Hello, Dexter Morgan

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"Hello, Dexter Morgan"
Dexter episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 11
Directed by S. J. Clarkson
Written by
Cinematography by Romeo Tirone
Editing byLouis Cioffi
Original release dateDecember 6, 2009 (2009-12-06)
Running time51 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Hello, Dexter Morgan" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series Dexter . It is the 47th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Scott Buck and producer Lauren Gussis, and was directed by S. J. Clarkson. It originally aired on Showtime on December 6, 2009.

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, Dexter must deal with Trinity himself before Miami Metro discovers more evidence, while Trinity himself tries to find Dexter. Meanwhile, Christine is confronted over her connection to Trinity.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.11 million household viewers and gained a 1.1/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, becoming the most watched episode of the series by then, as well as the first one to cross 2 million viewers. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, with Jennifer Carpenter receiving high praise for her performance in the episode.

Plot

As Batista (David Zayas) interrogates Christine (Courtney Ford), Dexter (Michael C. Hall) begins to consider framing someone as a decoy to the police, giving him time to kill Arthur (John Lithgow). Meanwhile, Arthur sees a news report on the return of the boy he abducted and realizes that Dexter has not told the police about him. He phones Dexter and asks what he wants; Dexter, improvising, tells him that he wants $50,000 in twenty-four hours or he will tell the police that Arthur is a pedophile. Arthur takes out a phonebook and researches the various Kyle Butlers of Miami, telling Dexter that he will be in touch.

Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) tries to get Quinn (Desmond Harrington) to see that Christine isn't who she told him she was. When Dexter leaves the station, Quinn reacts suspiciously, asking him where he's really going. Captain Matthews confronts Batista LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez) with a video of the two kissing, proving they were lying in their affidavits; he tells them that they have committed perjury and will need to find new jobs. Dexter goes through possible suspect files to decide which one he should frame for Arthur's murders. Meanwhile, Arthur breaks into a house and kills the homeowner, named Kyle Butler. Dexter arrives for an appointment with Rita (Julie Benz) for marriage counseling but gets called to a crime scene as soon as he arrives. Rita then confesses that she and Elliot kissed.

Dexter arrives at the scene and learns the victim is a Kyle Butler, causing him to realize that Arthur is after him. Meanwhile, Debra and Batista search Christine's apartment and find a collection of postcards from her father, which they put together as past Trinity kill sites. Dexter goes to another Kyle Butler and renders him unconscious via injection in order to catch Arthur. However, as soon as Arthur arrives, he realizes that the occupant is not Dexter and leaves before Dexter can grab him. Batista shows Christine the postcards, causing her to ask for a lawyer. Quinn realizes that she was using him to get close to the case; Debra tells him not to beat himself up. Dexter arrives at the home of Stan Beaudry and finds that he has taken a trip to Jacksonville. Instead of driving there, he decides to return home and talk with Rita, forgiving her offhandedly for kissing Elliot; for her part, Rita is concerned that Dexter doesn't seem to care that she nearly cheated on him.

Dexter is called into the station and Debra attempts to get Christine to talk. She tells Christine about her own issues with her father, Harry, but Christine reveals nothing. Dexter arrives and acts as witness to LaGuerta and Batista's marriage. He rushes off afterwards to kill Beaudry. After a phone call from Arthur, he intercepts and kills Beaudry, then plants evidence in Beaudry's home and truck to link him to the Trinity killings. Dexter returns home and punches Elliot for kissing Rita; she witnesses it and prepares some ice for his hand, telling him that she is glad that he cared. LaGuerta and Batista inform Matthews of their marriage, telling him that a perjury charge won't stand up in court.

Christine calls Arthur to tell him that she's in trouble, and he angrily tells her to never call him again and that he was sorry she had ever been born. Meanwhile, the team finds the evidence Dexter planted. Debra is informed that Christine wishes to talk to her, and she and Quinn rush to her apartment, believing that she wishes to confess. She tells Debra that she shot her and killed Lundy, and asks Debra to forgive her. When Deb refuses, Christine pulls a gun from under a cushion and commits suicide.

After hearing a phone call from Arthur, Dexter goes to the video arcade to hunt for him, unaware that Arthur is in fact following him back to the station. Arthur infiltrates the station by stealing a visitor's badge and wanders around, looking at photos of his work. Debra tells Dexter that she is afraid to erase Lundy's name from the board because then it will all be over. Debra wipes it off after some thought and Dexter goes to his office. To his horror, he sees Arthur walking through the squad room and goes to meet him. Mitchell looks at Dexter's ID badge and says, "Hello... Dexter Morgan."

Production

Development

The episode was written by executive producer Scott Buck and producer Lauren Gussis, and was directed by S. J. Clarkson. This was Buck's ninth writing credit, Gussis' sixth writing credit, and Clarkson's first directing credit. [1]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Hello, Dexter Morgan" was seen by an estimated 2.11 million household viewers with a 1.1/3 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 1.1 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it. [2] This was a 17% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 1.80 million household viewers with a 0.8/2 in the 18–49 demographics. [3]

Critical reviews

"Hello, Dexter Morgan" received highly positive reviews from critics. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.8 out of 10, and wrote, "After last week's race against time to save the life of a 10-year-old boy, we're given another, well, race against time. Dexter's a wonderful series, but I'm feeling a bit ragged being faced with another episode where Dexter has to constantly be elsewhere. Thank god he's got a job that, for the most part, allows him to take off to go and "do a thing."" [4]

Emily St. James of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "After a meandering midsection this season, it really feels like the writers of Dexter are pushing forward into some new territory with all of their characters, and I'm hoping they'll keep that promise next week and not just end this season like they've ended every other season." [5]

Alan Sepinwall wrote, "On the one hand, Jennifer Carpenter continues her strong work this season, and the final sequence was one of the more exciting cat-and-mouse moments the show has done. On the other hand, to get to that moment, Dexter has to get an IQ transplant from Peter Petrelli for most of the episode. Hopefully, it all leads to a finale that doesn't end the exact way we all assume that it will." [6] Kristal Hawkins of Vulture wrote, "Dexter had an exciting few weeks, but it couldn't last forever. The season's penultimate episode cuts the good times short and replaces them with an extended (and unrewarding) riff on identity." [7]

Billy Grifter of Den of Geek wrote, "The setup for the final Dexter of this season is complete. What chaos that will unleash is difficult to imagine, but Arthur is obviously the most dangerous foe Dexter’s encountered." [8] Gina DiNunno of TV Guide wrote, "With Miami Metro closer than ever to learning the identity of Trinity, Dexter desperately tries to lead the cops astray so he can keep his secret life under wraps and kill of Arthur Mitchell himself." [9]

Danny Gallagher of TV Squad wrote, "Once again, Jennifer Carpenter shined as the still-grieving Debra who hasn't completely gotten over Lundy's murder. The scene where she has to almost throw herself at the dry-erase board to erase Lundy's name from the list of unsolved murders was toned down a bit compared to the breakdown she had just after his murder, but just as heartfelt and genuine." [10] Television Without Pity gave the episode a "B" grade. [11]

S. J. Clarkson submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards. [12]

Related Research Articles

Debra Charlotte Morgan is a fictional character created by Jeff Lindsay for his Dexter book series. She also appears in the television series, based on Lindsay's books, portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter. In Lindsay's novels, she first appeared in Darkly Dreaming Dexter and was featured in every novel in the series. Debra is the sister of the series' antihero protagonist Dexter Morgan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter Morgan</span> Fictional character from the Dexter book and TV series

Dexter Morgan, also known by the in-universe moniker The Bay Harbor Butcher, is a fictional character introduced as the antihero protagonist of the Dexter book series written by Jeff Lindsay, as well as the television series of the same name. In the television series, Dexter is portrayed by Michael C. Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Doakes</span> Fictional character in the Dexter television series

James Doakes is a fictional character in the Dexter television series and the novels by Jeff Lindsay. In the TV series, he is portrayed by Erik King. Doakes appeared in the first two seasons as a detective sergeant, and is depicted as one of the few characters in the series to suspect the truth of lead character Dexter Morgan being a serial killer.

<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 3 Drama series

The third season of Dexter premiered on September 28, 2008, and ended on December 14, 2008. "Our Father", the season premiere, attracted 1.22 million viewers in the United States, making it Showtime's highest-rated drama season premiere since Nielsen Media Research began compiling ratings in 2004. The season finale "Do You Take Dexter Morgan?" attracted 1.5 million viewers. Season three was watched by an average of 1.1 million viewers a week.

<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.

"Let's Give the Boy a Hand" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American television drama series Dexter. It premiered on October 22, 2006, on Showtime in the United States. The episode was written by Drew Z. Greenberg and directed by Robert Lieberman. The Ice Truck Killer starts leaving body parts of his latest victim at locations related to Dexter's childhood, making him confront his dark personal history. Meanwhile, Rita confronts a neighbor with a noisy dog that is keeping her children up at night. Lieutenant LaGuerta seeks to comfort the mother of the latest Ice Truck Killer victim and the pressure on Sergeant Doakes escalates when Guerrero's associates begin following him.

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">María LaGuerta</span> Fictional human

Captain María Esperanza di Alma LaGuerta is a fictional character portrayed by Lauren Vélez in the Showtime television series Dexter. In the series, she holds the position of lieutenant at the fictitious Miami-Metro Homicide Department. While initially depicted as a protagonist, Maria LaGuerta, who serves as the superior officer to main characters Dexter and Debra Morgan, evolves into one of the primary antagonists by Season 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel Batista</span> Fictional character

Angelo "Angel" Juan Marcos Batista is a fictional character in the Showtime television series Dexter and the novels by Jeff Lindsay upon which it is based. He is portrayed in the television series by David Zayas. Batista spends much of the series as a Sergeant before being promoted to Lieutenant in the final season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Quinn</span> Fictional character

Joseph "Joey" Quinn is a fictional character in the Showtime television series Dexter, portrayed by Desmond Harrington.

<i>Dexter</i> season 5 Drama series

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"Dirty Harry" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer Tim Schlattmann, and was directed by Keith Gordon. It originally aired on Showtime on October 25, 2009.

"If I Had a Hammer" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 42nd overall episode of the series and was written by producer Lauren Gussis, and was directed by Romeo Tirone. It originally aired on Showtime on November 1, 2009.

"Lost Boys" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American crime drama television series Dexter. It is the 46th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Charles H. Eglee and supervising producer Tim Schlattmann, and was directed by Keith Gordon. It originally aired on Showtime on November 29, 2009.

References

  1. ↑ "Dexter – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending December 6, 2009". Ratings Ryan. October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending November 29, 2009". Ratings Ryan. October 26, 2021. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ Fowler, Matt (December 7, 2009). "Dexter: "Hello, Dexter Morgan" Review". IGN . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  5. ↑ St. James, Emily (December 7, 2009). "Dexter: "Hello, Dexter Morgan"". The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  6. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (December 6, 2009). "Dexter, "Hello, Dexter Morgan": Dexter the dunce". What's Alan Watching?. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Hawkins, Kristal (December 7, 2009). "Dexter: Blood Test". Vulture . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  8. ↑ Grifter, Billy (December 8, 2009). "Dexter season 4 episode 11 review". Den of Geek . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ DiNunno, Gina (December 6, 2009). "Dexter Episode Recap: "Hello, Dexter Morgan"". TV Guide . Archived from the original on December 30, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  10. ↑ Gallagher, Danny (December 7, 2009). "Review: Dexter - Hello, Dexter Morgan". TV Squad . Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Dexter: Hello, Dexter Morgan – A Spy in the House of Dex". Television Without Pity . December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Official 2010 EMMYS Episode Submissions". The Envelope Forum, Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
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