The Dark Defender 

Dexter discovers that the man is still alive who murdered his mother in front of him as a boy, and confronts the killer as part of his recovery from addiction - but he also discovers that old impulses die hard.

Director:

Keith Gordon

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
C.S. Lee	...	Vince Masuka (credit only)
Luna Lauren Velez	...	Lt. Maria LaGuerta (as Lauren Velez)
David Zayas	...	Det. Angel Batista
James Remar	...	Harry Morgan
JoBeth Williams	...	Gail Brandon
Tony Amendola	...	Santos Jimenez
Jaime Murray	...	Lila Tournay
Keith Carradine	...	Special Agent Frank Lundy
Christina Robinson	...	Astor Bennett
Preston Bailey	...	Cody Bennett
Sage Kirkpatrick	...	Laura Moser (as Katherine Kirkpatrick)

Storyline

Dexter discovers that one of the men who murdered his mother in front of him as a boy is still alive. He dreams that a comic-book hero based on the Bay Harbor Butcher saves his mother, and is encouraged by Lila to seek closure by confronting his mother's killer, Santos Jimenez (Tony Amendola). Doakes and LaGuerta investigate a homicide in a comic-book store, and reminisce about their days as partners. Rita's mother warns Dexter to leave Rita and her children alone. Debra begins to lose faith in her relationship with Gabriel, suspecting that he is taking advantage of her.

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Plot Keywords:

episode title spoken by character | alias | woman wears lingerie | woman wears a thong | mother | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of Gabriel's book is "The Ice Princess". Erik King, who plays Doakes, was in the Disney movie Ice Princess (2005).

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Goofs

In season 1, Dexter learns the date of his mother's murder being October 3rd, 1973. But when he confronts Estrada in season 2, he yells out '1972!' as he beats him with a baseball bat 8n the bar.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Dexter Morgan: [narrating] Harry taught me to lie, and keep my darkest secrets from those around me. Which why I need to make sure there's not a trace of blood left on my boat. He also taught me not to rush to judgement. Things aren't always what they appear to be - including Harry. And what about me? Am I the twisted Bay Harbor Butcher, or the valiant Dark Defender? Only time will tell.
Dexter Morgan: Funny thing is, I've met someone who doesn't care what I am. I suppose every hero needs a side-kick. Every ...

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Connections

References Godzilla (1954)

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Soundtracks

Gimme Shelter
(uncredited)
Words and Music by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Courtesy ABKCO Music and Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Things Are not Always What They Appear to Be

The press questions whether the Bay Butcher Killer is a friend of a foe. Dexter decides to perform a further investigation about the murder of his mother and finds that most of the evidences are missing. He finds that one killer is still alive running a bar in Naples, Florida, under the witnesses' protection program. He tells Lila that advises him to travel and face the past that haunts him. Meanwhile the distrustful Debra glances at Gabriel's e-mail and believes he is betraying her. Agent Lundy decides to install hidden surveillance cameras in the three possible marinas where the Bay Butcher Killer might have taken the stones and shows Debra the report of his personal investigation about Gabriel. Debra does not have time to tell Dexter about the cameras since he is in a hurry to head to Naples with Lila. In the end, Dexter and Debra find that things are not always what they appear to be.

"The Dark Defender" is another engaging and one of the best shows of the Second Season of Dexter. In this episode, Dexter finds that his stepfather had not told the whole truth about the execution of his mother. Debra also discovers that she has misjudged Gabriel that seems to really like her. The conclusion with Dexter cleaning his boat is promising. Last but not the least, Jaime Murray is sexier than I could imagine. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Defensor Negro" ("The Black Defender")

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions, John Goldwyn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1