Tribute to a Legend

This article will be devoted to someone that i recently lost from my life. A man who entertained me once a week for a short period of time, but never failed to leave me enthralled, aghast, amazed.....pretty much took me through the entire rainbow of emotions. I laughed with him. I cried with him. And when he died....a piece of me died with him. If you don't know who i'm talking about....then i'm going to have to take a quote from Alex Kitz when he was asking Mumford if he read up on the show "Lost" after each episode and Mumford responded that he did not, "well then you're an idiot!" The man is none other than Jimmy Smits.

For those of you stupid enough to not watch Dexter every week, then you won't understand this tribute and you should probably just go rent seasons 1 or 2, or maybe take a long walk off a short pier because you are a waste of space and serve no purpose in society. Dexter is quite frankly the best show on TV bar none, and this season Jimmy Smits (Miguel Prado), was the best character on said show.

Miguel: "Are you going to help me kill Ellen Wolf?"

Dexter: "No"

Miguel: "Well then FUCK YOU!!!" (Incredible switch from normal conversation to insane latino rage)

Miguel: "That blood sucking defense attorney ELLEN WOLF!!!!" (I got chills when i heard this quote, i'm pretty sure Jimmy Smits is method and probably killed an actual Ellen Wolf before doing this scene)

(Spoiler alert!)When we look back on this season of Dexter, i hope that collectively as a fan base, we can look past our feelings of sorrow for the loss of Jimmy, and remember him for all the good times. The time when he discovered Dexter was a killer and not only accepted but embraced him for his actions. The time when Dexter asked him to dress inconspicuous because they were staking out a potential kill, and old Jimmy showed up wearing all black with black sunglasses. The time wear Jimmy showed up at Ellen Wolf's house and forced his way in at the end of an episode, leaving us all to wonder whether he had the balls to kill her. Jimmy's first kill and the look of latin ecstacy on his face as he plunged the knife home. And of course, who could forget the crowning jewel. The time Jimmy was faced with his own impending death at the hands of Dexter, and rather than shy away and cower, he screamed in Dexter's face that "this doesn't end here!" as he died.

Dexter has now been around for three full seasons. And in these seasons we have seen a myriad of characters come and go each hoping to leave it's mark upon our creative conscious'. The ice truck killer in season 1, whom Buckley and i discovered yesterday on imdb, and we found out he has never acted in his life before Dexter....or after. Sargeant Doakes, Dexter's long time enemy spanning two seasons who's constant pissed off attitude and hatred towards Dexter left us with many memorable moments and quotes. Detective Lundy who's annoying eating habits and sublime buttocks made us all realize why sometimes younger girls like to bone old men. George King...the skinner...who's Nicaraguan heritage has made everyone coming with me in February on our surfing trip start to have second thoughts. All were great characters, but in the end there will always only be one that stands out in my mind. Miguel Prado.....Jimmy Smits....thanks for the memories.

The Tittie Pipe

Dexter

Sundays, 9 PM EST, on TMN

I have been fortunate enough to have watched Dexter from when it first started. I don't really remember my parents ordering TMNOD. But they did. And it was a great gift in a number of ways, not the least of which was that I got hooked right off the bat. Which is not to say I'm better than late-comers (though that's likely true). It's just to say that I've known Dexter for quite some time.

And oh the difference familiarity makes.

Last night's episode was, at least according to it's script, about the butterfly effect. About one little action setting off a string of equal reactions which, given time and circumstance crest into something bigger than you could possible imagine. And that was certainly true in Sunday's episode. Give a man a kill, and he's satisfied for a day, teach a man to kill and he can murder for a lifetime.

Other blogs have said that Dex is stupid to be sharing his carefully laid out system. I don't think so. I think he is lonely. Or rather, I think he may be stupid, but he is first and foremost lonely. He needs someone to know his darkness. He needs someone who can understand him rationally. For a man with no emotions, being loved for the sake of being loved is an odd idea. The rational mind would dictate that he must be loved for his true qualities. And he aims to have his new Best Man know those qualities. Even if they are shown in intermittent flashes of his psychosis. 

But I would say the minute to minute of this episode, while totally fucking awesome, was less important than the bigger questions of morality which, when dealt with in a subdued manner are dealt with better here than on any other show on TV. Because really Miguel isn't doing anything worse than Dexter. Is Dexter born with it? Is that why it's alright? Is Miguel just doing this to further his career as a lawyer? Is that why he seems so evil? Does it really matter?

I brought up how long I've been watching Dexter because I think it holds some weight in looking at the bigger moral questions. We, as loyal viewers, have all become complacent to Dex's murders. If he doesn't murder, we almost feel gypped. That is because we know him. And so it is interesting to see Dexter creating a new version of himself. Someone who, in theory at least, follows the code (or some of it). Someone who knows the practical aspects of it all. And yet someone who we cannot root for. 

The remainder of the plot has been derided as a bit of a foregone conclusion. Miguel murders the defense lawyer, Dex has to murder him, all is well that ends well. But I'm not so sure that is the case. I'm always excited with Dexter plots, so I will just say this: I am excited for whatever happens from here on in. But I'm mostly excited for the bigger questions that will be tackled here - namely, can Dexter find some kind of justification for what he does. Or will his half pulling him toward good and normalcy and his half pulling him further and further towards his darkness pull him apart completely?

In side story news:

Worst line of the week: "Trimmed trees! The skinner's been here!!" But on the bright side - the fear in the perp's eyes about his boss suggest that they're finally hunting a bag guy that isn't a serial killer. I mean, honestly, if there are that many in Miami alone, it kind of takes away from Dexter, doesn't it? regardless, Deb chasing an evil drug-lord (or something to that effect) is a good call. And while it could risk the B-plots going into CSI-like territory, I think the character of Deb can help steer it away from mediocrity.

Also, Angels' getting laid. Awesome.

TV Tuesday!

I know you're all disappointed right now, cause here's an article on Television, but it's not by Kitzy, yes that's right, because that little politicunt is over their in Florida making sure the right man ends up running the country of our closest allies. An honorable mission no doubt so i'll try and fill in for him. Problem is, unlike Kitzy who watches every single horrible show that gets pumped out through network TV, I don't really have that many regular shows that I watch. And no i'm not even trying to claim to be one of those people you come across that says, "I don't even watch TV!" Cause I do. But i usually watch hockey, movies, and reruns of Seinfeld and Two and a Half Men (that Charlie is just incorrigible isn't he!). However there are two shows i watch on a regular basis. Dexter, and Entourage. So right now i'm throwing up the warning bell, if you're not caught up in either show, DING DING DING! SPOILER ALERT! Dont' read on!

Dexter:

Probably the greatest show on television, i can't think of anything that would top it. For those who have never seen Dexter, essentially it revolves around a forensics expert with the Miami P.D., aptly named.....Dexter. Dexter is a serial killer. However his father, who adopted Dexter at a young age, caught on to this early on in his life, (which is explained through numerous flashbacks), and taught his son how to kill, and more importantly who to kill. Using his skills in forensics and police work he tracks down those that deserve to die, but are not in jail, and FUCKS THEIR SHIT UP! Sorry...i really like the show.

This week's episode was an absolute banger! Things are really starting to heat up, Rita is pregnant and Dexter is now faced with the fact that he is going to be a father whether he likes it or not? Can someone who kills for a living really be responsible for another human life? Stay tuned! Not only that, but now Jimmy Smits character, who is just fantastic, knows Dexter's secret! HE KNOWS! And the craziest part is that he's fine with it! The A.D.A. for Miami is well aware that Dexter is killing people and taking out the trash, and approves of it, and is possibly willing to help? Will Dexter accept an accomplice in his actions? He's always been a lone wolf, can he accept help from another? If not what choice does he have? Stay tuned. And Deb, getting a little close to her C.I. it seems, we all know she hasn't had a lot of luck in her lovelife in recent years, is her luck changing? Stay Tuned.



Entourage:
Maybe i'm the only one who feels this way, but the first five episodes of Entourage so far this season....have been kind of shit. I mean each episode is already short enough, 25 minutes or so, so it seems over before it starts most of the time. So at the beginning of this season they decided to....well basically do nothing. Each episode seemed to be an exercise in pointlessness, is that a word? And what was even less encouraging was the fact that I used to like all the characters, i felt they genuinely all fit in to their roles, but that was starting to fade this season. Besides Ari who always seems to be Gold, pun intended, it seemed that Vince was just kind of frustrating, because i'm sorry, if you're going bankrupt, i don't give a fuck who you are, you definitely care. E seemed like this cocky little fuck, Turtle wasn't really doing anything at all, and Drama seemed to be finally becoming slightly played out.

I fell behind a couple episodes but finally got back on track Sunday and caught up. Complete 180! I'm back baby i'm back! Loved it! Love the way the story line was going, finally some action. Probably solely because their was some plot invested in the scripts, the characters came back to life for me. Vince's dilemma with Ari's possible decision to become a studio head. Turtle becoming Drama's personal assistant and then fucking him right over. And Ari taking what looked to be an awkward career decision and spinning it from straw into gold. Loved it. So now Vince has a movie to make, Ari is still his agent, and the show has life again. Considering i only really follow two shows, the fact that both are good again....well i couldn't be happier.



Sidenote: Stay tuned in the following weeks, as Mike Denby will be writing an article about his favorite show, "How I Met Your Mother," which i for one am quite excited for.