Everyone’s favorite serial killer of serial killers returns to Blu-ray. However, he’s having some performance anxiety as well as some difficulties as his offshore dumping ground is discovered and all over the press. Surely, that can’t keep a good bad guy down?
Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is a serial killer. His homicidal urges appeared quite early on and his cop stepfather Harry (James Remar) knew what his son would become. Instead of trying to stop it, Harry fostered these devilish desires into a code.
Dexter would only take out his murderous desires on only the criminals and wrongdoers and not innocent victims. Season one had us getting acquainted with this heroic anti-hero has he cut his way through the underbelly of Miami, Florida. To make matters more interesting, Dexter works as a blood spatter expert for the Miami police department. Things are not going well for Dexter as season two begins.
He’s losing his nerve after his encounter with the Ice Truck Killer and is having trouble getting his knife into his victims. Dexter’s sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is also having trouble adjusting after her encounter with the Ice Truck Killer as well. She’s moved in with Dexter and is severely cramping his homicidal style.
If that wasn’t enough, his aquatic burial ground has been discovered and he’s given the lurid moniker “the Bay Harbor Butcher” and is all over the media. To make matters even more interesting – Dexter’s department is put in charge of hunting down the “butcher.”
The press attracts the attention of the FBI and special agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) is brought in to head the task force in charge of the case. Even more complications ensue when Dexter has to tell his girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz) that he’s a drug addict to cover up his setting up her ex-husband. To keep the relationship Dexter has to start attending a twelve-step program.
However, Rita starts to regret forcing him into the program as his sponsor turns out to be the hot Lila (the hot Jaime Murray). Meanwhile, Sgt. Doakes (Erik King) is getting suspicious of Dexter and making his nighttime “hobbies” a bit difficult as well.
Dexter is one of the best shows on television and positively addicting. It’s made to look even better as season two finally arrives on Blu-ray. Michael C. Hall continues to excel in the role of Dexter and was rewarded with several Emmy nods, but has yet to win one. This year may well be the one. Also in a somewhat odd twist, Hall and co-star Jennifer Carpenter eloped on New Year’s Eve. What would Harry say?
Debra is definitely damaged goods this season as she’s suffering from nearly being killed in season one as well as the revelation that her boyfriend was out to kill her. She’s taken under the wing of Special Agent Lundy, who serve’s as her own “Harry.”
Keith Carradine adds some charm to the role and his interactions with Debra make them a great team to watch. There’s also some grand cat-and-mouse as Doakes begins to suspect that there’s more to Dexter than he first imagined.
Some delightful casting in Jaimie Murray, my favorite gal from AMC’s Hustle (well really the BBC), in the showy role of Lila. Dexter Season Two only continues to build on the fantastic character of Dexter as well as allowing the secondary roles to grow along with him. Season three only threatens to bring on more delights.
Dexter is presented in 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1). Special features include an interactive “Tools of the Trade” feature that lets you place Dex’s tools in his kit and then tells you about him. What’s more disappointing is that the rest of the special features have been delegated to the BD-Live section of the disc.
In some ways I like the thought of BD-Live, but I’ve often had trouble using them. The DVD of Dexter Season Two had some goodies that I was never able to access and gave up on and the Blu-ray is a repeat of that disappointment. It’s a good thing the show is so good, sigh.
Dexter only gets better the second time around, unless we’re going to talk about special features. Michael C. Hall only continues to provide a fine performance in the lead role and the rest of the cast matures around him. Bring on season three.
Dexter: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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