Episode Report Card Mr. Stupidhead: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT The Opposite Dex
By Mr. Stupidhead | Season 2 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.20.2007
In a hurry? Read the recaplet for a nutshell description! Finished? Click here to close.So, Dexter's NA sponsor, Lilah, is turning into a bit of a chore. After forcing Dexter to join her in desecrating public fixtures (despite his desire to stay under the radar) and unveiling her interest in found (read: shitty) art, Dexter tries to "break up" with her. It doesn't take, however, because she stalks him and tries to make him realize that despite his belief that he's "evil," there are no absolutes when it comes to good and bad.
A visit to a recently shot and killed woman makes Doakes realize the killer is an ex-special ops guy, just like himself. When he's finally able to track the guy down, he admits that he killed his wife, and opts for suicide by cop instead of going to the slammer for life, but not before bonding with Doakes over the impossibility of getting over certain aspects of being a Ranger.
Lundy and Deb have made progress on the BHB, having realized that only five of their eighteen confirmed bodies don't have obvious criminal pasts. Lundy reminds Deb, after announcing that he's going on a date, that social lives are important to maintain balance. Deb takes this as, "Go find that dude you almost took boxing lessons from that one time, but freaked out because he whipped out tape, and bone him silly after handcuffing him to your bed." Luckily for us, Dex walks in on them for some much needed comic relief.
Rita's mom's in town, and she announces at the dinner table that she applauds the BHB's work, making Dexter blush. Rita's also getting on Dexter's case about getting a more "manly" sponsor at NA, but she's clearly just intimidated by what a babe Lilah turned out to be.
The biggest break in the BHB case is from Masuka, who's discovered that the algae found on the rocks used to bury the bodies can be used to pinpoint the boat used to dump them. Dexter gets the idea to cut the air conditioning to the temporary morgue, something easily blamable on the sanitation department, but it backfires on him, because only the bodies get slimy, not the rocks, because they're in a separate fridge. Drats, foiled again!
Oh, also? LaGuerta's the one who's been boning Pascal's fiancé. Yeah, I know. Weak. Though, it does explain a lot. I actually can't believe I didn't think of it before. No wonder LaGuerta's been so nice to her. Anyway, Pascal totally loses it and LaGuerta gets the Lieutenant-ship back from Mathstor. I have no idea how the writers plan to work this one out. Want more? The full recap starts right below!
Previously: Dex's bodies got found by treasure hunters. Agent Lundy picked his task force, which included Angel, Masuka, and Deb. Mathstor asked LaGuerta if he should be worried about Pascal's absenteeism, and LaGuerta essentially told him to fuck off. Deb almost took a boxing lesson with some guy, but when he busted out his tape to wrap her wrists, she freaked and took off. After Rita convinced Dexter to go to NA for his "heroin addiction," Dexter met a fetching lass named Lilah, who was able to see right through his bullshit. Last season, LaGuerta asked Doakes about a "special op" mission he went to in Haiti, and the fact that this is in the previouslies makes me wonder if that's going to be relevant in this episode. Dexter pointed out Lilah to Rita, and Rita was instantly threatened because Lilah's kind of a babe.
Dexter's reading the paper, VOing, "Just as the worst heat wave in years hits Miami, the heat is also on me." He reads the headline that says, "Police Manhunt Intensifies." "It's week three of the Bay Harbor Butcher investigation, and super-duper Special Agent Lundy has yet to throw up his hands and say, 'Wow, this guy's good. I give up.'" Rita's scrubbing the floor obsessively, and asks Dexter to move his feet. He asks if she wants any help, and she says she just wants him to move. "I'm sorry, it's just, you know, my mother's coming today." "I certainly do." Heh. Rita explains that she just wants everything to be nice, since her mother and FND didn't get along so well. "A lot of people didn't get along with Paul so well." "Yeah," she says, "but I think she's willing to put all that behind us." Well, that's good. "She heard of Paul's passing and wanted to come be supportive. That sounds promising, right?" "Absolutely," says Dex. Rita goes on to tell Dexter that he'll like her: "She's great. She's a very strong woman." "I'll keep that in mind in case I have any heavy lifting to do." Yeah, ha ha. Not. Cody comes in and complains about the heat, and Rita tries to assure him that it should cool down soon. "Did you sleep any better last night?" she asks, and he responds with a shrug. "Nightmares?" asks Dex. "What was it, the big, scary ghost or the alligator?" "No, the Bay Harbor Butcher," Cody replies. Ooh! It all hits home, doesn't it, Dexter? Rita seems exasperated by this response, but Dexter tells Cody, "He's never hurt you. I'll let you in on a secret: my sister, Debra, who is a secret police agent ninja warrior, said he only kills bad people. You're not a bad person, are you?" Obviously, Cody doesn't consider precocious child actors with bowl haircuts "bad," so he responds, "No." Rita tells Cody to go get dressed while she makes breakfast, and after he's gone she pulls off her rubber gloves angrily while bitching about the "monster out there that's scaring my son." Dexter looks away awkwardly, and then stands up saying he has to go to work. "I hope they catch him today," says Rita. "And, I'm not a violent person, but I hope they hurt him. Have a good day!" she finishes, and kisses Dexter goodbye. "Make up your mind," VOs Dex on his way out. Meh.