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Does Dexter have a killer ending in its final season?

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All good things must come to an end. Dexter's lead star Michael C. Hall promises closure for the final season of the hit series.

IT has been seven years since we first witnessed Dexter Morgan kill. Terrified yet captivated, we watched him methodically stalk his victim – a pastor and boys' choir conductor named Mike Donovan who rapes and kills young boys – in the dark of the night.

Dexter abducted and then choked him into submission using a wire. We watched in horror and anticipation as Dexter stood over his victim, who he'd laid naked on a long table, bound tightly with shrink wrap (industrial strength, for sure) and duct tape.

We marvelled at the "kill room" which was covered completely in plastic (to avoid any traces of blood and body parts).

We watched with bated breath as Dexter stood menacingly over his victim and forced him to admit his crime. We shuddered as he made an incision on the victim's cheek and collected a blood sample from the incapacitated man. Finally, we gasped as he decapitated his victim, limb by limb.

It has been seven years, 144 episodes, 125 kills, and through it all, we've watched Dexter evolve. In the early seasons, he was a shell of a human being, incapable of any real human emotion, merely going through the motions of being a brother, boyfriend, husband, friend and colleague. He lived by the code his father, Harry (James Remar), bequethed him to help channel his need to kill.

By the end of Season Seven, Dexter has become a conflicted man who craves the acceptance and love of a family life with his son, Harrison, while coming to terms with his "dark passenger" – the psychological manifestation of his need to kill. The conflict is further exacerbated when Dexter's identity is exposed to his adoptive sister, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), a lieutenant with the Miami Metro's homicide division, and police captain Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) is hot on his heels.

With the eighth and final season of Dexter premiering tonight in Malaysia (it is midway through in the United States), we wonder, what will happen to television's arguably most-loved serial killer.

In a telephone interview, Dexter lead star Michael C. Hall hints that fans won't be disappointed with the final season of the show.

"We aren't sputtering to the finish line but actually have something really decisive and exciting to play as we move to the final episode. Everything isn't wrapped up in a bow, but there is a sense of closure that the final episode will give people," he says ambiguously.

Over the phone, Hall comes across as being very candid (though cryptic about details of the season) and disarmingly friendly, fielding questions from five reporters around the region. Having played the character for seven seasons, he admits that he was, going into production for the final season, anxious how Dexter's story would play out.

"I, along with everyone else on the show, have been charged with breathing life into something that, if we did a great job, would be really special. I'm excited about this final season and what the writers decided to do, and I look forward to seeing how people respond," he says.

While he is careful not to reveal details on how the series will end, Hall does disclose that the final season will feature a key element of Dexter's back story through the introduction of a new character – Dr Vogel, played by British actress Charlotte Rampling (Swimming Pool, The Duchess).

"Dr Vogel is a catalyst for moving the story forward. The show explores a maternal relationship that has never really been explored before and it exploits Dexter's appetite for that kind of connection. She is remarkable in that she completely reframes Dexter's origin story. He obviously thought that (his father) Harry acted alone but discovers through his introduction to Dr Vogel that Harry himself was conditioned to believed the things he instilled in Dexter," the 42-year-old actor shares.

This new revelation, Hall says, is in line with the ongoing struggle with his character.

"Dexter has had an appetite to rebel against his father and the code for some time now. And for him, to rebel is to have a conventional life. Harry encouraged him to believe that he can't have normal human relationships, and I think what he discovers about his father in this season humanises Harry in a way. Harry is much more nuanced. Dr Vogel takes Harry's place in a way, and instead of some internal energy (by which Harry was represented), she is real flesh and blood, a real living, breathing person whom Dexter can have conversations with," he says.

Hall also makes his directorial debut in the second episode of this season which has received rave reviews from critics.

"The opportunity (to direct) has been there for me for three or four seasons and for scheduling reasons, I wasn't able to take advantage of it. But this being the last season, I really wanted to give a shot at it. I really enjoyed it and am grateful that it was a pretty pivotal episode in as much as Dexter was discovering things that completely reframed his sense of his own origin," he shares enthusiastically.

When asked what "Michael C. Hall, the director" thought of "Michael C. Hall the actor" (and vice versa), he chuckles.

"Well, we have a real simpatico … a real shorthand. We can communicate non-verbally. I think this show has required me to, at times, direct myself, and so, I was comfortable wearing both hats. But, yes, I think Michael C. Hall, the actor likes Michael C. Hall the director," he says, good-humouredly.

For Hall, the end of Dexter is bitter-sweet.

"I'm feeling – to be honest – very tired, as much as anything, " he says with a laugh. "There is a vague sense of sadness, but also a sense of pride and collective accomplishment. But, this is only the beginning of my decompression process. I think Dexter has informed me, and I in turn have informed the character … sometimes, it's hard to know where one starts and the other ends. I've always admired Dexter's decisiveness. He is a man of action and it is invigorating to play someone like that sometimes. But, I am ready to put him down and feel what life is like without being preoccupied with his unique and formidable side and stresses," he concludes.

Catch the premiere of the eighth and final season of Dexter tonight at 10.50pm on FOX Crime HD (Astro Ch 610).

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‘The Voice’ adds Cher, Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, Miguel as advisers

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More A-list singers added to hit show to boost ratings.

CHER, Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder and Miguel have been enlisted as advisers for the upcoming cycle of NBC's hit singing competitionThe Voice, NBC Entertainment's president, late-night entertainment and alternative programming Paul Telegdy said on Sept 9. Cher will work with coach Blake Shelton, while The A-Team musician Sheeran will team with Christina Aguilera. Meanwhile, Tedder will pair with Adam Levine and singer Miguel will advise Cee Lo Green's team.

"This group of wildly successful musicians will add their distinctive talents to their respective teams," Telegdy said. "I know Christina, Adam, Cee Lo and Blake are very much looking forward to having them come aboard."

The Voice returns to the air in the US on Sept. 23. – Reuters

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Selasa, 10 September 2013