Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

(Jan 6, 2022 01:34 AM)Leigha Wrote: [ -> ]Either scenario has potential for a riveting new season but I can’t see Harrison carrying the entire show. The thing about Harrison - he hurts people for different reasons, his dark passenger’s agenda seems different than Dexter’s. I see Harrison as more vengeful and psychotic, while Dexter is keen on vigilante justice. He’s more controlled and doesn’t just snap like Harrison did during the wrestling match, for instance.

Back in the original series, I can't remember Dexter's specific flashbacks of his childhood and his teenage demeanor. But it seems like he was doing stuff -- torturing and killing animals as a minimum -- that would have put him on a bad course in terms of vicious impulses. Until the Code Of Harry directed his impulses "constructively".

But that said, Harry Morgan never considered Dexter to be as messed-up and uncontrollable as Brian Moser (Dexter's older brother of the first season). That's why he never even tried to adopt the latter. 

If "New Blood" was to continue minus Dexter, the show would probably have to jump in time again to where Harrison is older, via a different actor. Too much of that, already, though.

OTOH... the future of the series could revolve around Angela Bishop mentoring young Harrison, similar to what Harry Morgan's role was with Dexter. Which would require that "twist" of Bishop not being as horrified by this stuff as we assume. Seems too lightweight a premise, though, as well as "Already seen that -- redundant."

Harry Morgan also committed suicide upon seeing Dexter's first kill under the Code (i.e., finally apprehending what the "vigilante monster" he had created truly meant). Hard to imagine Bishop not having a similar reaction to Harrison's first romp (or 2nd kill, counting Dexter).

Quote:Dexter going to prison and successfully escaping might be interesting. So many possibilities.

It would keep Dexter around, which is what viewers clamoring for another season surely want. But imprisonment -- even via the act of Dexter voluntarily turning himself in for his son's sake -- doesn't really fit the "stunning, shocking, surprising, unexpected" ending that Clyde Phillips promised. Unless he himself is easily thunderstruck by the mundane or routinely expected forecasts.

Another early -- and (nowadays) common -- gimmick that crossed my mind was that Harrison could be a Trojan Horse. Not really Dexter's son at all -- but the offspring of someone that Dexter killed in the past. Now wanting revenge -- or being recruited and trained by another person with a grudge, to exact retribution. (In the neighborhood of, but only glancingly similar to, the conclusion of Boardwalk Empire.)

But the idea was just too far-fetched, what with having to fake Harrison's school records in Argentina (or wherever) and other items concerning his identity, and knowing some of the real Harrison's memories. It was when Harrison had flashbacks of his mother's death that it fully went out the window that he could be an imposter.

Harrison as an imposter would have been a stunning shocker! And believable if the other pieces fit but as you’ve mentioned...not likely because of where they’ve taken the plot between Harrison and Dexter.

The only thing that would be shocking but sad, is if Dexter kills his son because he’s afraid Harrison will reveal their dark secrets. Like not without provocation - or maybe the two get into a physical fight and Dexter accidentally kills Harrison. Either way, Dexter seems to love his son so killing him would be shocking.

Angela doesn’t trust Dexter already though and doesn’t even know the half of it. But she isn’t as important of a character to the future of the show as Dexter. I likely wouldn’t watch a spin off starring an older Harrison with Angela in the background. The cast (imo) is only as interesting as they are because of Dexter. So, perhaps he kills Harrison and leaves town ...and he once again, changes his name etc and Angela’s mission in life becomes tracking him down.

The odd thing about Angela and Dexter in the past two/three episodes is that their chemistry has all but disappeared. And Dexter doesn’t seem to notice. I realize he’s been busy lol but still. They were seemingly in love (well, she seemed to be) and now, she senses that Dexter is likely a serial killer, so she shows zero affection to Dexter. Again, I get it - the stunning realization that you’re dating a serial killer would turn off any rational person, but Dexter doesn’t seem to notice at all. I’m thinking this is just poor writing but it bugs me because he is pretty astute, and normally notices everything going on around him.

That said, I’m thinking Dexter is going to murder his own son (which would be shocking) and that will turn the audience against him. It’s odd that he’s not portrayed as a villain, yet he’s a serial killer. Killing Harrison would shift the audience’s perspective of that and I could see that plot having enough momentum to push into another season.

It better be shocking and not just hype, that’s all I gotta say!

(Jan 7, 2022 03:57 AM)Leigha Wrote: [ -> ][...] That said, I’m thinking Dexter is going to murder his own son (which would be shocking) and that will turn the audience against him. It’s odd that he’s not portrayed as a villain, yet he’s a serial killer. Killing Harrison would shift the audience’s perspective of that and I could see that plot having enough momentum to push into another season.

It better be shocking and not just hype, that’s all I gotta say!

If this is more than a miniseries, then I agree. That's what would fit the bill and still keep Dexter alive and around for more, without turning another season into a lame duck.

No no noooo

Of course, Harrison did the right thing but ...

I wonder where it will lead from here, but it could finish entirely at this place, and be complete. I’d be fine with this ending. There were a few plot holes but overall, it was a great season.

I was half hoping they’d run off (escape) together, father and son, and eventually Dexter would be caught and brought to justice. But, perhaps Harrison will take Dexter’s spot and become the new vigilante? Hmm!

(Jan 10, 2022 01:04 AM)Leigha Wrote: [ -> ]No no noooo

Of course, Harrison did the right thing but ...

I wonder where it will head from here, but it could end at this place and be complete. There were a few plot holes but it was a great season.

I was half hoping they’d run off together, father and son, and eventually Dexter would be caught and brought to justice. But, perhaps Harrison will take Dexter’s spot and become the new vigilante? Hmm!

I didn't expect Harrison to kill him that way; but with the place burned down, there wasn't much choice. Plus, once they decided Harrison would reject his Dad's craft, the dismemberment ritual couldn't happen, anyway. Even if the proper enclosure, materials, and equipment were available.

Clearly, they never planned on another season. (Perhaps because Michael C. Hall wanted to finally be done playing the character.)

Can't rule out some show-maker concocting a sequel years from now, though, with a grown-up version of Harrison. Kind of inevitable. Either that or a remake slash reboot of the original.

Enough outcry and interest from viewers, or good network ratings, could spur "New Blood" to continue. But it's difficult to imagine the momentum being there when what's left is Harrison setting up shop in Los Angeles or another "warm city". It was this different, perverse Norman Rockwell setting that spurred audience enthusiasm. (Despite the astounding anomaly of Kurt Caldwell, Dexter was correct that the father/son team wouldn't have had a decent supply of serial killers in Iron Lake).

Good points - it most likely had to turn out this way. But if they create a new series inspired by this one, it won’t be the same.

I think Hall did a brilliant job playing a psychopath pretending to be “normal,” as I've read that psychopaths often mirror those around them, with no organic emotions of their own. They parrot their coworkers and acquaintances (they don't have any real friends), and try to fit in as best they can, but it tends to come across contrived. Like Dexter often did when he'd bring donuts for his coworkers when he lived in Miami lol (to seem like a nice guy) or said ''you bet'' a little too often to keep the choir boy facade going. In this episode, the mask has all but completely slipped, and he wanted to 'be' the dark passenger, and like Harrison said...it seemed like he liked it.

What would you rate this season, on a scale from 1-10? I'd give it an 8.5. Probably would have given it a 9, if they didn't try to shock us with Kurt's bunker of horrors. I cringed when they felt the need to show that bunker AGAIN when Angela went to investigate.

(Jan 10, 2022 03:54 AM)Leigha Wrote: [ -> ]Good points - it most likely had to turn out this way. But if they create a new series inspired by this one, it won’t be the same.

I think Hall did a brilliant job pretending to be 'normal' as I've read that psychopaths often mirror those around them, with no organic emotions of their own. They parrot their coworkers and acquaintances (they don't have any real friends), and try to fit in as best they can, but it tends to come across contrived. Like Dexter often did when he'd bring donuts for his coworkers when he lived in Miami (to seem like a nice guy) or said ''you bet'' a little too often to keep the choir boy facade going. In this episode, the mask has all but completely slipped, and he wanted to 'be' the dark passenger it seemed, and like Harrison said...it seemed like he liked it.

Strangely, these studios seem to think it's necessary to extra-emphasize or remind us why a murderous anti-hero deserves his/her fate in the finale -- as if what the latter had done over the long haul wasn't already enough. And they're probably right -- some of the audience was rooting for Tony Soprano back in the day. 

Speaking of "The Sopranos"... To finally see what all the fuss was about, we only recently started watching big-rated "Yellowstone", now that the 4th season concluded. (To slow binge all four without having to wait a year in-between each season.)

Having avoided information about it all this time, I didn't realize that "Yellowstone" was an inverted version of "Bonanza" or the "The Big Valley". The rich rancher family are the bad guys.

By S1-Ep4 I was still holding out some slim hope that John Dutton didn't know what Rip Wheeler was doing, but that went out the window when the red-haired guy that got fired went over the cliff they called the "railroad station", because "he knew too much".

Quote:What would you rate this season, on a scale from 1-10? I'd give it an 8.5. Probably would have given it a 9, if they didn't try to shock us with Kurt's bunker of horrors. 

Around the same, since like several others I was (guiltily) wishing it was more than a one-shot miniseries.

Went back and edited some of my original post, but agree lol I ​was surprised in a good way, that Dexter ended as it did, without coming across like a Hallmark Christmas movie.

I haven't yet started watching Yellowstone...it has received rave reviews so far, but I just haven't had the interest. I may take a break from series after Ozark is finished. That's another good one, and their show finale is coming up this month. Although, like most story-lines, it starts to lose its way after a time. Only so many ways you can launder money and cover up murders. Only Dexter could get away with that.

(Jan 10, 2022 05:17 AM)Leigha Wrote: [ -> ][...] I haven't yet started watching Yellowstone...it has received rave reviews so far, but I just haven't had the interest. I may take a break from series after Ozark is finished. That's another good one, and their show finale is coming up this month. Although, like most story-lines, it starts to lose its way after a time. Only so many ways you can launder money and cover up murders. Only Dexter could get away with that.

 
"Ozark" was yet one more we intended to (slow) binge watch after it concludes. If you ever do see "Yellowstone"... Don't worry, the early incident I referenced is insignificant. And I'm surely the only person on the planet who was sheltered enough from every conversation and review to not know ahead of time that it was like some cowboy concoction of "The Sopranos", "Bonanza", and "Dallas". (Have to throw "Longmire" in there too, due to the indigenous peoples reservation and the location being the state above Wyoming.)