Dexter: Season 5

Description

Product Description The Showtime Original Series Dexter™ is back with an all-new season, and this time America's favorite serial killer has gone from freewheeling bachelor to responsible husband and doting dad. Maintaining an average-guy facade while satisfying his need to kill has never been easy. But now, with wife and kids in tow, Dexter's got more to lose then ever, as he gets drawn into a deadly game with a killer every bit as dangerous — and conflicted — as he is. desertcart.com When executive producer/showrunner Clyde Phillips exited Dexter at the end of the fourth season, he left the remaining cast and crew with a puzzle worthy of a cackling supervillain: not only find a way to top John Lithgow's stunning performance as a Big Bad, but also somehow rebuild the main character's life after the season finale's devastating ending. While this subsequent season definitely shows some signs of early fumbling, it sports more than enough twisted drama to keep viewers firmly on (or behind) the couch. Picking up scant seconds after the previous episode, the story arc follows the conflicted sociopath Dexter (Michael C. Hall) as he struggles to uphold his newly amplified role as a family man, while fending off his increasingly demanding killer urges. Salvation, of sorts, comes in the form of a brutalized female victim (Julia Stiles), who enlists him to take down her tormenters. As the duo circle in on their targets, Dexter's sister (Jennifer Carpenter) investigates a gruesome string of ritualized murders and starts an awkward romance with a fellow homicide detective (Desmond Harrington), who has some growing suspicions about how Dexter spends his off hours. Fans of the morally ambivalent tones of the first two seasons may have difficulties with the increasingly human tendencies of the main character (unlike Lithgow's disorienting charisma, the bad guys are so over-the-top evil here that it's difficult not to root outright for their gory demise), but Hall's beautifully subtle performance makes the leap. While his character's situation has definitely changed over the course of the show, Hall still chillingly manages to illuminate his central inability to connect, especially when paired with Stiles, who does a terrific job of balancing vulnerability and righteous bloodlust. Dexter can be a frustrating show to follow at times--especially when dealing with the increasingly flat antics of the supporting cast--but when Hall and Stiles are onscreen, the possibilities seem freakishly infinite. --Andrew Wright Review: Great Show! - "Dexter: Season 5" marks a compelling continuation of the gripping saga surrounding everyone's favorite forensic blood spatter analyst and serial killer, Dexter Morgan. Here's a review: Emotional Depth: Season 5 delves into Dexter's psyche with even greater depth, exploring the aftermath of his wife Rita's shocking death at the hands of the Trinity Killer. The emotional toll of this loss drives Dexter to new extremes as he grapples with grief, guilt, and a thirst for revenge. Character Development: The season offers rich character development not only for Dexter but also for supporting characters like his sister Deb, who finds herself confronting her own demons in the wake of Rita's death. The complex relationships between the characters add layers of depth to the narrative, keeping viewers engaged and invested in their fates. Intense Storylines: As Dexter navigates the aftermath of Rita's murder, he finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue involving a new set of adversaries, including Lumen Pierce, a survivor of a brutal attack seeking justice, and a sinister group of criminals known as the Barrel Girl Gang. The tension builds steadily throughout the season, culminating in a thrilling finale that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. Themes of Redemption and Justice: Season 5 explores themes of redemption and justice as Dexter grapples with his own morality and the concept of vigilantism. Through his interactions with Lumen and his pursuit of her attackers, Dexter confronts the complexities of right and wrong, blurring the lines between hero and villain. Superb Acting and Direction: As always, the performances in "Dexter" are top-notch, with Michael C. Hall delivering another standout performance as the titular character. The direction is sharp and atmospheric, drawing viewers into Dexter's dark and dangerous world with skillful storytelling and visual flair. Overall, "Dexter: Season 5" delivers a riveting and emotionally resonant chapter in the series, blending intense drama, thrilling suspense, and thought-provoking themes to create a must-watch experience for fans of the show. Review: Amazing season - review of the blu ray - Since DEXTER'S very first season it has been my very favorite tv series. Season 4 was considered by many to be a milestone for the series. John Lithgow certainly left his imprint forever as The Trinity Killer. But though his acting was superb and the cat and mouse portrayed between him and Dexter was mezmerizing, the season is more important as the one that had one of the most shocking and series changing season endings in history. The death discovered in the last few minutes of the season finale rocked and shocked all DEXTER viewers. All knew that the series would never be the same with this character loss and how would it move forward. Season 5 handles all of that not only with great success but also by providing what may be the shows best season yet. At the time of its airing fans viewed with expectation and some were not favorable to the plot line or the addition of Julia Stiles for the season. Fact is those who truly loved the series were comparing the season to all those before and especially the beloved lost character. So before watching season 5 I viewed season 4 for true continuity. Watching Dexter who struggles with human emotion was amazing. And simply put, the plotline for this season worked perfectly as the horrific center as well as a way to move Dexter along in his development. Upon my second viewing of this season everything was raised a bar. Julia Stiles is superb here as Lumen, a rape, torture and potential murder victim who Dexter discovers. Her emotional development as a caged victim set free who then works with Dexter is perhaps the best work of Ms. Stiles career and she and Michael C. Hall have a chemistry that fits this story line perfectly. The addition of Jonny Lee Miller as self help guru Jordan Chase provides the seasons villanous character and he masters the role perfectly and is in every way as good as John Lithgow was. DEXTER is one of those shows that always looks best on blu ray. The video is always crisp and clear with superb clarity. Black/white ratio is excellent and colors pop. The scenery of Miami shines and facial close ups show great detail and flesh tones are perfect. Day and night scenes are both levels above the dvd. I own all the seasons on blu ray but found the audio the best here. The Dolby TruHD 5.1 track utilizes all the speakers perfectly and this season had many shock scenes and scary moments that utilized rear speakers to great effect. You'll be jumping out of your skin. If you love DEXTER this season is a must have and the blu ray would be the greatest gift to yourself. Season 4 and the Trinity Killer was indeed supreme but season 5 moves DEXTER forward with thrills and chills galore. A great season of a superb series.