TV Review: Dexter 8.5, "This Little Piggy"
rating: 2.5
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The happy ending of This Little Piggy left me feeling utterly deflated. I'm happy to be done with the Brain Surgeon arc, but only because it was so devoid of any momentum. Truly none of this story felt like much more than a string of events which facilitated occasionally stimulating discussions, and though I always hold out hope for this show, once the curtain rod came down (heh, I just realized how appropriate of a murder weapon anything to do with curtains actually is) and Vogel literally said, I guess this is it, it's over, it was confirmed what little power the plot ever held. This arc was nothing more than a plot device, a cheap means by which the appearance of high stakes could be displayed so it wouldn't seem so obviously random once the characters' feelings changed from the beginning of an episode to its end. For example, the opening scene of This Little Piggy saw Dexter furious with both Deb and Vogel, but by the end of the episode, via the heroic rescue of Vogel by Team Morgan, he's invited them both out to his watery Fortress of Solitude as one big, happy family. The end result I assume is supposed to have solidified the bond among this trio of psychopaths to contribute to whatever comes next, but it feels hollow because the show's complete lack of nuance has spelled it out for the audience: End of Side A; turn record over, now. And if 'Side B' is to focus on Zack Hamilton as a new antagonist then I'm even less excited. This rushed conclusion to an already shaky plot robbed from it all the potential for development and consequences, such as Deb's struggle to come to terms with her brother's and her own actions, and has effectively hit the tried and not so true patented Dexter re-set button. The only aspect of this episode which I felt held any real tension was when Vogel pulled a Will Graham from the climax of 2002's Red Dragon in which that story's protagonist adopts the role of the villain's former abuser to turn the tables. Charlotte Rampling gave an impressive and genuinely convincing performance, seamlessly transitioning from the tactic of sympathy to abuse and back again to stall Yates long enough for Dex to show up. I appreciate hearing details about Yates' childhood which has informed his depravity and the subsequent shot of him hiding underneath a bed for the last time, but this is an isolated incident in an installment of a story which is meandering far more than the final season of an iconic character should. As enthusiasm escapes me at the moment it's difficult to find words. Masuka's daughter may or may not be a gold-digger. I guess this vaguely contributes to the family theme that's been pushed this season, but it still feels woefully out of place. The investigation into the wealthy Hamilton family feels similarly irrelevant, as does the continued introduction of Dex's new neighbor (whom appears to have far too much personality to survive for long). I'm so bored of the race to being promoted sergeant between Miller and Quinn. And when Matthews practically dangles the promotion in front of Quinn's face based on the condition of backing off the Hamilton's, I wanted to laugh at how profoundly empty the moment was of any intended drama, but I was too listless to do so. Basically everything this season has had going for it, which was admittedly not too much, has been entirely removed or otherwise negated to the point where I don't even know what this season is about anymore other than watching how Dex dies which is as morbidly sad as it sounds.