'Dexter' Season 8, Episode 9 Review and Recap - 'Make Your Own Kind of Music'
The problem with the final season of Dexter is that most of the plot developments have felt contrived and insulting to viewer's intelligence. This is very evident in 'Make Your Own Kind Of Music,' which had me uttering multiple groans.
The most disappointing part of the episode is the brain surgeon story line that yes, is still happening. At the end of last week's episode, Dexter found Zack Hamilton with half his brain carved out, which meant our killer was still on the loose.
This week, Vogel revealed she had two sons, one of whom was a psychopath who killed his little brother. Charlotte Rampling has done some great work as Vogel, but this week our resident psychopath expert acted just plain idiotic.
We learned that Vogel's psychopathic son Daniel was put into a mental hospital when he was 14, where he died in a fire. The body was burnt to a crisp and Vogel and her husband somehow never thought that this wasn't Daniel, who just happens to be Oliver. Who's Oliver, you say? Why it's the late Cassie's boyfriend, because of course he is. Two people I couldn't care less about!
The revelation that Oliver is Vogel's son was too predictable and convenient. It's a cop out. The guy has been a minor presence since he was introduced a couple episodes back, and the reveal just feels like the Dexter writers aren't even trying anymore.
Of course, Dexter wanted to eliminate Oliver as soon as he found out, but he made the mistake of informing Vogel of her son's existence. The one positive thing about this plot development is that Oliver seems to be a match for Dexter. He knew Dexter was watching him the entire time he was in the diner and let him know it by slashing his tires.
In an obvious conclusion, Vogel has decided to take her long lost son in and may not be on Dexter's side anymore.
Another meandering and predictable plot was the federal marshal's pursuit of Hannah. Dexter and Hannah go to her friend's Arlene to get a million bucks and he shows up at the exact same time. Harrison's drawing pictures of Hannah and the federal marshal just happens to inspect. It's all very tedious, but the worst part about this entire story line is that Hannah is now staying with Deb.
Remember how Deb was the one who got Elway to start this whole "catch Hannah Mckay and lock her up" fiasco, like two episodes ago? Well now they're eating home cooked meals together. Meals cooked by Hannah, who poisons people on the reg. Smart thinking, Debra Morgan.
Dexter is also set on running away with Hannah and bringing Harrison along. Will Dexter live out his days happily ever after in Argentina with his son and a wanted fugitive? With the way this season is going, who knows. Dexter always seems to succeed and get his happy ending. I just hope that the final three episodes will provide some decent closure to the series, but I'm not crossing my fingers.
Blood spatters
- The one person who I'm currently rooting for on this show is Elway. He's tired of everyone's bulls--t, and so am I.
- As usual, Harry is an extremely annoying presence.
- Also as usual, Dexter's unneeded voiceovers come out to state the obvious. "Daniel Vogel is Oliver Saxon," he says, immediately after we already see this confirmed on his computer.
- Was it just me or was that aged facial enhancement technique incredibly creepy?
- Battista puts Deb back on homicide, and Quinn kisses Deb. Let's all let out a collective groan.
- "I can give you money." "Half a million dollars?" "Well, no."
- "Serial killers convention?" -- Deb can still pull off some zingers.
- "We're going to make a life together." Ok, Hannah is an attractive woman but will the show ever truly explain Dexter's infatuation with her?
- "You're not the perfect psychopath I thought you were." Is this a compliment?
Take a look at what's in store for the last three episodes of the series.