn to the only person that confronts him on his feelings, someone far from perfect but someone he can relate to. The sex is about release and frustration, it's not romantic. (Where there is love there is sacrifice, how has dexter sacrificed anything for Lila?) He is probably going to pull back from her soon.

Lila is breaking Dexter out of his shell. If I can speculate I think what we will see is that she is another serial killer. I have a feeling that she was in some way connected to his brother and she is carrying on Brian's agenda of releasing Dexter from his rules. (And she probably isn't the only one of Brain's disciples.) She directed Dexter into looking up his mothers killers; she knew what he would find. I even think she might have had something to do with Rita's ex dying in prison but I don't know how and somehow guided him into meeting at that NA meeting.

If they tidy things up at the end of the season then she will probably take the wrap as the bay harbor butcher but remain at large.
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Cyndawg
Cyndawg
8. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 10 2007, 8:24 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 10 2007, 8:24 PM EST
OMG!!!! You are SO on the ball with your complaints! I wanted to cry after watching the last episode and I literally said "I'm over Dexter".

Of course I'm going to keep watching the show, but I really don't like the direction its going. And you're absolutely right, Dexter is not as likeable anymore.

I'm crushed that he slept with Lila and ended it with Rita. What about the children!!? haha. And I'm so pissed that Harry is being portrayed as some sleazebag cop putting a woman with children in danger.

Why is Dexter suddenly into sex? What the hell? That was the worst love scene ever. Now the one with Rita was HOT.

Hands down the worst episode to date.
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ZizzyB23
ZizzyB23
9. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 11 2007, 3:11 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 11 2007, 3:11 AM EST
"I suspect that your female by the way you romanticize Dexter. "
No. No I am not. Perhaps I should be a little offended. I guess I'm just a romantic. I don't accuse Dexter of loving Lila at all. I just think its real frustrating that every single person in the audience suspects Lila of being evil, or something along those lines, and yet Dexter suspects nothing, so when he sleeps with her, everyone is thinking "What the hell are you doing!?". When Deb slept with Rudy, it was great because you really had no reason to not like Rudy, and when they revealed him as the Ice Truck Killer, you thought "Deb, no!". However, since its assumed Lila has ulterior motives, anytime Dexter is with her, you just get angry because "Damn it Dexter! You should know better. She's gonna hurt you!".

Also, it makes me nervous because if Dexter suddenly becomes "human" so soon, the show may run out of material. I don't want that. I don't think the show would be as interesting if Dexter began killing people because he was vigilante, instead of him killing people because he has a dark need to. Don't you?
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SSCHW68
10. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 11 2007, 11:54 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 11 2007, 11:54 PM EST
The only reason the thing with Lila puts me off is that it is totally out of Dexter's character, and he is a pretty strong character. Why go into such detail to really portray this character and then have him do a 180. that is afternoon soap style. To see Dexter get played, even for a second, is really disappointing 2  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    
sagleo97
sagleo97
11. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 12 2007, 12:56 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 12 2007, 12:56 AM EST
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ZIZZYB23 SAID, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. I HOPE THE WRITERS READ THIS CAUSE THEY NEED TO ET THIS SHOW BACK ON TRACK. 1  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

silentBobo
12. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Jan 8 2008, 9:15 PM EST | Post edited: Jan 8 2008, 9:15 PM EST
it's late and im tired so sorry if im repeating something someone already said, but i'm afraid i didn't read it. Well only ZizzyB23 which is the first.
Anyways ZizzyB23-felt exactly like u. Sleeping with lila and being an ass really isn't the god ol' dex..and it feels weird and out of place.
But-dexter is the "new dexter" now...so obviously he can't act like we expect him. Guess the writers mind and thoughts these dayz arent drifting south as we like it :) (and as they were when the started this show)

The thing that really annoyed me was discovering dexter is also a computer genius. You know how it's like in movies when ordinary ppl do un believable stuff-and i mean UN believable? we bite on it silently..can't expect a whole movie get stuck cause someone can't find a folder in a hard drive, or just can't crack the password. But dexter man..he was so realistic up until now..all the technical arrangements he used to do looked really doable..and then somehow he made a recording of himself disappear in less than 30 seconds on a computer system he really doesn't know shit about. How the hell could he make it go away with no trace?? there was a timer running-they watched every second of it. they could see if suddenly time jumps from 10 to 10:30

i dont buy it. dexter is officially fictional to me now. still-gonna watch every episode till the shows canceled. i thrive on the glimpses of old dexter now :)
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lozza1609
lozza1609
13. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Jul 26 2008, 5:20 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 26 2008, 5:20 AM EDT
well i like the way Harry seems to be the bad guy, i don't understand why he took care of Dexter but left Brian behind :( . I think Dexter's life is falling apart and he doesn't know what to do, he is helpless so he turns to Lila. I preferred the first season cause there was more about Dexter then meets the eye, now he doesn't know who he is, the old Dexter who killed people was better. There has been way less killing this season and i don't know how to put this but i miss the killing. 0  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
rorshock
rorshock
14. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 29 2008, 2:31 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 29 2008, 2:31 PM EST
"ps- I don't like that they're making Harry seem like a jerk this season. I want the old, wise Harry, not the manipulative, adulterer one. I need SOMETHING wholesome to hold on to."
Welcome to the real world, where nobody is wholesome :)
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CKrelax
CKrelax
15. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 29 2008, 5:06 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 29 2008, 5:06 PM EST
"it's late and im tired so sorry if im repeating something someone already said, but i'm afraid i didn't read it. Well only ZizzyB23 which is the first.
Anyways ZizzyB23-felt exactly like u. Sleeping with lila and being an ass really isn't the god ol' dex..and it feels weird and out of place.
But-dexter is the "new dexter" now...so obviously he can't act like we expect him. Guess the writers mind and thoughts these dayz arent drifting south as we like it :) (and as they were when the started this show)

The thing that really annoyed me was discovering dexter is also a computer genius. You know how it's like in movies when ordinary ppl do un believable stuff-and i mean UN believable? we bite on it silently..can't expect a whole movie get stuck cause someone can't find a folder in a hard drive, or just can't crack the password. But dexter man..he was so realistic up until now..all the technical arrangements he used to do looked really doable..and then somehow he made a recording of himself disappear in less than 30 seconds on a computer system he really doesn't know shit about. How the hell could he make it go away with no trace?? there was a timer running-they watched every second of it. they could see if suddenly time jumps from 10 to 10:30

i dont buy it. dexter is officially fictional to me now. still-gonna watch every episode till the shows canceled. i thrive on the glimpses of old dexter now :)
"
What you said about Dexter and beign a computer genius. Does anyoen think Dexter cleans his drive of his history? I mean some of the history ion his computer could be explained away, but some is too closely matched to victims deaths, right? I do not remember the show showing him expunge his search files on any victims.. Does anyone else here remember him doing that?
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mike91848
16. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 29 2008, 8:15 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 29 2008, 8:15 PM EST
"What you said about Dexter and beign a computer genius. Does anyoen think Dexter cleans his drive of his history? I mean some of the history ion his computer could be explained away, but some is too closely matched to victims deaths, right? I do not remember the show showing him expunge his search files on any victims.. Does anyone else here remember him doing that?"
Going by the way Dexter is portrayed on the show, as a very meticulous individual and the first ten rules of the code are "Don't get caught" I would have to say that Dexter gets rid of all the evidence as soon as he can. I'm not a computer expert so the question to me would be, Can anyone recreate an erased hard drive? Is this something that is just ignored on the show?
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JayC16
JayC16
17. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Nov 29 2008, 9:26 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 29 2008, 9:26 PM EST
"Going by the way Dexter is portrayed on the show, as a very meticulous individual and the first ten rules of the code are "Don't get caught" I would have to say that Dexter gets rid of all the evidence as soon as he can. I'm not a computer expert so the question to me would be, Can anyone recreate an erased hard drive? Is this something that is just ignored on the show?"
I've thought about that also. Maybe he has some sort of external hard drive that he is able to wipe clean nearly 100%. and after a few month he destroys it completely and buys an new one. (They are not expensive. That is what I do.)

I've wondered about Dexter going onto all those data bases for criminal searches. Many I'm sure you don't need to give your true identity. But I'm sure the official police/government data bases required solid identification to use their systems. Somewhere all of those searches are tied to dead bodies. Maybe in season 5 this is how Dexter will be trapped. (But of course, he will disappear, aasume an new identity, and continue is humanitarian work elsewhere.)
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CK..Exlax
CK..Exlax
18. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Dec 1 2008, 12:02 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 1 2008, 12:02 AM EST
This is confusing, I see this is started over a year ago, and I was reading it and then realised that it was so old. I really do have tosee the others epsoides/\.

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crocdundee
crocdundee
19. RE: Thoughts about the episode
Dec 1 2008, 12:55 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 1 2008, 12:55 AM EST
"This is confusing, I see this is started over a year ago, and I was reading it and then realised that it was so old. I really do have tosee the others epsoides/\.

"
they are well worth seeing !!!
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