Episode: Dexter 5.09 – “Teenage Wasteland”
Original Air Date: November 21, 2010
Screencaps by rawr_caps.
So the scary break-in preview turned out to be a drunk Astor? Oh, what a let down. One of the best things about Rita dying was that they shipped Astor off to Orlando. I really thought we were done with her teenage melodrama. Sigh. She’s so bitter and hateful and difficult, I feel like she just jams up every episode she’s on screen a significant amount of time.
Deb and Quinn — ooooh! Why is Deb so emotionally stunted? I swooned when Quinn told her that he loved her, and she just got mad. It was really cute to see her admit she loves him too. It looks like Deb’s loyalty to Dexter will reign for now. Sigh. I just want some nice Deb romance.
I’m so mad about Deb being used as the scapegoat for the nightclub incident. It was somewhat comforting to know that Angel had her back. I love how great of a detective Deb is, but not when she’s really close to what her brother is doing. She had to go and figure out that Boyd and Chase are connected? That stressed me out.
Dexter spending the time with Jordan Chase is interesting, kinda. Chase himself is such a phony. I love how he’s so successful and has this huge self-help empire all based on this incredible amount of BS. He’s full of it, but I guess he’s not dumb. He sure realized pretty fast that Dexter had messed with his blood vial necklace.
Astor and her friend go missing and Dex is quick to assume the worst. Of course we find out Astor’s friend’s mom’s live-in boyfriend is the guy in the van, and the girls were at the mall shoplifting. Another false alarm/stupid explanation for something that seems scary. But then… another plot twist. He really is a bad guy after all!
Olivia’s step-dad guy is such an awful creepster. I am so glad Dexter is getting some justice with this guy. He should kill him though. This is what I mean about the content of this season being really heavy. Trinity was creepy and abusive towards his kids, yes. But this season centers around so much sexual abuse. Poor Olivia. Poor Barrel Girls. So much rape this season, it’s really a lot to stomach.
Why is LaGuerta being so crappy to Deb? Why does she have it out for her? I love the confrontation that finally happened. And why is she doing all this to protect Batista? What did he do wrong? I’m confused. Quinn was really suspended? Whoa! I feel so out of the loop. Is this a lot of information all at once, or have I not been paying close enough attention? I love Deb and Quinn together, but I’m so worried that his mistrust of Dexter will break them up. Just leave Dexter alone and let him kill bad guys, please! At least he’s getting rid of his detective friend, whew. A step in the right direction. I just want that guy to walk away and leave Quinn alone, and drop following Dexter around. Please!
Were you surprised at Harry’s reaction to Dexter protecting Astor? I was. It seems like Harry is always telling Dex to ditch the family, go it alone, etc. Then every once and a while Harry reaffirms that Dexter is a great guy, Dad, partner, whatever. It almost seems out of character when Harry is supportive. Then I remind myself that it’s all in Dexter’s head and he hears what he wants to hear.
Lots of L-bombs this week. First Quinn and now Dexter is telling Astor he loves her? Whoa. I guess that’s sweet. But seriously, I’m annoyed at how the whole Astor thing slowed down the good plot — Dexter getting ready for the kill.
Maybe Dexter will love Lumen? I want him to, I’ve decided. I love how candid he is with Lumen, like when he made the joke about killing the neighbor’s dog when he was Astor’s age. I love that kind of realness.
Finally, the part where Chase talks to Lumen on the phone! Oh. Emm. Gee. How horrific and scary was that? He knows she’s there. And poor Lumen had to hear his voice and hear him say, “tick, tick, tick” again. Oh, poor Lumen. I really need her and Dex to hurry up and kill all the bad guys. This is too scary!
The preview for next week looks so good. But didn’t I say that last week? Sigh. I feel like every episode we’re getting is a mixed bag of highs and boring lulls. I really am craving a fast-paced all-action episode soon!
This week I give 3 out of 5 stars, again. Astor annoys me too much to really enjoy myself, but I guess the development that happened for the overall plot was good and needed. It had better pick up next week!
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
About the Author
Growing up, Rose Duggan had no idea she was a geek. She thought her childhood of space camp, anime, Tolkien, and sci-fi was totally normal. The blame should probably lean towards her parents: a couple of original Trekkies who own a small collectibles business. Technically Rose is a housewife, married to a U.S. Marine and living on base in Hawaii. Aloha! Besides her awesome cooking and cleaning skills, Rose is an Registered Nurse (licensed, but without a job at the moment), owner of a successful tie dye business, tie dye by happyhippierose, and dabbles in modeling, writing, painting, and crafting. Rose loves surfing, running with her adorable pooch, as well as dancing in her car to European electropop. She watches genre dramas like Flash Forward, big budget shows like Dexter, Weeds, and Mad Men, '90s anime, comedies, and gory movies; she'll try anything, but her discerning humour makes keeping her interested tough. On the sly she pens racy Harry Potter fanfic; on the not-so-sly she blogs about crafting, church events and crock pot recipes. To see the wackniness for yourself check out: happyhippierose.
Easily the best show on TV today.