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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
Dexter: New Blood Episode Three is titled “Smoke Signals” and David McMillan serves as the episode’s writer and direction is handled by Sanford Bookstaver. Once again, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) spends more time covering up for his “mistake” before more cops and K9s arrive and he has more attempts to connect with his son.
You can also read our reviews on Episodes One and Two!
The Cast of This Week’s Dexter: New Blood
The cast continues to be a centerpiece of the show, and this episode reveals more of Harrison’s (Jack Alcott) background that wasn’t known prior. He might have his own Dark Passenger that he’s dealt with for a while; the character is a little more aggressive here than before. Unless it’s just seemingly someone else, the show’s villain (Clancy Brown) also reveals more to the audience, connecting with Dexter a bit more here.
Oscar Wahlberg, Mark & Donnie’s nephew, gets a moment to shine as Zach but gets shut down by Alcott, although it’ll make you laugh. Edward Olsen (Frederic Lehne) continues to be a mystery and is probably connected to the larger story. Jamie Chung finally makes her debut and probably has more to come; her character is odd. Teddy Reed (David Magidoff), another Iron Lake cop, seems like this season’s Masuka, minus the sexual harassment, that part’s good, but otherwise, he’s honestly just annoying.
Themes
The overarching theme of family is extended in the episode and rounds everything out nicely. Although, it’s still hard to determine whether or not Dexter can make this work, as now it seems like Harrison has a thing for Audrey (Johnny Sequoyah). Dexter has Debra pulling him out and then Angela (Julia Jones) pulls him back in, along with his burning desire to be a father for Harrison. Harrison does remark to him as “Dad” at one point, so it seems to be headed in the right direction.
Plot
The writers finally finish the subplot of the mythical white deer from the beginning of the season. There is a great scene where the Native peoples have a traditional funeral for the animal. The attention to detail in this season is a great part to watch on screen. Iron Lake really is small, as the butcher of the town remarks that Harrison is “Jim’s kid”. So it seems Dexter is going to have to watch his moves even more carefully than before.
From left to right: Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) and Kurt Caldwell (Clancy Brown) in ‘Dexter: New Blood’ Episode Three: “Smoke Signals”.
The cinematography continues to impress with this episode. Several scenes open on a one-shot and the transitions as the camera needs to move are so smooth. The writing continues to impress as well, and the continued exploration of Harrison and his motives are great too.
Debra is featured a little less in this episode. I surprisingly missed the inner thoughts she provides to Dexter, in place of Harry, their father in the original show. There is a lot that the show wants to reveal but it keeps holding just enough back so I guess we’ll have to wait another week.
Final Thoughts
The episode’s end is rather odd, thankfully we see Dexter tie up a huge loose end and we get more of Harrison. Dexter still wants a family and maybe he’ll try his abstinence again and actually follow through. Although, he noticed that there’s another hunter out there so we’ll see next Sunday.
Are you keeping up with the revival? It’s available anywhere you watch Showtime! For more Dexter: New Blood stay right here with TCS!
Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
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