By Buzz Byrne
“We go where the chase leads us.” That’s how Special Agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) defends his decision to follow the trail of the Bay Harbor Butcher as it leads straight into the heart of the Miami police department. He sends Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) and Angel (David Zayas) to follow up on one of the “victims”, a homicide suspect who was never convicted because Dexter (Michael C. Hall) botched the blood work. One of the loose ends of the case was a crazy next door neighbor Lenny Asher (another casting coup, Bruce Weitz) who made notes on everything he spied out his window. It is through this bit of police work that leads Lundy, Batista and Morgan to the unmistakable conclusion that someone in their ranks is absolutely the Butcher.
It is getting increasingly difficult for Dexter to remain in the shadows where, he says, “I always worked best.”
This is, oddly, the least of Dexter’s problems though. Lila and Debra officially hate each other and bicker over Dexter’s previously peaceful breakfast bar. Dexter also realizes that Lila probably started the fire in her place but he can’t figure out why. He rescues ex-girlfriend Rita from a morning of chaos only to be told that he should stay away and it is hard to determine what is more disturbing- Special Agent Frank Lundy pumping him for information about the Butcher’s victims or pumping him for information on his sister so whole different kind of “pumping” can be pursued.
Debra and Lundy do have dinner. He cooks for her. She tells him she hopes he isn’t looking for her to return the favor, she only makes toast. He says he would love to eat her toast. Oh. My. God. My only explanation for this was the writers knew how awkward Carpenter was going to be in a seductive, flirty scene and wrote the most awful line for Carradine in the history of everything. I love this show. I think the writing is top notch and the subject matter is truly engrossing and fun. This is a high powered machine and season two may turn out to be as strong as season one, but they do a disservice to the material and the work put in by highlighting their one square tire. As the engine roars with strength, Carpenter continues to clunk along. They are asking too much of her as an actor and that is too bad.
But on to other loose ends that worked out for the better. Santos Jimenez returns, the last of the three thugs that killed Dexter’s mother. He shows up after a night at the bowling alley, a jaunt that Lila insisted on accompanying Dexter. Dexter is sliced and Santos escapes for now. During the patch up of the wound, the unhealthy relationship between Dexter and Lila continues its spiral down the codependent hallway.
Dexter determines that recovery isn’t an option and pursues Santos to a hidden cabin in the everglades. In the safe remote location Dexter takes his revenge, with a chainsaw. But back home it is all coming apart. Doakes has broken into his apartment and discovers the blood souvenirs Dexter keeps in his air conditioner. Lila has discovered Dexter wasn’t working late and broke into Rita’s home. Dexter finds out about this when Rita calls him on the cell and asks if he was in her place because the door was open. This as he is going through Santos’ wallet and finds the address for the bowling alley. It all points to Lila being a very bad girlfriend.
“The Lila experiment is officially over.” He says as he goes to confront her. She crumbles in the face of his fury at being violated but he knows enough not to let his guard down now. “You are more dangerous than my addiction will ever be,” he says as he sees her honestly for the first time. I’m not too bright when it comes to predicting things but I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of Lila. And what does Doakes do with the blood evidence? Four episodes are left this season, how is that possible? Among Doakes, Lila and Lundy -- who makes it to season three? I say none.