Return to Sender 

The Ice Truck Killer leaves Dexter a surprise at the scene of one of Dexter's recent kills, placing him firmly in the cross hairs of his own Homicide Division colleagues.

Director:

Tony Goldwyn

Writers:

James Manos Jr. (developed for television by), Jeff Lindsay (based on the novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by)

Stars:

Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael C. Hall	...	Dexter Morgan
Julie Benz	...	Rita Bennett
Jennifer Carpenter	...	Debra Morgan
Erik King	...	Sgt. James Doakes
Luna Lauren Velez	...	Lt. Maria LaGuerta (as Lauren Velez)
David Zayas	...	Det. Angel Batista
James Remar	...	Harry Morgan
C.S. Lee	...	Vince Masuka
Valerie Dillman	...	Valerie Castillo
Vernee Watson	...	Doakes' Mother (as Vernée Watson Johnson)
Andi Chapman	...	Social Worker
José Zúñiga	...	Jorge Castillo (archive footage) (as Jose Zuniga)
Christina Robinson	...	Astor Bennett
Daniel Goldman	...	Cody Bennett
Devon Graye	...	Teenage Dexter

Storyline

The body of one of Dexter's previous female victims has been found, despite Dexter's having thrown both of the corpses into the ocean. A young Cuban boy had witnessed the previous night's events, and Dexter dismisses his colleagues' leads that could direct them towards him. Eventually, Dexter frames the husband, whose body is still missing, with his wife's murder. The witness describes Jesus Christ rather than Dexter. During this time, Rita dissuades her abusive husband, Paul, from attending their daughter's birthday party after he is released early from prison.

---

Plot Keywords:

false evidence | boy | cuban boy | birthday | party | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

Etorphine is a ultra-potent semi-synthetic opioid used for tranquilizing large animals, and is approximately 3,000 times more potent than morphine. It is synthesized from oripavine, which is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the Oriental Poppy and the Iranian Poppy, but not in the Opium Poppy. It is only available for veterinary use, in it's hydrochloride form Etorphine is a Schedule II controlled substance and can only be ordered by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has a general DEA license for prescribing controlled substances, and also has a special permit from the DEA to obtain Etorphine. All other forms of Etorphine are Schedule I controlled substances and the hydrochloride form cannot be ordered or dispensed by most DVM's or any MD's. As it is extremely potent Etorphine is not approved for used in humans, the lethal dose of Etorphine in humans is 30 micrograms (.03 milligrams) and because it is so dangerous to humans each vial of Etorphine also comes with a vial containing the appropriate dose of naloxone (a opioid antagonist) to reverse its effects in case of accidental exposure, even getting the powder on your skin is enough to cause a fatal overdose, it does not have to be injected, inhaled or ingested to be fatal.

---

Goofs

During the flashback of Debra firing her dad's gun, the dry, brown hillside across the water is completely out of place for South Florida.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Dexter Morgan: [voice-over] Life is so fleeting. So fragile. Every breath of potential may not last.

---

Connections

References American Psycho (2000)

---

Soundtracks

Blood Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Daniel Licht
Performed by Daniel Licht

User Reviews

Things Begin to Fall Apart!

In another fabulous, tense episode of Dexter, we see that the stakes are higher and that the tension is about to reach the peak after the incidents in this episode. The acting hasn't been better and the story hasn't been better. After the ending of this episode, I just want more and more. That talks about the quality of these episodes and just how good and addictive they are.

This episode, "Return to Sender" has Dexter staring more and more into danger. The Ice Truck Killer takes Dexter's most recent victim and puts him at the scene of the crime where the victim was murdered. Now Dexter must do everything he can to avoid being caught by his own police department.

Overall, this is a very good, thrilling episode. I liked the fact how now we get to see some things from Debra's point of view and we see some more flashbacks between the two. This episode is also about the relations between brother and sister and how they turn a little sour with this episode. I rate this episode 9/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions, John Goldwyn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

53 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1