Warning: Fullfor the episode follow...

Interesting shot, wouldn't you say?

"What kind of gift destroys everything it cares about?""Every Silver Lining...," directed by star Michael C. Hall, improved over the shaky premiere, quickly (and satisfactorily) creating a bond between Dexter and Dr. Vogel while also giving us our first taste of the overall direction for this final season. It leapt right into Vogel's past, not making us wait for answers as to her connection to Dexter, and it handed us a new mystery in the form of Dexter being asked by Vogel to track down the identity of the "Brain Surgeon" before the cops - cleverly circumventing the promise he'd made to Deb last year about trying to nab killers before the system even had a chance to fail.But most importantly, this episode ended with Dexter fully, and finally, realizing the breadth of his calamity. It was as if, for the first time, he truly understood the damage he'd done to Deb - now even admitting that the old Deb is gone, replaced with someone he didn't understand or recognize at all. A frustrating element to last week's premiere was just how clueless Dexter was; asking Deb things like "Why haven't you returned my calls?" or lightly chastising her for not attending LaGuerta's memorial. Despite lacking whatever it is that Dexter lacks these days (I mean the show's established that he has empathy and can love others), it seemed too much of a stretch, especially given the six month gap, that he wouldn't comprehend her motives for quitting and staying away from him. But now, after making the frightening discovery that she murdered El Sapo, he realized that he's destroyed her. And that is something that I hope he lives with for a while. Because that feels like actual consequences. Yes, I would say even more so than the death of Rita since I don't think he's still taken full responsibility for that one. In fact, Deb was the one to shine a spotlight on his role in Rita's demise last season.So yes, I really enjoy the fact that Dexter is coming to terms with shattering Deb's entire identity. As for the way he came to that conclusion? Wellll. Look, part of it was him discovering that she killed El Sapo, but the other part was him being wrong about the Brain Surgeon; thinking that it was that Lyle guy when it was painfully obvious to Vogel, and the viewer, that it wasn't. And he then became overly hard on himself for being wrong. Because tracking down killers was "the one thing I've always been good at," according to him. Really? I'd say there've been some definite thrown tests along the way. Dexter's been wrong before. In fact, he's been wrong about suspects before. He was wrong for two-thirds of Season 6 in fact. He was wrong about Lila. It's not a big deal, but I'm just saying that he's not as "off his game" as the show would like us to believe.He is, however, being taken away from his hunt due to Deb's troubles. Something that immediately interests Vogel. Now Vogel, back in the premiere, felt like a clumsy insert, but this episode, which spent the first eight minutes or so featuring a conversation between her and Dexter, did a great job of deepening her role. Plus, we got to see James Remar play Harry outside of Dexter's mind. It's been a while since we've seen him in actual Harry events.So we've now learned that Vogel, in a maternal Frankenstein sense, helped shape Dexter into the vigilante killer he is. "I developed a framework for your survival," as she put it. Vogel mentioned to Dexter that Harry, needing someone to confide in, went to her because she didn't judge, or see things in black and white. And the more she then spoke to Dexter about her theories and practices (and her belief that societies' psychos weren't mistakes) the more it seems like she might be a bit of a sociopath herself. With her lack of empathy being masked through academia and a clinical tone. It does make me wonder what some of the other tactics were that she used on her former crazies, given that Dexter was the only one given a "code." Also, what was her intention for them? With Dexter, she was helping Harry find a place for Dexter in the world. But what was her goal with the others?Plus, there was a small moment when she seemed puzzled after Dexter told her that it would have been nice to have someone, like her, to talk to after Harry died. So already there's a disconnect between her initial diagnosis of Dexter and what he's become on the show. Which is great because it's actively acknowledging Dexter's emotional evolution. Which seems a bit overdue considering that just two years ago he was still inner-monologuing the whole "I'm a monster who doesn't get a happy ending" deal. But yeah, if Dexter could keep surprising Vogel with his feelings, that would be awesome.I'm going to try to not mention how amazing Jennifer Carpenter is each and every week, but she kind of is. Also, her bum-rushing El Sapo in the storage locker corridor showed just how full of rage and self-destructiveness Deb is; willing to almost get killed just so that someone, anyone doesn't get one over on her. In this "hellhole that is now her life." This week though, I want to talk about Elway (Young Indiana Jones himself, Sean Patrick Flanery) since I didn't really get to him last week. Is he to be taken at face value or what? Because, so far, he seems like a straight-shooter. Like, he's actually on the up and up. In fact, the only reason that I think he might be up to no good is because the occupation "Miami P.I." just makes me think of sleaziness. And also because he's on Dexter. But could he just be a good friend? So far he just seems to want to do a good job and look out for Deb as best he can; even giving her an at-the-ready electrolyte-replenshing drink. I mean, eventually Elway will have to become more interesting, I'm just not sure yet what his path will be.As far as the murder goes though...is it too convenient that Deb doesn't remember shooting El Sapo? Just snippets? Was she high when she did it, or did it happen right after she was beaten up and she was just out of it from being kicked around? And where did she get the other gun if he took hers?The Quinn storyline took a more interesting turn this week too. Sure, there was still a really dumb scene with him and Jamie in the car and him yelling "GET OFF MY ASS!" to, you know, life. And then Jamie going inside and yelling at Batista, being all like "You're putting too much pressure on Joey!" As if Quinn was some dumb turtle who needed a calm, quiet environment lest he die of stress. But, on the brighter side of things, having Batista figure out that Quinn was dating Jamie was a smart move (although I still don't know why he, of all people, would think Quinn would make a good sergeant). Even better though was the show circling back to Quinn and Deb's relationship storyline - which had previously been dropped cold at the top of Season 6. Now, with Deb not wanting to talk to Dexter, Quinn's become her only go-to guy at Miami Metro, causing him to have more than a few complex feelings. Not sure if any of the Season 5 stuff will come back (Quinn still has that video of Dexter and Lumen dumping bodies, right?), but for right now I'm enjoying Quinn being included as a piece in Dexter and Deb's estrangement.

Ray Donovan: Episode 2 Review



I'm not sure if the Brain Surgeon will turn out to be someone we already know or if he'll just be a really sinister new character - from Vogel's list, as she suggested. But I am sure that we, as an audience, will know him when we see him. And Lyle wasn't him. Dexter's now got a list to work with, and likewise/Lylewise, he'll probably have to go through a few of them before hitting the jackpot. "Every Silver Lining..." reminded me of some of the best elements from Season 7 with its detailed and thoughtful conversations about Dexter's actions and the consequences of those actions. And, as a bonus, we were given a bit more insight as to the origins of his actions.



*Note: Showtime's "Next time on Dexter..." tags at the end of each episode are notoriously super-spoilery. I purposefully don't watch them, and I recommend that you don't either. If you do though, keep in mind that they might have immediately answered questions I've raised in the review.*

Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler , IGN at mattfowler , and Facebook at Facebook.com/Showrenity