Dexter 6x01: Those Kinds of Things

Original Air Date: 2 October 2011

Storyline: Dexter Morgan attends his 20 years high school reunion, and not just for sentimental reasons, all the while trying to figure out what to do about Harrison's preschool. Changes at the top lead to important transitions within the department, and a new adversary has plans for Miami.Best Quote:

Dexter: High school... a small world unto itself, combining all the warmest elements of a federal work camp with those of a third-world poultry farm. It's a miracle I graduated without killing anyone.

Review: There are so many good TV shows nowadays that it's hard to decide which one is my favorite. Dexter, however, is somewhere in it's own dimension. I remember feeling weird after seeing the first few episodes, for enjoying the story and rooting for a seriously damaged character who is in a league of his own, but now I find myself wanting more with each new installment. So I'm extremely excited about this new season, although it touches a theme I hate to see publicized so much on TV - religion.

I'd hate to see Dexter go all believer on us, but after this episode, I'm convinced he won't. After all, if a devoted catholic like Angel can't explain what faith is, how is Dexter supposed to be convinced that God exists? But he's trying to give Harrison a normal childhood, so the struggles between his Dark Passenger and wanting his child to have a normal life will be a delight to watch.
There's a one year jump from the events leading to Lumen's departure and this episode. It looks like Dexter is over Rita and Lumen and back into his old habits and the opening scene was more than I would have hoped for. Everyone else is moving on and so should he. But moving on for Dexter is something entirely different than it means for other people and even going to his high school reunion is something he does to satisfy his need for blood. 
The reunion scenes were some of the funniest ones this show has ever given us. Dexter was as much of a geek then as he is now, so it's a real surprise for him to find out that his cool job and the loss of his wife turned him into a popular person. "I have no idea what "hammer time" is. Or how it differs from regular time", he says to himself, but he ends up enjoying the attention of his former classmates and the special thank you from the prom queen, Trisha Billings. 
As for the new serial killer (or killers), as much as I hate the religion theme, I have high hopes from Colin Hanks and Edward James Olmos and I like the staging and the metaphors. The bigger the challenge for Dexter, the better. I didn't believe Lumen's kidnappers were a big challenge so as long as they are anywhere near John Lithgow's Trinity Killer, I will be happy.
The only thing I found out of place was Quinn's almost-proposal and the shooting at the restaurant. On the other hand, Masuka raised to my expectations and as long as LaGuerta's promotion means we won't have to see as much of her as we did before, it's all good.
I'm very excited for this season - and secretly hope that Lumen returns at some point (big Julia Stiles fan here).Back to Season 6