I will leave it to the regular TV recap to unsnarl this week’s twists in Dexter. But I just want to give a shout-out to Peter Weller and his portrayal of the sleazy cop Stan Liddy — Weller’s embodiment of the lizard-eyed creep who’s scoping out Dexter at the behest of Quinn was wonderful this week, I thought. With his menacing drawl and unpredictable, free-floating hostility, Weller’s Liddy is a fine addition to a season that’s been a tad slow to shift into high gear.
I interviewed Weller recently, and the man who immortalized Robocop as well as co-starring in many fine, underrated movies ranging from Shoot The Moon (1982) to Screamers (1995) was enthusiastic about his role and the show: “[Producer] Manny Coto is a dear friend, and he told me they were writing a role for me. So I kind of put the drapery around the character; made him a sort of cocaine cowboy. It was as good a time as I’ve had shooting TV.”
And working with Michael C. Hall. “He’s a fabulous guy, very inventive. In part because he’s from the theater, he takes nothing for granted — he’s always inventing, every take. And he’s an inspiration because of what he’s survived.”
I asked Weller whether he compared notes with John Lithgow on doing Dexter. Get the connection? Of course you do: Weller and Lithgow were hero and foe in the terrific 1984 cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. “No, I’m in touch with John, he’s a lovely man, but I knew it would be best to come to the show fresh.”
Of Liddy, Weller says, “He’s not the lead villain Dexter is going after — he’s something new for the show: Liddy is the thorn in Dexter’s side. Dexter is usually the hunter, but Liddy is going after him. When the producers showed me the role, I said, ‘Let’s swing it, man!’”
Look for more of my interview with Weller, with talk of everything from Robocop to a reality-show idea he has, in the next issue of Entertainment Weekly, and on this blog later in the week.
Twitter: @kentucker
i really hope that’s him trying to get into dexter’s house next week and lumen kills him.
not that i don’t think he’s great – the story is just stressing me out.
Me too! The suspense is killing me!
That was my thought. It would be a relatively easy way to get this guy off Dexter’s tail, though of course Quinn will become more suspicious (or relieved?) if the guy disappears.
Since next week’s title is called “Teenage Wasteland”, maybe the person trying to break into Dex’s house is Jonah Mitchell, who maybe found out where Dex lived and broke out of the safehouse?
Why would Jonah do that? Makes no sense. Besides, seems like the Jonah-Kyle Butler storyline has been dropped, though I don’t know why. It had exciting possibilities.
It looked liked a woman with straight hair from the silhouette.
It’s probably Deb.
He know’s Lumen is in the house and she knows his face so breaking in would expose him. I think it’s Deb looking for somewhere quiet to rest her head.
I love this season, and Peter Weller is a GREAT addition to the show. Cant wait for next week!
He was also excellent on an episode of Fringe last season.
Nice catch! I totally forgot about that! Nice to know there are other people who also watch these two awesome shows together.
I can’t wait for what happens in these last few episodes on Dexter. It’s going great, but I still miss Rita!!!
I loved the ending of the show! can’t wait for next week ..p.s: FRINGE RULES!
He was brilliant in Fringe, White Tulip is one of my favorite episodes.
First thing I thought about. I am a big Robocop fan and seeing him in Fringe reminded me of what a fine actor is is.
Liddy is a welcome shot of peripheral menace. Anyone else notice Cole (Chris Vance) played another dapper psychopath, Mason Gilroy, on Burn Notice?
Yup! I did! I was thrilled to see him again.
MCH and the guest stars are terrific actors. It’s the rest of the regular cast (JC especially) that suck.
Jennifer Carpenter has really become fantastic over the years. I can’t believe she didn’t get an Emmy nom for last season.
I agree. She is a brilliantly gifted actress and was robbed of an Emmy nom for her amazing season 4 arc. Of course, MCH is incomparable in his acting ability. He mesmerizes me.
JCarpenter is fantastic and brilliantly gifted? Are you two related to her or what, because brilliant, she is NOT. An Emmy for Season 4? She has her moment when she was talking to Christine just before Christine shot herself – she could have shone then, but she was LAME and not believable. Overall she has her moments but you two need to get some perspective.
I am really digging Peter Weller in this role. I loved Buckaroo Banzai – wish there had been a sequel to it. Will just have to enjoy Peter Weller in other roles.
He will ALWAYS be Buckaroo to me!
There was supposed to be!! The studio head at the time hated it and cancelled it.
The creators also worked on a TV series, with the same result.
Buckaroo Bonzai omg I haven’t seen that in years!
DEXTER RULES!
This season is awesome.
I love this season
This is a great article. I kept wondering when someone was going to write something about Liddy. Hes one of the most important characters this season.
Every part of my body clenched when I saw him with that camera at the end of last night’s episode. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I know…me too!! The season finally hit it’s stride with this fantastic nail-biter of an episode.
Plus, I know everyone is gaga about last season, and don’t get me wrong, it was a very good season (although, sometimes, I just didn’t buy in the whole Dexter not killing Trinity earlier on). But this season has been amazing, and the chemistry between Stiles and Hall is sparkling. The thought of Dexter having someone in his life with whom he can actually share the truth is just so moving.
i agree with you! lithgow was great, but there is no way dexter would have made so many stupid decisions. i’m glad i’m not alone in my meh reaction to last season. i still think season 1 was the best.
I found it plausable that Dexter wanted to learn from Trinity. Trinity was able to balance his dark passanger and family life so well (or so it seemed) that it kept Dexter intrigued. Plus by delaying the Kill it gave Trinity the chance to Kill Rita, hence the reget this season. Like it or not, believe it or not, I feel it was necesary.
“Sparkling chemistry” between Stiles and MCH? Don’t know what you’re watching because you can’t be watching what I’m watching. What chemistry??????
“Nice shootin’ son, what’s your name?”
“Murphy”
Classic!
I also love Peter Weller on all those History channel shows, e.g., Engineering an Empire. Who knew when he first started doing those that he had the degrees he does? I think he is great host/narrator on those as well.