GAME OF THRONES Preview Episode #18 - Tom Wlaschiha as 'Jaqen'
(Above) GAME OF THRONES Preview Episode #18 - KIT HARRINGTON (HBO)
SPOILER! Jon Snow is going to hear "You know nothing, Jon Snow,' for a good, long time.
There is some very cool stuff in this new (ancient) world north of the Wall and much that's incredibly dangerous, of course.
Sunday on GAME OF THRONES: Game Of Thrones Season 2: Episode #18 Preview VIDEO:
GAME OF THRONES Episode #18: Things are coming to a full-on boil at Harrenhal - Arya (MAISIE WILLIAMS) must make a move.
(CREDIT:HBO)
GAME OF THRONES Episode #18: “The Prince of Winterfell”: At Winterfell, Theon receives a visitor and holds down the fort. Arya calls in her final debt with Jaqen (Tom Wlaschiha) in a way that displeases him. Robb is betrayed. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Varys (Conleth Hill) find common ground. Dany ignores Jorah's (Iain Glen) advice. Stannis (Stephen Dillane) and Davos (Liam Cunningham) approach their destination, and Davos is offered a reward. Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
GAME OF THRONES: SEASON 2 FINALE SYNOPSIS Episode 2.10 - Valar Morghulis - Press Release:
Episode #20: “Valar Morghulis” (season finale)
As Theon (Alfie Allen) stirs his men to action, Luwin (Donald Sumpter) offers some final advice. Brienne (Gwendolyn Christie) silences Jaime; Arya (Maisie Williams) receives a gift from Jaqen (Tom Wlaschiha); Dany (Emilia Clarke) goes to a strange place; and Jon (Kit Harington) proves himself to Qhorin (Simon Armstrong).
Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss; directed by Alan Taylor.
Next on DEXTER Episode 12: 'This Is The Way The World Ends' SYNOPSIS:
In the Season 6 finale, Dexter and Homicide race against a lunar eclipse to catch the Doomsday Killers before their final gruesome act; Debra struggles with a new emotional reality.
Update/
Season 6, Episode 12
Episode Synopsis: In the sixth-season finale, Dexter and Homicide try to stop the Doomsday Killers from committing one final murder, while Debra deals with a new emotional situation. Original Air Date: Dec 18, 2011
Guest Cast: Mos as 'Brother Sam'
DEXTER SNEAK PEEK: 'He Just Left'
Travis kidnaps Harrison.
DEXTER Season 6 Finale SPOILERS and SPECULATION:
When we first see Dexter, he’s floating in the middle of the ocean, desperately clinging to the debris of the rowboat. Although we know that Dexter will survive, there’s a helpless desperation that we haven’t seen in him for some time. He’s resigned himself to the fact that he’s going to die and finds it ironically fitting that his body will vanish into the sea without a trace. His deepest fear and regret isn’t death itself, but that he will never see Harrison grow up and become a man. It’s a great start to the episode.
If there’s any doubt that Jennifer Carpenter is this season’s MVP, then just check out the excellent performance on display here. If she gets any kind of award consideration this year, guaranteed her highlight clip will be pulled from this episode.
Colin Hanks goes out on a fairly strong note. If you’re a Hanks hater, nothing will change your mind here, but he looks worn down and weathered in a few scenes achieving the right amount of menace. It’s hard to remember him as the somewhat sympathetic man-child killer (and that’s a compliment). If you’ve enjoyed Season 6 so far, then Episode 12 is a nice capper on the continuing adventures of Dexter Morgan.
On the other hand…
If you’re looking for a “ties up all the loose ends/ advances the plot” finale, then Episode 12 might disappoint. Almost... Some plot details remain a mystery, some end with a general shrug, and others with a convenient “resolution”. If you’ve had issues over Dexter’s easy escapes and convenient logic, then there’s more ammo to fuel the fire here.
Here’s your final hints n’ teases:
Good impressionist, Masuka, he is.
Travis checks the mail
“Oh God”
But here’s one more important teaser…
...the sound of a major bombshell going off in the final minute of the episode.
Everything I’ve written above won’t matter come Monday morning, because THIS is the final impression that will be burned into your brain over the next 9 months. Bring on Season 7!
We've come to expect penultimate episodes of 'Dexter' seasons to be heart-pounding and intense, but the second-to-last episode of Season 6 raised the stakes of serial-killing suspense.
In 'Talk to the Hand,' Dexter thwarted a poison gas attack aimed at Miami Metro and lost a showdown with Travis that ended with him set out to sea, surrounded by a ring of fire. It also opened a Pandora's box of step-sibling sexual tension when Deb's therapist suggested that Deb might be in love with Dexter.
To help bring some perspective to such a dizzying episode, AOL TV has an interview-cap with Dexter Morgan himself, Michael C. Hall. We discussed tonight's episode, the developments of Season 6 and where 'Dexter' may be headed in its final two seasons. Hall offered his thoughts on the Wormwood attack, the Gellar twist, and the new, strange wrinkle in his complex relationship with Jennifer Carpenter. Read on for the interview.
A lot of wild things happened in this episode, but the most interesting was the introduction of some weird, incestuous sexual tension between Deb and Dexter. So your TV step-sister who may have feelings for your character also happens to be your real-life ex-wife. Are the writers just trying to mess with you at this point?
Hall: Absolutely. [Laughs] But not without our blessing. Jennifer and I were aware that the story was moving in this direction. We laugh about it, we shake our heads ... but you know, in as much as there are inevitable parallels, we're both very professional and committed to telling this story.
(Hall, cont.) And frankly, whatever's happened with Jennifer and me and our relationship's evolution notwithstanding, Dexter in the first episode says, "If I could ever have feelings for anyone, I'd have them for Deb." I think those two characters have been on some kind of collision course from the get-go.
Dexter seemed almost like a super-hero in this episode, thwarting the Wormwood attack and then miraculously surviving the ring of fire at the end. He often seems indestructible. Do you ever worry that the lack of realism can hurt the storytelling?
I honestly feel that from the beginning, there is undeniably, just if you look at the logistics, there is a fantastical element to the world of the show and this guy's abilities. It's not a show that's based on a graphic novel or a comic book, but it feels like it is.
Ya know, on set, we are very much aware of the logistical or literal implausibility of so many of the things that happen on the show, but I think there is a suspension of disbelief that is required of our audience.
You look at the end of the first season ... he subdues the Ice Truck Killer, and gets him back into the Ice Truck Killer's room that's like, part of an active crime scene, and slashes his throat? It's all absurd really, but there's some sort of serendipitousness or fantastical coincidence ... I've suggested in other interviews that while we don't see it, Dexter definitely has the power of flight and can turn himself into smoke. ...
Is Dexter a strong swimmer?
Hall: I mean, come on. Yeah. He better be. Or he better luck into something. I'll tell you this much ... that San Pedro water is not warm. It was pretty cold. It was hard to pretend I was in Miami. My teeth might have been chattering a take or two. Hopefully they can cut around it.
After the Gellar twist, fans have now moved on to wondering about Louis Greene. People are wondering if he's connected to the Ice Truck Killer. My own theory is that he's used his own algorithmic powers to isolate Dexter as the Bay Harbor butcher.
Hall: That's indeed a possibility. He's a formidable guy given his access and expertise. It seems pretty clear that he's somewhat obsessed with Dexter in a way that is ... potentially problematic. ...
That gets you wondering about how messed up psychologically Dexter actually is. You know, in addition to being a sociopath.
Hall: Yeah. That was kind of a magical moment when we get to see Dexter in that basement watching Travis talk to the imaginary Gellar while having a conversation over his shoulder with his imaginary father. He's nuts, man.
Somewhere between the beginning of season 4 of HBO's True Blood and now--True Blood lost me:
I still find many of it's characters compelling but a significant number over the last two seasons were not remotelyso. They include the deceased 'Tommy Mickens', shapeshifter and brother to the owner of the local 'Cheers'-type-establishment Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell). Let's not forgettheir trailer park-stereotype parents (mom was a shifter, dad just an abusive drunk) were mercifully were given little screen time i season 4 and better, were swiftly killed off.
Anytime they were onscreen I was drifting off:
Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwantan) and Crystal, the werepanther and the entire 'Hot Shot' storyline. It seems that the producers of True Blood figured out in Season 3 to not take this cringe-worthy story much further so they didn't. Unfortunately, they dropped the story like a hot potato at the very beginning of season 4 after a big season 3 build-up so it felt very abrupt. Literally, it felt dropped--though the ultimate goal was met quickly which served the story despite it's other flaws.
They did the same to the "Fae' storyline, pretty much. The audience was not really receptive to the faery godmother thing and the rest so--poof! Gone. (And, they killed off Claudine, those bastards! She was so cool in the books.)
The witches' invasion was OK. Certainly casting Fiona Shaw in the lead was a good choice but the outcome of the witches' Bon Temps takeover was so that Eric would lose his memory and embark with a clean slate, in an affair with Sookie Stackhouse. Beyond that, did anyone really fear Marnie/Antonia or care all that much except for Eric getting his memory back?
And that is probably NOT the worst of it about things not-great in season 4. After so much hype about Sookie and Eric the romance just went pfft. Though I thought it impossible, beyond flirtation Alexander Skarsgård and Anna Paquin don't have the chemistry that makes for a believably hot, intense romance. I don't know why--or maybe that is exactly why but their lovemaking scenes never came near the hotness of some of the 'Sookie and Bill in love'-action.
Finally, they still haven't figured out what to do with poor Tara (Rutina Wesley). The season-ender of True Blood had Tara getting her brains literally blown out.
Too bad this scene (above) never happened. It looks like it has potential.
EDIT/Oh yeah. This too. The reconciled werewolf couple Debbie Pelt and Alcide Herveaux. Except when Joe Manganiello as Alcide has his shirt off, this was another wasted effort that show a complete lack of...IDK, caring? on the writer's part. It made no sense whatsoever that Debbie attempt to murder Sookie as she and Alcide have not even made it beyond hugging. Just the same, true to form Debbie tried to kill Sookie in her own house only his time she got both herself and Tara shot. (Tara's brains spattered so far that if she comes back as anything but a ghost I may-- though I almost never threaten this--I may say to hell with the show.)
Tara's (Rutina Wesley) brains in True Blood - Season 4 Episode 12
Sookie (Anna Paquin) reacting to Tara's sacrifice, screams for help (guess who will respond first? The list is ever-growing).
So where will the series pick up next season? Right after this moment? Would you feel cheated if it didn't pick up on this moment if somehow Tara still 'exists?' I think I would.
Vampires have feelings, too:
Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) shown with 'Ginger' (Tara Buck) is as upset as we've seen her, again for the same reason--her maker, Eric. This time in disgust (and still bedding Sookie) he ordered her away after she disobeyed a direct order (and said screw the safety of the humans, essentially). But he and Sookie (and Bill) are kaput so I'm thinking it will be easier for Eric and Pam to resume their very smooth relationship as boss and the boss's 2nd in command. Let's hope so!
Despite my numerous quibbles I am curious about season 5 True Blood so read on about some of the first tidbits of True Blood Season 5 info. spilling forth as the TB writers 'break' season 5.
So far, we have had official confirmation--as well as duh! the big hole where Russell Edgington used to be in episode 12, that Denis O'Harewill return to season 5 True Blood as the former King of Mississippi. I'm sure his story of escape will be intriguing. I'm guessing one of Russell's other 'progeny' finally found him(?) due to the signal of 'maker in trouble' getting through--but truly, I have no idea.
True Blood Season 5 NEW Character Announcement and Descriptions:
As the producers promised, True Blood is introducing several new characters in season 5 — and EW got the early word on two of the roles.
Creator Alan Ball and his team of scribes have put out a casting call for someone to play Nora, a beautiful and intelligent 25-to-35 something who plays a double agent within the Vampire Authority. What’s even better than that? She’s got a big history with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) because she too is a progeny of Godric(!). Nora will be a series regular role that may (or may not) involve a little nudity...
Meanwhile, Co-Executive Producer Raelle Tucker told EW that they’ll include a “very significant, strong, mysterious woman at the center of one of our main stories next year … a very familiar and compelling character. It may be someone you’ve heard of before.” Especially if you’ve read the Bible: The True Blood team also put out the call for someone to play Salome, as in THE Salome, daughter of Herodias.
She’s a powerful ancient vampire (hmm, don’t remember that part from the New Testament) and a world-class seductress who’s also a little mad. So she’ll fit right into Bon Temps.
WEEDS: Episode 7.13: 'Do Her / Don't Do Her' Synopsis:
Silas betrays Nancy while Shane attempts to protect her.In the Season 7 finale, Silas betrays Nancy, even as Shane makes one last attempt to protect her from Detective Ouellette; back on Wall Street, Doug and Whit hatch a plan to keep the hedge fund alive.
I have not watched the WEEDS: Episode 13, season 7 finale but I have watched all of season 7 so far and the entire series, for that matter (backtracking at one point about 1.5 years into Weeds' run on Showtime--to get caught up on the first season and a half that I'd missed initially--didn't have Showtime).
I find it a fun show to watch. It's got sharp writing--a good, solid ensemble cast (to which Heylia returned this year--woo-hoo!) and it is not anti-or particularly, pro-pot use. Only someone who hasn't listened to the explanation of what the show is about would not get that Weeds has years where 'weed' is featured almost like a featured cast member and other times sort of relegated to distant co-star (though the "weeds" of the title remain integral to every season). It really all depends on what the Botwin family lead by Nancy (Mary-Louise-Parker), is struggling through at any particular time. Sometimes imminent death is an 'issue,' other times ' just' going back to prison. Another bump in the road was helping Shane (Alexander Gould) (so far) get away with murder (Pilar with the croquet mallet by the pool--in pseudo-self-defense, some would argue justifiable homicide). When the Botwins have problems they are outsize problems. Thank dog they have "Uncle Andy' ( Justin Kirk) to help them through troubled times.
The the set-up of Silas (Hunter Parrish) getting revenge on Nancy for well in truth, years of lousy (but well-intentioned!) parenting is not too daunting to contemplate when all that the Botwins have survived is tallied up.
The weed-jacked Heylia could be scary but Nancy had been able to sweet-talk her way out of ever dire situation save one--last year's federal arrest subsequent three-year incarceration--so I don't think truly anything awful shall befall our favourite weed distributor in the season-ender.
It's hard to know where Weeds will go from here. There's been no formal announcement by the network about renewal for a season 8 Weeds. Would you want that if it were to be an option? Especially when I compare it to some of the network shows that go on FOREVER plus the fact that one season of Weeds comprises 13, 30-minute shows--Weeds could easily go on--I'm good with that.
Weeds: 'Deep Breaths' Silas admits his wrong doing to Andy.
Weeds: 'Fire Sale' Doug walks into a problem at Vehement Capital.
True Blood Season 3: Cliffhanger - Eric (HBO) Take a look at a clip of Eric from the Season 3 finale.
True Blood Season 3: Cliffhanger - Jessica (HBO) Take a look at a clip of Jessica from the end of
Season 3.
True Blood Season 3: Cliffhanger - Lafayette (HBO) Take a look at a clip of Lafayette from the
Season 3 finale.
True Blood Season 3: Cliffhanger - Sookie (HBO)
True Blood Season 3: Cliffhanger - Bill (HBO) Take a look at a clip of Bill from the Season 3 finale.
The new season of True Blood premieres on June 26th only on HBO.
Here are a couple of screenshots which I maintain positively show Bill (Stephen Moyer) using his vampire super-speed to leave Queen Sophie- Anne (Evan Rachel Wood) behind instead of waging a battle--which he would surely lose--with her. I don't know, obv., if Bill locks her in and burns down the place or runs away or what...but he leaves (and his home in the new season is completely refinished or rebuilt). My guess is that the 'fight' between Vampire Bill and Queen Sophie-Anne is very short.
Check out the sceencaps from this scene and from the other characters cliffhangers!:
Seems a foregone conclusion--Bill is going to leave the Queen behind--and destroy the mansion!
More True Blood Season 3 Cliffhangers Are After the jump!:
Will You Be As Shocked By the Big Reveal As Jackie Is?:
Whether it is the delicate topic of mental illness (United States of Tara), drug-dealing moms (Weeds), sex addiction (Californication), drug addiction (Nurse Jackie) or living with incurable cancer (The Big C), the Showtime network never seems to flinch in taking on these topics while simultaneously injecting biting humour into their half-hour comedy offerings.
There's nothing inherently funny in any of the overarching themes in these series but having made their way onto the premium network, many have gone on to earn high accolades and great success.
Next on Episode 12: Jackie dodges a urine test; Kevin makes a stunning confession.
Nurse Jackie's third season-ender, 'Deaf, Blind Tumor Pee-Test' is tonight (Monday June 20) and for me, the success of this particular episode is mixed.
Season 3 of Nurse Jackie had a different tone to it than the previous two seasons. It had to, as at the end of season 2, Jackie's secret was out to both her husband and her best friend, who joined together in attempting--and failing at-- a hastily-called intervention.
The last 12 episodes of Nurse Jackie have been about her dealing with aftermath of that intervention and though there were plenty of laughs surrounding the supporting characters, there was also quite a bit of 'gallows humour' involving those closest to Jackie (the Emmy & Golden Globe-winning and currently Tony-nominated, Edie Falco).
I commend the Nurse Jackie writers for making Jackie face the consequences as viewers of better television dramas (which this is), even comedy dramas, can be quite demanding in 'keeping it real.' It was time.
They could have gone a few different ways after Jackie's dark secret was discovered. As it happened, Jackie flipped off both her spouse, Kevin (played by Dominic Fumusa--above) and her best friend, Dr. Eleanor O'Hara, played exquisitely by Eve Best (below). I'm really hoping to see some awards-time recognition for Best's performance as she was pitch-perfect.
With Jackie still in denial about her pain-killer drug addiction, life went on but she remained on a very rocky path. Jackie tried lying about quitting only to run out of her stash and start showing obvious withdrawal symptoms. When you are surrounded by medical caregivers that is tough to hide. But as her former paramour 'Eddie' (played by Paul Schulze) told Jackie, her ability to prevaricate is beyond any he's witnessed in his lifetime (paraphrase). Most of the time she had almost everyone fooled, especially those that were in denial themselves that a high-functioning nurse like Jackie could have such a huge monkey on her back.
After Jackie's smarmy drug-dealer was (fittingly) run over by a Mack truck before her eyes as he prepared to cross the street to meet her, Jackie was forced to go cold-turkey. The sudden withdrawal left her wide open for being found out so, in real pain and desperation she stole some morphine patches that were being sent over to Oncology. The missing patches were quickly noted and an investigation by HR was underway.
All of the additional stress kept the heat on at home. Both the kids, who were unaware on a conscious level of their mother's problem, reacted to what must have been an atmosphere of a powder keg about to blow by acting out. Younger daughter 'Fiona', tried to set a fire in school and the eldest, 'Grace' (so very sadly) secretly pulled out handfuls of her own hair. Finally, Fiona asked to be medicated. Spouse Kevin'appeared to do a stitch-by-stitch coming apart at the seams until the final episode--the season 3 finale tonight, in which there is the 'big reveal.'
In the Season 3 finale tonight Jackie will find herself in a truly unique situation.
Synopsis Nurse Jackie Season 3 Finale:
Jackie dodges Akalitus's request for a urine sample and forgets to order a cake for Coop's wedding; Kevin makes a stunning confession that leads to a marital split; Coop's bride stands him up at the altar.
Given the very short half-hour slot that it had to fit in, I would have preferred to see both episodes 11 and 12 back-to-back as the big reveal felt a bit rushed to me. It is going to be very interesting to find out just how she handles things now that Dr. O'Hara has begun supplying 'Jacks' with pain-killer dosages that are meant to be reduced until Jackie is drug-free. That is the plan, anyway. Will it actually come to fruition in combination with the consequences of the big reveal?
You are just gonna have to tune in to season 4 to find out.
What About the Holidays!?! What's Up For the Fourth & Labor Day?:
This ^^^ is putting a serious crimp in my summer plans!
Put a (blood) red X on your calendar: HBO has set the premiere date for the fourth season of True Blood. The fangtastic vampire drama returns Sunday, June 26 at 9/8c. The new season, which promises to delve even deeper into witchcraft and faeries, will once again run for 12 episodes.
The question I have is, True Blood generally skips the Sundays that fall near holidays. In this case Episode 2, which will air on July 3, (based on this announcement) falls on both the Independence Day (Monday, the 4th of July) and Canada Day (Friday, the 1st of July) weekend. Poor timing, I would think. So then, will True Blood delay it's second episode of season 4 until July 11th?
With 12 episodes to be aired, True Blood will also run into Labor Day so the second question is: Will True Blood air on Sunday, September 4, which is during the Labour Day weekend?
If True Blood skips the 4th of July and Labor Day it will literally take this summer series' finale into autumn!
Father Frank: John Wells Executive Producer John Wells discusses the season one finale of Shameless.
One of the crucial aspects of a TV show isn't just how you react to it while you are watching, but what you think of each episode upon its conclusion. I found Showtime's new series, Shameless, which just finished a 12-episode first season, very conducive to some lively discussion afterward. My spouse and I watched the show at home in real (Chicago) time, taking our dogs for their nightly walk as soon as it was over. Our neighbourhood, though only 25 or 30 miles from the Gallagher's, may as well be 3000 miles away. Even so, this fictional family, first introduced on British television (with a British cast) has issues that most any family can relate to on some level. Nothing about the Gallagher's seems truly foreign, as loyalty and love of family are something (hopefully) everyone knows and understands. And so love of family and sacrifice for them amidst rather dire circumstances, despite all the far-out situations in Shameless, is the show's core theme, some aspect of which my spouse and I came 'round to discussing frequently.
Another commonality that non-TV families have with the Gallaghers is what we like to call 'dysfunction.' Essentially, a 'dysfunctional family' is one whose behaviour deviates from normal families--whatever they are.
Some folks say there is no such thing as a 'normal family' and the older I get, the more I think the saying, 'We are all dysfunctional in our own way,' is on the money. It's really about how we cope with the dysfunction, don't you think?
Episode 12 of Shameless, 'Father Frank, Full of Grace' was about coping with the fallout of some highly dysfunctional circumstances that impacted every family member as well as those involved with the Gallaghers (rock-steady neighbours 'Vi' (Shanola Hampton) and 'Kev' (Steve Howey) excepted--they literally played supporting roles in this episode).
In the video I've included (above) showrunner John Wells discusses two of the main dysfunctional aspects of the Gallaghers in this episode.
The foundation of the show, perpetually drunk father 'Frank Gallagher' (William H. Macy) has lived with 'accidental' girlfriend, 'Sheila' (Joan Cusak) for most of the season. Her situation includes having debilitating agoraphobia and anxiety, an almost ex-husband (Joel Murray) living in her basement, and a very sexually active older-teen daughter who is dating the eldest Gallagher son, 'Lip' (Jeremy Allen White).
Daughter 'Karen' (Laura Slade Wiggins), and her father, who she once referred to as 'f*ck-face,' causing me to forget his character's real name, have a very strained relationship due to 1. her furious sexual activity and 2. his outrage about her behaviour coupled with his lack of a filter when he shares his opinion about it. Most commonly, Karen's dad calls her a slut. He's managed, by this episode, to have called her a slut in front of a roomful of people as they were supposedly 'making up,' sending her into a tailspin of self-destruction while seeking revenge against him.
Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), Season 3 Finale: Abducted by The Fae (fairies)?
True Blood: Faery Tales!:
Hey Truebies. There's not a whole lot of substance to today's True Blood nugget o' info on Season 4 (start date 6.12.11) but what there is sounds...almost magical!
TV Guide spills just a trickle about Sookie Stackhouse's relatives:
Here's one thing you can be sure of: Faeries can't be turned into vampires. (Vampires just think their blood is mighty tasty and helpful for sun-bathing.) But executive producer Alan Ball reveals something else that fairies can do: "They can abduct humans and take them somewhere else that is not here," he says. "Just like aliens."
OK, so maybe die-hard True Blood fans sort of knew this already (Alan Ball revealed this some time ago) but it doesn't hurt that the TV critics are getting up to speed, right?
It seems a stretch but could Tara have met the same fate as Sookie--being 'taken' by faeries? Rutina Wesley (Tara) has said that Season 4 brings a 'whole new Tara.' Could the influence of The Fae (as fairies are referred to in True Blood) help bring about Tara's change?
Just a thought. When humans are 'abducted,' are they seducted by The Fae into willingly being 'abducted' as Sookie seemed to be in the Season 3 finale?
Tomorrow (Sunday) night marks the end of another spectacular season of Dexter on Showtime.
I still marvel at what an unexpectedly satisfying season this has been. I've loved seeing Dexter discover emotional depths to himself that he'd previously dismissed as not even remotely possible to feel.
For the first time ever, as an audience member, I'm wondering if Harry Morgan eff'ed up big time in diagnosing Dexter as broken and impossible to repair (Dexter, fleetingly, has asked the same question).
(Photo collage via tumblr.com)
It was very savvy of Dexter's writers to have Rita's death expose layers to Dexter that we may not have ever seen. Not that I felt this way, but Dexter the serial killer otherwise might have begun feeling a bit "been there, done that." That was not even on the table (no pun intended) this season as Dex had very little time to attempt to go back to his pre-Rita life, back to the old Dexter, before Lumen came into it.
And all the better. "Lumen" has been my favourite Julia Stiles' characterization, ever. Stiles was pitch perfect in a very demanding range of her character, rape-club-victim-that-survived turned
avenging angel, Lumen.
I don't know if Lumen is Dexter's soulmate. I know that they both came along when the other was in desperate need and they filled those empty spaces. Whether they are fated to continue...I just don't know. My observation was that Dexter seemed more natural and relaxed with Lumen than anyone he has ever been with, including Rita. Lumen 'gets' Dexter. That has been profoudly healing for him.
Dexter first literally saved Lumen, then helped rehabilitate her in the way she requested as well as tenderly tending to her physical wounds.
When Deb tells Dexter that he is 'a good person,' she's right, he is. It makes no sense but that is what keeps us wanting more. 'Dexter' makes us question what, exactly, it means to be a 'good person'? Do any of us really know?
Some short excerpts from Dexter Exec. Producer Sara Colleton in an interview with E! Read it in it's entirety here.
In answer to a plea that the Dexter season 5 ending won't be as emotionally devastating as season 4's murder of Rita, Colleton replied:
You won't need therapy this time. The finale is actually quite therapeutic. It's like therapy in and of itself.
Colleton continued:
This season Dexter's journey was atonement. So the big question is, will he/(is it possible for Dex to) be at peace with himself?...Is it possible he has found a soul mate?
Colleton went on to explain that the many questions of this season are like coins tossed in the air and they will all come down (be answered?) on Sunday night.
When asked about whether Julia Stiles (Lumen) and the rest of the cast will return next season, Colleton turned cagey saying:
'...there a lot of fates that are still possibilities.'
I believe Colleton did a mild deflection of the question by next bringing up Det. Joey Quinn (Desmond Harrington) and stating that his fate was now in Dexter's hands. It's my opinion that Dexter has no reason to take down Quinn now.
Quinn has professed to be in love with Dexter's sis Deb (and she with him). Dex knows this, he knows that Quinn stopped investigating Dex, the guy that was doing the spying (Liddy) is dead and most importantly, his sister loves Quinn even if Dexter dislikes him intensely. As long as Quinn and Dexter have 'an understanding,' I beleive Dex will not sell Quinn down the river and I'm 99% positive Dex will not kill Quinn.
In answer to a query about the place that "Lumen' has had in Dexter's life Colleton responded:
...in the course of trying to help her, the thing has happened that Dexter never thought would. He's contemplating for the first time...Is it possible that there is such a thing as a soul mate? Is it possible that I, Dexter Morgan, could have a soul mate?
Colleton elaborated further on her take on the mechanics of Dexter's thinking:
(Dexter's father Harry) ended up killing himself because he couldn't deal with the guilt of what he had created. And so Dexter carries that guilt in shame... I've always thought (one thing that) binds Dexter to the audience is that we all have this feeling of wanting to be known and we all are terrified that if someone actually saw the real, true us, they might just run in the opposite direction. So he's been forced because of his need of atonement to to expose himself and to atone himself to Lumen.
For the Deb n' Quinn as a couple fans, Colleton had this bone to toss out:
In the last episode you see his character as being a redeemable man and a man worthy of Deb's love, in a way that is really satisfying. Desmond has done such a terrific job with his character and you've really seen him stepping up and becoming Deb-worthy.
...and then take back:
But you know, fate often intervenes...
Reported quotes from the final episode (via anonymous IMDb source) :
HARRY TO DEXTER:
“It’s right in front of you. Remember your target. Where he came from. Who he was.”
QUINN: “I don’t think I should say anything else. Not until I speak to a lawyer.”
LAGUERTA: “We have an officer down. Stan Liddy”*** NOT a spoiler. It is in the sneak peek promo.
BATTISTA: “Am I the only one interested in this goddamn murder?”
LUMEN: “First I wondered what was happening to me, then I was wondering how I could possibly tell you.”
MASUKA: “Is it weird to bring a date to a first birthday party?”
DEB: “I’m happy. You must be too. Now that this is all over, I mean.”
DEXTER: “Wishes, of course, are for children.”
JORDAN TO LUMEN:“You’ve transformed. You’re beautiful. If you hadn’t met me, you’d never know you had it in you.”
I'm really hoping that that final delusional quote by 'Jordan' is just before Lumen plunges the knife into Jordan Chase's black little heart.
Sadly, the Dexter voiceover sonds like it comes after the resolution -- at baby Harrison's birthday party.
Guessing that Deb is speaking to Quinn after Dexter has proven Quinn (via blood analysis) not guilty of having anything to do with Liddy's murder. Dexter is after all a monster with morals.
I truly hope that the Lumen quote is directed at Jordan as a way to buy time prior to him killing her. In her time with Dexter she's been a quick study. It may be what saves her long enough for Dexter to get to her.
Michael C. Hall on Jimmy Fallon, Dec. 7 2010. Part 2
No copyright infringement intended.
Wondering what is to become of Batista's and LaGuerta's marriage? Read on:
Sgt. Batista’s on-the-rocks marriage with LaGuerta won’t get any better before the end of the season — but that doesn’t mean the marriage is hopeless, either. David Zayas told me this week at a LAByrinth Theater Company’s annual celebrity charades fundraiser in New York that the couple’s season-long troubles aren’t necessarily a sign of a breakup. “It never gets resolved. Marriages don’t get resolved. It’s a journey,” he said. “There probably won’t be a definite answer to that question in the season finale, but we’ll be back.”
Everyone has been tight-lipped regarding the Dexter finale — but luckily, the same can’t be said for star Michael C. Hall. While presenting a “Dexter-esque” playlist on New York’s 101.0 RXP, the actor seemingly spilled a huge spoiler by saying fans should pay “special attention” to one of his picks, Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It With Mine,” before watching the finale. Among the lyrics to this song that so-perfectly describes Dexter and Lumen: “The train leaves at half past 10/ But it’ll be back tomorrow same time again./ The conductor, he’s weary, still stuck on the line./ But if I can save you any time/ Come on, give it to me. I’ll keep it with mine.”
Above: Sorry Screen caps I made are crap; promo photos issued by Showtime are OK.
So you're digging Julia Stiles as Lumen? Especially she and Michael C. Hall together? Hmph. About time! I said it once before but it bears repeating: the Lumen character worked.
We've seen a Dexter that had never been exposed before because he'd not yet met Lumen. She has forever changed him. I hope against hope for a not-sad ending for these two.
I never thought, even for a second, that season 5 directly on the heels of the season 4 murder of Dexter's wife Rita, funeral and all, turned out out the way it has. Another cool thing is the show feels fresh--much as it did with last year's balls-out effort with John Lithgow as the 'Trinity Killer', who killed or was responsible for most of Dexter's family getting either shot or killed (Deb in the mid-section to the side area, next to her, together on the ground of the motel parking lot a dying former Agent and current paramour Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) by Trinity's adult daughter/ Joey Quinn's squeeze. Then there was Rita of course, by Trinity).
I hope Lumen (Julia Stiles) survives because I :heart: Lumen, as she's been such a nice 'partner' for Dexter. Certainly, each was the other's after-horrible-life-trauma savior.
'Terrible Curse' Dexter Tries To Bargain w/ Jordan Chase - JC, with Lumen in his trunk, tries to 'eff with Dexter's head while Dexter, driving frantically, desperately tries to find and save Lumen before Chase kills her.
Dexter - 5.12 "The Big One" Season Finale
''Surprise'
In the season finale, Dexter's situation grows more desperate when he discovers that Lumen's been set up. Despite knowing he's being baited into a trap, Dexter risks everything to make sure he doesn't fall into the same mistake again. In the Barrel Girls case, Debra lets her personal feelings lead her instincts once she concludes that vigilantes are more than just a theory. Quinn finds himself in a troublesome situation in which only Dexter can help him.
"Lumen is the only person alive who sees Dexter's true self and accepts him. There's something oddly romantic about that, and also very intimate," Stiles tells TVGuide.com. "The reverse is true for Lumen. The experience she had before was so traumatic, and had an element of shame, where she couldn't go back and see her family. There's something very isolating about that, and the fact that Dexter knows about it and also embraces her is very sweet amidst all this weirdness."
'Life has been twisted, dark and miserable lately for Lumen Pierce (Julia Stiles), which makes her an absolutely perfect fit for Dexter this season. She's been raped, exploited and whipped so badly even Stiles felt the pain. As the actress known for her work in the Bourne movies says, "I forgot to take off my prosthetic slash marks one night and I suddenly went, 'Wait. What happened to me?'" The bigger question is what's happening to Lumen? Ever since Dexter (Michael C. Hall) rescued her from that serial killer's creepy lockup, Lumen's been a bit of a Dexter wannabe. She wants to kill the people who've brutalized her, which in turn puts Dexter in the odd position of trying to stop murders.
"Lumen walks that fine line that's so cool on this show, between doing the right thing and doing the right thing that's sorta the wrong thing," says Stiles, who adds she feels the thrall of the Dexter "community" after only a few guest appearances. "My friends who are crazy about the show are really crazy about the show," she laughs.
Here's what's really crazy: how much we've enjoyed watching Stiles play a pawn in a human-trafficking scheme. Which side wins? The actress isn't telling: "I think we'll see a dramatic ending." Dexter airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime. -Julia Stiles' TV Guide Interview
I'd guessed that Liddy (Peter Weller) would buy it in the December 5 eppy (tonight). He may still do so but this photo still is from the season finale on 12.12.10, (re)titled 'The Big One.' It is quite possible that Liddy's body is found in episode 12 after him being offed in episode 11, IDK. Here are a few more photos being circulated from the finale. At least one is a behind-the-scene shot.
True Blood: Season 3 - In Memoriam (HBO) HBO | Season 3 Ep. 0 | Added: August 30, 2010
Let's go back and pay our respects to all the people who lost their lives in the past 3 seasons of "True Blood." And don't forget to watch the season 3 finale on Sunday, September 12 at 9pm only on HBO. For more information, log onto HBO.com.
I apologize but haven't been able to find a clean copy of the promo for the season finale. Hard to make good screen caps but I tried. Scroll down for 'em.
Have no fear, tho'. I'm quite sure there will be plenty of delicious (video) morsels from HBO in the next 10 or so days to whip us into a frenzy. Check back!
True Blood - 3x12 - 'Evil is Going On' Season Finale Screen Caps
More at http://thetruebloodblog.com True Blood - Season 2.12 (24) - Beyond Here Lies Nothin' - Screen Caps -The Dance, The Proposal, The Garroting.
Maryann has gathered everyone in Bon Temps to witness her marriage to "the God Who Comes." She has hexed them all and they all have "bug-eyes" and have no will of their own. For "The God" to come, he needs a "vessel"-- and an offering, in this case many kinds of meat and an ostrich egg--and a human sacrifice. Sam Merlotte is the unlucky guy who will literally give up his heart to Maryann. Eggs is tasked with first stabbing Sam, allowing Maryann to determine that Sam meets the requirements--which he does. From there, due to a plan known only to Sam and Vampire Bill, things get very unpredictable. NEWLY added! Sookie and Bill's Dance, Engaged or Not?, Bill's Garroting All photos belong to HBO. Sookie and Bill engagement cap thanks to True-Blood.net!
FOR AIRDATE SEPTEMBER 13TH 2009: (Episode 2x12 Season Finale)
The mayhem in Bon Temps reaches a fever pitch as Maryann prepares for her ultimate bestial sacrifice, conscripting Sookie to be Maid of Honor at the bloody nuptials. Meanwhile, Sophie-Anne warns Eric to keep the lid on Bills inquisitiveness; Jason leads Andy into the heroic abyss; and Hoyt has a hard time swallowing Maxines endless stream of insults. Deliberating on what may be his final move to save Sookie and the town, Sam is forced to put his trust, and his life, in a most unlikely ally.
Updated/ OMG! What a mind-blowing finale!
Copyrights belong to HBO True Blood S2xE12 - Beyond Here Lies Nothin' - HD Promo Screen Caps
