MAD MEN
For us every-day TV Addicts who let’s face it, don’t always pick up on the subtle subtleties of every look, nuance and intricate line of dialogue that are packed into each and every hour of the Matthew Weiner masterpiece, Sunday’s game-changer of a finale that had Don leading Roger and Bertram (Sterling and Cooper respectively) in a coup d’état in an effort to take control of their own destiny by secretly starting their own agency was plain and simple mad mad fun. Now, if only we had some assurances that we haven’t seen the last of Ken, Paul and Sal!

90210
After almost a season and a half, this week’s installment of 90210 finally delivered that missing piece of the puzzle. The spark of genuine friendship between our leading players upon Liam finally revealing to Dixon, Teddy and surfer chick Ivy the reason why he looks like he’s ready to ‘Hulk smash’ at a moments notice. Seriously. All that was missing from this next gen gang’s vow to help Liam take Naomi’s duplicitous sister Jen down was an iconic Brandon/Steve/Dylan fist-bump.

GLEE
Just how good was this week’s highly anticipated return of GLEE? So good that the defying-gravity-diva-off between Rachel and Kurt that we’ve been counting down the hours for wasn’t even the episode’s highlight. Don’t get us wrong, our current iTunes play count on Defying Gravity is at a solid 66 plays and counting in less than a week. But when an episode manages to humanize Sue Sylvester, provide Artie with a much-deserved moment in the spotlight and allow for Tina — who quite frankly we were starting to worry was quietly becoming the GLEE equivalent of FRINGE’s Astrid — to deliver not only what was easily her largest amount of dialogue to date, but a shocking reveal to-boot, there’s a good reason why we have yet to stop believin’ (or talkin’ about) this show.

DEXTER
Oh No Dexter Didn’t! Oh wait, he did. Break Harry’s code that is. And now that he’s killed what we presume is his first innocent man — the big, scary, question that remains is will we as fans ever be able to look at what was once America’s favorite serial killer the same way again? Stay tuned.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Predictable, cheesy, call it what you will. But Buddy “Clear eyes, full hearts can’t lose” Garrity’s denouncement of the Dillon Panther Boosters was one of those rare TV moments that PVR’s were made for.

The subject of this week’s ‘Blogger Beat Down’ is… Newsweek writer Joshua Alston who included DEXTER in its list of “Five Failing TV Shows We Should Take Off the Respirator”

Our Take: Had this article been written last season —where Dexter learning about friendship had us learning about our PVR’s fast-forward capabilities — we’d be in total agreement. Unfortunately for the subject of this week’s ‘Blogger Beat Down,’ (and fortunately for us DEXTER fans) four episodes into the season have found ourselves rekindling our love affair with America’s favorite serial killer. Not only has saddling Dexter in suburbia with Rita, two tweens and a baby revitalized the show’s once trademark brand of dark humour, the lack of sleep facing the show’s titular character as he struggles to balance his job and family with his dark passenger has finally seemed to have caught up with him. Raising the stakes, and bringing with it two key components that have been missing from the show since Dexter took down Doakes in season two: A genuine sense of urgency and fear that Dexter might actually get caught. Plus, John Lithgow is such utter perfection as the creepy-beyond-description, seemingly amoral Trinity Killer that it more than makes up for the fact that his character’s shelf life will most likely expire by season’s end.

After months of hype following Marc Ecko’s Comic Con announcement to a roomful of eager fanboys (and girls), DEXTER: THE VIDEO GAME has finally arrived on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Unfortunately, much like his ubiquitous clothing line, the game itself is all style and very little substance.

What Works: DEXTER: THE VIDEO GAME is visually stunning (ranking right up there with the best looking games in the App Store), fantastic sounding (courtesy of a soundtrack ripped directly from the Showtime series), and affordably priced at $3.99 (also known as far less than our daily Starbucks addiction). Regrettably, the positives end there.

What Doesn’t Our biggest problem with the game lies with the fact that the entire adventure (or lack-their of) is a carbon copy of the first season’s story-line. Getting the opportunity to play America’s favorite serial killer Dexter Morgan, as he tries to balance his day job as a mild-mannered blood splatter analyst with his extra curricular activities that involve avenging some of the city’s most gruesome criminals and hunting down the elusive Ice Truck Killer is all well and good if you’re a DEXTER neophyte. But if you’ve seen the series (and odds are if you’re visiting this site you have), the game is nothing more than a glorified rerun.

Added to the monotony is a mixed bag of missions which try far too hard to utilize the touch screen controls on your iPhone/iPod Touch. Unlocking doors, digging graves, jumping, and hacking all by swiping your hand across the screen gets old, and fast. What’s worse, the stealth missions that have you stalking your prey are far more frustrating than fun thanks to a control scheme that is virtually unusable. While mini-games that challenge you to analyze evidence, compare DNA, pick locks and analyze blood will have your very-own dark passenger boiling.

The Bottom Line: As the evidence suggests (see: unoriginal story, poor controls and tedious gameplay) DEXTER: THE VIDEO GAME is most definitely not the killer game fans deserve. 

DEXTER: THE VIDEO GAME is available on iTunes for $3.99.

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Review: A FAMILY GUY iPhone App #Fail

When it comes to our favorite fictional serial killer, suspension of disbelief is pretty much par for the course. Which is why we’ve gladly put aside our question as to how on earth Dexter Morgan’s employer, the Miami PD has yet to clue into his extra-curricular activities in lieu of a far bigger mystery: Just how on earth does a blood splatter analyst afford to support a wife and three kids in a spacious suburban alcove, plus an oceanfront condo and a boat on his public servant salary?

In the world of STARGATE UNIVERSE, mankind is capable of harnessing the power of a Stargate to travel millions of miles away, transport themselves to-and-from ships at will, and protect themselves with state of the art weaponry. Yet David Blue’s Eli Wallace is still using an iPhone.

Be it father William or brother Tommy, the Walker family hasn’t exactly had the most stellar track record when it comes to family members working in the family business. Yet Uncle Saul and Holly waited all of three-minutes to hand over the financials and entrust the future of Ojai Foods to very-sketchy illegitimate step-son Ryan.

Giving us yet another reason for us to worry about the American educational system comes GLEE’s Will Shuster, who has yet to clue into the fact that his wife is wearing a fake pregnancy belly.

Only in the world of MELROSE PLACE do men who look like they’ve just stepped out of an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue have to hire call girls like Stephanie Jacobsen’s Lauren. We’re just sayin’

2. Thursday’s season premiere of that other Shonda Rhimes medical drama opens with a not-so private funeral.

3. Get ready to Dial M… for Mode, when a loved one of a Mode employee finds themselves under investigation for murder.

4. Expect the unemployment rate of Metropolis to shrink this week when a familiar face finds themselves returning to work at The Daily Planet.

5. Gossip Guy Dan Humphrey will soon himself wishing he’d spent a little less time buried in his books and a little more time renting movies. Particularly the one about the girl, who stands in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Dexter Morgan isn’t just America’s favorite serial killer, he is America’s most proficient one.

Which probably explains why, when DEXTER returns tonight for the start of its highly anticipated fourth season (9PM on Showtime, 10PM on TMN in Canada), so too will an entirely new nemesis. (RIP: The Ice Truck Killer, Miguel Prado)

Meet Arthur Mitchell, or as the press has already dubbed him: the Trinity Killer.

And just who did executive producers Clyde Phillips and Sara Colleton lure to play said killer? None-other than two-time 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN Emmy-winner John Lithgow.

No really.

“People have almost forgotten Raising Cain, Cliffhanger, Ricochet, those types of films were my stock and trade for a while.” joked the actor at the recent DEXTER panel at San Diego Comic Con. “I loved the character of Dick Solomon and am proud of 3rd ROCK but it’s nice to be back.”

Back… err… killing? Yeah, this might take some getting used to. Especially with Lithgow’s Arthur Mitchell already being billed as Dexter’s most-worthy adversary to-date. And as the name suggests, his character not only has a penchant for killing in threes, but has managed to do so in secret over the course of the past thirty years.

Secret-keeping which should serve the actor well, considering the show’s producers have entrusted him with one helluva doozy.

“I’m the only one on set who knows what’s going to happen in the next 12 episodes. It’s a fantastic feeling. I could actually speak two sentences right now that would make your head explode,” teased Lithgow. “I act in order to surprise people and boy will I. My character has some fantastic surprises up his sleeve.”

Luckily for this intrepid reporter, one thing Lithgow is only too happy to talk about at a recent Showtime/CBS/CW party is his adoration for his 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Who fresh off this summer’s indie darling 500 Days of Summer has managed to become one of Hollywood’s most sought after young actors.

“Oh he is such a wonderful rare young man and he always was,” explained Lithgow. “As a kid, he carried the burden of a sort of adult life, but as an adult he still has all the joys of being a kid. His success is so wonderful to watch and I’m just so happy for him.”

Happy enough to spill a secret or two about the upcoming season of DEXTER? Like if there is any possibility his Trinity Killer might manage to do the unthinkable: Survive to see next season’s premiere?

“Well I’m doing the best I can,” promised the actor. “I would love to work on DEXTER forever, but I am a serial killer and you know they keep to themselves and they don’t last long.”

Catch the new season of DEXTER starting Sunday September 27 at 9PM on Showtime (10PM TMN in Canada)

When America’s favorite serial killer returns this September 27, Dexter Morgan will have quite the juggling act on his hands. Will he be able to find the time for his extra curricular activities between diaper duty and playing house? Is this the year Deb finally connects the dots? And just how killer a role will John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer play? Not surprisingly, nobody’s talking. “I’m the only one on set who knows what’s going to happen in the next 12 episodes and it’s a fantastic feeling,” teased Lithgow at the recent San Diego Comic Convention. “I could actually speak two sentences right now that would make this entire building explode. It’s quite thrilling. My character has fantastic surprises. I act in order to surprise people and boy will I.” But until then, these first look photos of the new season will have to do.

Dexter Morgan family man? That’s the big challenge facing America’s favorite serial killer as he attempts to balance the pressures of fatherhood with his extra curricular activities when the series returns this September. “It’s tough, there’s lot of sleep deprivation,” revealed actor Michael C. Hall in a recent interview at Comic Con. “I think the idea was one thing, but the reality, being a suburban family man, maintaining an allegiance to his dark passenger proves to be pretty daunting and at times overwhelming.”

Roll Call: In attendance were Michael C Hall (Dexter), Julie Benz (Rita), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), John Lithgow (Who joins the cast this season as the Trinity Killer and oddly enough got the panel’s largest cheer) alongside Executive Producers Tony Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Clyde Phillips and Melissa Rosenberg (Who also has the dubious distinction of scripting the Twilight movies)

It’s a Boy!: According to proud papa Michael C. Hall himself, “the baby [named Harrison in honor of Papa Harry] has yet to exhibit any signs of having a ‘Dark Passenger’ of his very own, but the possibility is always there.” Adds Benz, “I hope my genes take over.”

Get Ready to Rumble: Those anticipating a showdown between John Litghow’s Trinity killer and Michael C. Hall’s Dexter shouldn’t hold their breath. At least according to Lithgow, who didn’t exactly have an answer when asked what it’s like to work with such a talented cast since five episodes in, he has yet to do so! Teased Lithgow, “I spend a lot of the first five episodes lurking and stalking!”

Killer Laughs: If given the choice, Lithgow’s first victim would be his famous TV alter ego, 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN’s High Commander Dick Solomon. “I loved the character and am proud of 3rd ROCK but it’s nice to be back. People have almost forgotten Raising Cain, Cliffhanger, Ricochet. Those types of films were my stock and trade for a while.”

Commercial Breaks: Pauses in the panel were taken so that the moderator could promote the upcoming DEXTER Game for the iPhone/iPod Touch, the third season DVD which is hitting shelves this August, DEXTER animated webisodes that will serve as a prequel of sorts chronicling Dexter’s early killings and of course, the line of bobble heads and action fingers, which star Michael C. Hall finds, “Very strange, but fantastic. When we were shooting the pilot I had no idea it would come to this… bobble-heads and action figures.”

Spoiler Alert!: Keith Carradine, who fans will remember as Special Agent Frank Lundy is back to help rid Miami of Lithgow’s Trinity killer. Which will not only have a huge implications for Dexter when he’s asked to lend his expertise, but will inject even more drama into Deb’s always interesting love life. Teased executive producer Colleton, “Given their deep history and love for eachother, expect the two of them to have some very interesting scenes together.”

Moment that makes up for having to wait for three hours in line alongside a guy who most definitely should not have chosen the ‘all spandex’ costume option: Julie Benz’s answer to whether or not Rita will ever find out about Dexter’s extra-curricular activities. “When you read about serial killers and their families, the wives never know. It’s not because the signs aren’t there, they simply choose to ignore them. When you’re opening your heart, sharing your should you choose to see the good. We’re not equipped to see that side of someone we love. Honestly, Rita wouldn’t believe it. I mean you could show her the show and she would say, ‘No, it can’t be true!’ She would stand by her man, not out of nativity or stupidity, but out of love.”

Down the Road: Just how long can DEXTER continue? According to Colleten, the show will continue “as long as the show remains fresh and Dexter has room within his character to explore different human behaviors.”

Not-so Favorite Fan Question: When three or four audience members insisted on asking the same variation of the exact same question with regards to how Michael C. Hall can play a serial killer while in real-life appear to be such a normal nice guy. Umm… I think that’s why it’s called ACTING!

Tease that will have you counting down the days until DEXTER’s September 27 premiere: John Lithgow knows. “I’m the only one on set who knows what’s going to happen in the next 12 episodes. It’s a fantastic feeling. I could actually speak two sentences right now that would make this entire building explode. It’s quite thrilling. My character has fantastic surprises. I act in order to surprise people and boy will I.”

Related DEXTER reports from around the web
• Click here for the official first look at DEXTER season 4, video styles.
• Dexter at Comic-Con: Dishing on Daddy Duty, Deb & Dark Deeds
• ‘Dexter’ slays the Comic-Con crowd with a sneak peek at season 4

DEXTER: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is now available on Blu-ray and if you’d like to experience the fantastic sophomore season that has Dexter Morgan doing his best to juggle the mysterious and alluring Lila alongside his increasingly complicated relationship with Rita all the while attempting to stay one step ahead of Special Agent Frank Lundy’s search for the “Bay Harbor Butcher” — all you have to do is post away in the comments below with your best guess as to which character is going to be next to find themselves on the wrong end of Dexter’s special brand of justice when the hit Showtime series returns this fall.

One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on June 10, so be sure to enter using a valid email address. Not a winner? DEXTER: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is now available on Amazon for only $38.99.