Si Se Puede
Updated 2008-11-03 09:45:08
Previously: Deb questioned Freebo's 15-year-old former doorman. Quinn let him leave the station before she got to talk to him, making her suspicious that he might be trying to make her look bad. Ramon was discredited as a sane person when Dexter set him up to be drunk and belligerent. Deb tried to talk to Anton at his place, but got cockblocked by a girl who was already in his apartment. Dexter killed a guy he sourced from Miguel's story about the guy getting off after killing two wives. Miguel realized that Dex had killed the guy and...he was thrilled. It looks like Dexter has a partner in crime -- really.
It's a beautiful day in Florida. Dexter and Miguel are on Slice of Life deep-sea fishing. Dexter is reeling in a huge fish and Miguel is excitedly pulling it onboard. He spears it then bludgeons it. Dexter is gleeful. Then, he says that the fish will make for "mighty fine eatin'." Gross. Miguel says that when the fish is grilled and served with Syl's mango-lime salsa it'll be perfect -- in fact, Dex and Rita should come to their house the next day. For a big time ADA who I would imagine would be strapped for time in a lot of ways, it sure has been easy for Miguel to drop every social obligation for Dex and Rita, no? Dexter says that he'll have to check with "the little woman" who he declares is getting bigger by the minute. Also gross. Dexter VO's that he could get used to the simple pleasures of male bonding. The emphasis should definitely be on the "simple" part. Their conversation is a weird stitching together of clichés, what with the good eatin' and little woman and Syl's mango salsa. Not that "Syl's salsa" has ever been spoken before but there was just something hokey about it to me. Now, Dex offers Miguel a "brewski." OK, clearly they're doing this on purpose. To show us Dex and Miguel having an idyllic guy friendship. I still kind of hate it.
Now, Miguel asks Dexter how "it" was in Biminey. Dex says that that it was pretty, with lots of mangroves. Uh, he meant how was it with Ethan Turner. Geez, he could write a book Miguel. Not sure you want to get into this. Dex says he's not sure he knows what Miguel means. So, Miguel cuts the giant fish and simultaneously asks how it was to kill Ethan Turner. Oh. That. Dex VO's, "So much for the simple joys of male bonding." He says that Miguel puts people on death row, so he must have some feeling what it's like. He replies that there is an ocean of bureaucracy between a conviction and someone getting fried, gassed, firing squaded, etc. Dex got to cut out the middleman and use his hands "to make this a better place." There are 5 floors of prosecutors where he works and Dex did in one night what they couldn't do. He's been sleeping like a baby ever since Ethan turned up missing. He says that he knows Dexter -- he sees who he is. Together ("we") they could make a difference. Dexter VO's that Miguel said "we."
Dexter is sitting beside the pool at his place and he is with a vision of Harry. Harry says that Dex is kidding himself if he thinks that Miguel would actually be OK with what Dexter really is. Dexter reminds the ghost of his dead foster father that Miguel knows about what he did to Freebo, but Harry says Miguel doesn't know about the ritual. That's true, the ritual is freaky, but you have to give (take?) the man credit for even understanding the vigilante nature of Dexter's work. Dexter says that Miguel understands, and Harry says he understood too -- he just couldn't accept it. Harry suggests that Dex test Miguel's understanding, because every time he lets someone get close, it ends badly. Harry's ghost sure has gotten increasingly antagonistic during the course of this season. Dex VO's that he needs to examine his spotty record connecting with others. Just because Miguel can gut a fish doesn't mean he should hang with Dex when he's killing people. That's such an obvious yet correct observation. It's pointless and essential at the same time. There are a lot of little moments in this show like that. Dexter will be all, "Life is a mystery and then I stabbed someone" or something similar that's intoned austerely yet doesn't really seem that profound. But then, if you are a serial murderer and you're not really fighting the urge to kill people, then your important moments don't need to be hugely philosophical. You really can find huge meaning in -- this guy cuts a fish good, but would he freak out if he saw me kill someone? The stakes are simultaneously higher and simpler.
Later, Dexter shows up to the scene of a crime to find Deb leaning on a car and crying. The Skinner has struck again and this time he killed Wendell. Dexter seems like he may be a bit relieved -- this meaning that Wendell can never ID him as the guy who came to Freebo's place the day he died. Deb says that he was a decent kid. We see Wendell in a lawn chair and like half of the skin on his torso has been removed. It's nasty. Poor Wendell has this gray frozen grimace on his face too. It's so gross. Vince notes that his body is warm, meaning he was skinned while he was alive. Angel says the Skinner is stepping up his game. Quinn suggests telling the press about the threat, but Maria doesn't want him to leave town and do it somewhere else. Dex says the killer has practice. Why isn't he more interested? He really hasn't had more than a fleeting thought about the Skinner. That's not like Dexter, is it? I would think he would be getting anxious about someone horning in on his territory.
Back at the station, Dex is online searching for a target for him and Miguel with a high degree of difficulty. Deb enters -- asks him if he thinks the Skinner is following her. She's freaking out that she might be the reason that Wendell was killed. Dexter asks her who knew he was brought into the station. Wendell's mom, all the cops at the station, Anton, and Ramon. Dex stops on Ramon. He has a motive for killing Wendell. But, he's a cop. Being a cop doesn't mean you're not violent. It'll be crazy if she's wrong, but it'll be crazy if she's right. Uproar either way. He tells her to be careful because Ramon has anger issues. She says, "Aw, you care about me." So, I guess we saw this coming, no? Ramon being a suspect?
Maria and Ellen are at Ellen's place. "Wait 'til you see the wine cellar at The Forge. It is legendary." That sounds really hokey. There is even some wine there that belonged to Thomas Jefferson. The Dexter writers have a hard time organically writing friendships. Miguel/Dex, Ellen/Maria, Syl/Rita -- they always sound forced and too familiar. I'm not sure if it's intentional, but it actually seems like Ellen is trying to hit on Maria. It's no surprise considering Maria is wearing another one of her shoulder-enhancing/neck-erasing pantsuits. Seriously, there has to be another way. Ellen gets a call from a co-worker. Her answering machine picks up. As a culture, we need to find another narrative device for people hearing things that they shouldn't hear. The answering machine just really isn't viable any more. Most people don't have them. I'd have to believe that a high-powered attorney would have some call notes, right? The co-worker says that they're going to try to disbar Miguel. Ellen says to Maria (who is clearly upset) that Miguel has been unethical for a long time. Maria says she gave her the info about Chicky Hines to help Ellen's client, not to help a witch hunt against her friend and colleague. Ellen says she can't really think Prado's either of those things. She says she will explain over dinner, but Maria says she's not feeling social. This date is over.
Deb goes to Anton's place. He lets her in and it's a really cute apartment. There's blonde wood with blue trim everywhere. It really pops. Bravo, Anton. Deb asks if she's interrupting and he laughs and says he's alone. She asks if he's taking the night off. I know this show isn't really that romantic, but Deb and Anton are so cute together. I feel it in every scene they're in together -- NEVER MORE SO THAN IN THIS SCENE. He asks her if she wants a beer -- or pot. "Fuck you," she replies. He says she sounded upset on the phone. She's tells him that she's upset in person too. She asks if he talked to anyone about her questioning Wendell, he says he didn't -- he doesn't talk about being a CI. She says he should have seen what the Skinner did to Wendell because it was so rough. She's looking at Ramon as a suspect and Anton replies it wouldn't be the first time the cops handled their own business. Deb starts to cry and says she feels like she got Wendell killed. He trusted her. Seriously, it's hard not to love Deb right now. Anton grabs her hand and says even if she's right, she couldn't have known. She giggles a little and says beating herself up is what she does best. They kind of caress each other's hands for a second and the tension between them is so completely palpable. It's like I'm a third hand in there, people. That's gross, but I can totally feel this. I hate myself. Deb breaks from our ménage a trois thumb war and she says she should go. He tells her that the girl from before -- the one that cockblocked Deb -- was nothing serious. Deb completely kills my buzz and says that it's none of her business anyway. Then, she leaves. This WILL happen. And, God help me, if he's some sort of crazy killer -- no. I don't want that. Right? It just feels like being dicked with.
At his apartment, Dexter shows Miguel a picture of Jenna Kendrick, one of the first jobs where he worked blood splatter. She is messed up -- blood everywhere. Miguel says that she was someone's daughter. Clemson Galt, an Aryan, killed her. Killed her with a claw hammer because she got pregnant. Wow, the Aryans aren't ones to keep up with modern forms of birth control, are they? We haven't been killing pregnant people with claw hammers for centuries. Galt confessed to his cellmate, eliminating, I guess, any doubt for Dexter that he fits the code. Apparently, Galt called the killing, "Hammer Time." That is 2 Legit. Aryans chased off any witnesses so he was found not guilty. He is, however, serving time for a separate armed robbery charge, and he's still running things from prison. He arranged for the killing of an Aryan defector's wife and 3 kids. Also with a claw hammer. If you suddenly realize that you no longer share the same world outlook as the violent Aryan group that you belong to (and that's the only real reason I can imagine for defecting -- what, you didn't like the benefits?) my advice to you is, instead of tendering your resignation, pack your bags at night and get the hell out of town. Dex says this keeps him up nights. Dex VO's that Miguel can't afford the price of justice -- he's totally expecting him to pull out of their plan to kill someone. But, he says that he'd like the guy to die. But he's in custody, so there's nothing they can do. Dex says he could get them into the prison, but Miguel says that is dangerous and crazy. Dex VO's that he knew Miguel would eventually see the downside. Dexter tells Miguel that Ethan Turner was an "accident of opportunity." Miguel brings up Freebo -- was that an accident of opportunity? That just unfolded, Dexter replies. Dex says they took out the garbage twice, maybe they need to just be content with what they had the opportunity to do. Miguel says that he owes Dexter and he'll do it, but they need to come up with plan. OK, not what Dexter was expecting.
The next day, at the station, Vince asks Dex where the donuts are. He says that he doesn't have any and he calls Dex passive aggressive. I guess that's just Vince being Vince because there wasn't anything particularly passive-aggressive about that. And, sometimes, Dex just doesn't have donuts. Maria asks Dex to sign a greeting card for Camilla . She has lung cancer and is dying. As we heard in Camilla's previous appearances, her husband Gene died from lung cancer a year earlier. Smokers? Like chimneys, Dexter tells us. Maria tells us that life catches up. Dexter confirms for her that they were good friends, and Maria says that those are in short supply. She asks Dex if he would like to drop off the card and he does.
Angel calls Barbara. She is at work and he asks her out. She says she doesn't date anyone. She says being clear will save a lot of agita. Wow, fancy word. I wonder if she uses fancy words like that when she's "Jasmine." Angel has a question for her, "Do you eat?" She says if she gets hungry enough, she will call him. He grins as she hangs up the phone. Why is he pursuing this? You'd think, of all the women that Angel could ask on a date, he'd possibly avoid the one who knows that he sleeps with hookers and has the power to end his career due to said knowledge. I tried to expand the whole "Don't shit where you eat" analogy to this but I got confused and it sounded disgusting. Something like, "Don't step in shit then try to have sex with your shoe." Doesn't really work, does it?
At the station, Deb tells Angel that she thinks Ramon might be the Skinner. Quinn hears, which means that in the future Deb should take Angel aside if she really doesn't want people to hear what she's saying. Quinn agrees that Ramon is a whack job. Angel is incredulous. They haven't found Miguel Prado's brother's killer but she wants to investigate the other brother? Deb agrees that, In a nutshell, that's what she wants to do. Angel says that if she's wrong everyone will be shitting blood due to acts he'd rather not describe. He tells her to follow up off the grid -- any blame for it is on her. Quinn offers to come along, but she says she has it covered. Angel tells her to try to be discreet. Heh.
At Camilla's hospital room, there are lots of flowers. Dexter brought some but says that it looks like she already got plenty. She says that a mom from maternity donated them to terminal care. Talk about irony. She says she's been searching for..."The meaning of life?" The perfect key lime pie. And, what does she get. "Fucking pie crust, Rediwhip, green Jell-O." That's what the hospital is serving. Seriously though, Camilla, what were you expecting? They can't even get chicken broth right in most hospitals. Dex says he'll find some quality key lime pie for her. He'd better hurry, she says, for the next thing to go is the appetite. She says that Gene always lit her cigarette before lighting his own. She says he was a sweet man. "It all caught up to him. He withered to a skeleton. My 6 foot tall, 200 lb husband shitting all over himself. His last breath was a mercy." Hopefully, she isn't reciting what she said for his eulogy, because... well, no one would get anything from that. Dexter holds a straw to her mouth so that she can drink water. It's so hardcore. Her mouth shakes around really crazy-like as she's trying to drink. Margo Martindale is a badass. She says she can deal with dying (she's doing it right now!) but the pain is a bear. She says the worst part is losing her... "Dignity" says Dex. She doesn't finish her thought.
At the Prados', Syl and Rita clean up the table from the meal they just finished. Rita says the fish was great. Syl asks if she thinks Miguel overcooked it. Maybe a bit, but mango salsa saved the day. Stop it with the salsa. She asks if Syl enjoys real estate. She says she loves it. Rita has decided that it's a good thing that she got fired from the hotel, and she's looking around for a new path. Syl says, with her people skills, she would be great at real estate. Then, she says Rita should start the next day as her assistant. Having someone she can trust is everything. Wow, that happened quickly.
Outside, Dex suggests that he and Miguel go upstate to "interview" Galt. Since he's a career criminal -- he would be an encyclopedia of intel on other cases. They just need to get him alone long enough to make it look like a prison mate did it. Miguel says that inmate death creates a lot of inquiries and the "bleeding hearts" start crying for prison reform. Dex VO's that he wants Miguel to call off the plan. Miguel says that a money laundering/racketeering case is happening and the Aryans are good at both of those criminal activities. He's calling Galt as an expert witness. He's already been subpoenaed. Wow, he's really doing this, isn't he? Galt will be transported to them tonight, but won't make it to the witness stand.
That night, Deb trails Ramon. Dex calls her while she's watching Ramon. She asks why he's eating alone when he has a wife and kids at home. He suggests that her Arroz Con Pollo isn't pollo enough. OK. Seriously though, lots of people like time alone though. He asks if she found anything and she jokes that she found a set of German filet steak knives, a couple of razors, and 12 pounds of human skin. He tells her to be careful.
The next day, Deb parks at the station. Here's Yuki. She says she can hug Deb so everyone knows they're friends or she can talk to her. Deb says after 12 hours on surveillance detail, why doesn't she blow her? Heh. Yuki has been given the directive to ramp up her case, or drop it. Deb says that's because she doesn't have any evidence. If she weren't such a fuckwad, she'd feel sorry for her for being in Internal Affairs, where careers go to die. Yuki is totally crazy (though I love her) and I understand why Deb doesn't like her, but cops realize the necessity of Internal Affairs, don't they? Yuki says she's going to wire Deb. "Are you on crack? How many times have I told you to eat shit? What the fuck makes you think I'm willing to play now?" If she doesn't, Yukie will put out word that she has been cooperating all along. Deb says she doesn't believe she would sink that low, then she stomps off. OK, the scenes in the beginning of the season with these two were so tense and interesting -- they've sort of lost that, haven't they? At this point, it's like, somebody has to move. Deb has said she's not helping you, so why are you having the same conversation again?
Miguel and Dex have lunch at the courthouse. Miguel shows him an entrance that's not locked because smokers use it as a shortcut. Why are we hating smokers so much on this episode? Miguel says most escapes happen from courthouses because of looser security, so it will be easier for them to cover their tracks. They see Ellen talking to reporters and Maria nearby. Miguel says that the courthouse statue lady is blindfolded so she doesn't have to see everything she stands for get pissed on. Really? I thought it was so justice would be blind, but if she can kill two birds with one stone, go for it courthouse statue lady. Miguel says that Ellen got a guy off for putting a five-year-old in an industrial washing machine. Their defense was diminished mental capacity and it worked. She probably got paid more on that case than Dex got in a year. Miguel says he can't believe Maria would hurt him like this. Dex says his dad said be careful what you think you know about people because you're usually wrong. "Smart Man," Miguel replies then leaves. "Sometimes," says Dex.
Ellen calls to Maria and thanks her for deposition. She says she never had a problem telling the truth. The Hines conviction has been set aside. And, the stage has been set for her to pursue her vendetta against Miguel. Ellen says that if Maria ever wants to hear an unexpurgated version of Miguel, ask her. I don't mean to sound like a simpleton, but when was the last time you heard the words "agita" and "unexpurgated" in an hour of television?
In an empty courtroom, Miguel says to Dexter that it's like a church. He points to entrances, including one that exits to a parking garage. Dex asks, "Why the risk?" Miguel says it's because we live in crucial times that demand extraordinary measures. Perhaps that is the sentence where we realize that Miguel is just the tiniest bit crazy? Dex VO's that his motives aren't as high minded. Miguel says his own dad was an asshole, and he's trying to clean up the mess he couldn't as a kid.
Outside of the station, Deb tells Angel she's following Ramon again that night. Off the record. Off the record, he tells her to be safe. She leaves. A woman, clearly a hooker because of a skimpy dress and cigarette, says she was just released because of a "legal thing." Another vilified smoker. I just think that's interesting. She asks for a ride, and Angel suggests she take the bus. She suggests he take her home and she think of a "victimless" way to thank him. He just gives her money for a cab. She immediately gets onto her phone as she walks away. Angel giggles to himself as he gets into his car. He immediately gets a call from Barbara. She's hungry. He asks if it's a date. She reminds him that she doesn't date. He asks if she really knows if he's turned over a new leaf -- he could just not be partial to redheads (the hooker was a redhead). "I don't know what you're talking about." We all know. Even real hookers would have been like, "You're playing that too big," if they'd seen this girl.
Dexter feeds Camilla some key lime pie that he got. It's delivered daily from Key Largo and is supposed to be the best in the Keys. She says it's not. It's green, so they used food coloring. Wrong. Also, it wasn't made with condensed milk. Dex says it's organic. Wrong. They didn't have fresh milk on the Keys, it's supposed to be condensed milk if it's authentic. A nurse arrives. Camilla calls her "Miss Morphine." I had a cat in college with that name. She's the "Bringer of bad dreams and less pain." The nurse, not the cat. Camilla says if Dex is as serious about key lime pie as she is, he can do better. That's supposed to be a metaphor, I think, but I can't figure out what it is. My feeling is that his Code is about to widen to include mercy killings/assisted suicides. Slippery slope, Dex.
That night, Dex is at Rita's house. He VO's that having a partner (in crime) is exhilarating. Rita asks him what he thinks about Syl's job offer. She likes the idea but wonders if she will see a side of Syl that she doesn't like. She's going to take the risk though. Dex says he's going to sleep at his place, because he and Miguel have an early morning run. Rita says he might miss it because Syl says he's a wreck and not sleeping. She says that you can never know someone like their wife knows them, but I think she may be a bit off in this circumstance.
Later, Dex is sharpening his knives. He VO's that Miguel must not be sleeping like a baby anymore. Harry arrives and tells him to think twice about going through with this killing jointly. What makes him think he can count on Miguel? He's never had to rely on anyone before. Dex answers that he never had anyone close because Harry told him that loneliness was an art form. Harry says we only see in people what we want to see and what they want to show us. Dex says Harry can't lecture him on relationships after the debris field he left. Point, Dexter. Harry says no matter how close people are, in infinite distance separates them. More hokey talk. What does that even mean really?
At the courthouse, a cop asks for a picture with Miguel. He obliges then goes into a room with a handcuffed Galt. He calls Miguel "Pulled Pork" and says that he can suck his white dick if he thinks he will be helping his "spic ass with shit." Move over Anderson Cooper, there's a new talking head in town. Miguel takes out a key and hands it to Galt, wrapped in a hanky (to remove his fingerprints, I presume). He says that one of his Nazi friends is waiting in the parking garage. Now, the threats to his family need to stop??? OK, that's weird. Galt says he knew his Aryan brothers would come through. So, was Miguel saying that to keep Galt from being suspicious? Or, is it just a coincidence that Dexter chose a criminal who has been threatening Miguel's family?
Outside, a cop almost walks into the area where Galt is escaping. Miguel stops him and says he needs his witness to take a nap. He says he'll be just a moment. This is not good. In the parking garage, we see Dex hook up with Galt. He says he'll have Galt out of the country by noon. All of a sudden, an alarm goes off. Dex and Galt hide as Miguel runs out with policemen. Miguel says that Galt had to have an accomplice and they need to seal the exits. Is he trying to nail Dex? Galt says they've been set up. He's going to return the favor. Dex says that's mighty white of you and injects him in the neck. All of that sounds pretty snappy, but when you really look at it, it doesn't make sense. Anyhoo, moving on. Dexter peeks at Miguel from behind a car and hears Harry say that Galt was right; Miguel is setting Dexter up. He tells Dex to never underestimate people's power to let you down. "Not right now, Dad." When you consider the very active and influential visions that Dexter has, the serial killing is... still his number one pathology by a mile. Miguel walks from sight and Dex thinks about what to do. Harry tells him to give up. He yells for Harry to stop and a car stops. Nice luck. It's Miguel -- and he picks Dex. He says he's going to drop him off at his car. They'll meet at the stash house. They get out of the garage with no incident.
In a parking lot, Deb watches Ramon beat up a guy and stick him in his trunk. He does it very efficiently too. It's like smack on the back, on the legs, in the trunk. One, two, three. She follows him to a warehouse. Ramon is questioning him. Quinn arrives and scares Deb. The guy Ramon is questioning is Felipe Cepide, a drug supplier for Freebo. She's waiting for the skinning to start before she stops anything. Felipe doesn't have answers for Ramon, so he shakes up a soda and shoots it up Felipe's nose. OUCH. Quinn tries to walk in, but Deb stops him. Finally, Ramon grabs a knife. He... cuts Felipe loose and sets him free. Deb says he's not the skinner, clearly.
Dex has his killing room set up. Galt is very pale. Saran Wrap is definitely his color. Deb calls Dex and he answers. She says that Ramon isn't the Skinner, and she'll talk about it to him at breakfast. Angel and Maria join Quinn and Deb. They called them there to tell them that they've detained Ramon for kidnapping, false imprisonment, and torture. Poor Maria. She's in a bad place. She thanks them for being politic. So, we've got "agita," "unexpurgated," and "politic." Big word week, right? Quinn says he would have perp-walked him through the station, but Deb insisted they be discreet out of respect for the family. I almost trust him even less when he's openly kiss-ass like that. Angel tells Maria that he knew about the investigation, but wanted something solid before involving her. She thanks him. She tells Deb she handled the difficult situation in the right way. They'll book him and she'll notify the family. Deb and Quinn get into the elevator, as Quinn is telling her everything went well. Inside, she tells him that IA is investigating him. He stops the elevator. She says they've been giving her a "sandpaper enema" to wear a wire. This has been going on for a while? "And you're finally telling me?" Deb's not backing down. "Yeah, do you want to tell me why this IA chick is trying to bring you down?" He asks if her name is Yuki. We have a winner. They have a personal history and it's a vendetta. He'll handle this, but thanks her for the heads up. Who thinks Yuki shows up skinned next week? Or, maybe she's The Skinner? I'd definitely do a check on her before I talked to her. Maybe she's just some girl who works in the neighborhood.
In an abandoned house, Dex tells Galt about the slump in the real estate market, which allows them to have this great empty house. He cuts his cheek. That always looks so painful. This is the house where Galt killed Jenna Kendrick. He denies it. Dex reminds him about Hammer Time. Galt says he's been mixed up with someone, but Dex just stuffs tissue into mouth.
Miguel drives up, but he's at the wrong house. Dexter VO's that he couldn't share this part of the process. Dexter tells Galt that he has been looking forward to this and it wouldn't have happened without Miguel coming through. Then, he stabs Galt in the heart.
Dex VO's that Miguel will be disappointed. He'll tell him that he went straight to a graveyard and dumped Galt -- the change in plans happening after the screw-up at the courthouse. He's not ready to share this part. Dex pulls out a saw and starts cutting. Miguel smiles as he walks through the house and says, "Dexter." After tonight, he knows who Miguel Prado is. His first real friend, and those are in short supply these days. The friends that kill together stay together?
Jeff Long prefers a spicy salsa to a mango salsa. He an be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com
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