Season 8 Episode 8 - 'Are We There Yet?' [SPOILERS]

Sinfonia

While still not first rate television (particularly when viewed directly after Breaking Bad :P ), this episode has given me some hope for the remainder of the season.

I felt this episode was better focused than it had been in a while, and while I was initially skeptical of the return of Hannah, I now see its value in terms of being something for Dexter to strive toward. As 'Harry' alluded to, perhaps Dexter desires something else besides killing.

Unfortunately, it still doesn't seem like there's any kind of net-closing-in-on-Dexter storyline, which is what I guess would have seemed most natural.

As others predicted, the brain surgeon is still in the mix; was the implication that it was Vogel? It showed her holding the bit of brain in a jar, so at first I thought maybe it was her, but then she did look somewhat worried/frightened.

All in all, while watching the final series had become a bit of a chore just to see how it finishes, this episode makes me feel optimistic that they can do what they've often done before, and really ramp things up in the last four episodes.

Kirby

Good god Strahovski is beautiful.

chriity139

Sinfonia wrote: »

While still not first rate television (particularly when viewed directly after Breaking Bad :P ), this episode has given me some hope for the remainder of the season.

I felt this episode was better focused than it had been in a while, and while I was initially skeptical of the return of Hannah, I now see its value in terms of being something for Dexter to strive toward. As 'Harry' alluded to, perhaps Dexter desires something else besides killing.

Unfortunately, it still doesn't seem like there's any kind of net-closing-in-on-Dexter storyline, which is what I guess would have seemed most natural.

As others predicted, the brain surgeon is still in the mix; was the implication that it was Vogel? It showed her holding the bit of brain in a jar, so at first I thought maybe it was her, but then she did look somewhat worried/frightened.

All in all, while watching the final series had become a bit of a chore just to see how it finishes, this episode makes me feel optimistic that they can do what they've often done before, and really ramp things up in the last four episodes.

Agree'd as much as I love dexter this series so far hasnt been great but theres a lot of hope from the outcome of this episode.

Rosy Posy

Things seem to be getting slightly more promising, but again with the Breaking Bad comparison- I couldn't believe that the hour had passed at the end of the episode but I actually found myself checking to see how long was left in this week's Dexter. The heart-to-heart scenes with Hannah and Dexter in the car, and Hannah and Deb felt really contrived and had little interest for me.

There's definitely something up with Vogel- she seemed almost gleeful to be presiding over a table of psychos. I don't know whether she's behind the brain surgeon but she knows more than she's letting on- I'm guessing her 'boring' story about how she got into studying psychopathy, and possibly her illusive (ex?) husband have something to do with it.

Good twist at the end with Zac ending up with his head cut open just as Dexter had made his peace with him. Its pleasant to be surprised by this show!

I wondered if from Dexter's reverie while driving Zac home from dumping the body was leading towards a Clockwork Orange (final chapter) style ending where Dexter evolves beyond the need to kill and ends up living a normal life with Hannah and Harrison in Argentina.

Also, a totally random point, but I could have really done without the shot of Dexter keeping his socks on during sex...there's something truly disturbing about a man that's naked but for his socks!

ixoy

Better. It was more focused (perhaps helped by having one writer?) and the story lines were more drawn together (except for Masouka's idiot daughter plot).

The inner monologues were also improved and reflected Dexter's thoughts on things (e.g. his feelings for Hannah) rather than just stating the obvious: "I see Hannah walking towards me".

I think it's too late to make something neat and compelling from the season but there's a glimmer of a hope that it won't be utter crap if we can maintain this rate of improvement.

One thing though - Dexter should not get away with it and escape to Argentina. He deserves to be caught for all his killings over the year.

Backstreet Moyes

The best episode in a long time. Glad the brain surgeon is still out their makes it interesting although was starting to like Zack.

On a sidenote i can't wait for next weeks episode to see Hannah is that dress my god what a woman.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Haven't watched it yet but don't give a toss about spoilers. I see watching this show as a chore now, the quicker its over the better. YEt another story line dispensed of this week a see with Zac getting the chop. That lasted three whole episodes, longer than most story lines in this series. God I am bitter.

Backstreet Moyes

I am glad in a way that the brain surgeon is not Yates as it makes it interesting.

What is a bit stupid is how nobody in the show even thought about it. Vogel and Dexter specialists on killers fail to pick up how obvious it was Yates was not the killer. They had different rituals and different types of victims it was a bit daft.

pixelburp

Well I certainly laughed at the title, because damnit if it didn't neatly summarise my feelings on this season. Are we there yet indeed.

And then Vogel drops in this beauty during that odd dinner scene:
"I've always maintained the greatest obstacle in life is not danger, it's boredom."

Yeah, don't talk to me about boredom Vogel... you know, I suggested last week the writers were perhaps toying with our patience and level of tolerance for this show; I was joking but I do wonder if they realise how meandering and aimless this season has been. Last nights episode was a little better and more purposeful, but it still had all the hallmarks of the customary slapdash writing.

And as nice to look at as Yvonne Strahovski is, the lack of chemistry between her and Michael C Hall is kinda hilarious. She's no Jaime Murray...

Sofiztikated

I genuinely enjoyed that episode. First time this series.

The happy serial killer family car scene made me laugh.
The skull cut section with Zack made me exclaim, "****ing knew it."

2 stand out moments in the whole series so far. Not stellar, but better.

(I actually though Vogel was going to poison them, and pin it on Hannah.)

Sinfonia

ixoy wrote: »

Better. It was more focused (perhaps helped by having one writer?)

I was just looking through wiki to see which episodes Wendy West also wrote; she seems to have joined in Season 4, but to be honest I can't really remember the specifics of the episodes she wrote over the last few seasons.

gnfnrhead

A slight improvement but that wouldnt really be hard. Somewhere between Good and Meh.

The title and the boring line from Vogul have to be jokes about how bad the season has been.

Said it before that it feels like it is being made up as they go, and the reintroduction of the brain surgeon proves it for me. They were happy to claim it was Yates with not a single hint that anyone suspected it wasnt him, and now all of a sudden have done a 180. Even having Dexter show some sort of conflict about weather they got the right man or not would have been better than him blindly accepting it.

Only 4 episodes left and still very little progress in regards wrapping things up. Seems like it will be a rushed finale at this rate.

This is total total crap. Why am I surprised? It's been **** since the superb season four. What was with the editing of this episode? They were having sex and I was zooming in on Hannah but the next minute Dex is walking through his door and Zach's missing part of his brain!! I was just starting to like him and they kill him. Maybe just the "dude" part of his brain was taken and he'll reappear in a spin-off?

More weirdness with the strange and slightly wacky "family of serial killers" nonsense. The writing is so awful I'm not sure if it was intended dark humour or not.

Masuka doesn't provide comic relief with his offensive quips anymore. There's got to be some sort of (ludicrous) twist coming involving his tart of a daughter.

Miller was promoted and promptly disappeared forever.

God knows what Batista does anymore. His sister is minding Harrison practically 24/7 with Dexter spending ten minutes at work per day but Angel doesn't suspect a thing.

Poor Charlotte Rampling. She must be getting paid a lot of money.

Was there ever a show that had such quality and promise to begin with go to complete hell? That reminds me...thank God True Blood finished up for the season.

What about that garbage at the beach? Dexter: "I think a lot". It's a pity he doesn't "do a lot" like kill a few more people. If I'm right he's a serial killer who has only killed two people in eight episodes. No wonder it's so dull.

gnfnrhead

Deleted User wrote: »

Miller was promoted and promptly disappeared forever.

Was it made official? I'm expecting Deb to waltz back in and take the highest open position. Batista took hers if I'm remembering correctly, so there is only the one open spot.

Pang

I found all the parts with Hannah and Dexter so dull that I started playing on my phone. I don't believe they 'love' each other at all.

I felt the part with Hannah and Deb was far too rushed. I mean Deb's erratic behaviour just annoys me. She needs to grow a set and just dub Dexter in.

If he escapes and lives happily ever after, it'll be a huge disappointment.

pixelburp

Pang wrote: »

[...]

If he escapes and lives happily ever after, it'll be a huge disappointment.

My guess, given how cheap and lazy this season has been, is that we'll see a fake-out death. Dexter will 'die', possibly as a way to avoid some 11th hour heat descending on him - or as a final act of selfless heroism - and the last scene will be a revelation that no! He actually survived and is now living down in Argentina with Hannah.

The show is falling over itself to legitimise Dexter as the necessary evil, and this recent episode hammers the audience over the head with the whole "Dexter loves Hannah" angle, GhostDad appearing to bluntly point out that gosh! the Dark Passenger is being replaced with Luv. I suspect the happy ending is coming...

gavmcg92

First quarter of the episode was quite poor but it definitely picked up for the last half hour. I have to say, I was expecting the "dexter's apprentice" story to carry right to the end of the series. Actually didn't realise the dead body in Dexter's apartment was Zach until the end.
Should be interesting to see what comes of the Federal investigation in Hannah McKay. They slightly teased it but how it develops should be interesting.

How many episodes are in this final season. Anyone know?

Pang

It's the usual twelve episodes I think.

FearDark

Although boring as hell as usual it was really nice to have a "holy fcuk" moment there at the end with Zack. The show hasn't had that in a long long time.

El Inho

Did that conclusion feel really rushed to anyone?

I was just starting to like Zach but suddenly he's dead?

Vogel implication seen seems to clean cut pardon the pun.

I think Deb returning to the force and the apparent extra mile Quinn is going to frame Zach, coupled with a kiss...

I can see Quinn going to eat of stokes....

This episode gives hope, but it all feels scattered at the moment... Like tired leaving cert essay writing where it's all a dream.

Hope I'm wrong

FortuneChip

I liked the part where Walt....
Nevermind

El Inho

pixelburp wrote: »

My guess, given how cheap and lazy this season has been, is that we'll see a fake-out death. Dexter will 'die', possibly as a way to avoid some 11th hour heat descending on him - or as a final act of selfless heroism - and the last scene will be a revelation that no! He actually survived and is now living down in Argentina with Hannah.


The show is falling over itself to legitimise Dexter as the necessary evil, and this recent episode hammers the audience over the head with the whole "Dexter loves Hannah" angle, GhostDad appearing to bluntly point out that gosh! the Dark Passenger is being replaced with Luv. I suspect the happy ending is coming...

This.

Exactly what I fear. But I wouldn't be surprised if the season is underselling Itself to heighten the whammy conclusion

Sinfonia

El Inho wrote: »

Did that conclusion feel really rushed to anyone?

I was just starting to like Zach but suddenly he's dead?

Vogel implication seen seems to clean cut pardon the pun.

I think Deb returning to the force and the apparent extra mile Quinn is going to frame Zach, coupled with a kiss... I can see Quinn going to eat of stokes....

This episode gives hope, but it all feels scattered at the moment... Like tired leaving cert essay writing where it's all a dream.

Hope I'm wrong

Is some of that info from the 'Next week on Dexter'?
If so, you should probably spoiler it, although nobody probably cares anymore :P

El Inho

Sinfonia wrote: »

Is some of that info from the 'Next week on Dexter'?
If so, you should probably spoiler it, although nobody probably cares anymore :P

done

do some people not watch the end bit?

the end pieces have been fierce sneaky in some episodes anyway..keeping the audience guessing, like the one where quinn says 'i know what your up to'

question....

what is the significance of Masuka's daughter? Surely introducing such an outside charachter must be for a reason...his own spin off perhaps :P

Backstreet Moyes

I really think Masuka's daughter will end up finding Dexter burying evidence or lying about something. I can see her snooping around and him catching her.

Staplor

To me, that was a good setting up episode.

The focus has to be move to Quinn snooping around Dexter, Looks like Quinn set up Zac at the crime using the blood from the door handle.

Quinn asked Dexter if there was any of Zac's blood at the crime scene. Quinn interviewed the hot neighbours boyfriend, who said he recognised him but wasn't sure from where. So once the boyfriend puts Zac at Dexter's place, the question is why Dexter covered for him. Dexter will be followed by Quinn, Hannah by the marshals.

When the OP said he didn't see the net closing in on Dexter I disagree, we've already seen the back up plan in action, the access to a "passport guy". Harrison seems to like Hannah, does it end up on the Argentinian beach? Or does he go down for his deeds. The curveball could be Deb confessing to all Dexter's killings to get him off the hook. And then, would Quinn turn in Deb?

Sinfonia

El Inho wrote: »

done

do some people not watch the end bit?

I do for Dexter, because I don't really care anymore, but some people might not.
I don't for Breaking Bad!

From 0:28 explains sums up my feelings. :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4qxO31AfrI

Sinfonia

El Inho wrote: »

I can see Quinn going to eat of stokes....

What does this mean btw??

R019912

I'll be the first to admit that this season of Dexter has been substandard so far, but I thought that episode was the best so far of the season.

Sofiztikated

El Inho wrote: »

done

do some people not watch the end bit?

the end pieces have been fierce sneaky in some episodes anyway..keeping the audience guessing, like the one where quinn says 'i know what your up to'

question....

what is the significance of Masuka's daughter? Surely introducing such an outside charachter must be for a reason...his own spin off perhaps :P

Never. Hate spoilering with a passion. It's bad enough that some fools on the web do it for ****s and giggles, without the show/movie doing it itself.

Sofiztikated

Sinfonia wrote: »

What does this mean btw??

Something something Doakes perhaps?

Sinfonia

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Something something Doakes perhaps?

I'm gonna go with "..gonna go the way of Doakes"

FearDark

Ooh I wonder if Vogels ex husband is the brain surgeon... The acting was so appaling when she was asked about him at the dinner table. Awful forced scene by the way. This show has gone from brilliance to utter garbage, hurry up and end it. I'm sick of looking at Deb's angry/sad face ffs it's going on forever.

Also how is she the "best damn person" her boss has ever worked with, she rarely goes in, haven't seen her actually catch anyone yet, lets perps go. Fuuuuuuuuck its so bad.

pixelburp

FearDark wrote: »

Ooh I wonder if Vogels ex husband is the brain surgeon... The acting was so appaling when she was asked about him at the dinner table. [...]

Oh yeah, forgot about that moment. It was way too pronounced not to be telegraphing something. I've enjoyed Ramplings performance thus far, despite the risible dialogue she sometimes has, but her sudden, shifty-eyed response was pretty comical. Clearly there's something up.

wolfyboy555

I was so bored watching this I started exploring the web. I finished the episode and came here only to realise I missed zachs death. I was listening to the end but not watching! like a lot of people here....only watching it now for the sake of it. I think I will change tactics next week and watch dexter first and then breaking bad.

vitani

Couple of nitpicks - why aren't Angel or Quinn wondering where the hell Dexter is? Jamie and Harrison are living with both of them because Dexter has to 'work' but Dexter hasn't been near Miami Metro in days.

But anyway - if what they're suggesting is true and Quinn framed Zach, then that's an interesting way for the show to go. If he did, I can understand him picking Cassie because she'd let him in to the apartment. But why would he think there was a connection between Cassie and Zach? Was he following him the night Zach started knocking at Dexter's door? And if so, why isn't he wondering what Zach was doing there?

The brain surgeon has to be Vogel's ex-husband. I wonder is he someone we've met somewhere else.

The serial killer roadtrip and dinner party was amusing. And Dexter's 'don't dude me' made me laugh. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

pixelburp

vitani wrote: »

Couple of nitpicks - why aren't Angel or Quinn wondering where the hell Dexter is? Jamie and Harrison are living with both of them because Dexter has to 'work' but Dexter hasn't been near Miami Metro in days. ...

You're talking about a pair of people who have seen that:
- Dexter's brother is the ice-truck killer
- Doakes suspected Dexter of being involved / the bay-harbour butcher, then died.
- Quinn's private detective had rustled up highly suspicious photos about Dex, then mysteriously disappeared.
- LeGuerta also decided Dexter was hiding something, later dying.
- and now Dexter's neighbour has been murdered
... Doubtless I've missed some good 'uns

Miami Metro is one of the most incompetent police departments in TV fiction, and wondering why neither cop is in the least bit suspicious of Dexter (Quinn now thinks Dexter is working with him ffs) is a path to madness. Basically, they don't suspect anything because the writers decided all the above never happened

Vinz Mesrine

I cant stomach this rubbish anymore. It has gotten so bad that a very very average episode like this one is seen as something good. Nothing happened, yet again, i called it last week about Deb strolling back into the Sergeant job.

the_monkey

Quality thread here folks

---

>>>> http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1525

syklops

Anyone notice Dex usually uses A Nikon camera but in this episode he was using an Olympus?

Yeah thats how bored I was.

On the subject of Miami Metro being the worst cop shop in history. Why did no-one think it strange that Deb took Laguerta's death so hard considering they hated each other?

Any one else think Vogel is the Brain Surgeon? She showed up the same week as the Brain Surgeon and she already knew all his victims. I wonder if this will end with her taking out Dexter and Deb taking her out.

Why is Deb leaving a job where she basically gets to do whatever she wants to go back to the Police?

Rosy Posy

syklops wrote: »

Any one else think Vogel is the Brain Surgeon? She showed up the same week as the Brain Surgeon and she already knew all his victims.

She didn't know the victims- they were randoms, afaik. She's definitely more implicated than she's letting on. Too many shifty glances and Chekov's guns dropped into her lines...

syklops

Rosy Posy wrote: »

She didn't know the victims- they were randoms, afaik. She's definitely more implicated than she's letting on. Too many shifty glances and Chekov's guns dropped into her lines...

Goes to show how much notice Ive been taking. Really not feeling it this season.

And at the end of the episode, as a guy, I really would have preferred seeing Hannahs behind, instead of Dexters.

Found it funny when Dexter said "Im thinking about hannah" and you see a sort of montage of images of parts of her, and all the parts are how do I put this, non X-rated. Seriously Dex, your thinking about her tummy but not her breasts?

That's Yvonne Strahovski being a prude. She's mainly employed as eye candy but then she won't put the goods on display which is bang out of order in my opinion.

syklops

Deleted User wrote: »

That's Yvonne Strahovski being a prude. She's mainly employed as eye candy but then she won't put the goods on display which is bang out of order in my opinion.

Yeah (the actress who plays) Jamie doesn't seem to have the same problem. Which is good. Whats the point of hiring eye candy if you don't get to see the goods?

pixelburp

Well you know the show has lost its appeal when all ppl are left with is the prospect of someone getting their tits out. Pretty depressing. But I'm sure the other 50% of the audience weren't so upset by a naked Dex - "fan service" works both ways ya know

El Inho

Sinfonia wrote: »

What does this mean btw??

The way....

Sorry I blame SwiftKey.

I actually thought the access to the passport guy was odd, but of course it makes sense! Add that to Dexter emphasising to Zach, you always need a plan b...

I think we're slowly tipping towards a big finale... There are more possible conclusions that it first appears

Vinz Mesrine

El Inho wrote: »

The way....

Sorry I blame SwiftKey.

I actually thought the access to the passport guy was odd, but of course it makes sense! Add that to Dexter emphasising to Zach, you always need a plan b...

I think we're slowly tipping towards a big finale... There are more possible conclusions that it first appears

I fail to see how we will end with a big finale unfortunately. I think i, and a lot of others, will be terribly disappointed in a few weeks.

El Inho

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

I fail to see how we will end would th a big finale unfortunately. I think i, and a lot of others, will be terribly disappointed in a few weeks.

Guess im holding on in blind hope that the writers are going to pull it out of the bag

Vinz Mesrine

El Inho wrote: »

Guess im holding on in blind hope that the writers are going to pull it out of the bag

I was doing something similar but it gets further and further away with every episode.

Psychedelic

Terrible episode. The show can't be saved now and it will just fizzle out at the finale. Only 4 episodes to go the finale and yet there is fcuk all happening worth caring about. Even if they do try end it with a bang by killing off a load of characters or whatever, it will just be like 'who cares?'.

There was zero tension, urgency or drama in this latest episode, nothing of interest happening during the episode, it's just chugging along with boring conversations between characters, then a pointlessly long love scene and the reveal that Vogel is (or at least connected to) the brain surgeon killer at the end which was hardly a mindblowing revelation, it just felt 'huh, she's the killer'. Dreadful stuff.

Vinz Mesrine

Psychedelic wrote: »

Terrible episode. The show can't be saved now and it will just fizzle out at the finale. Only 4 episodes to go the finale and yet there is fcuk all happening worth caring about. Even if they do try end it with a bang by killing off a load of characters or whatever, it will just be like 'who cares?'.

There was zero tension, urgency or drama in this latest episode, nothing of interest happening during the episode, it's just chugging along with boring conversations between characters, then a pointlessly long love scene and the reveal that Vogel is (or at least connected to) the brain surgeon killer at the end which was hardly a mindblowing revelation, it just felt 'huh, she's the killer'. Dreadful stuff.

I dont think she is the killer, i think she was just sent another piece of brain like she has received before.