TV Review: Dexter 4.01 – “Living The Dream”

Episode: Dexter 4.01 – “Living The Dream”
Original Air Date: September 27, 2009

Everyone’s favorite serial killer is back. But not everything is murder as usual. In the very beginning of the episode, the two big spoilers that were outed via the Dexter panels at Comic-Con are revealed.

The first is that this year’s addition to the cast, John Lithgow, is so far the big bad (excuse my Buffyism) of the season. We see him (and his naked butt) murder a woman in a bathtub.

The second secret is the name of Dexter’s baby, Harrison. We watch Dexter experiencing one of the joys of being a parent to a few-months-old baby — sleep deprivation. Plus, he’s now moved into a house with Rita. Add in his step-kids Astor (who’s beginning that annoying teenage stage) and Cody, and it’s not really the peaceful life he once knew.

After being up all night with the baby, Dexter ends up screwing up in court the next morning. Detective Quinn has a hissy fit at him later in the day because Dexter’s screw-up caused the killer Benito Gomez to walk. While Dexter is a bit bothered, it does put the now-free killer in Dexter’s sights for his next kill.

Dexter’s sister Debra is happily still dating and now living with Anton, one of last season’s Skinner victims. She’s also still researching her dad’s old CIs, determined to find the one he was cheating on her mom with. The possibility of her finding Laura Moser and putting the pieces together that not only is she Dexter’s mother but also her ex-fiancé/Ice Truck Killer’s mother is going to be a fun ride for this season.

While at the scene of the bathtub murder from the beginning of the episode, FBI special agent Lundy shows up — the same Lundy who was chasing the Bay Harbor Butcher and dating Deb. We find out that Lundy is retired, but in town chasing “the one who got away” aka the Trinity Killer and is looking to Dexter for help. This also leads to a very awkward reunion between Lundy and Deb at the station.

After a thwarted attempt at stalking Gomez due to falling asleep in his car, Dexter is ever more determined to get a kill. But after he finally gets to the fun part, Rita calls needing some medicine for the baby. Dexter hastily finishes the kill and throws the body parts in the back of his minivan. As he speeds home with the medicine for Harrison, he begins to fall asleep at the wheel. Startled by a vision of Harry in front of his car, he veers off the road and the car flips several times.

Definitely a worthy cliffhanger.

This season definitely has something in good in store. While I was impressed with this season’s opener, I did find myself wondering why Dexter didn’t get some sleep before going on a kill. I know he’s smarter than that. He’s learned his lesson before with being sloppy.

Meanwhile with Angel Batista secretly having sex with his boss Maria LaGuerta, Detective Quinn dating a nosy reporter, and Deb’s ex in town just when she’s happy in her new relationship, one thing is certain — this can only end in tears.