Splatter Specs: "Father Knows Best" (Dexter, Season 2)

After "Shrink Wrap", I knew Dexter was onto something.

Then the show follows that up with "Father Knows Best".

I always liked Harry and Dexter's relationship, but this episode takes all your perceptions and mindfucks them. In a serious way. In a seriously good way.

Harry led a double life? Faked his own death? All to protect his son? My goodness. The show had already established a strong connection between foster father and son, but if that was relationship a genuine example of nature at work, that's downright beautiful.

Dexter is so great because it humanizes its subject without ever forcing him to betray himself. He has only two connections left in this world now that Harry's gone, and they're only half as strong. His sister loves him, but Dexter can't return her genuine sibling feelings. Rita is a complicated matter. He seems to like her, but can he really love anyone? I don't think so. But still, a little feeling is something big for someone empty like Dexter.

I'm now confident this show knows where it's going. Even the background characters, particularly Angelo, are taking on a strong life of their own. It's not LOST, but it's great writing.

Happy splatters.