Deceptive Daddy DEXTER: Season 4 Begins Tonight (Spoiler Alert)
I have seen the first four episodes of Dexter, and will caution you that there are spoilers contained in the preview below.
There is not a father on television more flawed than Dexter Morgan. The fourth season of Showtime’s hit series Dexter kicks off tonight, and there are a few rather large surprises in store for more than just our favorite serial killer.
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) and Rita (Julie Benz) are now a party of five; married and living in a new house with their baby Harrison and her children Astor and Cody. It is safe to say that Dexter has been taken out of his comfort zone, which used to be a dark apartment for one, housing beloved blood samples from his many vigilante kills. Balancing family, work, the dark passenger (his inner voice) and his domineering ghost father Harry (James Remar) proves to be more than Dexter can handle, and the exhaustion that ensues certainly takes its toll.
John Lithgow joins the cast of Dexter this season as the Trinity Killer, Arthur Mitchell. His character makes the Ice Truck Killer (S1) seem benign in comparison. Lithgow is simply brilliant, mesmerizing and creepy as Mitchell, who kills his victims in threes. Although he is primarily known as an Academy Award nominated (The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment) and Emmy winning (3rd Rock from the Sun) actor, Lithgow is no stranger to the villain role. Richochet or Cliffhanger, anyone? Of course there are some who consider his turn as the reverend in Footloose to be villainous, given his ban on dancing and fun in Kevin Bacon’s small town.
Detective Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) faces more turmoil in her personal life, as FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) returns just as she has settled into a normal relationship with Anton (David Ramsey). Her fellow detective, Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington), continues down a slippery slope by making questionable choices both on and off the job. And expect an interesting power struggle this season between Lieutenant Laguerta (Lauren Velez) and detective Angel Batista (David Zayas).
There are two very significant surprises within the first four episodes of Dexter; one is more of an eyebrow-raiser, the other a jaw-dropper. The addition of suburban bliss to Dexter’s already complicated life results in a very compelling and entertaining beginning to the fourth season of this stellar series.
Dexter returns tonight on Showtime at 9pm ET/PT; here is a sneak peek of Episode 401, “Living the Dream.” If you’re not already caught up, visit the Episode Guide for recaps from all previous seasons. You can also follow Dexter on Twitter and become a fan of the series on Facebook.