What I’m Watching: Dexter

Dexter: Season 4, Episode 9 “Hungry Man” (A-)

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this episode since I watched it. It’s one of the many Thanksgiving episodes airing this week, and it’s easily the strongest. Dexter’s decision to protect Jonah after seeing how scared he was of facing up to his father was a bold one, and their meal provided an informative and devastating glimpse into the horrific Mitchell family dynamic. The sharply-defined characteristics displayed by all four members of the family were incredibly intriguing, and having Dexter there as a dismayed observer was a great way to see the influence of Arthur’s reign of terror. Dexter’s response to the situation was particularly shocking because it’s the first time that he’s really let anyone besides his victim see his murderous true self. The terrified expressions on the faces of Arthur’s wife and daughter and the way they rushed to him were just as powerful as the sight of him starting to strangle Arthur with the belt and then slamming the door shut to commit his murderous act in private. It seems like Dexter is in imminent danger of being caught, but it’s important to remember that the Mitchells have absolutely no idea who he really is, and they couldn’t report him to the police for fear of exposing the misdeeds of their patriarch. Dexter’s other Thanksgiving dinner was far more tranquil, and the love his family expresses for him, as well as the way he responds to his children disappointing him, is touching and highly integral to Dexter remaining sane and anchored in society. It’s good that Rita wasn’t the one who instigated the kiss with her next-door neighbor and that she realizes it’s not what she wants. Deb continues to be on-the-ball when it comes to momentous breaks in the case, and it’s nice that she invited Masuka to spend Thanksgiving with them, especially since it afforded Astor the opportunity to identify him as the one his mother told him not to talk to. Christine was beginning to seem like she was heading off the deep end, stability-wise, like Lila, but then there was not one but two marvelous twists. Deb’s realization implied that Christine might have insider information on who killed Lundy or that she might herself be responsible. The closing moment was brilliant, and such a splendid surprise. The violence at the Mitchell household had distracted from the fact that Arthur had spotted Christine’s front-page article earlier in the episode, and that knock at her door was a frightening reminder that he was likely coming to kill her. Her casual greeting of “Hi, Dad” was not what I was expecting at all. The fact that she is his daughter is incredibly significant for multiple reasons. The existence of an older daughter means that Arthur has likely gone through several cycles of families while trying to find the perfect one. But what’s perplexing there is that Christine is still alive and aware that Arthur is her father. Is she in on everything? Does she know that he’s a killer? So many questions from such a terrific episode.