(This started out as just a comment on a colleague's review of the final episode of Dexter. That's why there's references to Zoe. Further details at bottom)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Remember the monsters?
Well, yes we do actually, and what a fine array of deliciously dark and distorted devils we were served up across the eight seasons. So surely the last ever episode would be a glorious canvas of carnage, subtly scattered with such poignancy that grown men would weep, women would cry “Noooooooo!” and wave their fists at the gathering storm clouds (providing they were wearing SPF 70) and children would…
Well, to be honest, children would probably have made a better season finale. It was wholly disappointing, to use a bland phrase that's still more imaginative than the writers obviously felt when they put this shambles together, and I actually really enjoyed the rest of the series. (I can't remember if that makes me a cretin or a traitor?)
Yes, the poor handling of the obvious sunshine and resulting pin sharp shadows in what was supposed to be a storm, was so lazily amateurish that even Hammer rolled their eyes. Besides which, it was an insult to the viewers and cast & crew who have done such a brilliant job with the franchise in the past.
Talking of an insult to the cast, or at least to Jennifer Carpenter, I'm right with you on Debs' death too, Zoe. She was so explosive, reckless and abrasive, from her first episode onwards, that she definitely should have been spared going out with not even a whimper, let alone a bang! She may as well have died of the vapours - at least that way she could have over-dramatised it and made up for the lack of drama elsewhere.
And finally ... or is it? Seriously? That tired old plot(ting to make more cash if the opportunity presents itself) device reared its ugly (bearded) head and that last little bit of me that was invested enough in the show and the characters to buck the trend and enjoy this last series, died inside me. But on the upside, it died with more vigour and venom that was afforded to Debra Morgan, so I'm still ahead of the game in that respect.
If you're going to end a franchise like Dexter, don't just let it quietly choke to death on its own inadequacy; take it gently by the hand, lead it into the opening scene of its final episode and then viciously thrust it into the fast lane and cackle maniacally at its bloody demise.
Zoe - if you've felt through the entire series as I felt through the entire last episode, then the ever growing contempt you've spat at it week by week makes so much sense now. As I said earlier, I have preferred it had they Bobby Ewing'd it than given it the clammy, limp-fish handshake goodbye that it got. It felt as if I’d sat down to watch the Dexter I’d grown to love and found that he suddenly sparkled in sunlight and sighed a lot! Though at least in that case, it would have gone some way to explaining that shit storm.
For shame, Dexter showrunners ... you definitely shuffled listlessly across the finish line to piss on our chips!
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In case you wondered...
Who's this Zoe you're talking to? and Why is this only a partial review?
It's Zoe Butler, a fellow writer at The Cult Den, and one half of the creative team behind the OCD Girl comic strip. She's has been reviewing the final season of Dexter, episode by episode, for The Cult Den and she wasn't overly keen, to say the least. I've actually enjoyed it, so we haven't spoken about it really, but last night after I watched the final episode, I went looking to see if Zoe was still online because I knew she would understand my utter disgust at what I'd just watched. Unfortunately, she wasn't around so I had to discuss the finer points of how to properly make a "final ever episode" of something which has run for 8 seasons, with my gerbil, Oswyn. If I'm honest, it was a bit of a one-sided conversation ... but she did make some good points ;-)
Besides, I knew Zoe would put up her review this morning and I was looking forward to it. I finally got around to reading it earlier this evening and when I had, I started to leave a comment on the article. But unusually for me, it ended up going on a bit longer than intended, so that when I posted the comment, it looked like a mini-review and I was fairly sure that's not proper fellow writer etiquette, so I decided to post it on here instead.
Please click the link to read Zoe's review, Dexter - The Finale Fiasco,
(The Cult Den has now closed so the links may not work anymore)
