DEXTER's Last Murder

Article first published as DEXTER's Last Murder on TheTVKing.

It's always sad when a beloved, long-running television series comes to an end. This is the case in Showtime's Dexter, with this week's episode, season eight's twelfth, "Remember the Monsters?," serving as the last episode ever. In it, we see the final chapter of the story of the serial killer with a moral compass. Sadly, the last thing to be killed is fans' hopes for an amazing conclusion.

Dexter is about a psychopath with no emotion. In the final year, the titular character (Michael C. Hall) finds feelings for his family and friends, to his great surprise. It's been a slow build to this triumphant moment, the point where his lack of empathy has been cured and he can actually love and miss and grieve and have compassion. What a fantastic note to go out on!

Except, Dexter doesn't enjoy these things. It may be because he finds his heart just in time to have it broken, as Oliver Saxon (Darri Ingolfsson), the Big Bad of this year, murders Dexter's sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter). Faced with losing her, Dexter rethinks what he wants out of life, and decides the best thing he can do is end it.

Dexter's death is seen coming from a mile away. He begins acting erratically, killing Oliver in police custody, turning off Debra's machines and stealing her from the hospital. He's always been so careful and so sneaky. To act irrationally, out in the open, is a turn for him, and that's why it telegraphs the sad climax.

The fact that nobody notices Dexter's behavior is "Remember the Monsters?"'s first mistake. I don't expect Quinn (Desmond Harrington), who has just lost the woman he loves, or Angel (David Zayas), rationalizing the behavior of a friend in pain, to pick up on Dexter's coldness in the video of him slaying Saxon, barely putting up a tiny bit of effort to make it seem like self defense. But surely someone notices his actions of killing Debra, stealing the body, and sailing out to sea in the middle of a hurricane.

Mistake number two comes when Dexter undoes the sacrifice. As much as I hate to see Dexter commit suicide after dumping his sister's body, deciding that Harrison (Jadon Wells) and Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) are better off without him, there is a way to understand Dexter's twisted reasoning. It doesn't quite gel with what the show has been building towards, but people do weird things when they're upset, and while this installment doesn't really spend much time on Dexter blaming himself for Deb's death, it is mentioned.

Then we get a glimpse of him working as a lumberjack. There is no explanation as to how Dexter escaped his wrecked boat in the middle of the storm, nor do we find out anything about his new life, such as if his dark passenger and Harry (James Remar) have returned and he has gone back to killing. A look in his eye says that might very well be the case, but it's left ambiguous.

What is the point of that final scene? To let viewers know that Dexter is alive? If so, why doesn't he show remorse for abandoning his son? Or something that proves he has stopped caring? Are we expected to believe all of the emotional stuff earlier in the hour was an act? It really doesn't make sense.

Not to mention, there is no closure for Quinn, whom is told by Deb she loves him just before she dies, no wrap up of the Masuka (C.S. Lee) and his daughter (Dora Madison Burge) arc, no revelation about Dexter's secret life by Miami Metro, not even of a glimpse of how Harrison might take the news when Hannah breaks it to him. There's just no ending to speak of for most of the show's players.

Now, there are a couple of wonderful bits in the finale. I love Dexter beating his instincts at the end of the penultimate episode, and how that carries into the last one. I love the flashbacks of Dexter and Deb shortly after Harrison's birth. I love seeing Hannah outwit Elway (Sean Patrick Flanery) and escape. I love that both Eric Ladin (The Killing) and Amy Pietz (Caroline in the City) guest star. I love seeing Matthews (Geoff Pierson) not act like a total jerk.

But those things aren't enough to make up for a terrible handling of the main character. I totally agree that a show runner has the right to end their series the way they'd like to, without worrying what fans will think. On the other hand, I do think it should be fitting for what has come before it, and "Remember the Monsters?" is not. In the end, Dexter's finale is one of the worst series finales in recent memory. If that's not sad enough to make a serial killer cry, I don't know what is.

"What I Know" about The Killing

AMC's The Killing faced a tough road in season two. Shedding impatient fans who are used to getting clear answers at the end of an hour, or at least at the end of the season, American audiences by and large just aren't ready for a series as complex and drawn out as The Killing. But even those who tuned out halfway through probably want to know how it ends. So with that in mind, "What I Know," the 26th and final installment in the Who Killed Rosie Larson? saga, brings it all together.

SPOILER ALERT! Aunt Terry (Jamie Anne Allman) is the killer. She didn't hurt Rosie (Katie Findlay) on purpose, mind you. Yes, she knows there is a body in the trunk, but has no idea that it is her own niece, as Terry lets the car drive into the lake. Instead, she sees an opportunity to be with the man she loves, Michael Ames (Barclay Hope), and takes it. Of course, her plan doesn't work, and Ames breaks it off with her completely.

What goes through Terry's mind these past three and a half weeks, as the police desperately search for Rosie's murderer, and Terry realizes that she is their target? Being as this knowledge comes so late in the series, one suddenly wants to rewatch both seasons and see how Terry plays it from the beginning. Assumedly, the actress isn't even aware that her character is the guilty party while filming those episodes. But still, there is an urge to further explore the character's pain and journey.

The truth is, Terry is only a part of the solution. Besides Ames, who technically didn't do anything other than not report the crime, and may or may not go down for it, there is another person driving the killing. Jamie Wright (Eric Ladin) is the one who attacks Rosie and stuffs her in the trunk in the first place. But Jamie is shot dead by Holder (Joel Kinnaman) during a confrontation with the police, and so he escapes further penalty.

Linden (Mireille Enos) isn't satisfied with this ending. This seems to speak more to her mental state than to any actual evidence. At no point during the investigation, no matter how well things are going, does Linden display a healthy attitude. Viewers know that she has a history of mental problems, and is obsessive about her work. Linden could bring down every criminal in her city and not be happy. It's not really a surprise that she ends "What I Know" uneasily.

Though she will never know how right she is, Linden is sure there is a deeper conspiracy present. Jamie and Ames collude with Chief Jackson (Claudia Ferri) on a shady business deal. Should The Killing see a third season, an unlikely prospect, this will probably come out, and the guilty parties will be stopped. But for now, Richmond (Billy Campbell) proves himself a politician, living up to Jamie's worst views of the office, and continues an arrangement with the skeezy Jackson.

The main point of The Killing's two seasons is finding the person that killed Rosie Larson and bringing them to justice. That is done. Even with a handful of avenues left unexplored, "What I Know" still feels like an ending. After all, in reality, events and people are connected in many ways. The Killing could go on for twenty seasons and still find directions to take things based on everything that has come before it. Life doesn't sort itself out neatly, and crimes aren't easily defined in cases that can be quickly solved. The Killing deserves a ton of praise for its realism, and presenting what feels like a pretty complete story, but not a complete life, in two seasons. It may be depressing as hell, but it sure is authentic!

There is a happy ending portion of "What I Know." Though it feels a little false, coming so soon on the heels of the revelation about Terry, the other Larsons enjoy a family viewing of Rosie's film project. Mitch (Michelle Forbes), Stan (Brent Sexton), and their boys have been through a lot this month. But seeing them happily remembering their lost daughter and sister, gathered together, having persevered through the ordeal, is heartwarming and tear inducing. It is an absolutely wonderful note for them.

Other great scenes, happy and depressing, include Rosie's flashbacks and film footage, Mayor Adams (Tom Butler) passing the torch to Richmond, Stan looking with regret at Belko's locker, and Richmond literally shutting Gwen (Kristin Lehman) out. "What I Know" is a nearly pitch perfect hour that does a fine job wrapping up the various threads, without creating an artificially final finale, as most shows would do, where none is needed.

I would very much like The Killing to continue, tackling the conspiracy, Stan fighting the assault charges, and Linden struggling to get her son back. But if it doesn't, I am extremely grateful that the experiment was allowed to play out, despite the irrational hate and backlash the second season faced. It is a fantastic, unique series that will not be soon forgotten. Awesome job, AMC, Veena Sud, the cast, crew, and everyone else involved! Thank you!

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The Killing returns with more mystery

AMC's The Killing returned this past Sunday with two new episodes, "Reflections" and "My Lucky Day." Linden (Mireille Enos) decides to stay in Seattle permanently. Suspicious of Holder (Joel Kinnaman) because of the faked photo, she is soon also betrayed by Lieutenant Oakes (Garry Chalk). So she takes matters into her own hands, and is able to clear Councilman Richmond (Billy Campbell) of any wrong doing. Meanwhile, Holder realizes he has been tricked, but can't get Linden to talk to him, let alone work with him.

Holder and Linden's relationship as partners is such a strong component of season one of The Killing, and they go through so much growth, that it is odd to have them at odds in "Relections" and "My Lucky Day." They are both still investigating Rosie Larsen's (Katie Findlay) murder, but from different angles. While Linden and Holder are quite capable on their own, with all these layers of mystery above them, they need to team up. It's going to take more than one person to blow the lid off of this conspiracy.

Holder is not a bad guy. He cuts corners, and gets a promotion for it. But his part in framing Richmond is not a purposeful action. Holder believes Richmond is guilty at the time. This is not an excuse, of course. He still does something wrong, and it's no wonder that Linden doesn't trust him. But he's not involved in the larger plot, as Linden thinks he is. As soon as she realizes that, the sooner they can get back to working together, and the quicker the case will be solved. But scaring her and busting her door, as he does in "My Lucky Day," is a bad idea, no matter how desperate he is to get Linden back on his side.

But will Holder and Linden, when they inevitably team up again, work within the system, or outside of it? Oakes has been replaced by a new boss (Mark Moses, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men) in "My Lucky Day," who may be even more in the pocket of the bad guys. After all, no shady group would let a key player get knocked out by an honest man. Instead, they likely ask Oakes to step down. Which means, while having access to evidence and witnesses is nice, the two lead detectives may just have to go outside of their jobs to find the truth.

What is The Killing's conspiracy about? How is Rosie Larsen involved? These are questions that still need to be answered. Rosie worked for Richmond, and Richmond is a target of the schemers. But why is Richmond a target? Why do these people hate him so much that they frame him for the murder of a young girl? And is Rosie just a random victim, or someone of importance?

At least Richmond can be knocked off the very full suspect tree. He has an alibi: he was trying to kill himself at the time of Rosie's death. This stems from his grief over his wife, the only major back story that has been revealed about Richmond. Which means that the conspirators' hatred of Richmond could somehow be connected to his romantic history. Too bad he's done cooperating with Linden, making the heart of the matter all the more difficult for her to find.

Richmond spends much of The Killing's premiere recovering in the hospital from a gun shot wound. He is now paralyzed. One has to wonder how this injury and near-death experience will change Richmond. He no longer seems to want to die, and he hasn't said anything about giving up his election. Will he return to work reinvigorated, or is something else going on in his head?

Part of the brilliance of The Killing is that it does not shy away from inner turmoil, nor does it spell everything out for the viewer. Much of Richmond's motivation is murky, at best. Gwen (Kristin Lehman) and Jamie (Eric Ladin) spend much of "Reflections" and "My Luck Day" upset, not doing anything much. It makes their actions, when they do act, more meaningful, and allows fans to try to figure out what is going on in their heads, adding another layer of mystery to this unique crime drama. This makes the structure of The Killing very cool.

Richmond is shot by Belko (Brendan Sexton III) in "Reflections," whose reason for doing so is obvious: he thinks Richmond killed Rosie. Belko then takes his own life while in custody. Belko is a tragic character, to be sure, but he is never a central focus of The Killing. Which means, like Rosie, the impact of his death on the people who love him will be more important to the story than the event itself.

Stan (Brent Sexton) is the one most upset by Belko's passing in "My Lucky Day." Stan has lost his daughter. His wife, Mitch (Michelle Forbes), has gone off by herself. And he is still responsible for raising two boys (Seth Isaac Johnson and Evan Bird), who really need him right now. Between Belko's suicide and Rosie's real killer dropping off her backpack on Stan's stoop, Stan is having a very rough couple of days. He can barely keep himself under control, let alone calm his sons. Sexton is knocking this performance out of the park, with these two hours giving the actor the most meaty material he's had yet.

Which leaves Terry (Jamie Anne Allman), Mitch's sister. She is being a good aunt, staying with Stan to help him take care of her nephews. However, Terry also has a hidden agenda. Why is she really there? Not just out of a desire to help, surely. Every scene she has with Stan is awkward, making things even more intriguing. What is going on?


The Killing has lost none of its suspense or draw. Disappointingly, ratings are down, but hopefully fans will return and get over their silly anger at Rosie's killer not being revealed last season. The show is every bit as good a series as it ever was.

Watch The Killing, Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to buy The Killing streaming episodes and DVDs. Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Reflections; My Lucky Day" on Blogcritics.

The Killing lives up to AMC's reputation

     It's not often that a network can make several hit series in a row. Most new shows do not last into a second season. Yet, perhaps because they take their time, and only add series sparingly, AMC has yet to have a miss. First there was Mad Men, which was followed up by Breaking Bad. Last fall, The Walking Dead set the bar even higher, but this past Sunday The Killing did not disappoint. Four very different shows, but each amazing in their own right, and each very deserving of much viewer attention. I think they all could make a Top 10 list of best TV shows currently on the air. What will AMC think up next?

     Of course, AMC can't claim all the credit for the concept. The show is based on the Danish series Forbrydelsen, translated as The Crime, though billed as The Killing when aired in English-speaking countries. Forbrydelsen's first series, which follows roughly the same plot as AMC's new version, spent twenty episodes on this initial case, as opposed to AMC's thirteen ordered installments. A second series, only ten hours this time, has been made with a different cast, and a third is in the works. It is assumed that AMC will end the first case by episode thirteen, though it's unknown if they will change the cast for a follow up second series, which already looks like a likely possibility.

     Unlike traditional procedurals, which only have an hour to present all the facts, the structure of The Killing allows a deeper exploration of all facets involved. Over thirteen hours, there is much more character development, for the detectives as well as the suspects. With such a large playing field, no one potential killer stands out in the beginning, as possibilities will be slowly toyed with. If it is done wrong, it can get awfully boring. AMC seems to be doing it right, though, like a great novel, albeit a pretty long novel. The richness of each element, especially the characters and setting, can be celebrated and taken their time with. I highly approve of the conceit.

     Tone wise, AMC's The Killing is reminiscent of The Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo, a slow moving, but very gripping, Swedish movie and book series. The writers, actors, and director all manage to make a gradual mystery unfold in a way that keeps interest throughout. Intensity can be achieved, even if action is lacking. In the first two hours alone, I was easily hooked. Not an easy thing to do, but AMC has done it again.

     The Killing begins a bit slowly, though not dull, as Detective Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos, Big Love) begins her final day on the force in Seattle before moving to California with her fiance (Callum Keith Rennie, Battlestar Galactica). It happens to be a Monday, which seems an odd day to be a last day, but whatever. Her replacement, Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), arrives early and begins to move into her office. A bloody sweater and a credit card are found in a field, and Linden and Holder are sent to investigate. Little do they know that these are just the first clues in the murder of a teenage girl, and Linden will not be getting on that plane to leave the city at the end of the night.

     Enos is amazing! I didn't realize she had it in her with her understated double role on the HBO series, but she can carry a show! She stares pensively just as well as January Jones, and her very pale skin fits perfectly with the weather and scenery. Enos conveys much without speaking, and definitely is a screen presence. Kinnaman's Holder is the perfect second banana, being so different from her, and yet more intelligent than he initially lets on. His finding the cage in the basement of the high school proves his worth, which was in question until then. I think their partnership will certainly end up being a valuable tool to solve the case.

     I think it is fairly apparent that Holder may also be a love interest for Linden. While her relationship appears relatively solid in the opening moments of the pilot, she puts her job before her fiance, surely an upcoming source of conflict. He forgives her the one day delay easily enough, but this season will go on for thirteen episodes, all of them centered around Rosie's killing. As Linden is the main character trying to solve the murder, her delay will be stretched out, and I assume, so will her guy's patience. But Holder is already fond of her, and he seems to enjoy their clashing. Plus, Holder gets along very well with her son, Jack (Liam James), more so than the other guy.

     Regardless, as to whether the series decides to go there with its leading crime solvers or not, there is certainly wonderful chemistry to be played with and tweaked. Will Holder keep getting in the way, or will they slowly learn to work together? I think mostly the latter, but with a healthy does of the former mixed in for good measure. I can only hope Rennie's character will later show up back in Seattle to mix things up between the partners.

     Meanwhile, Mitch (Michelle Forbes, True Blood, In Treatment) and Stan (Brent Sexton, Justified, Life), whom the credit card belongs to, are starting to feel that something might be up with their daughter, Rosie. They last saw her on Friday, when they left to go camping, and Rosie was supposed to spend the weekend with her friend, Sterling (Kacey Rohl). Yet, the school reports that Rosie did not attend classes today. Stan asks Sterling where his daughter is, but a search of Rosie's secret boyfriend Jasper's (Richard Harmon) only turns up that he's sleeping with a much older woman. No one knows where Rosie is. The the detectives arrive and start asking questions.

     Both parents are familiar faces in the television landscape. While I only mention two of Forbes's credits above, she has at least half dozen more worth keeping in mind. But this is a departure for her. I've never seen her play the grief stricken mother before, and she does it as beautifully as any other part. She makes the part realistic, yet unpredictable. Sexton might not be quite as well known, but he's 'that guy from that show'. Surprisingly, he is a wonderful foil for Forbes, playing things in quite a different way, while still very believable. It's their togetherness, though, that solidifies the performances.

     Seemingly unrelated, Councilman Darren Richmond (Billy Campbell, Once and Again) a widower who doesn't talk about it, prepares to announce a major endorsement in his run for mayor against the incumbent. But it seems he has a leak within his camp, and it is most likely one of his two most trusted advisers, Jamie (Eric Ladin, Mad Men) and Gwen (Kristin Lehman, Drive, Judging Amy), the latter of whom he is also sleeping with. Then Rosie's body is found in a car that belongs to Richmond's campaign, and though the car was reported stolen Saturday morning, Darren just hopes the endorsement is a done deal before the endorser finds out his secret.

     I can't quite figure out Richmond. One moment he's compassionate, the next he's worrying how events will affect his poll numbers. I think he is purposely being kept shady until he can be ruled out as a suspect, or revealed as the murderer, though my gut tells me he's not it. Which may be precisely why I should suspect him, considering how well this show is written. I do think his staff will be revealed to have some part in something secret, whether it relates to the murder or not, and thus is born a satisfying B-plot.

    The Killing continues on AMC Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET.

Article first published as TV Review: The Killing - "Pilot; The Cage" on Blogcritics.

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