Circle of Friends (Dexter)

Last updated
"Circle of Friends"
Dexter episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 7
Directed by Steve Shill
Written by Daniel Cerone
Produced by
Cinematography by Romeo Tirone
Editing byPadraic McKinley
Original release dateNovember 12, 2006 (2006-11-12)
Running time52 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Return to Sender"		Next →
"Shrink Wrap"
Dexter season 1
List of episodes

"Circle of Friends" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American crime drama television series Dexter . The episode was written by co-executive producer Daniel Cerone, and directed by Steve Shill. It originally aired on Showtime on November 12, 2006.

Contents

Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities. In the episode, the police finds a key suspect as the Ice Truck Killer, while Dexter faces Rita's abusive ex-husband.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.61 million household viewers and gained a 0.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, although some felt that the twist ending was predictable.

Plot

Debra and Batista identify the Ice Truck Killer as Neil Perry, a taxidermist with a history of violent mental illness. After they arrest Perry, he gleefully confesses to the crimes. However, Dexter later meets Perry and suspects he is not telling the truth. LaGuerta sees Perry's arrest as a way to advance her political career, but feels betrayed when her superior, Captain Matthews, takes the credit. Debra approaches Rudy, a prosthetic manufacturer who works at the hospital, and asks him on a date.

Meanwhile, Rita must try to adjust herself when Paul, her recently paroled husband, shows up to visit their children, Astor and Cody. Dexter tries to cover up a past mistake when Jeremy Downs, a victim whom he allowed to escape, is arrested again for a murder charge. Dexter confronts him in a police interrogation room and asks why he killed again. Jeremy admits that he can't feel anything, and he thought that killing would bring him something different. Dexter explains to Jeremy that he is the same way, and tells him only to kill people who deserve to die.

Rita tells Paul that if he can handle supervised visits for six months, then she might consider letting him have unsupervised visitation. When she hands him divorce papers giving these conditions, Paul submits very quickly and signs them. Dexter wants to give Jeremy more of a guiding light, but soon learns he committed suicide in prison; he followed Dexter's advice and killed someone who deserved to die. Dexter, disappointed that the Ice Truck Killer was nothing more than a mentally disturbed psychopath, requests to see him so he can ask questions. After having a short exchange with Perry, Dexter is relieved to surmise that he is not the Ice Truck Killer.

Production

Development

The episode was written by co-executive producer Daniel Cerone, and directed by Steve Shill. This was Cerone's second writing credit, and Shill's first directing credit. [1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Circle of Friends" was seen by an estimated 0.61 million household viewers with a 0.3 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.3 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [2] This was a slight increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 0.59 million household viewers with a 0.3 in the 18–49 demographics. [3]

A censored version of the episode was broadcast on CBS on March 30, 2008. It was seen by an estimated 7.13 million household viewers with a 2.0/5 in the 18–49 demographics. [4]

Critical reviews

"Circle of Friends" received highly positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode an "amazing" 9.3 out of 10, and wrote, "Dexter continues to move along at a brisk pace, and this week delivered one of its busiest and best episodes yet. All season long Dexter has been playing a strange game with the Ice Truck Killer, whose work Dexter so admires. Dexter may have his own personal code and only targets other criminals to kill, yet still he has developed an unsettling (not that Dexter isn't unsettling on his own) hero worship of the Ice Truck Killer, who constantly impresses him." [5]

Paula Paige of TV Guide wrote, "I believe some of the best writing on TV is happening in the war room at Showtime. And frankly, no matter how creepy, I say, “bring it on."" [6]

Jonathan Toomey of TV Squad wrote, "OK, so here goes. It's not that I disliked this episode. It just got me very frustrated... angry actually. This is a such a smart, intelligent show and I'd like to think it's attracting viewers of the same caliber. So why go and have an episode such as this one where anyone with half a brain could see right through it?" [7] Television Without Pity gave the episode a "B" grade. [8]

Related Research Articles

"Shrink Wrap" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. The episode was written by Lauren Gussis, and directed by Tony Goldwyn, with the latter guest starring in the episode. It originally aired on Showtime on November 19, 2006.

"Popping Cherry" is the third episode of the first season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. The episode was written by co-executive producer Daniel Cerone, and directed by co-executive producer Michael Cuesta. It originally aired on Showtime on October 15, 2006.

"Dexter", or "Pilot", is the pilot episode of the first season of the American television drama series Dexter, which premiered on October 1, 2006 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by developer James Manos Jr. and directed by Michael Cuesta. It was based on the opening of the 2004 novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. The pilot introduces the series' protagonist, Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department blood spatter analyst with a double life as a serial killer. While solving murders in the Homicide division, Dexter also spends his time hunting and killing murderers and criminals who have escaped the justice system. The pilot introduces the "Ice Truck Killer", a serial killer who targets prostitutes and leaves their bodies dismembered and bloodless, and the rivalry that develops between the killer and Dexter.

"Born Free" is the twelfth episode of season one and first-season finale of the American television drama series Dexter, which aired on December 17, 2006 on Showtime in the United States. The episode also aired on May 4, 2008 on CTV in Canada; on May 14, 2008 on FX in the UK; on September 28, 2008 on Channel Ten in Australia; and on March 21, 2011 on STAR World in India. The episode was written by Daniel Cerone and executive producer Melissa Rosenberg, and was directed by Michael Cuesta. Based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, the season featured many differences to the original source, mainly in the lead-up to and revelation of the identity of the "Ice Truck Killer". The episode received critical acclaim.

"Gotcha" is the sixteenth episode of the third season of the American comedy-drama television series Entourage. It is the 38th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Doug Ellin and executive producer Rob Weiss, and directed by Dan Attias. It originally aired on HBO on April 29, 2007.

"The Prince's Bride" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American comedy-drama television series Entourage. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Rob Weiss, and directed by David Nutter. It originally aired on HBO on May 20, 2007.

"It's Alive!" is the second season premiere and thirteenth overall episode of the American television drama series Dexter, which first aired on September 30, 2007 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by Daniel Cerone and was directed by Tony Goldwyn. In the episode, which takes place five weeks after the first-season finale, Sgt. James Doakes is following Dexter Morgan at all times, but when he gets his first opportunity Dexter finds himself unable to kill. Meanwhile, his sister Debra returns to work after her ex-fiancé Brian tried to kill her, and his girlfriend Rita Bennett refuses to believe that Dexter sent her ex-husband Paul to prison in spite of the evidence in front of her.

<i>Dexter</i> season 1 Drama series

The first season of Dexter is an adaptation of Jeff Lindsay's first novel in a series of the same name, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Subsequent seasons have featured original storylines. This season aired from October 1, 2006 to December 17, 2006, and follows Dexter's investigation of "the Ice Truck Killer". Introduced in the first episode, "Dexter", this serial killer targets prostitutes and leaves their bodies severed and bloodless. At the same time, Dexter's adoptive sister, Debra Morgan, a vice squad officer, aspires to work in the homicide department, and Dexter's girlfriend, Rita Bennett, wants their relationship to be more intimate. Christian Camargo appears as Rudy Cooper and is a recurring character until the end of the season.

<i>Dexter</i> season 2 Drama series

The second season of Dexter premiered on September 30, 2007, and ended on December 16, 2007. Starting with this season, the show no longer adapts the Dexter novels. The season premiere "It's Alive!" attracted 1.01 million viewers in the United States, making Dexter the first Showtime series to attract more than a million viewers with a season premiere. The season finale, "The British Invasion", attracted 1.4 million viewers, making it the program's most-watched episode until the airing of the season three finale, "Do You Take Dexter Morgan?". Including digital video recorder (DVR) usage, season two was watched by an average of 2.4 million viewers on a weekly basis through 11 full weeks, outperforming season one by 21%.

<i>Dexter</i> season 4 Drama series

The fourth season of Dexter premiered on September 27, 2009, and concluded on December 13, 2009. The series was renewed for a fourth and fifth season in October 2008, with each season consisting of 12 episodes. The show's writers convened during February and March 2009 to brainstorm ideas for the fourth season, and filming was scheduled to begin in June 2009. In May 2009, Showtime announced that John Lithgow would guest star in all 12 episodes as Miami's latest and deadliest serial killer, and Keith Carradine would return as Lundy. The fourth season focuses on Dexter attempting to find his way to balance his family life, the birth of his son, and his "extra-curricular" activities.

"The British Invasion" is the twelfth episode and finale of the second season, and twenty-fourth overall episode, of the American television drama series Dexter, which first aired on 16 December 2007 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by Daniel Cerone and was directed by Steve Shill. In the episode, Lila Tournay finds Sgt. James Doakes imprisoned in an Everglades cabin and learns from him that her object of affection, Dexter Morgan, is the serial killer known as the "Bay Harbor Butcher". She decides to help Dexter and kills Doakes by setting the cabin on fire. Meanwhile, Dexter's sister Debra questions whether her career is more important than her relationship with FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy.

"The Getaway" is the fourth season finale of the American television drama series Dexter, and the 48th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on Showtime on December 13, 2009. In the episode, Dexter goes to great lengths to stop Arthur, who now knows Dexter's true identity. Meanwhile, Debra learns the truth about Dexter's mother, the homicide division closes in on the Trinity Killer, and Rita reaffirms her support for Dexter, even as she acknowledges his hidden demons.

Crocodile (<i>Dexter</i>) 2nd episode of the 1st season of Dexter

"Crocodile" is the 2nd episode of season one of Showtime TV series Dexter. The episode centers on the death of a police officer, Ricky Simmons, and the Miami Metro Police Department's attempt at bringing in the killer. In the meantime, Dexter stalks his next victim, Matt Chambers, a man who kills people by running them over while drunk.

"Seeing Red" is the tenth episode of the first season of the American television drama series Dexter, which first aired on December 3, 2006 on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by Kevin R. Maynard and was directed by Michael Cuesta. In the episode, the Miami Metro Homicide Department team investigate a blood-soaked crime scene, where blood spatter analyst Dexter Morgan is confronted by a repressed memory of a traumatic incident from his childhood. Meanwhile, Dexter's girlfriend Rita Bennett is charged with assaulting her ex-husband Paul Bennett and risks losing custody of their children, while Det. Angel Batista investigates a hunch that the Ice Truck Killer has an amputee fetish.

"Father Knows Best" is the ninth episode of the first season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. The episode was written by Melissa Rosenberg, and directed by Adam Davidson. It originally aired on Showtime on November 26, 2006.

"Truth Be Told" is the eleventh episode of the first season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. The episode was written by producer Drew Z. Greenberg and Tim Schlattmann, and directed by Keith Gordon. It originally aired on Showtime on December 10, 2006.

"Sins of the Father" is the tenth and final episode of the American television miniseries Dexter: New Blood, a continuation of the series Dexter. The episode was written by Clyde Phillips from a story by Phillips, Alexandra Franklin and Marc Muszynski and directed by executive producer Marcos Siega. It originally aired on Showtime on January 9, 2022, being also available on its streaming service at midnight on the same day.

"Skin of Her Teeth" is the seventh episode of the American television miniseries Dexter: New Blood, a continuation of the series Dexter. The episode was written by co-executive producer Veronica West and executive story editor Kirsa Rein from a story by West, Rein and Alexandra Salerno and directed by Sanford Bookstaver. It originally aired on Showtime on December 19, 2021, being also available on its streaming service at midnight on the same day.

"Drive" is the first episode of the sixth season of the American comedy-drama television series Entourage. It is the 67th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Doug Ellin, and directed by co-executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on HBO on July 12, 2009.

"Amongst Friends" is the second episode of the sixth season of the American comedy-drama television series Entourage. It is the 68th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Ally Musika, and directed by co-executive producer Mark Mylod. It originally aired on HBO on July 19, 2009.

References

  1. ↑ "Dexter – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending November 12, 2006". Ratings Ryan. August 5, 2020. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending November 5, 2006". Ratings Ryan. August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 30, 2008". Ratings Ryan. March 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  5. ↑ Goldman, Eric (November 13, 2006). "Dexter: "Circle of Friends" Review". IGN . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  6. ↑ Paige, Paula (November 12, 2006). "Dexter: Circle of Friends". TV Guide . Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  7. ↑ Toomey, Jonathan (November 12, 2006). "Dexter: Circle of Friends". TV Squad . Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Dexter: Circle of Friends – Downs's Syndrome 2: The Dexoning". Television Without Pity . September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.