Dexter: The Second Season (US - DVD R1)
Screw that Chris Nolan movie, Gabe's got the real Dark Knight right here...
Feature
Well I thought I was on to something there for a minute watching Dexter season one for the first time to prepare myself for this season two review. I admit Batman is on my mind a lot (probably an unhealthy amount of time), but the sheer volume of Batman to Dexter parallels are hard to ignore. Batman was permanently emotionally scarred after seeing his parents killed; Dexter was permanently emotionally scarred after seeing his mother killed. Batman has (in many instances of the character) based his moral code on the teachings of his father, just as Dexter does (his step father). Both characters are secret vigilantes that wear their humanity as a mask, and have trouble understanding the concept of ‘fitting in’. Both characters are detectives that work outside of the law to protect us from the worst criminals, and both do their work by a moral code.

Imagine how stupid I felt when I did a quick Google search and discovered that these similarities were widely acknowledged by fans. Then I started watching season two, and the fifth episode, titled The Dark Avenger, goes right out and makes the superhero comparisons bright as freaking day. Damn.
Like just about every superhero movie sequel, season two of Dexter starts with the hero losing his powers, and his secret identity is in danger of being revealed. The first episode features a cornucopia of calamity visited upon our heroic villain. Dexter’s still being shadowed by Detective Doakes, he finds himself unable to commit the terrible deed of murder physically and emotionally, his girlfriend’s ex has been killed in prison, his sister is suffering terrible emotional damage and compulsively exercising, and worst of all, his body stash has been uncovered. Things don’t get much better after that. Dexter’s past becomes even dirtier then it was before, the people around him start to fall apart, and, just like every second act ever, there’s another girl in his life.

Season one featured a villain comparable to the Joker or the Riddler—a mirror into what the hero could become who liked playing games with the hero more then committing actual crimes. Season two features very different brands of villain—a whole bunch of really smart cops and feds, which I suppose would make Doakes Dexter’s Harvey Bullock. By setting up Dexter to be caught on the first episode everything everyone around him in the precinct says becomes suspicious. This puts us on edge, but has the unfortunate effect of becoming the entire season’s theme. Like Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and the X-Men, Dexter spends a lot of time covering up his secret identity, though interestingly enough Dexter is the one cop show on television where the audience actually roots against the cops solving the case.
Very few serialized TV series can bring a smirk of satisfaction to my face with every cliff hanger ending. For the most part I enjoyed everywhere the second season took me, with a few minor complaints about the lack of earth shattering surprises. Basically Dexter is taken to all the places second season heroes are always taken, but he’s taken there deftly, and though the surprises didn’t leave me shivering on the floor, they were as satisfying and addictive as fine food. I could do with out the confusing girlfriend stuff, but the writers take it to good places, it usually feels realistic (Dexter himself even acknowledges the silliness of a love triangle).

There are three major characters introduced in this series of episodes, and two of them are welcome additions. Keith Carradine is always a plus, and Special Agent Lundy is a massively enjoyable antagonist, while Dexter’s would-be mother-in-law Gail (JoBeth William) is loveably hateable. Lila (Jamie Murray) is another issue. I understand that I’m supposed to be suspicious of her, but I really wanted her to be the type of other woman I might go for in Dexter’s position. I like Rita, and despite her looks, I didn’t like Lila, and was exhausted by her every appearance from the beginning (meaning that the writers show their hand a little too soon). I was however, very happy with the way the character changed Dexter’s dynamics with his sister, and I appreciate where the character was taken by the last episode.
Overall I think I enjoyed season one a little bit more then season two, but it’s very close. Besides the on-going theme of covering up his lies, Dexter begins to deal with his murdering as an addiction, first as a cover up, but later with genuine progress. The wheels are spinning a bit, but there writers obviously had an overall season arc in mind from the beginning.

Video
Perhaps I’ve just become accustom to high definition television sets, because despite some bright colours and sharp details this transfer is a bit iffy. The brightness of the colours causes some blooming during the outdoor, daylight scenes (Miami is a sunny place, after all). On the opposite end of the spectrum, the neon lighting of dark eateries and the red light district often produces unfortunate blocking. The rest of the colour palette is natural, but generally pretty noisy. But the details are still very effective, and there weren’t any points in the season where I was unable to tell what was going on.
Audio
Dexter has some of the best music on television. Daniel Licht’s various cues and scores are wonderfully eclectic, from standard thriller and drama stuff to Western tinted hero moments. This Dolby Digital 5.1 track ensures warmth and high fidelity in the musical track, and the surround tracks are actually quite lively. The only thing missing is the pump of the LFE track. Sound effects are natural and move throughout the various channels occasionally, though overall the 5.1 track is pretty close to the 2.0 track. Dialogue is clear and centred, but I did notice a few minor cases of high gate on some outdoor scenes, causing hiss and sound effects to increase when actors are speaking.

Extras
The final disc of this four disc set features the final fifty minute episode, and then two episodes of some other Showtime series called The Brotherhood. I appreciate Showtimes’ capitalistic tendencies, and I like to be introduced to new things, especially things I can’t see any other way (I don’t have the money for Showtime), but I was kind of hoping for some extras pertaining to the series, like a few audio commentaries or at least some fluffy featurettes and interviews. The Brotherhood is interesting enough, but not what I was looking for. The only Dexter related extras are some bios and some photos. The ‘season three sneak peek’ will only take you to a screen asking you to buy another DVD.

Overall
I love the manipulative nature of Dexter. I love the fact that it really makes me root for the ‘villain’ when I should be upset for the situation his actions throw the ‘heroes’ into. Season two is a tiny step down overall from season one, but the last three or four episodes on this set are some of the finest dramatic television I’ve seen. I’ve looked into the plots of the later books in the series and hope to God that the producers keep the show on track and as far away from that material as possible. A serial killer killing serial killers isn’t an original idea, but this series has the wherewithal to explore the most interesting aspects of the idea with genuine grace and undeniable attraction.
Review by Gabriel Powers
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Existing Posts
I'm still waiting for NetFlix to send me this, but everyone and their brother wants it right now same as I do, so AH!!!!
Can't wait for it though, I loved s1.
Can't wait for it though, I loved s1.
Can't wait to get this. Hopefully season 2 of Dexter will be good enough to mend the broken heart I recieved due to THE WIRE ending!
R.I.P.
THE WIRE (2002-2008)
*Best show to ever grace a TV screen*
R.I.P.
THE WIRE (2002-2008)
*Best show to ever grace a TV screen*
It's interesting that Weeds is Blu-ray and this is not, meaning that smaller company Lionsgate is willing to put in effort that bigger company Paramount is not.
Probably not cost-effective.
Do anyone know why this awesome show isn't getting the Blu Ray treatment?
To be fair, the bloke above was banned a while back and just tried to sneak back on using a different name. I guess he did care after all.
The other guy got a week's ban for a first-time offence. There's a fine line between honesty and rudeness, but anyone who posts childish AICN style comments or insults contributors is liable to get banned.
The other guy got a week's ban for a first-time offence. There's a fine line between honesty and rudeness, but anyone who posts childish AICN style comments or insults contributors is liable to get banned.
Wow...two people banned in one day.
I have to applaud you, Chris. Not many webmasters take the initiative to ban people when they lash out like immature, potty-mouthed middle-schoolers. It's one of many reasons I enjoy coming back here daily, and THE major reason why I never visit the forums of IMDB.
Keep up the great work.
And great review, as always, Mr. Powers. I just got my copy today from Target and it came with the first novel...which I already own. Oh, well. I'll give it to my 'lil sis.
I do have one eency weency correction for ya, Gabe: The fifth episode in Season 2 is entitled "The Dark Defender," not 'Avenger.'
I have to applaud you, Chris. Not many webmasters take the initiative to ban people when they lash out like immature, potty-mouthed middle-schoolers. It's one of many reasons I enjoy coming back here daily, and THE major reason why I never visit the forums of IMDB.
Keep up the great work.
And great review, as always, Mr. Powers. I just got my copy today from Target and it came with the first novel...which I already own. Oh, well. I'll give it to my 'lil sis.
I do have one eency weency correction for ya, Gabe: The fifth episode in Season 2 is entitled "The Dark Defender," not 'Avenger.'
I agree - bring on season 3!!!!
Watching season 2 just now it's even better than the first season roll on season 3.
yeah this show is amazing
I wish there will be a Blu ray release soon. Come on paramount get your fingers out of your asses and release the show on Blu ray
I wish there will be a Blu ray release soon. Come on paramount get your fingers out of your asses and release the show on Blu ray
It's very inconsistent, and there's still quite a bit of compression, but I'd say it's better overall.
I gotta get my hands on a disc of this to see if it meets my standards. Bought season one and the compression artifacts were so out of control, it looked like a pirated DVD!
Chris Gould wrote: LostCity wrote: "The dark knight right here"? You should get a bat over the head and across the face for a stupid comment like that, my friend.
You know, for a relatively new poster you've swiftly come to my attention as someone who’s moderately obnoxious. You won't be around here for very long if you carry on like that.
Actually, I've just realised who you are and you're attempting to negate the ban I already gave you. I thought you didn't care about being banned and had better things to do (like insulting me in private emails)? F**k off, you're not welcome.
Bravo Dude.
That guy's a total skid mark.
You know, for a relatively new poster you've swiftly come to my attention as someone who’s moderately obnoxious. You won't be around here for very long if you carry on like that.
Actually, I've just realised who you are and you're attempting to negate the ban I already gave you. I thought you didn't care about being banned and had better things to do (like insulting me in private emails)? F**k off, you're not welcome.
Bravo Dude.
That guy's a total skid mark.
I read the novels as well, and as mentioned above, they are drastically different. I was so disappointed with the third novel, that I think I will only read the next one, and if it is not better, I will stop reading them.
The second season was great. I loved it just as much as the first. I cannot wait for the third to start. I just hope they raise the bar this season. Long live Showtime!
The second season was great. I loved it just as much as the first. I cannot wait for the third to start. I just hope they raise the bar this season. Long live Showtime!
agree completely with your review. I read the books aswell and all though they are interesting enough, the show has gone in a totally diffferent direction. Even season 2 was COMPLETELY different from the second book. I don't think we have to worry about the show using any of the book's stories.
There is an awesome trailer for Season three on YouTube.... careful though, I wish i didnt even watch it because I think it ruins too much of the new story.
There is an awesome trailer for Season three on YouTube.... careful though, I wish i didnt even watch it because I think it ruins too much of the new story.
Great show!! Can't wait till the new season!!
Once I get awake here (and after my bf takes off for work) I'm off to get this at Target. I love the first season and am hooked by its premise. I just started re-watching them with my bf earlier this week. He's enjoying them as much as I am.
Two friends of mine got me hooked on this show when I saw one of the early episodes from the second season. I immediately went out and bought Season 1 and convinced my dad and sister to watch it with me. After their skepticism, they finally decided to watch the pilot with me. We were instantly hooked, and dragged my mom into it as well. They are going to buy the second season today, too.
I wish I had cable as I would definitely tune into season 3 without a moment's hesitation later this year.
Two friends of mine got me hooked on this show when I saw one of the early episodes from the second season. I immediately went out and bought Season 1 and convinced my dad and sister to watch it with me. After their skepticism, they finally decided to watch the pilot with me. We were instantly hooked, and dragged my mom into it as well. They are going to buy the second season today, too.
I wish I had cable as I would definitely tune into season 3 without a moment's hesitation later this year.
One of my favorite shows. I wish it would get a Blu-Ray release.
Didn't like this as much as Season 1 but still a great show, can't wait for Season 3.
LostCity wrote: "The dark knight right here"? You should get a bat over the head and across the face for a stupid comment like that, my friend.
You know, for a relatively new poster you've swiftly come to my attention as someone who’s moderately obnoxious. You won't be around here for very long if you carry on like that.
Actually, I've just realised who you are and you're attempting to negate the ban I already gave you. I thought you didn't care about being banned and had better things to do (like insulting me in private emails)? F**k off, you're not welcome.
You know, for a relatively new poster you've swiftly come to my attention as someone who’s moderately obnoxious. You won't be around here for very long if you carry on like that.
Actually, I've just realised who you are and you're attempting to negate the ban I already gave you. I thought you didn't care about being banned and had better things to do (like insulting me in private emails)? F**k off, you're not welcome.
Just ordered this from one of the amazon marketsellers for £16! It's being shipped within the UK so should be with me in 2 days.
However, already seen it as a mate imported it from Asia. A very good season with a disturbing ending for the one of the characters. Can't wait to see what S3 brings...?

"The dark knight right here"? You should get a bat over the head and across the face for a stupid comment like that, my friend.


This product has not been rated
Disc Details
Release Date:
19th August 2008
Discs:
4
Disc Type:
Single side, dual layer
RCE:
No
Video:
NTSC
Aspect:
1.78:1
Anamorphic:
Yes
Colour:
Yes
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby 2.0 Surround English
Subtitles:
English, Spanish
Extras:
Two Episodes of The Brotherhood, Bios, Photo Gallery, Weblinks
Easter Egg:
No
Feature Details
Director:
Various
Cast:
Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Keith Carradine, Jaimie Murray
Genre:
Comedy, Crime, Drama and Thriller
Length:
636 minutes
Ratings
Amazon.com
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