'Dexter' Final Season Recap - Monkey in a Box

With just two episodes left of Dexter, we're finally reaching the climax of what has been a very inconsistent season thus far (though still hoping to end on a high note).

After the murder of Dr. Vogel, it's no surprise that Dexter is out for revenge against Saxon.  The problem though is that he is scheduled to leave soon with both Hannah and Harrison on their way to start new lives in Argentina, so whatever he has planned, he's got to do it fast.

Meanwhile, Deb is back on the force (and seemingly fitting right in again) after learning of Dr. Vogel's murder and wanting to bring Saxon down just as bad as Dexter does.  She's also paid a visit by the private investigator whose been searching for Hannah McKay under suspicions Hannah was spotted recently at the hospital with Harrison.  Deb is able to throw him off, but doesn't have so much luck once Elway pays her a visit to her home and realizes something is up.  Deb warns both Hannah and Dexter, and it's off to a hotel until the flight leaves.

Back to Saxon.  After toying with Dexter throughout the episode - both at Miami Metro and even in his own apartment looking to reach a truce - Saxon is finally captured (with the help of Deb) and brought to the broken down hospital he's been killing his victims at.

Just as Dexter is about ready to kill Saxon like any other fellow serial killer he's killed before, he suddenly realizes he no longer needs to do it and calls Deb to have him taken in (death by electric chair).

Everything is seemingly going smoothly until that private investigator (who had followed Deb) shows up and helps Saxon escape (which of course results in the PI getting a knife to the chest) as wells as Saxon shooting Deb down, leaving her for dead as she just barely can call the police.

Notes:

• Isn't Quinn just the ultimate man?  Keeping that engagement ring still in his desk...that badass.

• Nice to see the former Mrs. Miguel Prado make an appearance in helping Dexter sell his apartment.  Nice little surprise there.

• That Masuka and daughter storyline really never went anywhere.

• Deb and Dexter having beer and steaks one last time.

• Best moment:  Deb aiding Dexter in bringing down Saxon by surprise.  Iconic.

Tune in next week for the series finale.

Grade: B-

'Breaking Bad' Final Episodes Recap - Ozymandias

Phenomenal.

There are just no words to describe how utterly fantastic last night's Breaking Bad was.  Even though there are still two episodes left, Ozymandias (as it was appropriately titled) was the culmination of everything that's been building up for five seasons now:  when all the shit finally and completely hit the fan.

It's hard to even describe how incredibly iconic this show has become, but the fact that for such an important episode everyone involved - from the cast to the crew - hit it completely out of the park.  This was the one where you could only dream everything hit on all cylinders, but sure enough, it did.

At this point it really doesn't make any sense to go through in detail what happened in the episode because if you were watching, your eyes were pretty much glued to the screen anyway so I'll just cover the important points.

Hank's death:

Wow was that powerful.  You could see all the good still in Walt as he begged and pleaded to save his brother-in-law, who only moments earlier had him in handcuffs yet still wanted to save his life.  But as Hank said, "You're the smartest person I've ever met in my entire life, but you're too stupid to realize, he made up his mind 10 minutes ago."  The acting talent Bryan Cranston displayed in that moment...heartbreaking.

Walt finally telling Jessie about Jane:

Finally, he knows.  I don't think this was a plan by Walt more so a way to hurt Jessie the worst way possibly besides being killed.  Being told your girlfriend, who overdosed, could have been saved, but decided not to help.  Live with that one.

Walter Jr. finally learning the truth:

We knew this was coming, but it's about time the kid learned the real deal about his father.  Even in the short time they were all back at the house, you could see Walt Jr. still wanting to believe in his dad, until...

Skyler finally turning on Walt:

The knife or the phone, what will be chosen?  Skyler finally went after Walt for all the bullshit he's put her through over the past year, and poor Walt Jr. having to save him mom then call the police on his father.  This was the moment where Walt realized his loving family...is no more, and hasn't been for a long time.

Walt's phone call to Skyler:

This showed that no matter how bad a person Walt has become, he still has the best interest of his family in mind.  Knowing the cops are listening and exonerating Skyler of anything to do with his crimes.  That smart sonofabitch did this all while telling her off.

What happens next week...I have not a damn clue.

Grade: A+

'Dexter' Final Season Recap - Goodbye Miami

After last week's layoff (I assume so Showtime can lineup it's series finale of Dexter with the following week's season premiere of Homeland), we only have three episodes left with our favorite serial killer.

I must say, as much as I've knocked the show this season for it's inconsistent writing and pointless storylines, it is kind of sad knowing this is the last few times we're going to watch this great character of Dexter Morgan along with all the other supporting characters.  A decade or two from now, they're going to talk about the Golden Age of TV and Dexter will certainly be at the top of the list (granted, more so it's first four seasons compared to the last four) but anyway...

When we last left Dexter, he had basically been told by Dr. Vogel that she was choosing her son over him after he had drugged her in hopes of taking the son out (by the way, why did the writers choose to call this guy 'Saxon'?  Every time a character refers to him, it sounds like they're about to say 'sex.'  "Did you have any luck finding Sex..er Saxon?").

While Dexter is trying to protect Dr. Vogel - as he feels her son is a danger to her - he decides it's finally time to leave Miami with Hannah and move to Argentina.  We kind of saw this one coming as it's been talked about for weeks, but it's quite interesting to hear Dexter say he's finally leaving Miami for good...with Harrison too of course.

Back to Dr. Vogel, she tries to give her son a chance and vows to get him the best help possible to stop him from killing.  She believes he really doesn't WANT to do it and believes he can be saved.  Dexter doesn't see it this way as he knows Saxon is a killer who does it because he enjoys it.  This is only given further proof when Dexter finds the video of Saxon sawing off Zack's skull (which was actually pretty hard to watch considering that kid was very likable).

Once Dexter is able to covince Dr. Vogel of the truth about her son, she agrees it is best that Dexter put him down, but for it to be quick and painless, much to Dexter's oblige.

By the way, there's also one vital point to mention that happened in this episode:  with Dexter announcing he's leaving Miami, that put that private investigator back on his tail as he realizes with the trail of Hannah McKay gone cold, why is her former boyfriend suddenly fleeing the country?  This is going to be a good storyline to play out over the last two episodes.

Lastly, the resolution for Dr. Vogel.  After she unexpectedly invites her son over so Dexter can kill him, Saxon realizes what's going on and surprises Dexter before he can get there.  As he pulls up to the house, he comes upon Dr. Vogel in the window with her son standing behind her and a knife against her throat.  As Saxon says, "She picked the wrong son again" as he slits her neck.

Dexter is unable to get to Dr. Vogel in time and se dies in his arms as Saxon gets away.

As much as I would call this a sad development, I wasn't really all that upset with Dr. Vogel's murder.  She was an up and down character who seemed sweet one minute then evil the next.  We can't sympathize with the poor old woman who just wanted to save her son when at certain points this season it seemed as if she was hiding him from Dexter all along.

Notes:

• I know, I didn't mention the fact that Quinn broke up with Jaime and then gets back together with Deb, but all I'll say is we saw this coming for weeks.  And not for nothing, Jamie turned out to be a real bitch.

• Of course Harrison is going to fall on the treadmill and need stitches, exposing Hannah out in the open.  That one was seen a mile away.

• What is the point again of Masuka and his daughter (who is now getting high)?

• Gotta love Batista.  That guy just has a heart of gold.

Grade: C+

AMERICAN PSYCHO Sequel-Series Headed to FX

 

FX, Always pushing the limits of what they can get away with in terms of content with such graphic and mature shows like "Nip/Tuck", "Sons of Anarchy", "The Bridge", "The Americans", and "Rescue Me" will now push those a little further with a continuation of the acclaimed 2000 film, American Psycho.

Deadline reported today that Lionsgate TV and FX will be heading along with the series, produced by Lionsgate's Allison Shearmur and written by Stefan Jaworski

Described as an update of American Psycho, the drama series fast-forwards from the late 1980s, when the movie was set, to present day. It will feature serial killer Patrick Bateman, now in his mid-50s but as outrageous and lethal as ever, taking on a protégé in a sadistic social experiment who will become every bit his equal — a next-generation American Psycho.

'Breaking Bad' Final Episodes Recap - To'Hajiilee

One of the things that's always made Breaking Bad rise from a great show to the 'best' show is it's ability to leave the viewer in a state of tension and suspense.  This has been a factor since the show first began and has never let up in more than five years later.

That sentiment is none the more true after this week's utterly fantastic episode.

I was actually unable to watch the last ten minutes without changing the channel because I just knew Todd's family crew was going to come and wreak havoc, and sure enough they did, even as the show abruptly ended.

As much as a bad guy Walt is in doing what he's done over the course of this series, I actually felt myself somewhat pulling for him, in feeling bad of how Jessie and Hank have been trying to bring him down.  Even in the Walt's hectic chase to get to the site where he buried his money, you almost understood why he's done all he's done as he was yelling at Jessie on the phone.  Jessie really has never seemed to get it:  Walt has done everything - good or bad - to protect him too.  It's a shame Jessie - in all honestly - is a real fuck up in life and can't seem to get that.  Maybe a former student WITHOUT a drug problem would have gotten it.

What we're left with now is the proverbial "Shit has hit the fan."

There's no way out from here for Walt (as it was almost eerie finally seeing him get handcuffs slapped on), as we can begin to put the pieces together to what's been alluded to the past two season premieres.  The men Walt is fighting against very likely could be Todd's Uncle's crew.  They want him to cook, and I bet you Walt wants no part in it.

I'm also willing to be that the result of this shootout is going to end with either Gomez and/or Hank both getting gunned down.  Hank's phone call to Marie in the last ten minutes seemed to allude to some kind of 'final' goodbye.

I guess we'll have to see next week, though after this episode, I'm not too sure much more can be done to top it...unless they go after....Walt's family?

Notes:

• That stunt by Hank and Jessie with the meat to make it look like brains...clever.

• Did Todd hit on Lydia?  Go for it, though I doubt she's making it past next week's episode.

• Walt made a damn good point, the money's not for him (he'll never live long enough to spend it), it's for his children.  Funny no one else see's that.

• "Got my photo, bitch?  Ah, nice orange flame."

Grade: A

HBO's Game of Thrones Seeing Some Major Recasts For Season 4

 

Hope you didn't grow too attached to some characters last season....Red Wedding aside, I mean.

The roles of Daario Naharis, Gregor Glegane, and Tommen Baratheon are being recast as HBO's fantasy epic, "Game of Thrones", based on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin, has begun shooting it's fourth season expected to air in 2014.

Daario Naharis, the charming sell-sword who has begun to steal Daenery's Targaryan's heart in the far-away lands of Essos as Season 3 ended, has  been recast from Ed Skrein to Michiel Huisman, star of NBC's "Nashville" and the recent Brad Pitt zombie-spectacle World War Z. The news comes as quite a shock and no reason has been given by the stars or HBO. 

Next on the recast is role, Gregor Clegane "The Mountain That Rides", has been recast every season he's appeared in, excluding Season 3, where the character was absent. Previously played by Conan Stevens (The Hobbit), and Ian Whyte (Prometheus), The Mountain will now be portrayed by Iceland's Strongest Man, Hafþór "Thor" Björnsson, making his acting debut.

Finally, Tommen Baratheon, bastard son of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, who was also absent from Season 3, will be aged up a bit from Callum Wharry to Dean-Charles Chapman from the Starz series, "The White Queen".

 

Thanks to Yahoo News UK and The Facebook Fanpage of Petyr Baelish for gathering the photos of The Mountain.

'Breaking Bad' Final Episodes Recap - Rabid Dog

As we were left wondering last week what would happen with Jessie after breaking into Walt's home ready to burn the place down, we got our answer pretty quickly (sort of).

We learn soon after the opening sequence that Jessie never burned the place down or even stuck around.  Walt finds a gasoline soaked carpet along with a broken front door, but besides that, nothing.

He obviously takes this as a sign that Jessie came to his senses and decided not to burn the home to crisp, though we come to find later on that it was Hank who stopped Jessie from committing the act.

Hank had followed Jessie from Saul's and convinced him that the best way to take down Mr. White is to cooperate with him.  Hank ends up bringing Jessie back to his place (much to the OK from Marie as she realizes it's bad for Walt) and gets Jessie to tell his whole story on camera to both himself and Steven Gomez (who obviously now knows the situation now).

Meanwhile, Walt (after failing miserably to convince his family that the reason the house reeked of gasoline was because of a 'pump malfunction') is suddenly faced with the decision to 'put down' Jessie off the suggestion from first Saul, then Skyler.  Walt is of course conflicted about all of this because, let's face it, Jessie is like a son to him, period.

This all leads to a potential meet-and-greet between Walt and Jessie (aided by Hank and Agent Gomez) to smooth things over.  This obviously goes nowhere as Jessie realizes another way to bring Walt down and leaves Walt faced with the reality that he's going to have to take out Jessie, whether he likes it or not.

Notes:

• That opening sequence was probably one of the most intense things I have ever seen.

• Got to love the brilliant idea to break up Walt's point-of-view of coming about the house and then flashback to what really happened with Jessie.

• Poor Walt Jr.  That kid has NO idea what's going on.

• Marie had probably some of the best scenes in this episode.

• I'm actually kind of happy Saul got his ass kicked.  I never liked that guy.

Grade: A

'Dexter' Final Season Recap - Make Your Own Kind Of Music

It’s funny how for this week, the thought of watching Dexter almost sounded like a chore.  That to me is seemingly the reality now for watching the final four episodes of a show that I use to feel was one of the best on TV.  I've written this once and I’ll write it again:  it is such a damn shame that this is how Showtime's cornerstone series has to end; barely making it to the finish line on its last legs.  Yet, when dealing with a show with the subject matter of Dexter, maybe it isn't so much of a surprise that it doesn't get a so-called "happy ending."

Anyway, so we finally learned who the actual 'Brain Surgeon' is this week:  Oliver Saxon.  You know, the guy who was dating Cassie and who seemed like a complete nobody?  Yeah, not only is he the real killer, but he's also Dr. Vogel's son.  Yup, Dr. Vogel has a son.  Surprise, surprise.

I have to say, what gets me most out of all the storylines the season is that they really all seem like they've been played out before.  Yes, I understand the writers are trying to tie up loose ends and give ongoing character relationships (Deb & Quinn for example) a finite closing, however; there isn't any sense of drama or tension that’s been building up...at all.  It’s as if everyone is in someways going through the motions until the big finale, which without build up, isn’t much a finale now, is it?

With that said, a few of the big highlights this week are as follows:

• Quinn, while working back together with Debra to solve the Cassie case, gives her a surprise kiss.  We all knew it was coming, but one has to wonder why Deb wasn’t at all angry about it.

• Speaking of Debra, not only is she pretty much done working for Elway (who’s pissed off after realizing she screwed up the Hannah McKay case), she’s basically offered her old job back with Miami Metro.  Again, we all saw that one coming too.

• Oh and Elway?  He wants that $250K reward for the capture of Ms. McKay, so he’s gone and hired himself a third-party investigator to get the job done.  This fellow, of course, ends rights up on Dexter’s tail.

• And finally, good ol’ Dexter.  Not only is he madly in love with soul mate of a serial killer, he’s decided it’s best if they (along with Harrison) move to Argentina.  This should turn out great.

I know I probably should be commenting more on the revelation about Dr. Vogel having a son and Dexter suddenly having to deal with not only the Brain Surgeon but Dr. Vogel herself, but to be quite honest, it's not a very interesting storyline.  I mean, I understand the concept of this last season to bring in Dexter's 'maker' and then turn her against him with the help of another serial killer who so happens to be her son, but the problem is that the writing has just been so poor this season that the effect really isn't there.

That really sums up the quality of this episode, which aimed high, but never even came close to hitting the mark.

Notes:

• That whole Masuka storyline with his daughter:  what was the point of that again?

• Not for nothing, but I think Hannah McKay is a bit overrated in the looks department.

• Jennifer Carpenter, on the other hand, really put it all together this year.  Hopefully she goes on to get some good film roles.

• Oh look, a fellow serial killer got the better of Dexter, how odd...

Grade: C+

*Redacted* Headlining AMC's Line of Sight Pilot - AKA His/Her Brains WILL Be Eaten on The Walking Dead This Season

You didn't need to be familiar with The Walking Dead comics to know Shane was a dead man walking. Jon Bernthal joining Frank Darabont's Mob City made the obvious even more so. Especially as it was announced halfway through the second season and Shane still had an active pulse.

Well, it's happening again. "TOLDJA" says David Morrissey (AKA: The Governor) will headline the sci-fi pilot Line of Sight for AMC. He'll play an investigator searching for the truth behind a plane crash he survived. The cable network hasn’t committed to series yet but they seem to think they could be their next "Buzz" show. They're playing dumb about whether this means The Governor eats it during the forth season.

Whether or not the pilot gets picked up, obviously he's a goner. Why else hire him?

'Breaking Bad' Final Episodes Recap - Confessions

Wow!

What a way to end a fantastic episode.

It's quality like this that makes me sad we only have five episodes left of this absolutely amazing television show.

Anyway, let's get onto the highlights of the week.

The interrogation room showdown between Hank and Jessie turned out to be not much at all as Jessie didn't give away anything (even with Hank trying to cut some kind of deal with him).  It was a bit underwhelming though hearing Hank talk about Walt as Heisenberg to Jessie as if it was just another conversation.  This was something that's been building up for five seasons but, oh well, whatever.

We finally get our first good look at Flynn aka Walt Jr. this final season as Walt has to explain to him that his cancer has come back (all a ploy though to get Walt Jr. to stay home instead of going to Aunt Marie's house).  It's tough to see how heartbroken Walt Jr. is to hear this bad news as it's always been obvious that he really loves his father (maybe even to the point of regardless if he knew the truth about everything).

Meanwhile, we catch up with Jessie as he's brought out to the desert by Saul to meet with Walt to explain what Hank told him.  It's almost expected at this point that Walt is going to try something on Jessie to keep him out of the picture.  Jessie, for the first time, isn't buying into Walt's BS.  Instead of taking his advice about leaving town and starting a new life, Jessie for once demands Walt just be straight with him and not 'work' him for an angle to benefit only himself.  This is where Jessie proclaims that he either be honest with him or just kill him like he did Mike.  Walt - always the father figure - cautiously embraces Jessie, as if to say, I would never hurt you...

Finally, the highlight of this week's episode is the meeting of couples between Walt & Skyler and Hank & Marie, which takes place appropriately at a Mexican food joint.  To see the look on Hank's face as Walt tries to explain how it's best to leave the kids out of what's going on is fantastic.  He looks like he's about to jump across that table and kill Walt (which he probably would).  Even Marie can't bare to understand how Skyler keeps going along with all this, proclaiming to Walt that if everything dies with him, why not just kill himself?  Ouch.  Tough words.  However, we're left with Walt's confession video, in which he lays out everything to Hank and Marie by stating how Hank is really the drug kingpin, and he was just an accomplice.  Tying in facts from the drive-by he did with Hank, to the money he gave to pay for his medical bills, to the relationship with Gus Fring.  Walt is nothing but genius here, and it puts Hank in a dire predicament.

And to think I almost forgot the last five minutes of this episode, as Jessie finally realizes the truth about Walt.  Who would have thought getting your pot switched with cigarettes will make you have an epiphany?  After beating the shit out of Saul, Jessie (in a fanatical anger) pulls right up to the White house (no pun intended), bangs through the door and starts pouring gasoline everywhere.  How I hope the kids aren't home.

Notes:

• For anyone who thinks the opening scene was pointless between Todd and his white trash uncles, just realize this:  he used both Mr. White and Jessie's names when telling the train robbery story.  Keep that in mind.

• Walt hides his gun in the soda machine.  Brilliant again.

• I have a feeling Saul is going to snap soon and cut ties with Walt.  I think he's had it up to 'here' with everything.

• How great is the acting on this show?  Just give them the damn Emmy now.

Overall: A