Around the time of season 3, I honestly felt like Dexter had kind of grown soft. This may have been due to my continued exposure to it, but the tension and horror just wasn't there anymore. As season 4 began to unfold, I felt that the character of Trinity (John Lithgow) was a possible attempt at recapturing that horrific power of the first season (and to an extent, the second season). This episode fulfilled it, and took it up about 6 notches. While the Angel/LaGuerta scenes, the Masuka/Rita/Debra/Elliot/Kids scenes, and the Quinn/Hill scenes (including the huge reveal at the end) were nice for character development, the true core of the episode came from the scenes involving Dexter getting to the bottom of the Mitchell family. The way that Arthur uses his family takes Dexter's season 1 "cover" ideas, and twists them into a strange psychological world that is easily the most terrifying element of the entire series thus far. Mitchell's wife and daughter are practically puppets bent to serve his will, while his son retains an independent spirit that can only be quelled by brutal beatings and injuries inflicted by his father. Dexter himself becomes so disturbed by the events in the house that he almost kills Trinity right then and there. True standout performances from Michael C. Hall, John Lithgow, and Brando Eaton only increase the power of this episode. Easily the most frightening and psychologically powerful episode of Dexter, and the best episode since the epic season 1 finale.
Review of Hungry Man
