By Jeff
Miguel and Dexter -- it's safe to say the honeymoon is over. Miguel says to Rita and Dexter that the Prado's are paying for the catering for their wedding. It's just a way for Miguel to try to keep Dexter under his thumb. Dexter says to Rita later that Miguel is not who he thought he was and she stretches that remark into believing that Miguel and Maria are having an affair. Maria is fired up to solve Ellen Wolf's murder. She brings in the bartender that Ellen flirted with and questions him. He mentions seeing an SUV with halogen beams -- just like Miguel has.
Deb and Anton spend the night together because they fall asleep on her couch -- which means it will be in the report from protective surveillance. Quinn apologizes to Anton for not putting him on the books as a CI (which he didn't know, because Deb didn't tell him) and he punches him. He is angry at Deb for lying to him and she doesn't do much to make it better. Vince is planning Dex's bachelor party. Barbara gets beaten up while on the job and Angel goes all vigilante. Dexter tells him to think carefully about his actions, because some doors should never be walked through. He takes Dexter's advice and arrests the culprit, instead of killing him.
Miguel makes the moves on Maria to take her mind off of Ellen Wolf's case. Dexter wants Miguel's attention on him though, so he interrupts them. Meanwhile, Rita had told Syl that Miguel and Maria were having an affair, so she caught them at Maria's place. She wants a divorce. During their argument, Maria hears that Miguel was out all hours the night Ellen was killed. And, she noticed his halogen beams. Who can't notice the Smits' halogen beams, though?
Miguel told Dexter, in veiled terms, that he needed to make sure the Wolf case didn't go anywhere, or he'd make sure Deb was investigated for ethics violations. So, Dexter goes to Miguel's house and finds the ring of Ellen's that Miguel kept as a souvenir (just like he tried to do with Billy Fleeter). He leaves in its place a dry cleaning ticket, for… the shirt he'd given to Dexter as collateral. They had a blowout on the roof of the station where he told Dexter that he was messing with the wrong guy and that he would do what he wanted, when he wanted. Dexter notes that there's no reasoning with Miguel. He thanks him as he walks away. While he's thanking Miguel, Miguel's on the phone with freaking George "The Skinner" King. He'd made a deal with him to do his bidding. He wanted to make sure that he got a good look at Dexter so he could take care of him.
Dexter has decided to kill Miguel. Unfortunately, he gets nabbed and thrown into the trunk of a car by The Skinner before he can do any of that.
Previously:Maria and Ellen bonded over a little light sexual harassment of their bartender. Ellen turned up missing and Dexter found out that Miguel had killed her. Maria was devastated and Miguel told her he'd comfort her. Syl thinks that Miguel is having an affair. The Skinner kidnapped Anton and we found out that George King was the culprit. Deb saved him before he was completely skinned, but the problems are only beginning. She thinks that Anton could sue the department for not putting him on the books as a CI. Barbara and Angel are getting closer. Dexter checked the blood on the shirt that Miguel gave him -- it's cow blood, not Freebo blood.
Rita and Dexter are out at a nice restaurant with the Prados. Miguel is excitedly telling a story about how it took Dexter 7 or 8 golf balls to make a shot of some lake while they were golfing. Dexter replies that putting the 18th hole before a body of water is "criminal." No, what's criminal is subjecting poor Syl and Rita to this conversation. Who fucking cares if he's having an affair? Syl should divorce him for this. Miguel claims that he kept begging Dexter to "take the Mulligan! But, not this guy!" Seriously, I'd kill myself.
Their dinner arrives via four waiters (fancy place!) and Dexter VO's, "Just what I ordered. Feigned civility with a heaping side of betrayal." That's a holiday classic in my home. He continues, saying that it has become increasingly clear that he's going to have to "deal" with Miguel. Syl interrupts his VO to thank the chef. Miguel stands and greets him as well. Those Prados are such hot shots. Dexter figures that his options for dealing with Miguel are as follows: Option Number 1 -- He could kill him. This, of course, would spark a huge manhunt and everyone in Miguel's life would be scrutinized, including Dexter. Also, since Miguel is Dexter's best man, Dex would be required to grieve. That would be the most difficult part for our Dex, I'm guessing. Option Number 2 -- He could get Miguel out of his life, which is not very simple. Dex VO's "He taught me how to golf. I taught him how to kill." He's responsible for Miguel now.
Suddenly Syl tells Miguel to tell Rita and Dexter some sort of surprise -- she can't wait. Miguel tells them that he has a wedding gift for them. Chef Babia (of the restaurant they are currently dining in) and his staff are going to cater their wedding. Hmm, that's funny. As I recall, Rita went on and on about the caterers like she was going to have to write their damn recipes for them. What did Dexter want to eat, no you can't just have steak, blah, blah, blah. And, she hasn't made a deposit on another caterer already? Because Syl would know if she had. It's just another excuse for them to mention this fucking albatross of a wedding that his been dragging this whole season down. No more wedding. Just get married. Done. DONE. Rita is thrilled. Dexter tries to say that it's too much, but Miguel says that he won't take no for an answer. Dexter VO's that Miguel is making it clear that Option 2 is not actually an option. Miguel won't let their partnership dissolve. He's trying to keep Dexter under his thumb and he's using Rita to help him now. Dexter acknowledges that it's working.
By Jeff
Miguel proposes a toast, "To Dexter and Rita. May your marriage be as blessed as we are to have you to call friends." This makes Dexter think of an Option 3 -- get Miguel under his thumb, and keep him there.
In the car, on the way to pick up the kids after dinner, Rita and Dexter are held up by roadwork. Rita says that the meal was great and that it was great to see Syl and Miguel getting along so well. Dexter asks if it's absolutely necessary to have food at the wedding. Rita looks at him like he's a serial killer and says, "Yes, we have to serve food at the wedding." He says that he just wonders if, since they can't afford this Chef Babia on their own, maybe they shouldn't use him. Rita says that it would be insulting to say no at this point, but Dex says that Miguel's ego can handle it. Wow, lucky for the writers that Dexter, as a character, just spills his feelings all of the time. Otherwise, how would we arrive at this point where Dexter doesn't really say anything except that Miguel isn't who he thought he was and Rita ends up at -- he's cheating on Syl with Maria. Maybe he knows she'll do this and he's letting her go. It's just that I can't think of an immediate reason why it would be helpful to Dexter. She asks if it's his secretary and he says that it isn't, and then she says that Miguel working with Maria has bothered Syl. It must be her. Dexter won't confirm or deny her suspicions, which essentially solidifies them.
They arrive at Deb's house -- she's babysitting. This is only like the third or fourth time I can remember Deb and Rita being together. Rita says that Dexter's best friend is cheating on her best friend and he won't tell her who the mistress is. Deb's response? "You have a best friend?" That's perfect. Dex finds Astor sleeping on the sofa and asks, "What did you use on her, chloroform?" Rita says she hopes that Astor was good and Deb says that she was a champ, "She almost made it through Saw 1 and 2." Rita, of course, looks at Deb with horror. Hell, my own mom would look at someone with horror if they showed those movies to me. They're fucking horrible and scary. I prefer orderly, sterile serial murderers. Deb says that she was only kidding and that she and Astor bonded just as Anton walks into the room. He seems to have recovered from his partial skinning rather well. Rita seems a little surprised that Deb had company. Deb introduces him and Dexter recognizes him as "The Skinner victim." Deb replies that it's "just Anton." Anton shakes Dexter's hand and says that Deb saved his life. Dexter asks if this means Anton will be her plus-1 for the wedding and Deb gives him a "shut up" look. She stumbles over saying that she hasn't really told him about the wedding and Anton offers kudos to Rita and Dex. Rita informs Anton that there is also a baby on the way -- she wants to walk down the aisle without a huge baby bump. Don't we all, Rita. Anton follows her to continue the conversation as Dexter and Deb have a "What?"/"Asshole" exchange. It's very funny.
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By Jeff
The morning, Anton and Deb are asleep on her couch as the title screen from a DVD of Penguin Town is playing its constant loop of silly penguin music. That must have been what the kids were watching the night before. Hmm, both the kids and Dexter have an interest in penguins. Deb slowly wakes and realizes where she is. "Cocksuck! Motherfuck!" Nice. She wakes Anton and tells him that he has to go. She's not late for work though, he points out. No, but his protective detail is going to know that he spent all night with her -- implying all sorts of things that they have actually done. If her bosses find out, she's going to be in "a shitload of shit." He's the key witness in a case she's investigating; fraternizing would not be kosher. If that news came out in trial, George King's lawyers (provided they catch him) will have a field day. He asks if that's really what her reaction is about (maybe he thinks she's embarrassed to be dating a CI/kind of CI?) and she says, without kissing him goodbye, that she has to get in the shower and will call him later.
At the station, Dexter is at work and VO'ing. He says that he's revisiting Option 3 -- getting Miguel under his thumb. Exposing Ellen's body was supposed to gain him leverage, but Miguel wrestled that away. Maria is leading a conference with the cops. She says that a suspect in Ellen's murder has been taken into custody. Dex wonders if Maria is onto Miguel. Doesn't look like it -- the suspect is Toby Edwards, the bartender that served Maria and Ellen the night that Miguel killed Ellen. Incoming phone records indicated Edwards called Ellen's phone three times that night -- once from the bar, twice from outside of her house. Poor Ellen, she got killed before she even got to enjoy one last booty call. That's cruel. Dexter realizes that Maria hasn't found the killer, but she may have found a witness. LEVERAGE ATTAINED. Angel tells Soderquist to bring in Edwards. Maria says they also will be searching Edwards' belongings for a platinum wedding ring. Vince corrects her -- he has already catalogued a wedding ring. And now Maria corrects him, because the ring she was talking about was from her other marriage. Vince wonders why the killer would only take one ring and Quinn offers that maybe he was interrupted. Dexter has a better idea -- maybe he wanted a trophy. With a potential witness and a missing ring, Dexter VO's that now he and Miguel have something to talk about. Thank God it isn't golf.
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By Jeff
After Dexter leaves the room, Vince stops the others from leaving. He says that he's taking donations for Dexter's bachelor party "produced and directed by Vince Masuka." He announces that he will have present at the party "Sergeant Cop-a-feel" as well as "Jo-Jo the Lezbo Go-Go" and "Maureen the Limber Mermaid and, her even more limber friend, Nadia the Russian Gymnast." Angel grabs him by the scruff of the neck and pulls him to the side. He begins by telling him that they are in the middle of two important investigations, to which Vince responds that it is indeed hard, given the current workload, to get people to focus on the party. Gotta love some nasty ole' Vince. He says that he has a reputation to live up to. If, at this bachelor party, people don't vomit while simultaneously sporting an erection, he has let his audience down. I like a man with standards. Angel lays down the law -- strippers are allowed, but there'd better be no prostitutes. Geez, Angel is suddenly...an angel, I guess. I can understand that he's feeling differently about things since he has hooked up with Barbara, but his halo needs a little more shining before he wears it. Vince calls him "Sergeant Buzzkill" and Angel replies that, if there is anything illegal at the party, he will arrest him. Vince was only kidding, he says. The party is for "Opie"(Dexter), and a hooker is a terrible thing to waste. I don't know if you guys have read The Tao of Vince yet, but keep it in mind for a stocking stuffer. That actually sounds kind of dirty, doesn't it? After Angel walks away, Vince mumbles and starts dialing on his cell phone. "I'm never gonna get my deposit back." He actually would have been wasting that hooker though. It's good that this happened.
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By Jeff
Deb is on a phone call. She asks a lady when was the last time she saw her landscaper. Then, she asks her if she has any empty structures on her property or unoccupied vacation homes in the area. When she gets an answer, she replies, "Yes Ma'am, we'll be sure to clear them just as fast as we can so you don't have to re-sod your lawn." She slams down the phone as she mutters, "You Fuckhead." Don't ever change, Deb. Quinn is sitting at her desk. He places in front of her the surveillance report from Anton's protective detail. It's very thorough and Angel is going to hear about it. She replies then that she will tell him that Anton was there on official business and nothing happened. For clarification, Quinn asks if she's no longer sleeping with the key witness in this investigation. He pauses just the smallest amount of time before "key witness." Was it because you were going to say "CI?" Cause he was never a CI -- wait, you already know that, Quinn. Deb answers his question with, "What's it to you?" He responds that it's her shield and if she wants people talking, it's up to her. She pushes the report back towards him and he walks away.
Angel is on the phone complaining about being transferred too many times. He's phoning into the Nicaraguan Embassy to get information on George King. Alas, he's transferred again. Quinn picks up another phone call for Angel and tells him it's urgent. Angel takes the call and, per the spooky music and the serious look on his face, the news isn't good. He says that he'll be right there then hangs up. He tells Quinn to cover for him and Quinn asks if everything is OK. "No," he says as he leaves. Yikes.
Dexter is on a computer. He VO's that it's all about strategy and outmaneuvering the opposition. Bending them to your will. He's playing a video game. I can't tell you the number of times my playing Vice City has paralleled with my actual life. It's seriously uncanny. Oh and look, he's playing in Miguel's office. Nice. Miguel enters and asks what he's doing there. He doesn't look happy. Dexter replies, "Winning. Hope you don't mind. Just keeping my wits sharp while I waited." Miguel feigns friendliness and asks if he's there to grab lunch. He can't, because he has to get back to the station. Miguel clicks the game off of his computer screen. You see, the Ellen Wolf case is breaking. Miguel's ears perk. "Breaking? Which way?" Dexter says that Maria has a suspect, a man who was outside of Ellen's apartment around the time that she was strangled. "Or was she stabbed first? I can't remember." Miguel says that no one would have been able to see anything and Dexter asks if he's sure. He pauses, then asks what "we" should do. "We? Ha." Miguel says that they are partners and Dexter says (I think this scene may be Michael Hall's best moment all season) that he doesn't really want a partner. Miguel says that he's not giving up on their friendship and reminds him that he will be standing up for him at his wedding. Dexter says that, after that, they will each go their own way. "And we both go back to who we were before all of this -- You, an honorable ADA dedicated to upholding the law of the land...." Miguel asks, "And you?" Dexter replies, "A trusty spatter analyst who always gets his killer." That's pretty awesome. Miguel sits down and asks him what he wants in exchange for the two of them going their own ways. Dexter says that he's in the position to protect the ADA's interests in this case. He will do whatever it takes to protect the innocent people of Miami. Miguel asks him if that's what he wants and he says it is. Miguel just kind of nods a little bit, then Dexter silently gets up and leaves the office, while he VO's "Game Over." You see, this is the Dexter that I like. Now, I don't mind things being out-of-control for him, but this whole season of unknowing -- it's not as compelling. The problem-solving Dexter as opposed to the self-searching Dexter.
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By Jeff
Angel arrives at a hospital and he looks hurried. He flashes his badge at a couple of cops guarding a door and asks for Barbara -- they're guarding her room. Angel asks how she is and one of the cops says that they can't really tell, because the pain meds that she's on are making her blurry. Then, he asks Angel if he's "that guy from Homicide she keeps talking about." He says that he is -- Barbara apparently has told them that he snores like a motherfucker. Apparently, the actor playing that cop is none other than Jeff Lindsay, the sick man who thought of Dexter in the first place. He actually did a pretty good job!
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By Jeff
Angel enters the hospital room to find a doped up and bruised Barbara lying in the bed. He gives her a kiss and asks her how she's doing. She says that she feels like she has a Buick parked on her head (which is wrapped in bandages). Be grateful -- who knows if we'll even have Buicks in the near future. It could be a Hummer parked on your head. Hopefully it would be like a little VW or something, but it could definitely be worse. Barbara tells Angel that she wasn't raped, if that's what he's thinking. She was only beaten up. He asks her if she has any idea who attacked her and she says that her best guess is that it was a would-be john who saw her on her undercover stroll and followed her home. She got a good look at him and describes him as tall, blonde, and good-looking. And strong. Her weapon was in her purse, so all she had to protect herself was her keys. She got a few good licks in, so her attacker will be a little less handsome the day. Angel kisses her on the head and tells her that she "did good." She's glad he's there and he replies, "Hell yeah, I'm here." He says that she will not be going through this alone. But, he says that just for the record, he doesn't snore like a motherfucker. Then he hits her! Low blow, Angel. Kidding -- no hits. She's just doing such a good job of looking like she's in pain that it's making me feel some Monty Python whatsit should occur. Instead, some doctors come in and say that they're taking Barbara for tests so that they can release her. Angel seems a little surprised that they want to release her, prompting Barbara to assure him that she's not that bad off. He acts agreeable, which is clearly not what he wants to do.
After Barbara is wheeled away, he sees that her keys are on a table beside her bed. He grabs them and walks out. He gives the keys to Jeff Lindsay and tells him that Barbara thinks she may have gotten a piece of her assailant with them. Lindsay thanks him and as Angel walks away, we see that he saved one of the keys for himself. Back at the station, Angel gives the key to Dexter and asks him to test it for blood. If it comes back positive, he wants Dexter to run it through the criminal database. Dexter says that it may take a day or two for sequencing and Angel, earnest as hell, asks him to "grease it." This is priority. Dexter agrees to be greasy and asks if it's for the Ellen Wolfe case or The Skinner. Heh, it's neither. It's for Angel's eyes only. Dexter seems to get it and agrees.
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By Jeff
Maria is interviewing Toby Edwards. He proclaims his innocence and she says that she saw him hitting on Ellen. He reminds her that it was Ellen who was hitting on him and he was flirting back -- it's how he earns his tips. In fact, Ellen had given him a $20 tip on a $30 tab. Maria deduces that he must have assumed there was more where that came from, so he followed her and killed her. I understand she's all mad with grief about her friend of two weeks dying, but her intuition must be crap right now. I'm sure it takes all kinds and whatever, but this guy is so clearly not a killer. He's pooping himself right now. He explains that she'd given him her number and called her the first time when he was at work. He told her he didn't get off until 2am (a reason why I love New York -- bars open until 4am!) and she told him to come over afterwards. He says that he called later to say that he wasn't coming over. She didn't pick up, so he called again. Dexter is watching the monitor and VO's that for someone who is innocent, he sure looks guilty. Miguel walks up and says that Edwards looks like a killer to him and Dexter reminds him that he's not. "Well, he could be." Dear God, please don't let there be actual people working inside of our justice system like this. I'm gonna be afraid that if I get a parking violation I'm going to be sentenced to lethal injection. Maria presents the idea that Toby went to her house for sex, she didn't want any (which we all saw was totally not the case), he killed her, then called twice to make it look like he didn't. Outside, Miguel asks if Toby has any prior arrests and Dexter says that he must have a problem with the word "innocent." He also has a problem with the word "calliope," which is why we've NEVER HEARD HIM SAY IT. Haven't you wondered about that? The story behind it is tragic, oftentimes hilarious, and ultimately heartwarming. Dexter says that no one is getting framed for Ellen's murder and Miguel concedes that it's Dexter's "ballgame" (though, haven't you stopped believing a single word that Miguel has said since like episode four of this season?). Dexter asks him why he's even there and he says it's out of curiosity. Maria tells him that they know that the calls came from outside of Ellen's house, making his story a lie. He reveals that he has a fiancé and doesn't want her to find out. Dude, this is murder we're talking about. Pick your battles. He says that he went to her house, but she didn't answer the door. He called twice, trying to make the hook-up. Never happened. Outside, Dexter says that he isn't much of a suspect and Miguel says that he's not much of a witness.
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By Jeff
Quinn bursts into the interview room and takes Maria outside. Dexter needles Miguel by saying that there must be a new development. "Never know what'll pop up. Well...I will. I'll keep you posted, as promised." Miguel says that he's a good friend to have -- which we also don't believe. Dexter leaves the room with the monitor, but Miguel stays -- he says that his curiosity is piqued. Quinn tells Maria that four witnesses have put Edwards at the bar all night long, and security cameras have footage of him cleaning past 2 am -- when the "vic" was killed. Maria reminds him that the vic's name is Ellen and Edwards is their guy. Quinn says that there is a time code on the tape and he wasn't at Ellen's when she was killed. He says that he's sorry and walks away. Maria looks kind of devastated right now. She goes back into the interview room and asks if he saw anyone at Ellen's place at the time that he was there. He didn't, except there was some douche bag with high beams, nay, halogen beams, driving around. It was a dark SUV. Oops, Dexter says to Miguel that he is indeed a good friend to have. Miguel looks distressed. He says that a man can never have too many friends and then he leaves. Dexter watches him walk away and VO's that Miguel is not giving up without a fight. Dexter watches Miguel walk up to Maria and embrace her. Dex VO's that if Miguel controls Maria, he controls the investigation, and thus has the upper hand. But, Maria's tough -- he doesn't think Miguel will get far with her. Well, he hopes he won't.
Rita is at a dress shop and shows Syl the dress that she wants. Syl looks stunned and says haltingly that Rita looks beautiful. I think the moment was supposed to be about Rita being stunning or something, but Syl played it more like she was stunned at how bad she looked and had to search for a word. Rita looks at herself in the mirror and says that she feels like Cinderella, except for the whole "Disney virgin thing." I actually think the story of Cinderella is older than Disney, though she was probably a virgin in the old story too. Syl tells her not to worry about it -- no one will know that Prince Charming knocked her up before the ball. Way to lift some spirits there, Syl. Rita asks Syl what she's thinking about -- she's thinking of her own wedding day. She says that she's working on things, but she's not sure what Miguel is doing. Rita asks her if she really wants to know. This is such a bad idea.
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By Jeff
Dexter is in the lab and Maria bursts in and asks him what he's doing. "Forensics?" She wants to know which case -- the new bean counter at the station is asking about the key that Dexter sent to the lab for Angel and she's in a bad mood about it. He says that it's for "an investigation" and she angrily demands that he put an active case number on it. With the budget cuts, every expenditure is being questioned and it's all rolling to her and SHE DOESN'T NEED IT. Dex kind of hangs his head and tells her that he'll fix it and she realizes that she's being a little crazy and apologizes, but he still assures her that he'll fix it. She leaves and he VO's that Maria is ripe for the picking and Miguel will use her to protect himself. He's going to keep an eye on her.
Vince is on the phone with someone -- it looks like his entertainment for Dexter's bachelor party is canceling. He hangs up, furious. Quinn walks up and Vince tells him that the erotic clowns just canceled. "Why is this wedding happening to me?" Quinn tells him that he has been in a ton of weddings and has had to plan many bachelor parties and he knows just whom he should call. He hands him a business card for a place named Platinum Enterprises. He says that Vince just needs to make one call (ask for "Tammy") and they will take care of everything. Wow, that's like magic. Vince blesses him and walks away.
Anton gets off of the elevator and Quinn sees him. They greet each other and Quinn says that it's good to see that he's up and about. I'll say. Anton doesn't look like anything at all happened to him. Granted, I don't know the specifics of recovery time from a skinning injury, but I would think that it would take at least a little while. At least the length of time of a bad sunburn. Anton asks if "Morgan" is around. She's not -- she's trying to get a hold of King. Quinn swears that they'll find him. He continues, saying that he never meant for things to happen the way they did -- this isn't what Anton signed up for. Anton replies that he was the idiot who got busted for possession in the first place, so he's to blame too. Quinn, not understanding that Anton doesn't know about the CI junk, says that he thought he was doing Anton a favor by keeping him off of the books. He wants to apologize for not telling Anton that he was free and clear. Anton says that Deb told him it was a "clerical error" that kept him off of the books. Quinn says he assumed Deb told him. Anton replies with a right hook. As people grab Anton (and you would think at this point he'd by like "Watch the skinned back!" -- maybe it's the adrenaline), he screams, "You almost got me killed!"
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By Jeff
Deb gets off the elevator and witnesses the current scene. As Quinn tells the guys to let him go, Deb runs over asking what the problem is. They let him go and Anton says, "This shit ain't over, man." Then, he walks out as Deb stands stunned. She asks Quinn if he's OK (he is) and she follows Anton outside. She catches him in the parking lot. He says that Quinn's punk ass deserved what he got and Deb says that he can't just walk into a police station and punch a cop. Seriously, truer words are rarely said. Anton is pissed because he thinks Deb is standing up for Quinn and she says that she is not the enemy. He reminds her that she lied to him and she confesses, but says that telling him what happened wasn't going to change anything. She also says that, sure, Quinn almost got him killed, but they wouldn't have found Anton without Quinn's help. He's lucky if Quinn doesn't press charges, she says. Oh yeah? That's pretty stupid, Deb. He replies that he could sue the whole department. She tries to calm him down by telling him she'll talk to Quinn. About what? Um, hi, Quinn. So, Anton's real mad. Promise not to illegally force him to work for you as an informant and endanger his life, not to mention give him poor self-esteem for making him believe that he has taken the absolute wrong path through life and he should have taken that gig as a drummer for that touring modern dance troupe and he'd be married to a German visual artist right now instead of staying in Miami to play with his band that's still gigging in coffee shops that convert to bars at night? Thanks. I'll let him know. He might still want to punch you one more time. He asks, rhetorically-ish, if she's not afraid of Quinn finding out and telling everyone that they're sleeping together. She says that he knows and he hasn't told anyone. And why is he bringing this up, she asks. He knows that Dexter didn't know about him. Also, she was pretty rude when she kicked him out of her apartment. She reminds him that she is thisclose to getting her shield and she's putting it all on the line to be with him. "Then why are you?" I don't like where this is going. He asks if she feels responsible for what happened to him and she doesn't answer. Of course she does, Anton! Because she cares about you!! There's a spot of blood on the back of Anton's shirt -- wait, did he get hurt recently? She tells him that he's going to need new stitches. No, what he needs, he says, is for her to think seriously about their relationship. Then, he walks away.
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By Jeff
That night, Miguel is plying Maria with wine at her place. She seems pretty drunk and tells him that she has had enough. As he forces a glass into her hand, he tells her that wine was invented for the sole purpose of handling grief. I don't know if that's true. I thought it was invented to make family holidays bearable without ice. He says that he drowned his sorrows with wine when Oscar died. He knows how she feels -- she misses Ellen. He also shares with Maria that a friend killed their loved ones -- he doesn't share that with her, he has that in common with her. We really are all connected. She says regarding Ellen that, if you are going to end up in a grave, it should at least be your own. Miguel asks her if the SUV is the only thing she has to go on. Maria says that they are checking every surveillance camera from intersections from Ellen's home to the cemetery. He tells her that she's thorough and Ellen was lucky to have a friend like her. Talk about displaced luck. He says it's just like his luck in having Maria pay such close attention to Oscar's case. "Some good that did," Maria replies. He gets close to her and tells her that she helped him and that she has always been important to her. He touches her hair and she kind of shakes her head. He reminds her of the weekend long ago when they took Oscar to the Keys. He had told Oscar that he wasn't sharing the hottest girl in Florida with his baby brother. He dated Delta Burke? Get OUT! Apparently, it was Maria that had insisted that Oscar come along. She says he was so cute with his skinny little legs. Miguel says that, until that weekend, Oscar had just been his annoying kid brother. After he was killed, he kept thinking of that weekend. That's how he wants to remember him -- before the drugs and stuff. Then, he feigns getting choked up and apologizes to Maria, who is beginning to give him googly eyes. He thanks her for that memory and kisses her on the cheek. Then, he goes back for more and they start making out. If we didn't know that Miguel was a monster, this would seem really sweet and sexy. He tells her that he misses kissing her.
They are still in the midst of kissing when there's a knock at the door. Suddenly, Maria comes to her senses and pushes him away. Miguel whines and says that he's not sure what came over him and she uncomfortably says that it's OK. She answers the door. It's Dexter!! He says that he's sorry for interrupting her, but he wanted to clear up the case number mishap from earlier and -- hey, it's Miguel! They tell him that they're talking about casework. Maria says that Dex could have called, but he says that he felt badly about the issue. He says that the key from earlier was being tested for a colleague in a neighboring county whose department doesn't have the resources that they do. He was doing him a favor. He apologizes and says pointedly that he knows how she values the truth. Miguel glowers at him from inside her home. She tells him not to worry about it. He should just tell her about it first time -- and call. Nice work, Dex.
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By Jeff
As he's driving, he VO's that he couldn't let Maria become Miguel's collateral damage. He needs Miguel's complete attention and now he has it. He gets home and Rita is cooking. When she sees him, she tells him not to hate her. She may have done a bad thing. She says that she told Syl about Miguel and Laguerta. Syl called his office and found out that they were meeting, but they weren't at either of their offices. She thinks he's at Maria's. Rita asks Dexter what he thinks she will do and he just sort of looks at her like -- WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE WILL DO?
At Maria's, she's walking Miguel out and who should appear? Syl is pissed. She calls him a fucker and says that he's too good a liar. He swears that nothing is happening between him and Maria. Syl says that he swore last Thursday that he wasn't out all night with another woman. Maria is getting a little itch in the back of her brain -- last Thursday (night that Ellen died)? Syl says that, since Maria's a detective, she'll probably be a lot better at seeing through his bullshit than she was. Then, she leaves. Miguel tries to stop her, but she says that she's done and wants him out of her life. He turns to Maria and says that Syl has it all wrong and he's going to straighten it out. Maria's looking at him like he's the dude that just fucked up her night. He drives away, showing off those halogen beams that were apparently out all hours the night that Ellen was killed. I think that itch is getting stronger.
The day, Dexter drives to his favorite donut shop. He's about to give his order when Miguel greets him. He's already ordered and is sitting down. He tells Francisco behind the counter that Dexter will have his usual, that's how sleuthy this guy is. He says that Dexter is a creature of habit and tells him to sit down. He says that it was a bitch move to send Syl to Maria's. Dexter says that "surprisingly," it wasn't him that made that happen. Miguel doesn't seem to believe him. He gives Dexter a "heads up" that his office is talking about doing an ethics investigation of Deb. Dexter says that Deb is as clean a cop as they come. Well, Miguel gives Dexter a copy of that surveillance report. Miguel, who is expert with the murderous passive-aggressive talk, says that he's going to keep a close eye on Deb's case, just like Dexter is going to keep a close eye on Ellen's case. Plus, he'll need to help Miguel with any other favor he might have. Then, he gets up to leave -- he leaves the report and says that family is sacred. Dex VO's that Miguel has no idea what door he has just opened. Could it possibly be the door we've been waiting to open all season? I feel a little like a sicko, but when's Dexter gonna kill some damn people?
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By Jeff
Dexter is greeted at Miguel's front door by his housekeeper. The Prados aren't there. Dexter tells her that he needs to get Miguel a best man gift, so he wants to see which Garcia Marquez books he already has (he's going to get him a Limited Edition of one that he doesn't have). He goes to his den and starts looking around. He VO's that Miguel won't stop stepping over the line with him until he has something that could put him in jail. He's looking for Ellen's ring. He goes to the place where "no one else would look," his cigar case. He finds the ring on one of Miguel's cigars. He takes it and replaces it with a dry cleaning receipt with Miguel's name on it. He leaves the cigar case ajar and VO's "no more games."
At the station, Vince is working when someone greets him from behind. Heh, "from behind." It's Tammy Okama from Platinum Enterprises. She's really foxy, yet seems very professional. She has several portfolios with her. Vince says he was expecting someone..."trashy?" she offers. That's what he was expecting. She thinks that's sweet. He tells her to talk quietly because Dexter is nearby and she whispers that they have several themes that he can choose for the party. Her favorite is the nautical theme -- riverboat gambling, pirates in petticoats. He seems to like it. Still whispering, she tells Vince that he has "such nice eyes." He giggles like a total dork and she giggles with him.
Angel enters the lab, where Dexter is seated, and asks if he got a DNA match on Barbara's key. Meanwhile, Barbara hasn't been able to get into her apartment. Thanks, Angel. Dex has and Angel thanks him. As Dexter is getting the report for Angel, he has an inner battle via VO about getting involved in friends' business. He asks about Barbara and Angel says that she doesn't have a concussion. He is stalling giving the file to Angel. He tells Angel that "some doors should stay shut. You open it, it's to easy to walk through it a second time." He's, of course, telling Angel not to kill the guy that roughed up Barbara. Angel says that he'll keep that in mind, then leaves. Dexter VO's that at least he didn't teach Angel how to get away with murder.
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By Jeff
Miguel arrives home and goes to his den. Syl shows up in the doorway and says she thought he'd be gone by the time he got back. He says that he's getting some work stuff and she tells him to get everything -- she doesn't want him to have excuses to come back. Cold! He tries to talk to her but she walks away. He's grabbing stuff and notices that the cigar box is cracked! He looks inside and finds the dry cleaning claim ticket. Somebody's looking frenzied!
So, Miguel goes to the dry cleaners to pick up whatever the claim ticket was for. The lady behind the counter presents him with a garment and tells him that there will be no charge. She couldn't get the stain out. Apparently, when BLOOD sets in, it's really hard to get out! It's the Freebo shirt!
Angel is waiting in his car and watching a house. A tall blonde guy comes outside. This is the guy who beat up Barbara. As the guy is about to get into his car, Angel gets out of his car and approaches him. He extends a collapsible baton and holds it at his side as he says, "Devon Parks." Uh oh. The guy turns around and we see scratch marks on his face.
Deb is at the station and looking at King's file when Dexter approaches her. He begins to question her about her relationship with Anton and she says there's not a relationship, not anymore. No! She adds that only a "retard" would have gotten involved with Anton in the first place. Dexter says that he actually thought that Anton seemed like a pretty nice guy and that she seemed to like him. She says that when he was missing all she could think about was how she wanted him to be alive. But, now he's back and all she can think about is how wrong he is for her. She thinks a relationship with him makes her look really bad -- no matter how much she likes being with him. Dexter replies blank-faced, "I got nothin'." She laughs and says that he's useless and walks away.
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By Jeff
Dexter turns around and sees Miguel in the hall. They have eye contact and Miguel points upward, then heads for a stairwell. Dexter goes to the roof where Miguel is waiting for him. He's pacing and he looks pissed. He throws his jacket on the ground and untucks his shirt. He's wearing the Freebo shirt. He asks Dexter if he thinks this is funny. "Not at all. They said that stain would come out." That was Hall's funniest delivery all season. He's having fun taunting Miguel right now. Miguel says that he didn't get to where he is by letting some gusano call the shots. That's a maggot. He wants to know where his ring is. Dexter corrects him -- it's not his ring, however, he did leave a very clear fingerprint on it. Miguel says that there is plenty of blood on Dexter's hands too -- he says this while waving his hands, in case we weren't positive that he is riled up right now. You know, Smits has really danced on the precipice of hammy acting during his tenure on Dexter and while sometimes I get a little embarrassed watching it, it has also been, for the most part, hugely enjoyable. I never knew this guy was this expressive. He reminds Dexter that he killed Ethan Turner and Clemson Galt. Dexter says there is nothing to tie him to those murders. That might change in a court of law if Rita had to answer questions about Dexter's whereabouts. Dexter says that Rita knows all she needs to know -- and it will stay that way or Ellen's ring will show up in the hands of the authorities.
Miguel says that he is the last person Dexter wants to fuck with, because he will FUCK HIM BACK! IN WAYS THAT DEXTER NEVER IMAGINED. If there's anything I have faith in, it's Dexter's ability to imagine the unimaginable ways to get fucked (figuratively speaking), so Miguel really just doesn't know him at all. Miguel essentially says that he can fix the courts to get Dexter in trouble. "You got the ring. I got City Fucking Hall!" He's so good right now. Hall is so great right now too -- his look changes as Miguel continues. Then, he says that Miguel can't be reasoned with, guilted, or controlled. This quest for leverage of his has been futile. Miguel agrees -- he will do what he wants, when he wants, to whomever he wants. And Dexter can count on it! Very quietly, Dexter smirks and says he will count on it. He does his best Valerie Cherish bow and walks away. He VO's "Thank you." Miguel has given him what he needs to be able to off him, I believe.
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By Jeff
Once downstairs, Dex sighs and VO's that Harry was always right. There are the innocent and there are the deserving. He sees Angel exit the elevator with Devon Parks in handcuffs. Angel stops and agrees with Dexter, some doors should stay closed. Dexter continues his VO -- some people can understand the Code. Harry also said that it's about choices, good and bad. He passes Deb's desk where we see her look at a text message on her phone that reads, "Call Anton?" I'm assuming that's from Anton. She looks over at Quinn who is rubbing his face where Anton hit him, and she closes her phone and doesn't call. Finally, Dexter VO's that his search for connection always ends in blood.
On the roof, Miguel gets a call on his cell phone, which he brandishes like it's a samurai sword. It's awesome. He answers and asks if the person he's talking to got a good look at Dexter. The person says that he did get a good look, but how does he know this isn't a trap? Miguel says that if he'd wanted the person in jail he wouldn't have let him out in the first place. Oh shit. We see George Washington King looking at Miguel with binoculars. He's the guy on the phone! He reconfirms with Miguel that Dexter knows where Freebo is (can you believe we're still talking about stupid Freebo?) and Miguel says that Dex is the only person who knows where he is. Miguel says that if he wants his money and to find Freebo, he needs to have a long conversation with Dexter Morgan. Wow.
Pensive Dexter VO's that Harry would agree that he has no other choice but to kill Miguel. We've all known this for a while, right? But first, Dexter pulls into his parking space. He gets out just as his cell phone is ringing. Before he can answer it, someone puts a bag over his head, quickly duct tapes his wrists, and throws him into the trunk of a car. Then, they drive away. The end! I mean, knowing that the show has been renewed for several more seasons and it's named Dexter, I'm pretty sure our guy will be OK. What I'm excited to see is his fury unleashed on Miguel. You know both Hall and Smits are going to be so satisfying to watch! At least, that's my hope. Until then....
Jeff Long will not be walking through that door. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com
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