Last night, for the first time in three weeks, I had no plans. It was glorious. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy going out on a Friday night and having a good time. But sometimes, it’s nice to just chill at home. Considering the fact that I’ve got a busy week ahead of me – lots to do at work, plus a friend visiting – I was more than happy to have a break. So I decided to catch up the TV I missed this week, including the latest episode of Dexter.

Now. I don’t know how many of you watch the show. I will be the first to admit that it’s not for everyone – it can be kinda gory, there’s lots of death, the main character is a sociopath – but I love it. Michael C. Hall gives an impeccable performance very week, it has a very strong supporting cast, and the writing is, for the most part, flawless. It doesn’t hurt that Mr. MCH is a hottie, either. See?

Yum. BTW, did anyone see the ad campaign for season three? Check it out. Genius, I tell ya. Genius.

Despite all my Dexter love, I haven’t been as excited about season three. Until last night.

At the end of last season, Dexter decided he had outgrown the Code of Harry, and wanted to distance himself from his abnormal upbringing. At the beginning of this season, we see Dexter trying to do things his way. He doesn’t celebrate his late father’s birthday with his sister, Deb. He starts spending more time with his girlfriend, Rita, and her two kids. And all this distancing is great until he accidentally kills someone…innocent.

I thought this was going to be the set up for season three. Dexter kills an innocent man, strikes an odd relationship with the victim’s brother (played by Jimmy Smits), and the mystery of the season is trying to find Freebo, suspected killer of Oscar Prado, who was really Dexter’s innocent victim. And Dexter also killed Freebo in the second episode, because Dexter thought that Freebo was responsible for killing his girlfriend so…where was this circuitous storyline going? Seemed like a tilted version of season two, and not nearly as interesting.

Well, I was wrong. This week we learn that there is a new killer in town, responsible for killing Freebo’s girlfriend and a second victim in the same manner. (Got all that?)

Meanwhile, Rita is pregnant. Ehh?

So, why did this episode freak me out? Because Dexter’s weekly victim turned out not be a fellow killer, but a pedophile. And pedophile stories? Make my skin crawl. Whether is Nabakov doing the storytelling, or Desperate Housewives, I can’t stand it. It’s disgusting, it’s creepy, and it’s bone chilling. And on a show like Dexter, with top-notch acting, editing, set design, you name it, it’s even more bone chilling, because it’s done so well.

See for yourself. (Dude comes in around 3:30)

Despite getting the willies, I loved the episode. Finally, the season seems to be taking direction. A real mystery is set up, suspects are laid out (is it Miguel Prado? Why is he being so nice to Dexter? Is it the new guy in the PD? Or maybe the narc Deb’s been using?), and Dexter, in his own very fucked up way, decides he wants to be a father. The odd thing about this last plot line is that Dexter will probably be a very good father. He has killer instincts (haha), he is fiercely protective, he loves kids and is good with them…there’s just that whole serial killer thing working against him.

I wasn’t too happy with the whole pregnancy story line at first. First of all, it was painfully obvious where they were going in the premier. Second, the writers turned Rita, who had grown incredibly strong these last two seasons, back to the insecure, dependent woman we first met. However, I liked that the writers had Dexter explore his serious reservations about raising a child. And, let’s be honest, they are valid. Will the kid get his demonic side? If we look back at the first season, I’d say no – remember the sweet little boy Dexter was before? His circumstances made him who he was, not his DNA.

I’m just wondering how they are going to handle the whole marriage/living together situation. You know it’ll come up. And what is Dexter supposed to do? If he moves in, he can’t stalk his prey at home or stay out all night. But he can’t exactly not move in, either.

As for the mystery arc of the season, I’m glad they’ve flushed it out. And I’m hooked now, because I have a feeling we’ve already met the killer, we just don’t know it.

But, guys? Stay away from the pedophile story lines, okay?  I know confronting the guy was Dexter’s way of realizing how much he cared about Rita’s kids, how much he cares about Rita, and that he does in fact want to be a father, but…creepy, guys. Creepy. *shudder*

Video of the Day:

On a much happier note: Michael asked out Holly! It’s about time! Did anyone else besides me (and Holly) get a little teary? I’m dying for Amy Ryan to stick around through the rest of the season. I know she’s a big star and the chances are slim, but I’m crossing my fingers. She fits in so perfectly, and has great chemistry with Steve Carell. This episode reminded me why The Office is one of my favorite shows, and why I love Steve Carell. He plays the wounded man so well, and as an audience member, I feel so much for him. I was SO glad he didn’t bow down to Jan yet again, and finally grew a pair and did what he wanted. Hopefully, he will chase that feeling.

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