Just watched tonight's episode...it was pretty damn good. Jimmy Smits character is fitting into the plot very nicely (I loved how Dexter gets caught red-handed but manages to resolve it realistically), and it looks like there's a new serial killer too. Can't say the killer's calling card is that interesting, but then again, I guess it would be pretty hard to compete with Dexter's brother from season 1.

My only complaint is that Dexter comes off like a normal guy that just happens to kill people. I mean, in Season 1 there was this hollow, quirky edge to him, but it seems like it's gone now. Remember when he tried to go down on Rita while she was crying during some movie? Well, where are the moments like that?

I liked it. I liked it a lot.

The quirks aren't as potent as they were in season 1, but I guess that could easily be explained by his growing 'social skills'.

My only complaint too. Loved it otherwise.

I hate how they take a good book series, tone down the story, throw in some nudity, pop it on Showtime, an all the artsy fags eat it up like a fat person eats a hamburger.

The book series turned to shit after the second book. It starts involving cults and fantasy crap.

And seriously...the first season is among the best seasons in TV history dude.

Blah, blah, blah... 'Zomg you uncultured fuck Showtime makes the good showz and the bookz sukk major'

I'm not too impressed with Showtime writers either. Season 2 was kind of crappy, and they used up the most interesting storylines (ie. his background, Doakes, etc.).

Season 1 was great though. Are you that much of a fag that you think because there's a book, the TV version can't be equally good?

I see what you are saying now. Yes season 1 was good, but then just like the book series it seems to lose its touch and originality and that 'spark' that made it Dexter in the first place.

They can only milk the series/characters for so long... and they're starting to push the limit.

agreed

the first 2 books were amazing, they should have just used the story directly from them for the tv series, then started making shit story arcs.

i was let down with season 2, but after this episode im glad with what happened, a big plot twist that in a way you can see happening.

IMO, Season 2's plotline could have been awesome, but 1) it was poorly executed, and 2) having him being hunted is the kind of thing they would want to do later in the series' life. It's a popular show, so you know there's no way they're going to have him revealed as a killer in Season 2. If they did that plotline for Season 3 or 4, then there'd be some serious tension. As it turned out, you really just sat around waiting for him to kill Doakes and/or Lila. And again, execution was really bad. Dexter was ridiculously careless, Lila was nearly as annoying as Jar Jar Binks, and most of the episodes had really unbelievable coincidences. It's hard to get immersed in a show when you have no choice but to shake your head in disbelief every 30 minutes. In addition to wasting the plotline of him being hunted, they also wasted an awesome character by killing off Doakes. He was actually the only other truly interesting/funny character on the show, and the relationship between him and Dexter could have been expanded in a much more interesting way.

In fact, it's interesting that they've had him get caught and let go by Smits. I expected that dynamic to happen with Doakes. Go figure.

But anyways, looks like things are improving this season, so who knows.