This review contains spoilers.
7.6 Do The Wrong Thing
The theme of this week's Dexter was 'relationships', specifically those ones that are wrong before they even start. Most people have had them. You meet someone you know is a very bad choice, but get involved almost because you know it will cause friction somewhere. It's like you're mesmerised by your own ability to flirt with doom, and headlong pursue someone who is destined to cause you pain.
On the dessert table of dating disasters, Dexter has a fantastic selection on offer. We've got Joey Quinn, trying to be a good cop yet now drawn to the dark side by his understandable fascination with Ukrainian strippers. I just hope he keeps that evidence, rather than destroying it, because it's the only thing keeping him, and Nadia, alive. And, then we've Debra coming at new character Sal Price (Santiago Cabrera) like she's been celibate for a decade. She knows his real interest is Hannah McKay, but she's willing to dance while the music keeps playing. Given that she's meant to be covering Dexter's back, she seems too distracted to do that job well, and Sal might actually uncover something difficult to disappear.
Before I come to the ultimate in wrong relationships, I want to talk about Isaac, and the scene in the prison, which was wrong in so many different ways. I understand that Isaac is scary, but when the Columbian was grabbed why did his muchachos just watch from a distance? I know the guy whose wrist was broken indicated that they should stay back, but Isaac's not that scary, is he? Had they come over, he'd have died however good he is at killing people. Additionally, the notion that he'd summon one hundred people there in an hour seemed ridiculous. What, they'd stand outside the overcrowded prison and demand to be let inside on a family ticket? No, that seemed silly, though the Columbian bought it wholesale. Perhaps Isaac's real skill is to realise when his foes are terminally stupid.
But in terms of logical leaps, the one that stood head and shoulders above all others here was Dexter's obsession with Hannah McKay. Not that being attracted to her is remotely fantastic, but him having sex with her rather than killing her, does rather break the code. Or is it more a set of guidelines now?
The prelude to all this did have one of the funniest lines in the season so far, when Dexter returns to the ghost of Harry in the car after leaving Hannah, and is asked incredulously: "A date. Really?" James Remar who plays Harry is an excellent actor, and the show is always better for his appearances.
The twist that's been so elegantly assembled here is that Isaac kidnaps Hannah thinking she's the damsel in distress who will lure Dexter to his fate, and he's picked the wrong women for that job. Whatever transpires, it's looking increasingly like a replay of the Lumen story line, but with a character with whom Dexter can develop a long term relationship instead of a psychologically damaged persona. Though that said, I'd actually be quite surprised if Hannah survives this season, as being close to Dexter usually has serious or even fatal consequences.
The only certainty is that when Debra finds out what Dexter's done, she's going to produce a verbal storm the likes of which will eclipse the one she spouted in the elevator, and will no-doubt be fully muted for a future network TV screening.
We're at the half way point of season seven, and after a strong start, this series has become somewhat disjointed. I'm beginning to think that they've set too many plot lines running, and they need to concentrate on one or two, probably Isaac and Hannah. The show needs clarity, which we can only hope for in the coming story.
Read Billy's review of the previous episode, Swim Deep, here.
Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.