If I Had a Hammer (1 Nov. 2009)

Dexter knows it's only a matter of time before Miami Metro discovers the Trinity Killer's latest handiwork. Therefore, he has to work doubly hard to stay one step ahead of their ... See full summary »

Director:

Romeo Tirone

Writers:

James Manos Jr. (developer), Jeff Lindsay (novel),

Stars:

Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael C. Hall	...	Dexter Morgan
Julie Benz	...	Rita Morgan
Jennifer Carpenter	...	Det. Debra Morgan
Desmond Harrington	...	Det. Joseph 'Joey' Quinn
C.S. Lee	...	Vince Masuka
Lauren Vélez	...	Lt. Maria LaGuerta (as Lauren Velez)
David Zayas	...	Sgt. Angel Batista
James Remar	...	Harry Morgan (credit only)
John Lithgow	...	Arthur Mitchell
Geoff Pierson	...	Deputy Chief Tom Matthews
Courtney Ford	...	Christine Hill
Julia Campbell	...	Sally Mitchell
Roma Maffia	...	Marriage Therapist
Brando Eaton	...	Jonah Mitchell
Vanessa Marano	...	Rebecca Mitchell

Storyline

Dexter knows it's only a matter of time before Miami Metro discovers the Trinity Killer's latest handiwork. Therefore, he has to work doubly hard to stay one step ahead of their investigation. Dexter has begun to realize that the closer he gets to Trinity, the more he stands to learn from this very different beast. Trinity hides behind a well-kept mask, and getting behind that facade will require some extra prodding on Dexter's part. Meanwhile, Debra becomes frustrated when she finds herself shut out from her own case. She considers bending the rules in the name of justice, risking her career in the process. LaGuerta and Batista come to regret a major decision, and realize that by playing by the rules they may have painted themselves into a corner. And when the friction between Rita and Dexter comes to a head, Dexter gleans relationship advice from a most unlikely source.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood - 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Showtime Networks, John Goldwyn Productions, Colleton Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The episode is titled after a 1949 song by the American folk band The Weavers.

---

Goofs

In the previous episode, Frank describes his Trinity suspect as "200 to 220 pounds" into his tape recorder, but when Dexter listens to the tape, it says "190 200 pounds".

---

Quotes

[fist lines]
Arthur Mitchell: [singing] Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin...
Dexter Morgan: [voice-over of inner monologue] A wolf in sheep's clothing. Hour by hour the spitting image of a normal man.
Arthur Mitchell: [singing, continued] ... and be washed in the blood of the Lamb. There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean...
Dexter Morgan: [...]

---

Soundtracks

"Dexter Main Title"
(uncredited)
Written by Rolfe Kent
Performed by Rolfe Kent

User Reviews

Wolf on Sheep's Clothing

Dexter investigates Trinity and learns that he is the professor and family man Arthur Mitchell, married with two children. Dexter is intrigued with the real affection of Trinity for his family and decides to get closer to the serial-killer. He goes to the Sacred Fellowship that helps people and he introduces himself as Kyle Butler. Meanwhile, Rita forces Dexter to go with her to a marriage therapist expecting to resolve her issues with Dexter. Debra believes that Nikki Wald had killed Lundy and she is intended to commit perjury against the junkie. Maria and Angel regret the disclosure to Deputy Chief Tom Matthews about their relationship and they deliver affidavit that they are not dating each other.

"If I Had a Hammer" is a "stalled" episode of Dexter. Rita is annoying and now she decides to go to a marriage therapist. I do not know how often this procedure happens in the American society but from an outsider, this decision is quite ridiculous. Dexter studies Trinity but does not kill him, otherwise the season would have to come to an end. Why does he need to be intrigued with the affection of the serial-killer for his family seems to be only to buy time and extend the season for six more shows. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Se Eu Tivesse um Martelo" ("If I Had a Hammer")